Donna Noble has been practising yoga since the late 1990s. She is an Author and the Founder of CurveSomeYoga. She has been a certified Yoga Teacher since 2011. As well as teaching Internationally and all over the UK at conferences and festivals, and she runs Workshops and yoga retreats. She has written in numerous digital and print media on various topics covering diversity & inclusion, and body positivity.
You can find out more about Donna at her website www.thenobleartofyoga.co.uk.
Tell us about yourself and Curvesomeyoga…
I‘m an Author, Coach, Educator, Yoga Teacher, Activist and Founder of Curvesomeyoga. I spent over 20+ years working for various corporate companies.
I am a Londoner of Jamaican heritage; I spent two years of my childhood living in Jamaica from nine to eleven. My yoga journey started in the late 1990s when a friend saw a picture of Madonna in a yoga pose online. I became a certified yoga teacher in 2011 and teach internationally. I am passionate about sharing the benefits of yoga after it was instrumental in allowing me to heal from Bell’s Palsy and change careers.
Curvesomeyoga was created in 2014 from a desire to provide accessible and inclusive yoga. Showing that everybody can do yoga regardless of shape, size, ethnicity or gender. Where anyone can come and experience yoga on their own terms.
What advice would you give to women wanting to start their own business in the wellness industry?
Don’t let the mainstream wellness industry let you doubt that you have something to offer or feel you have to look a certain way to start your business. If ever in doubt, always come back to your why and remember there is someone that needs what you have to offer, as representation is so important and does matter. Just go for it, as version one is better than version none.
Also, don’t feel that you have to follow a script – go with what feels right. Be authentic and don’t be afraid to create something that does not exist – as one day you may be a pioneer.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in business?
The challenge as a woman in business is the inequity encountered because of the double bias of race and gender. The lack of representation equates to constantly proving my worth and qualifications. Coping with the fear of being visible – the fear of being judged – resulted in my being invisible for a long time.
Do you have a mission that keeps you grounded?
My mission is to create greater diversity and inclusion within the yoga and well-being space as well as always being authentically true to myself, fulfilling my passion, going with the flow of life, and letting the path unfold organically. To be the change I wish to see in the world.
Which women inspire you?
My Mum and Michelle Obama inspire me because of what they stand for and I am able to continually learn from them.
Find out more about Donna through her website and her Instagram @donnanobleyoga.
