Meet our Fall Power Love Scholarship Recipients!

Last month, we announced the newest recipients of our Power Love Teacher Training Scholarships. Scholarship recipients were selected from almost 2,700 applications, and we are so grateful to all that applied. Our goal as the nation's largest yoga brand is to diversify the yoga teacher community and we would not be able to achieve this without the help and passion of these individuals.

We asked a few of the recipients why they signed up for Teacher Training, as well as what excites them most about starting this journey. We're excited to share their truly inspiring stories.

Why did you sign up for CorePower Yoga Teacher Training?

Diana X., Chicago, IL

"At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I started a yoga journal on Instagram to reflect on my yoga journey. As with all social media, there were many pros and cons to this: one of the biggest pros was the supportive community of yogis around the world, but one of the cons was that I found myself worrying more about the shapes and aesthetics of my photos than my practice. I signed up for the CorePower Teacher Training program to continue developing my yoga practice!"

Rachel F., Newark, NJ

"I signed up for CorePower TT to deepen my yoga practice and share the power that is yoga with others. I began yoga several years ago, but really delved into it at the onset of the pandemic. My practice has changed my life, helping me to become one with my body and myself holistically. My hope is that one day I can teach and bring this healing to other people of color, especially Black people.

Dimple M., Atlanta, GA

"My fascination with yoga led me to a research-based class at UNC, where I learned about the ways in which yoga could be used as a tool for resilience, especially in lower-economic communities and communities of color. While we learned about how useful yoga could be, we also discussed the barriers that stand between the practice and the communities that could benefit from it. We talked about the dangers of yoga being presented as a practice only for upper-class white women of a certain body type and how representation within yoga correlated to the effectiveness of the practice for certain people. Yoga is a powerful tool that helps people discover the best parts of themselves while allowing them to handle everyday stressors. I want to become a teacher so that I can spread the wealth of knowledge that yoga provides and build a supportive community of yogis of all different backgrounds. Every experience I have had with CorePower has been filled with encouragement, and I have found deep appreciation for the complexities of life through my practices at CorePower. CorePower's values and community align with my mission to create a world where yoga is accessible, affordable and safe for all."

Taylor N., San Diego, CA

"I signed up for the CorePower TT program because I've been practicing yoga for a few years and I want to influence other Asian-Americans into joining the amazing community and space that yoga has to offer. I think it is so important to have representation, diversity, and foster inclusion anywhere, and I would love to be a part of that in CorePower."

Pekhna M., Santa Monica, CA

"I've seen my grandparents and parents incorporate yoga into their daily lives for years now and have always been in the presence of all its benefits. Teaching yoga has always been a goal of mine to not only further my knowledge on it but also be able to share it with others. I love the power it can have on your physical and mental state and the way it can transform your day to day life.

I've always believed in creating inclusive and accessible environments and I hope to take my learnings and share my love for yoga to any and everyone."

Risa K., Belmont, MA

"I signed up for the TT program because I wanted to share the benefits of yoga with the world as an instructor. Through my CorePower Yoga journey, I was able to develop a strong relationship with myself and the community in a new city. However, I could not help but to notice that there were very few or no one that looked like me. As an Asian-American immigrant, I know that the Asian-American community needs the sense of belonging that yoga provides. I firmly believe that the trauma that is living in a county that constantly ostracizes you of your differences can be healed through yoga. I want to become a yoga instructor to be part of the movement that allows the Asian-American community to heal by providing the comfort of home in and out of the studio."

Gabby G., Honolulu, HI

"I signed up for the CorePower Teaching Training program for multiple reasons:

1. There was a unique opportunity for a Power Love scholarship

2. I have secretly wanted to take the leap and become a fitness instructor for over 20 years

3. After my son Grayson died, I have been seeking out self care in bigger ways. This teacher path will be a higher level of accountability and depth

4. I'm the ED and Co-Founder of Let Grace In, a 501c3 non-profit supporting families grieving their child. This depth of knowledge will only grow healing and restoration in everything I do!"

Keara K., Seattle, WA

"I signed up for CorePower TT to gain the knowledge and skill sets to teach yoga with others. My goal is to teach yoga at CorePower and volunteer teaching yoga with non-profits in the local Seattle community. Yoga has been an essential part of my life and I'm excited to share it with those around me and represent as a Filipina teacher."

