Meet Shelby Gorstein | Yoga Instructor, Mala Maker, and Writer

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

Hi Shelby, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I was working as a recruiter after graduating college, I felt super misaligned. I was dreaming and journaling about a life I desired. A life that felt purposeful. Yoga had become very significant in my life over the past few years, and I felt called to complete my teacher training. Taking the leap, I began teaching yoga once a week while working full time. In July of 2020, I was laid off from my full time job and I took it as a sign to leap fully into yoga. I began by visiting studios and introducing myself as a teacher looking for opportunities. I started teaching online classes. I got to work. I knew I wanted to build a life of meaning with a career that added value to people’s lives. I felt leadership qualities in myself developing that I was never encouraged to exercise before. After two and half years of full time teaching, I can confidently say that I am right where I am supposed to be. I now host donation classes in the park that draw anywhere from 15-35 students, I teach a variety of private students 1 on 1, and I teach at studios and country clubs.

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.
I teach yoga and make Mala jewelry. My style of teaching blends effort and ease in a way that leaves students feeling both strong and nourished. I strive to embody a welcoming presence, so that all ages, bodies, and levels feel a sense of safety and belonging when taking my classes. Something that is really important to me in both business and personal life is to make everyone around me feel comfortable. I am student-centered, meaning I teach according to the needs of the people in my class, not according to what I feel like doing. The role I aim to play is to be supportive in whatever ways I am able to.

Mala necklaces are comprised of 108 beads and can be used for Japa meditation, or mantra repetition. My Mala jewelry is special, because as I hand string each bead and repeat an intention that is aligned with the essence of the stone or stones I’m working with. I also hand tie knots in between each bead which contributes to the integrity of the jewelry. Each piece is infused with loving intention, and it’s always special to watch as my shoppers find the one that speaks to them.

The road to where I am was not always easy. There were times I’d rent a studio to teach classes and I wouldn’t even get enough students to cover the cost of the space. I’d come home defeated, having just paid to teach. There were times I would show up to teach at the park and zero students would show up. I continued to tell myself in those early months, “The difference between failure and success is to keep going when others would give up.” I am so happy I kept going, because I have built a career that makes me feel blessed every day. I can’t put into words how much my students mean to me. They are all such incredible humans, I often wonder how I got so lucky to spend my days with them. As we say to each other, “Your vibe attracts your tribe.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely recommend my donation yoga class at Veterans Park in Delray Beach every Sunday at 9 am! I would suggest dinner and drinks at Hawkers, soaking up the sun on the beach, catching happy hour and live music at Crazy Uncle Mikes. If it happened to be the first Sunday of the month, I would highly suggest Coco Market, monthly wellness festival, in Delray.

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?
Yoga with Adriene is the YouTube creator who got me started on my journey. Without her guidance for my first 4 years of practice in my room in college, I might not be here! Pedro Luna, founder of Next Level Yoga Academy, inspired me tremendously. I am grateful for Erika Scribner, owner of Ananda Yoga, gave me my first teaching opportunity and I am still with her studio today. I appreciate Kelly Brookbank, owner of Colony Yoga, and Corbin Stacey, owner of Yoga HOMe, for teaching and certifying me in 2019. The love and support of Corey Heyman, founder of Coco Market. I could go on…

Website: https://www.shelbygyoga.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelbygyoga/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelbygyoga

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shelbyyoga5656

Image Credits
Dustin Miles John Fitch