Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Petruzzo.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I stumbled into my yoga practice in 2011 after graduating from UNH with my Master’s in Occupational Therapy and recently moving to Boston to begin my first full time job. Yoga to me is connection. Connection to self, connection to others, and the understanding of the inherent interconnectedness of all things. Although I studied dance for most of my life, as well as the human body, movement, and psychology extensively in college, I arrived at yoga in a very disconnected state. It found me at a time when I was overly critical of myself, attempting to control my life through food, exercise, and pleasing others. Yoga provided me the space to unravel, arriving back into my body and to my true self after many years of striving and perfectionism. Needless to say, I completely fell in love with the practice and the new ways of being yoga offered me. I became a curious and extremely dedicated student completing numerous yoga training in both Boston and California.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh my goodness, is it ever smooth?! I found yoga in my early 20s and have been consistently practicing for the last decade. Over that time, I have gone through my fair share of ups and downs, relocations, heartbreaks, losses and gains, and exploring the many layers of myself. I consider myself a recovering perfectionist, who for most of my life was always striving to please others and be this person I think I “should” be. Once I allowed myself the space to drop my shield of perfectionism, life became easier it felt like I was able to actually take a deep breath. Through traveling, meditation, journaling, and stillness I’ve allowed myself to completely unravel removing all my layers, exploring both my light and my darkness. This space of simply being has enabled me to become more compassionate, patient, and kind towards myself, accepting who I am in this moment. I think it’s important to remember you were never broken, you have always been completely whole as you are. The practice for me has been a coming back home to my true perfectly imperfect self. I think for any women who are beginning their wellness journey, I would advise to stay true to your heart, trust your intuition, and keep following the things that light you up. Our struggles connect us to the parts of us that would maybe rather be unseen, but our strength is in our vulnerability to embrace and own all of who we are wholehearted.
Please tell us about Nina Petruzzo Yoga and Wellness.
I am an Occupational Therapist, yoga teacher, and holistic wellness coach. I aim in my own practice and life to choose compassion over the ego, cultivating more kindness, truth, patience, and acceptance towards myself so that I am able to be and give these things to others. I have created a practice and coaching style that is both challenging and playful, structured and intuitive, honest and compassionate. Guided through inquiry I encourage students and clients to slow down, pause, and pay attention. By teaching aligned awareness in the body, mind, and spirit through breath, intentional movement, embodied exploration, spacious stillness, and deep listening to my hope is to empower and educate others to practice and live in a way that produces the best versions of themselves. I teach yoga classes, workshops, retreats, and teacher training locally in my hometown on Cape Cod, in my soul home of San Diego, and around the world with my business partner and co-creator, Jenna Zabrosky.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I’ve always been a leader, which could be attributed to my rising and moon signs being in Leo as well as being the oldest child in my family. Ever since I’ve started my career, I’ve figured out ways to work out of the box whether through working for myself, creating my own schedule, innovating, creating, and following my passions. I’ve been very lucky to fuse my two careers as an Occupational Therapist and Yoga Teacher into this one dynamic and ever-evolving life path. I’ve always been extremely independent, driven, curious, and resilient as well as sensitive, compassionate, empathic, and patient. I know those qualities certainly help me in growing and expanding my business today and keep me moving forward on my wellness path.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ninapetruzzo.com
- Email: nina@ninapetruzzoyoga.com
- Instagram: nina_petruzzo_yoga
Image Credit:
Hale Production Studios
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