"Taking time to slow down and stay present helps us make better decisions based on facts, not fear."
Meet Anna Passalacqua, a trailblazer in the world of mindful entrepreneurship whose journey embodies the seamless fusion of spiritual practice and professional success.
As the co-founder of Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy, Anna has cultivated a unique approach to leadership, one rooted in the principles of mindfulness and self-awareness. In this article, we uncover the transformative power of Anna’s methods, exploring how her dedication to inner peace not only fuels her own journey but also inspires those around her.
Join us as we delve into Anna’s story, discovering how her mindful leadership paves the way for both personal fulfillment and business triumph.
Name: Anna Passalacqua
Company: Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy
Check out more interviews with entrepreneurs here.
Table of Contents
Thank you so much for joining us. Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Anna Passalacqua: I’m Anna Passalacqua, Co-Founder and Teacher at Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy. My husband, Brandt, and I started Breathing Deeply to make safe, ethical, and practical yoga therapy more accessible to others. We both have a strong background in yoga, including a personal practice, yoga teaching practice, and yoga therapy practice.
By training others to become yoga therapists, we believe we can have an even wider impact on the world and bring healing to more people. I love our work and our community, and I am honored to help others on their journey.
As an entrepreneur, how do you incorporate mindfulness or spiritual practices into your leadership style? Can you share an instance where this approach significantly impacted your business decisions or team dynamics?
Anna Passalacqua: Being an entrepreneur can mean you always feel like you’re “on.” Everything is go, go, go. There is always more to do, and you’re juggling so many different tasks and responsibilities. I am so grateful to have my background in yoga to fall back on. It helps to ground me in the present when I start focusing or worrying too much about the future.
I like to bring mindfulness to my leadership style much in the same way that I incorporate mindfulness into my personal life and professional yoga therapy practice. When I notice that I’m not paying enough attention or I’m getting caught up in stressing about the future, I slow down and practice mindfulness, yoga, or meditation.
I focus on my body in the present moment, how I’m feeling, and what I need. At the same time, I try to be on the lookout for this in others. I remind my staff to take breaks when they need to and concentrate on what we can do today.
Whenever we start new classes, it can be a busy and stressful time for us. In addition to launching new classes, we need to review our performance and see how many applications we got and programs we sold. It’s all too easy to find yourself in fight-or-flight mode, anxiously thinking about the future and making rash decisions in the present.
By slowing down and staying present, we have been able to make more thoughtful, data-based decisions rather than fear-based reactions.
Balancing a busy professional life with healthy eating can be challenging. What strategies or habits have you adopted to ensure your diet supports both your body and spirit, especially under the pressures of entrepreneurship?
Anna Passalacqua: Healthy habits and weight management is an area that I specialize in, so I’m excited to share my thoughts! One of the biggest keys to healthy eating is establishing good habits.
For many of us, this means eating three balanced, nutritious meals a day. If you skip breakfast, you’ll be much hungrier come lunchtime, which can lead to overeating or choosing what’s convenient over what’s healthy. Learn how to listen to what your body truly needs.
You might also need a high-protein snack in the afternoon. At the same time, many people reach for a snack when stressed, but actually you may just need to drink water or rest.
It’s also important to recognize and avoid unhealthy habits. This includes binge eating or overeating, eating late at night, emotional eating, and using food as a reward. It’s okay to indulge yourself on occasion and still experience joy with food.
Just be mindful of your eating habits and generally stick to good practices. Practicing yoga is an excellent way to make you more aware of your body and its needs, while also supporting habit change.
How have you transformed your workspace to enhance focus, creativity, and inner peace? Do you have any specific routines or environmental changes that have made a significant difference in your workday wellness?
Anna Passalacqua: For me, it’s important to have a workspace that encourages creativity, happiness, and calmness. This can mean anything from keeping photos of my family on my desk to using an ergonomic chair or burning a favorite candle.
I also need the space to practice asanas (yoga poses), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation. Fortunately, none of these require too much room. I also try to limit distractions to help keep me focused and present. For example, I try to keep my personal chores like bills or laundry out of my professional workspace.
One routine that is important to me is starting the day with yoga. It energizes me, sharpens my concentration, and starts my morning on a positive note.
By setting the tone for the day and prioritizing my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health with yoga, I can better maintain my wellness throughout the workday.
Quality rest is crucial for peak performance. What sleep hygiene rituals do you follow to maintain high energy and clear thinking? How have these practices contributed to your success and well-being as a business owner?
Anna Passalacqua: Fortunately for me, practicing yoga can improve your quality of sleep! I also try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day. I avoid eating, drinking, using screens, or being too active right before bed.
These habits have become second nature to me, and they help me get a good night’s sleep so I can feel refreshed in the morning. Not only does that keep me clear-headed and productive as a business owner, but also I feel better throughout the day and can enjoy myself more after work.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to WellnessVoice and the host of this interview would like to thank Anna Passalacqua for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
Did you enjoy this article? Check out similar stories:
Iona Holloway of Soul Breathwork Shares Strategies for Workplace Well-being
Insights from Jodi Brandstetter of Influence Network Media
Ariadne Wolf of Mermaid Consulting Shares Strategies for Empowering Employees
A Conversation with Foram Sheth of Ama La Vida
Alla Weinberg of Spoke & Wheel Dives into Workplace Mental Health Support
Disclaimer: The WellnessVoice Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
