We had the good fortune of connecting with Armoni Moody and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Armoni, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Food makes me SO happy. But my joy around food is much deeper than just enjoying a bomb burger. Anyone who knows me, knows that “foodie” is a central part of my identity, and there’s so much about it that excites me. When I talk food, I talk bigger than taste. I love learning about the cultures, histories, traditions, and processes around a cuisine. I love learning about how ingredients are grown and sourced for a hearty curry or what this grandma does differently with her macaroni and cheese than that grandma over there or what holidays one may eat that special soup for and why.
Lately, I’ve also become obsessed with not only the cultures and traditions around food, but also what food does to our bodies. The connection between diet and neuroscience is fascinating to me. Until recently, I never understood how what we eat can powerfully affect our mood, energy, brain function, etc. Eating healthy was one of those things you knew was important, but never knew deeply HOW or WHY. And now that I’m learning more, I’ve become dedicated to learning and teaching recipes and nutrition facts that help us all love and fuel our minds, bodies, and spirits with more intention… and just as much flavor of course.
What should our readers know about your business?
My soul mission is to teach people small, sustainable ways to understand, love, and care for their minds and bodies.
The name of my business is Mantra Movements. In Hindu philosophy, “Mantras” are “sacred utterances” or words that are consistently repeated to affirm, empower, and focus our minds. The word “Movement” in the brand name Mantra Movements transforms mantras from words to actions. Mantra Movements are Body-centered choices in nutrition, fitness, and mindfulness that can be repeated on a daily basis in order to affirm, empower, and focus on our healthiest selves.
Mantra Movements is different from other wellness brands because it shows people how to make wellness an accessible reality. Even though “self-care” has become a trendy buzzword across social media platforms, it is often last on the priority list when our jobs, kids, bills, and other responsibilities constantly steal our time, space, resources, and energy. Through my services, I am dismantling the myths that being healthy is expensive and inaccessible. Mantra Movements is a little safe haven that transforms the paradigms around self-care and makes health and wellness approachable, realistic, and sustainable.
Where I am today business-wise is very much in flux. Two weeks ago I said some tearful goodbyes to some of my final kindergarten and first grade classes. After six years, I will be parting ways from the K-12 space for a while to explore and expand my adult educational offerings. Teaching creative movement, mindfulness, and other wellness classes to the babies is such a joy, but I am being called to focus elsewhere, and I look forward to Mantra’s corporate, college, and adult recreational offerings all blossoming! I’ve learned many things from this season of discovery and transition, mainly to be patient, trust my talents, take up space, and move through the fear and doubt. All of these lessons are easier said than done, but we do it anyway!
So far, my current offerings have taken on many awesome forms from dance fitness classes to meal prep tutorials. I present creative, holistic tips, tricks, and tools to audiences through social media content (subscribe to my little baby YouTube channel @mantramovements please!) and both in-person and virtual workshops, classes, and retreats. Regardless of the medium, the goal is always the same: introducing folks to the power and simplicity of having small, sustainable wellness routines.
Next up on the Mantra Movements horizon is building up a digital wellness library. We are going to start offering meal planning kits, fitness planners, and mindfulness tools all as affordable and printable digital downloads. We’ve already started with a free productivity tool download on both Etsy and our website. Go check it out! I’m so excited!
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.
Omg, as a native Atlien, I LOVE this question. I rep my city hard! As mentioned before, I’m a foodie. So 85-90% of the itinerary WILL be eating.
If we are balling and NOT on a budget… our first dinner stop will be Poor Calvin’s. It’s an Asian fusion, fine dining experience. Exceptional food. Exceptional drinks. Exceptional desserts. A MUST.
Our designated cute cafe vibes throughout the trip will be at Little Tart – specifically the Grant Park location. In addition to a nice latte pickmeup of choice, we will each get a BGT (bacon, greens, tomato jam and a garlic aoli on their house made rosemary focaccia… delightful) for lunch.
And friend better get ready because we’re going to perpetually live at a brunch table. Thursday-Sunday we’re hitting Breakfast at Barney’s, The Real Milk & Honey, Highland Bakery, and Sun in My Belly respectively. It’s big back season. Hehehe.
But see, life is about balance. Because, in addition to stuffing their face, any friend who comes to visit me is going to get active too. Firstly, we’re gonna dance! We’ll take a really fun intro class at either Dance 101 or Groove2Musik studios, probably with the amazing Khalil Johnson!
And we’ll definitely be taking a couple LONG walks on the beltline BUT… sshhh… in secret… we are skipping over the scooter, bike, stroller, and skater overcrowded areas including Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market (love those areas, and know them dearly, but they’re way too busy now). Instead, we will hit the semi-busy Cabbagetown side of the beltline to see the absolutely incredible street art. And otherwise, we’ll head to the quieter, road less traveled of the beltline. But I can’t tell you where; then it’ll get crowded too… you’ll have to discover it on your own. *winks*
Lastly, ANY festival that’s happening during my friend’s visit, we’re going. I just had a blast seeing Andre 3K and others at the Jazz Festival last weekend. And I have SO many favorite festivals that I’ve been going to annually since childhood: the Dogwood Festival, Yellow Daisy Festival, Reggae Festival, Dessert Festival, Inman Park Festival, Ice Cream Festival, and the list goes on! So many amazing vendors, food trucks, and vibes!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It takes a whole village to raise ONE child. Whew, I am grateful for my village. My mother is the youngest of eleven siblings (Blessings to their mother, my beautiful grandmother, Aristene Edwards). Eleven of them means quite literally dozens of cousins for me. And growing up within that large of a community taught me everything from selfless generosity to professional-level event planning. I value community beyond words because of what a huge family structure provided (and continues to provide) for me.
I want to give specific shoutouts as well. Shoutout to my dad, a public school educator and leader of 27 years, who, intentionally and unintentionally, made me the wellness educator I am today. Shoutout to my mother who is THE entrepreneurial example for me. She started her first business when I was 7 years old; so I was raised watching her be her own boss. Shoutout to my best friends who came to my wellness events when there were only 1-3 people in attendance… me and them. Haha! Transparently, they consistently believe in me more than I believe in myself, and I am beyond grateful. And lastly, shoutout to my partner who is my dream catcher. I have huge visions for my brand and my life because he thinks big with me.
Lastly, I want to give love to some folks I don’t know personally but feel like I do through their writings: Paulo Freire, bell hooks, and James Baldwin. Go read something from any or all of them today!
Website: https://www.mantramovements.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mantramovements/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/armoni-moody/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZeThYVtHH22ToUtx2-4xw