Dominique H., San Francisco, CA

"This year I fell back in love with yoga - I felt called to deepen my practice and wanted to expand my community of like-minded people. If I move forward with teaching, I'm proud to represent the Latinx community."

Tihanne M., Portland, OR

"I signed up for the CorePower Teacher Training program because I hope to use the tools gained in this program to support my long-term dream of opening my own yoga studio and challenge the lack of representation of yoga in the Black community."

Maribel B., San Jose, CA

"To deepen my knowledge and strengthen my yoga practice."

Savannah R., Brooklyn, NY

"Practicing yoga has been essential to my mental health. Appreciating the strength of my body, getting still and focusing on my breath are tools that have helped me through difficult times immensely. I applied to the CorePower TT program because I want to create and hold space for others to do the same, especially other people of color. CorePower has been part of my practice for over 5 years and the queer teachers I've made relationships with is why I keep coming back. I'm excited to begin this journey!"

Cheryl F., San Francisco, CA

"What better place to learn TT than at CorePower -- from the people that continue to energize me in and out of the studio. Sessions at CorePower leave me feeling invigorated and ready to take on life's challenges. Being part of this program isn't only for personal self-development. It is so that I can be better equipped to empower and share the joy and benefits I feel with others."

Ramoni O., Los Angeles, CA

"Although yoga itself is a practice that welcomes and encourages all yogis to show up as their authentic selves, as a Black woman I have not always felt the most welcomed in some of my yoga classes. I signed up for CorePower Teacher Training to become the change that I want to see and to become a yoga teacher that encourages all students no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, age, weight or demographic. I want my future students to know that they are always welcomed and supported."

Nalini G., San Mateo, CA

"I have been a member of CorePower Yoga since 2017 and while I absolutely love all the classes on schedule, C2 and Sculpt are my favorites. Being Indian, yoga has been in my schedule since early childhood and while I can do some asanas already I always wondered how far I can go in this journey. I am very much aware of the mind-body coordination, dedication and commitment it brings to life and with the program I want to explore it further and see how I can use it in my own life and the life of other people I am going to touch as a teacher. If I am not being a nerdy engineer, I would say, yoga takes me into a real-life metaverse."

Rosie O., Pasadena, CA

"CorePower changed my life in a very positive way since I joined the studio over four years ago. I was always curious about the TT program but never had the time nor the availability to give it a try. The teachers I have met throughout these years at different locations around the country and especially in SoCal studios share similar techniques and all of them have had a positive impact on my daily practice."

Laura J., New York, NY & Barcelona, Spain

"Because I love yoga and whenever I'm visiting New York I enjoy going to CorePower Yoga a LOT. When I saw that they were doing a TT I thought it was just a nice opportunity I could not miss. I am so excited :-) !!!!"

Rivera, C., Chatsworth, CA

"Because I want to learn about the beauty of healing through inner work between one's mind, heart, soul in connection to our body that carries physical trauma. I want to grow and heal into the best version of myself and share this happiness with others!"

What are you looking forward to about Teacher Training?

Rimisha L., Seattle, WA

"I am looking forward to connecting to my roots and understanding the origin, history and development of yoga. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner student and nurse working in a mental health facility, I'm also looking forward to learning more about the power of the breath and the effect of yoga on mental health. I would like to share this knowledge of practice to people who may struggle with stress and/or anxiety and could benefit from the effects of yoga."

Ziqi, San Francisco, CA

"I've been practicing yoga for a few years now, but between the pandemic and my hectic schedule, I haven't been able to meet a lot of others. Where I live, climbing is the dominant sport. All my friends go bouldering at climbing gyms every day after work, and are constantly talking about new people they have met. I'm hoping through teacher training I'll find a community of others who share my interests and passion."

Dylan B., Miami, FL

"I look forward to making a positive impact through my practice and I promise to work actively to create equity within the industry."

Rikki E., San Diego, CA

"Learning more about my body, how it moves and how to make me feel less like the tin man!"

Veronica T., Minneapolis, MN

"I'm here for the history, the anatomy, and the challenge!!"

