Conversations with Danielle Small

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Small.

Hi Danielle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins with me being the oldest sibling of five. Molding me to become a mother, educator, and advocate for my community. Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, and is a huge Chiefs fan! As a teenager, I struggled to express myself verbally and found my voice through writing in journals, drawing, and letters. With my optimistic and passionate love for community, youth, and mental wellness and my passion for expressing my feelings in writing, I began my yoga platform, Dear You Yoga, to lead my community through their yoga journey. My love for yoga was introduced after having a second child and quickly became a new hobby to help balance the daily stress in her life. In 2022, I decided to take my love for yoga and go through yoga training to become a certified instructor. September 2022. I earned my 200 hr. RYT, through True Love Yoga, was trained by the owner, Lauren Leduc, in Vinyasa and Hatha styles with an emphasis on trauma-informed yoga. Yoga is a massive part of my self-care. The responsibility for the health and mental wellness of all is significant. My goal with Dear You is to help all have adequate access to health and wellness spaces, spaces that center their (our) identities and experiences, warm and welcoming spaces, and spaces that build community.

Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh man, life has been a blessing, but I would lie if I didn’t say it’s been easy. I had my oldest daughter at a young age (18), with the start of beginning college at the same time. After having my first daughter, one of my professors looked at me and told me, “It’s best if I quit and get state assistance to help raise my child.” Even deeper, attending a private university, I experienced multiple situations of racism. All that stress and having two kids is my reason for finding peace through yoga. Now, I am entering the business side of yoga, which has its moments of struggle. First, yoga is a white industry with very few black instructors. My goal is to show black and brown families that they can do yoga and use the benefits to navigate life daily. Second, finding funding to support a commendable goal is a challenge as well. Exploring grants, partnerships, or community support would help with supporting my initiative. Additionally, collaborating with local organizations and or business is my goal to really align with my mission.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?

• Full-Time Work: I work for a non-profit organization, Alive & Well Communities. My role is the Community Activation Manager, and my focus is to bring community awareness around trauma-informed care, health disparities, and community healing conversations. A big part of this role is community outreach with other non-profit organizations, Healthcare leaders, youth, local school districts, and community members.
• Part-Time/Hustle: Certified Yoga Instructor
  I teach Monday morning chair yoga at Raytown Schools Wellness Center and Kids Afterschool Yoga for 8 afterschool programs for LINC across Kansas City Public, Hickman, Center, and Grandview school districts. Last, 2-3 a month, I teach a “SMOGA/Elevated” yoga class that combines smoking cannabis and integrating yoga for a deeper yoga experience.

I am most proud that no one is a stranger to me. I love meeting new people and finding ways for all to focus on their own self-healing journey and yoga journey. My yoga slogan is “Dear You, Your mat, your journey, your healing, your story. Everyone’s story and traumas are different. Everyone goes at their own pace of healing, but what sets me apart from others is I can relate, I am real, and I am here to support all!

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is never giving up! Success is the good, the bad, the ugly. Success is an achievement! Success is gratitude for the small moments! Success is the process and the consistency. Success is how you leave one feeling after spending time during the service.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dearyouyoga.com
• Instagram: @dearyouyoga
• Facebook: Dear You Yoga

Image Credits
Kids After-school Yoga in Partnership with LINC (Local Investment Commission) Chair Yoga in partnership with Raytown Schools Wellness Center SMOGA in partnership with Cannabis Network of Kansas City