Today we’d like to introduce you to Cara Smith.
Hi Cara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey really started at my birth (as all of ours do!). Born and raised in San Antonio, TX, I danced and swam basically since before I could walk and I always had such a deep and true love for Mother Ocean and for being a mermaid! I was always dancing or in the water and, once in the water, mermaid time was ON! As time went on, I realized I wanted to be either a doctor or my mom always thought I’d be a teacher. Of course, I thought she was crazy because in my mind, that looked like teaching kids in a classroom and I had zero interest in that. It turns out that she was right – I am a teacher and it’s better than I could have ever imagined! I continued dancing (classically trained in ballet, jazz, tap, and modern) and, as soon as I graduated from UTSA in 2012, I made my way to San Francisco to, finally, be near the Ocean. Moving to San Francisco was when I truly learned that when you follow your heart without any doubts, the Universe TRULY provides for you! You learn there is nothing to fear and that you are FULLY supported. This has been one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever learned! SF was the “Golden Gateway” (I like to call it! Pun intended!) to yoga and my spiritual journey and as I longed for a deeper connection with myself and with God, I quickly found my way to yoga. After my first Vinyasa class, I knew I’d found my path of helping others to find this deeper connection with their mind, body, and soul! And so, I started practicing regularly and dove into the 200-hour teacher training at Laughing Lotus Yoga Centre, where I’ve also completed 150 additional hours in advanced teacher trainings. From there, I went on to teach yoga, dance, barre, and ballet while briefly living in San Luis Obispo, CA, then returned to San Francisco to teach at Laughing Lotus and MOXIE Yoga. I have now made her way back home to Austin, Texas where she teaches in-person and online privates and group classes.
TRAINING + EDUCATION
Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Level One Practitioner Certification – May 2020
Laughing Lotus Yoga Center of San Francisco, 25-hour Advanced Restorative Teacher Training – August 2019
Laughing Lotus Yoga Center of San Francisco, 50-hour Advanced Yin & Yoga Nidra Teacher Training – April 2019
Laughing Lotus Yoga Center of San Francisco, 50-hour Hands-On + Sequencing Advanced Teacher Training – January 2019
Laughing Lotus Yoga Center of San Francisco, 25-hour Yoga + Social Justice Training – January 2017
Laughing Lotus Yoga Center of San Francisco, Apprenticeship under Valerie Starr – Summer 2017
Laughing Lotus Yoga Center of San Francisco, 200-hour Teacher Training – December 2014
The University of Texas at San Antonio, Bachelor of Communication in PR – December 2011
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Well, I’d say my biggest struggle has been my parents’ full acceptance of what I do and how I live my life versus what they thought it would look like. This “unconventional”, at least according to them, way of life and belief system, does not agree with their Christian way of life. Although this is a constant struggle, I know this obstacle is here to help me grow and to show them that we actually see more eye to eye than they realize. It all comes down to love and faith in something bigger than ourselves. Another struggle has been making ends meet as a yoga instructor – Austin is definitely making this more possible for me as I continue to focus more on growing my private clientele, however, teaching at least 15 in-studio yoga classes/week in San Francisco was definitely not sustainable! It’s been a bit of a challenge to, kind of, start from scratch here, amidst COVID and all, although I am always fully supported and meeting the goals I set for myself. These personal struggles always bring us to new heights and allow for new openings to unfold, and I am forever grateful for each and every one of them!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Yoga Mermaid?
I am a body, life, and soul Guide! I have been teaching yoga + movement + meditation classes since 2014 and my classes are influenced by my love for dance, movement, and Mother Ocean and are filled with space and support so that my students might embrace the magic of their own bodies as they embark upon, or deepen, their healing journey. I offer private sessions for: Vinyasa, Restorative, & Yin Yoga, guided meditation, as well as Reiki healing infused with healing dolphin energy and body & life guidance. Dolphins?! You may be asking! Well, I have a deep connection with these incredibly magical creatures and I receive downloads from them and have the ability to transmit their fun-loving, healing energy in order to deepen any yoga or healing session! They are so much fun and I absolutely adore bringing that energy into the mix!!
In addition, my Springtime Swim program is beginning just after the Spring Equinox on Monday, 3/21/22, and ending for the Full Moon on Saturday, 4/16/22! SWIM offers guidance and support in learning and creating routines to last a lifetime and create balance and flow in your life. It goes as follows:
– M/W/F: 8:30am-9:30am CST including a work-out, yoga, and guided journaling
– T/Th: 7:30-8:45pm CST including a mix of restorative, yin, & yoga nidra, PLUS bathtime yoga!
– Saturdays: 3pm CST a gathering to discuss the topic of the week with a special guest each week
– Learn to energize your morning routine and relax into an evening routine
– Connect with other like-minded humans
– Support, guidance, & tips for living a healthy, balanced life. Option to commit to 30 days of abstinence from whatever you choose.
Last but definitely not least, I am diving into an extensive Water Priestess training at the end of this month and will soon be sprinkling in water education and water magic offerings! I believe, with my whole heart, that if we change our relationship with water, then we can change our relationship with ourselves (we are mostly water!) and with the planet!
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with me 1:1 to deepen their healing journeys, or I can bring some conscious bodywork, movement, and dolphin-infused Reiki healing to any event, corporation, or group! I’m always so happy to collaborate for events, festivals, markets, and especially with art and dance!
Pricing:
- Private Yoga Sessions: Individuals + couples start at $75/hour for in-person or $50 online // Group rates start at $150/hour for in-person or $125 online
- Deep Healing Sessions: Individuals + couples start at $75/hour for in-person or $50 online // Group rates start at $150/hour for in-person or $125 online
- Body, Soul, & Life GuiDance Sessions: Individual sessions start at $75/hour for in-person or $50 online
- Package rates available for all of the above.
- Springtime SWIM Program: $333 total OR $22/class drop-in.
Contact Info:
- Email: dancingyogicara@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.theyogamermaid.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyogamermaid/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theyogamermaid
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQMHWW6WZ6mrA5p7OwK3VQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-yoga-mermaid-austin
Image Credits
Joi Conti (for photos at Lake Travis) & Corbin Chambers (for some group photos) & Luisa Leite (for some group photos)
