Meet Cassanie Mckenzie | Yoga Instructor & Wellness Retreat Leader

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

Hi Cassanie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a yoga teacher of over 10 years, it was natural that eventually I would start leading retreats. This I did, but overtime, just as my group classes have given way to more private one on ones for more impact, my retreat model evolved as well to my “Privately curated wellness retreat” offering. I felt that there’s more impact when each student gets individual attention from each therapist or practitioner as well as focused efforts on the specific goals they’re looking to accomplish. Group retreats are wonderful for establishing relationships & community is why I still offer them, however, as the wellness space evolves and consciousness expands, I find more people are educated about their specific needs and in my “BLUEPRINT” sessions, they’re able to address that fully as we co-create their bespoke retreat experience.

https://www.cassaniemckenzie.com/curated-retreats-1

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.
Does your journey look like 7 days of organic cleansing juices, Jamaican Sea Moss elixirs, Herbal spa, Detox Yoga and Hiking to waterfalls on the South coast of JAMAICA? Or does it feel like Hammock days, Meditation & Sound healing nights with delicious vegan food in a Beautiful mountain retreat just steps away from your private river sanctuary? Mentioned above are just two possibilities available in my privately curated retreat program. What’s unique about it is that you get to choose (with professional guidance) what’s right for you instead of a one size fits all.

This was a natural organic unfolding from working harmoniously with incredible healers to set the stage for balance and cohesion in the mind & body. I work with others who share a vision with me of creating a better world by helping people level up to be the best version of themselves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Jamaica

Sunrise Yoga on the west end cliffs of the island followed by a Jamaican breakfast & organic Blue mountain coffee @rockhousehotel or @jackiesonthereek

Lazy afternoons on the 7mile stretch of white sandy beach followed by lunch at Mikes vegan spot where’ll we’ll have the best Rasta-ade to cool down

Live music nights on the 7 mile stretch followed by dinners at a myriad of cafes & restaurants that line the strip. Live African drumming and all things cannabis for dessert!

Miami

South Beach park for early morning walk run stretch by the water
5 min walk away to some of the best breakfast places in south beach

Wynwood vibes in the afternoon
Wonderful tarot card reader on Espanola Way, SoBe

Lunches at the nearby Wholefoods or pop over to little Haiti for authentic creole

Spa days @ the Standard & Mandarin Oriental

& nights in Little Havana

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?
I did my first yoga teacher training with the Sivananda Vedanta Yoga School at their Ashram on Paradise Island in the Bahamas .I remember feeling scared to leave my 9-5 job as a call center manager at the time but a powerful dream and pretty strong synchronicities we’re driving my decision. It’s still the most comprehensive style of yoga I’ve trained in and while I no longer teach it in its purest form, I’m super grateful that it was my first training as the guiding principles around the practice are what I’ve built my life & business on: Serve, Love, Give, Purify Meditate, Realize

Website: www.cassaniemckenzie.com

Instagram: @cassanisun

Image Credits
Azi ANEZKA @azi.photography