By Reynaldo Mena
Brandy Rametta is a woman of convictions. Every word she speaks has meaning, a message, a motivation, and is filled with compassion.
The owner of Heart and Soul Yoga and Whittier Wellness has traveled a challenging path, filled with obstacles that she has managed to overcome thanks to her calling and the clarity of what she wants to do for herself, her family, and the community.
“You have to have a vision and a plan. Once you figure that out, you know what to do,” says Brandy about the time she decided to build her own business.
She had just completed her certification as a yoga teacher and needed to teach a class to finalize her approval. She invited five businesswomen from Whittier to her home to fulfill that requirement.
“I was very nervous but determined to do it. The class was a success, and they were very happy. Life always presents us with what needs to happen. At the end, these women involved in business told me that I should open my own studio. There was nothing like it in this area,” says Brandy Rametta.
She began questioning everything, feeling prepared to teach, how to open a space for teaching, and make it her profession.
“I told them I didn’t have a space or extra money to open one, but I have a fabulous outdoor space at home with a great view. They made me realize that I had the space; I just needed to decide,” she adds.
And so, she set out to shape what her yoga studio is today. She informed her husband that she would quit her job in a corporate setting and dedicate herself to teaching yoga from that moment on.
“It was crazy; my husband didn’t understand anything at first. We had financial commitments, but he saw how sure I was and gave me his full support. We have to help ourselves first and then help others. That was clear to me,” she says.
The first year served as the foundation for building the business.
“I had difficult moments, but I made a commitment to keep going no matter what. If it rained, I would be there. If only one student showed up, I would be there. I wouldn’t defeat myself. I was convinced of what I wanted and I would continue,” Brandy Rametta mentions enthusiastically.
One of the pillars of her success has been her positivity, authenticity, energy, and enthusiasm. She believes that people like to see this, especially now with social media. They don’t want to follow someone who only pretends to convey a certain message.
“People like that; they know I’m not perfect because I share it with them. I don’t hide anything. Authenticity is the key to connecting,” she adds. “There are people who struggle with telling the truth, but I’m not one of them.”
Rametta has become a respected teacher because of her honesty.
“I’m not looking for money; I don’t think that’s the meaning of success. I don’t seek to highlight money, clothes, or popularity. That’s not success to me. I believe it’s more important to share, connect, be authentic, and contribute to your community to make it better,” she emphasizes.
In 2019, when she formally opened her studio, she invited two yoga teachers from her community to join her project. She presented them with a very formal plan, with her vision and expectations, but they rejected it.
“It made me sad. I was still insecure, lacking the necessary experience. I really wanted to work with partners, but it wasn’t possible. So, I understood that everyone is on a different path, and we have to accept that. We don’t know where other people are in their journey. It became clear to me that God wanted me to continue on this path alone,” she adds.
Brandy Rametta had to recreate her life.
She had two young children, time with them, her husband, her business, the yoga studio, her duties as a mother.
“I had to create new paths to live,” she says. “It’s not a party of one. There were several people who were part of my life.”
When the pandemic arrived in 2020, her community turned to her, especially to keep their children active and occupied.
“I was fortunate to have an outdoor space. We followed all the precautions and health guidelines. I only closed for a few weeks. My energy, my enthusiasm helped me. It’s something I enjoy,” she says.
Not everything flows positively and linearly. There are moments when she questions the time she doesn’t spend with her family and not taking a break, a nap, or recovering. But she has learned to deal with that and give herself small breaks.
In addition to her commitment to the studio, she has opened other spaces and events that will help spread her philosophy and finance her projects. One of them is the Whittier Walk for Wellness, where the community comes together to walk and raise awareness about the need to disconnect and connect in a healthier way.
Brandy Rametta knows that everything has an end, although she doesn’t see it as being very close. She is on a mission, growing her community groups and sharing her vision of community healing with the world! She is grateful for this time in her life and is pushing forward with growth on her mind.
“We have to evolve. Everything comes in waves; I remind myself of that every day. I’m aware that everything is impermanent. Something ends and becomes something else at any moment. We have to accept evolution, rest, and be ready for whatever comes,” she concludes.
For more information and upcoming events visit: https://handsyoga.com/
“I vowed to love myself, love what I do, and love those around me.”
