Paola cruz

800HR E-RYT Yoga and Meditation Guide with over 15 years of experience

Email:
paola@practicewithpaola.com

Website:
http://practicewithpaola.com

Paola Cruz was born and raised in Honduras. As a child, she displayed a strong interest in Eastern Traditions, particularly India, despite the lack of diversity in her home city. When Paola turned 18, her parents sent her to University in USA where she took her first asana class as an elective. That day in 2008 she fell in love with Yoga. In 2011, after Paola graduated from Merchandising and Marketing, she moved from Georgia into NYC, where she was offered a job as a Manager and Assistant to a Jewelry Designer in the East Village. Downtown Manhattan offered a variety of studios and classes which she took advantage of. One year later, while going through anxiety and panic attacks, she was introduced to Meditation and Pranayama. Paola refused to take any medication for anxiety and knew that her power was inside of her. She dwelled deeply into Mindfulness and Meditation.

Paola decided to step away from Jewelry and began to travel around the world in 2014. During her travels she visited many holy sites, met sages and monks, hiked in the Nepali Himalayas, and interacted with local communities around the world These experiences were deeply transformational.

One blissful morning, in 2018, Paola woke up with a knowing that her purpose in this life, was to share the teachings of Yoga. For the second time, she traveled to India to complete her first official Yoga training in Rishikesh. During this training, Paola experienced a reloading of information, and felt truly inspired with the journey ahead. She returned to her home country, Honduras, where she immediately began to offer classes, events, retreats and grow the community. She is very honored to be considered a Pioneer in Yoga in her home country.

“When you decide to teach others, you also commit to a life of study.” – Paola. Ever since, Paola has furthered her knowledge of Yoga with many trainings focusing on The Chakras, Prana, The Energy Body, Trauma and Therapeutic Techniques in Yoga, and Vedanta Philosophy and Meditation. After 10 years of studying and practicing Meditation, she became a certified Meditation Guide under the India based Yoga Ashram – Arhanta Yoga. In 2023 she traveled to Mysore, India and received her Advanced Yoga Training. She is also certified in Yoga Therapy, Pre & Post Natal Yoga and Mudra Yoga.

Nowadays, Paola travels around the world hosting classes, events and retreats. She has been invited to teach at International Yoga Congresses, Summits, Fortune 500 companies, exclusive hotels, wellness companies, and has collaborated with the Government of Honduras in sharing Meditation and Yoga for local communities.

Paola is committed to her Sadhana, and follows the Path of Bhakti. She receives Spiritual Guidance from Swami Chidananda, and her beloved Guru, Paramahamsa Vishwananda, to whom she dedicates her service too. “My goal is to embody, as best as I can, the light and the love from the teachings of Yoga, so that those who cross my path can be inspired to see the light within themselves.”