Meet Angela Beaver | Yoga Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Angela Beaver and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angela, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
To me the most important value in a human is: empathy. I find empathy to be one of the purest and most important qualities a person can carry. To me empathy is living your life in a way where you can see through more lenses than just your own. Being able to feel what another person (or being) is feeling is quite powerful! And in synch with what YOGA is about – connection.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Hello! I am Angela, a Atlanta local for 20 years, a Yoga Teacher for 8.5 years and a small business owner for 7 years. What sets you apart from other teachers ? Wow, that is a very intimidating question! I have to dig hard to answer this. I think what makes me unique is my ability to intuitively feel and know what my students and clients are in need of that day or supporting them in their requests. Through the practice of the postures (asana) but more so through stillness and gentle guidance to bring more focus on the internal world (pratyahara). I ask my students often throughout class/session to dig deep and regular reminders that the poses are a gift of reflection. I am a fan of mysticism and I find that it has a place in the practice, which I love to interweave throughout our time together. What you are most proud of or excited about? Professionally, being a small business owner for over 7 years! I own a biz -Atlanta Yoga Instructors which revolves around bringing Yoga to anyone, anywhere. I also provide jobs to local teachers through contracting them to teach private clientele Also, I have offered several amazing yoga retreats over the years. Personally, my proudest share is my stunning daughter and becoming her mother. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? Choosing to ‘roll with the punches’ of being a small business owner has taught me a lot on patience and focusing on solutions rather than the problems. There has been countless challenges. Pandemic included. However, I live, practice and adore sharing Yoga so because of this I keep moving forward. How did you overcome the challenges? One of my favorite quotes is “the only way out is in”. Which I find to be sooo true for our fears but also our struggles. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story? I truly practice what I preach. I believe in integrity and authenticity. I do my very best to bring this to my teaching, how I run my business and how I live. One of my biggest lessons in my life so far has been the journey to become a mother (battling infertility for 3 + years), to becoming a mother. I have weaved this (huge) part of my life into my shares and this has pivoted me into a whole new world of where I want to take my focus and my work. In 2019, it was very clear to me that after living a life of a full time mom and talking to countless moms, that there is such a strong need to support mothers. I than sat with this and what I could do or how to create a sacred space. From there, Sacred Haven was born. I then set the wheels in motion to make this dream space a reality for Atlanta moms. However, 2020 happened aka Covid. So… I have now moved my social media to more of a mother driven, yoga, self love focus in hopes of building a community for mothers and others in the meantime or limbo of this pandemic. I hope to bring this heart filled vision into reality sooner rather than later! Stay tuned. You can follow this/my journey @sacredhavenformams.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Living is ATL for 20 years I have seen so much growth in options of unique offerings in this diverse city. When a out of towner pal or fam visits I love to #1 take them to the Beltline! Being outside is a must + there are so many amazing local restaurants to explore as well as artist murals (not to mention the exercise). I am currently really into brunch (late nights don’t work well with mom life). I love to take people to Bread and Butterfly located in Inman Park. The High is always a plus. We usually make a stop (pre pandemic) once a month and especially during fam/friend visits. Pre-pandemic I would defiantly be hitting up a local Yoga studio to get a practice in. Studios I miss dearly and would often frequent and recommend – Evolation, Nirvana Yoga + Highland Yoga Dinner I would have to share our favorite Mexican dining spot – Patria Cocina! Located in my neck of the woods Grant Park. (also, Grant Park is a great park to explore)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One of my favorite things is shoutouts to those who have made an impact in my life/journey. I would have to start with my mother who nudged me to try Yoga. She started my journey with reminders that ” you should try it!” on a regular basis since I was 18. She has practiced yoga since the 70’s. Next, would have to be Nirvana Yoga located in the heart of Grant Park. However, Nirvana Yoga started off in a tiny little studio space in Cabbage Town (which is now the home of Mystic Lotus). At the time, I lived a couple blocks away. I found my way to the mat in 2006 in this humble tiny space. It felt like home yet unique. Leigh Anne Neal, the owner; was my first yoga teacher. Fast forward to 2012 – I decided it was the year to sign up for yoga teacher training (YTT) with Nirvana Yoga! I was terrified but, oh well I did it anyway! My practice has evolved (as it should) to today where most of my focus is on less postures (asana) and more living/teaching in a way of reminders that we have the power to control our perception, presence. mindfulness and acceptance. I do so through – meditation, restorative yoga, slower vinyasa and study of the philosophy and mythology of Yoga. Which brings me to my final shout outs for some of my most recent teachers – Alexandria Crow and Alanna Kaivalya. Also, and tip of the hat to LIFE, my greatest teacher.

Website: http://atlantayogainstructor.com/
Instagram: sacredhavenformamas
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-beaver-harris-0908638/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sacred-Haven-Angela-Beaver-1599738967013052
Other: Atlanta Yoga Instructors IG @atlantayogainstructors angelabeaveryoga.com (personal site)

Image Credits
Photography by: Heidi Harris Paul D McPherson Jr Kelly Truitt