Meet Karen Gavrilov | Yoga Instructor, Artist, Stylist.

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

Hi Karen, what is the most important factor behind your success?
There are a few that are intertwined. Staying true to my own unique vision, belief in what I am creating/doing. Bringing in people who align with, and enhance what we do. And then, keeping ears and eyes receptive for what needs to shift. For example, offering heated Yoga did tempt me at one time, but after sitting with our teachers, and brainstorming, I saw that it wasn’t what our community needed or wanted. It wasn’t even something any of us practiced. Having great employees who treat the studio like it is theirs, giving them space to bring out their ideas. Trust, communication and a lot of caring goes on here between us teachers and of course it flows to the students. So many friendships have been fostered here.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Although I own a Yoga studio, I’m going to share from my creative side. For me , that is everything. My desire to create Red Pearl 23 years ago came from a love of Yoga and wanting to share it, of course. I could have just taught at someone else’s studio. but I had a vision of a space that I hadn’t seen anyone else do. I was living in San Francisco at the time and was inspired to make something vibrant, alive, pulsing with energy and creativity. And not just on the walls, but in the South Florida community. In 2001 I moved back to Fort Lauderdale. I sublet for a year in someone else’s space. There were speedbumps along the way but nothing I couldn’t figure out. When you are new to being a business owner, there is a lot you don’t know or won’t see coming. Brainstorming with other business owners was a great help- even when they are not in your industry. I painted the walls red in the practice space. People said “WHAT? You can’t have red walls in a yoga studio!” ; I did anyway, along with art, eclectic furniture and a huge mural. There was no Wynwood or arts neighborhoods in SFLA at that time. We held 2 curated shows for local artists each year at the studio, along with local music and performance art. We were always the featured “thing to do this weekend” in the paper. (remember newspapers?) Now it is a given that Yoga studios have stepped out of vanilla walls into color and murals and texture. Art/Event spaces are everywhere and there are so many great places and organizations who have more than filled that gap- Commissioner and Fountainhead Arts are 2 of my favorites, both in Miami. I opened a gourmet food and cookbook shop called Thousand Pound Egg from 2011-2016. My love of food and sharing it imbues everything! The shop was next door to Red Pearl so I got to do both. We left the Victoria Park neighborhood for MASS District /Flagler Village so we could be part of a bigger Arts community. It was great for 3 years. Then it wasn’t(developers, crazy leases)so we left for Wilton Manors/The Yard for 3 years. That magical oasis is getting torn down sometime this year. We ended up full circle back at our original space in Victoria Park in October of 2022- Totally by accident-or maybe not! We have a new property owner and a decent lease , full in/out renovation of the building. It feels new and home at the same time. I still do miss the Egg very much. But what I learned is that I needed to keep more focus on the Yoga studio. I was moving too far away from it. It has given me so much and I still love teaching and sharing Yoga for cultivating peacefulness and wellness. I have started something new for myself where I get to blend great food and artistry-I just completed my first ceramics commission for an amazing Chef Josh Elliot of QP Tapas in Coral Gables. Stay tuned… and definitely go eat there. Amazing.

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.
We would take the Brightline down to Miami to have breakfast at ALL DAY CAFE. Do a walkabout downtown. Stop off at Margot and NIU Wine Bar for a nibble and sip. Architectural tour of some favorite buildings. Then hop on the MetroMover loop and see the city from above.

See what’s on at the Perez, or maybe the Rubell.

Head over to the Design District for the monthly art and architecture walking tour. And then some pizza at Old Greg’s

Dinner at QP Tapas and Lion and the Rambler…somehow keeping it light.

Maybe a night cap at Boia de. Macchiato and that Chocolate Hazelnut Budino…

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?
My Shoutout is to the teachers and students at Red Pearl Yoga.

Website: www.redpearlyoga.com

Instagram: thousandpoundegg (my food travels art page) off_ctr_pottery (my pottery page) redpearlyoga (my business page yolk.vintage.modern

Facebook: Red Pearl Yoga

Other: Note, I have 4 IG accounts!

Image Credits
Karen Gavrilov, Laura Goldman, Anita Osorio