Episode # 12: Overcoming the Analytical Mind and Connecting with your Emotions through the practice of Yoga with Gerardo Gonzalez

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In this conversation I sit down with Gerardo Gonzalez an immigrant, engineer, father, husband and 200 Hour Certified Yoga Teacher.   Gerardo was introduced to yoga and discovered that Yoga is both a process and a toolset enabling him to live a good life.   This discovery has been a gift to him and the reason for his desire to share this gift with others.   He has the intention of one day opening a community Yoga studio in Savannah Georgia. 

Gerardo begins this conversation by taking us through his personal journey with yoga that began in the Baptiste lineage.   The physical practice was what drew him, in but the emotional opening he received allowed him to continue to evolve and change.  Gerardo opens up about his journey to understand himself emotionally and to create his own voice as a teacher.   Sharing what he has learned from other teachers and practices.  

We dive into the challenges of making a living as a yoga teacher and Gerardo’s desire to open a studio in his local community.   We discuss the details and analysis that is required to successful operate a yoga studio.  In addition, he opens up about his teacher training experience and the disconnect he felt being male, married and hispanic.  What allowed him to get through the teacher training was the reminder to explore other studios and lineages and to find teachers that resonated most with him.  

Gerardo openly shares how yoga has allowed him to feel more joy with himself, his family, and his career.  He has been able to have more open communication and to avoid conflict.  Working as a full time engineer, Gerardo discusses the challenges of “Code Switching” and being able to communicate in an effective way to all groups of people. 

We close this conversation with Gerardo sharing his vision of making Yoga accessible to as many people as possible and as a way to move out of the analytical mind into understanding our emotions.  He also strives to empower new students of all backgrounds to step into the practice.  

You can connect with Gerardo on Instagram @ papabearyoga or Facebook @ Gerardo Gonzalez

Gerardo is currently a B Yoga Ambassador and looking to start a podcast in the future, so be on the look out!