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

Hi Pamela, what are you inspired by?
I’m inspired by the people, the stories that they have to tell and the experiences they’ve been through keep me in the moment. I believe that living in the present is the ultimate state of inspiration you can be in and having that opportunity to teach people Yoga keeps me grounded and always fresh.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I never thought I would end up being a Yoga Instructor, ever. I moved from Mexico 7 years ago at the end 2013, I had no expectations, no goals, nothing to start with as I had just gotten married and followed the love of my life to this grand city. Thankfully, I found Yoga and Yoga found me. Thanks to the guidance of my Guru Mahayogi Gokulacandra Das, I’ve been able to grow more humane and understand how Yoga can be more than just movement coming from the body, but how the body can benefit from stillness of the mind. Far from just turning an instructor, I like to say I became a nurturer, thanks to the guidance I’ve received and the challenges I lived after the death of my father, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in my life. After that “out of a movie” experience I went through in 2017, I understood how the philosophy of Yoga can help the soul find space for healing and help others on the way. Yoga as a way of life, has brought me closer to those that I love and understand better those who challenge me and that is the part of Yoga I love to teach and pass on to others.

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.
Houston has grown so much on me. When people come to visit, I love to take them to walk on the Bayou just when the sun is setting, Houston has one of the best sunsets I’ve seen in my life. Going from one sweet shop to another will always be on my “to do list”, Common Bond has the most legit french pastries I’ve tried in this city and of course gotta stop by Vodoo Doughnuts the next day to get some crazy donuts, or breakfast at Snooze AM for the awesome pancakes. As I myself am more of an outdoor kind of person, I like to go to wide open spaces like City Centre and stop by The Yardhouse where they have an extensive vegeterian menu and enjoy some outdoor live music which they have there from time to time. If I can sneak in some Yoga, I make my friends jump into my Yoga class at Black Swan Yoga or go take a class with some of my favorite instructors at The Atrium.

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?
There’s been a multitude of people that have been close to me in the most challenging times. If it weren’t for the way that my family has cheered me to “run the obstacle course” I don’t know where I’d be. My husband Carlos has been my rock and without him and his efforts I don’t think I would’ve made it to where I am. A handful of friends that have supported me in my craziest moments have been the backbone of my projects and my best judges, as well as the students who chose to come to my classes every day. They are the light that have illuminated the darkest tunnel along my path. To all of you, my service is yours.

Website: www.thebhogiyogi.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebhogiyogi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebhogiyogi
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRbCMuVCilV6mDGWxg67EeQ
Other: namaste@thebhogiyogi.com

Image Credits
by Carlos Rivera & Pamela Urcid

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