Gwen M., Los Angeles, CA

"Meeting fellow yogis and mentors and deepening my love and understanding of this beautiful practice."

Tameka V., Weehawken, NJ

"The community, the specialization in Yoga Sculpt as I've personally greatly benefitted from incorporating strength training into my routine and having sat in a teacher's seat as a business school educator for the past four years, I'm geeked about being a student again."

Michelle L., Kailua, HI

"I am most excited about networking with people and creating new relationships with my fellow teachers in training. The community I have seen with CorePower is unlike no other and I cannot wait to be a part of it and something bigger."

Kathleen E., Rancho Cucamonga, CA

"I am looking forward to advancing my own yoga practice and learning the history and anatomy behind the yoga postures. Learning how to change energy flow through anatomical changes is going to be very informative."

Lonnie W., Ontario, CA

"I am looking forward to not only learning but also the ability to impact and influence. As Power Love scholarship recipients, we have the opportunity to share insightful feedback that will strengthen CorePower's DE&I initiatives. As someone who felt disconnected from yoga because of the lack of representation, it warms my heart to know that not only will I walk with the tools to strengthen my yoga practice and teaching but also have a voice in the continuous development of CorePower Yoga"

Jenny M., Jersey City, NJ

"I'm excited to learn so much and go in depth about the art of yoga but what I'm mainly looking forward to about TT is making more self discoveries within myself throughout the process. I believe this opportunity will lend me a hand in realizing what I need for myself (body, mind, spirit, etc.), and how to use those findings to eventually positively impact people."

Stacey R., Dallas, TX

"I'm most looking forward to the community and growing with others through this exciting journey."

Ally K., Marietta, GA

"As we learn to release worry and judgment over the next few months, I look forward to growing personally and together with this community of yogis."

Mariel G., Chicago, IL

"Building practice playlists! My friends and family know that I love playlist curation. It's a simple way to connect with new folks. I plan to integrate songs from classmates and students whenever I get the chance."

Nancy D., Minneapolis, MN

"I look forward to pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and broadening what I know about yoga in order to practice with others. Not everyone learns the same way so it's nice to understand others perspectives so we can better connect through movement, breath and flow."

Elena D., Honolulu, HI

"I am really looking forward to connecting with others in the program and sharing in our journey to further our yoga practice. I think we will all come from different backgrounds, and experiences with yoga and I look forward to learning about other perspectives and approaches to the practice."

Hellen F., Washington, D.C.

"Really building up my body through this process and passing the knowledge forward to people in my community and those I serve through my work. I know it will revolutionize my thinking, rejuvenate my spiritual practice, and challenge what I think is possible for my body in general and for others. I am excited to see the version of myself that emerges as a result of this process and what and how "she" will be able to better serve in all the areas of my life."

Meagan F., Chicago, IL

"I am looking forward to taking this time to learn, grow and build my skills and confidence. I am excited to meet new people and open up my eyes to the world around me."

What else would you like to share?

Dylan B., Miami, FL

"Following my training, I will be traveling to India, where I will fulfill a position teaching English to the children of the Roseland English Medium High School in Jalgaon. For the duration of my stay, I intend to make use of the skills and knowledge learned from CorePower's training, to engage with students outside of the classroom, by teaching yoga classes in English. I have a passion for experiential education and immersive travel. I see teaching as a way to give back to the community hosting me and I am grateful to have the opportunity to leverage my skills into an impactful position."

Mariel G., Chicago, IL

"Sending many thanks to Elizabeth H. from Hyde Park who advocated for me to earn a position with the Studio Experience Team (SET). I recommend SET to anyone interested in joining the CorePower family."

Nancy D., Minneapolis, MN

"Yoga is my universal love language :) This is a great opportunity to learn and share with others! Thank you for this Power Love scholarship."

Elena D., Honolulu, HI

"I am honored to be a Power Love Scholarship recipient. I think its amazing CorePower has taken an initiative to have greater and more diverse representation in yoga. My favorite thing about yoga is that it really is open to anyone and ultimately it doesn't matter your background or where you come from, when you show up to your mat it is really a space for you to further practice and the only thing that matters is your own growth. I hope to bring this philosophy to my CorePower Teacher Training."

Want to learn more about Teacher Training? Click here!