Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Fenton.
Hi Crystal, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Years ago, I was spiraling into a cycle of negativity. This negative trajectory was the culmination of a pair of traumatic shifts and life changes: a devastating breakup when I had been anticipating an engagement, and a physically and emotionally toxic job and office environment that had cumulatively increased in stress as the years progressed.
After the magazine I previously worked at folded at the exact time I completely yoga teacher training, I went freelance for writing and began teaching yoga as much as possible, as well as having the blessing of having two amazing yoga mentors that helped me cultivate private clients. My path to teaching firefighters was a result of having dated and been friends with a number of first responders, and noting they all seemed to have similar physical (and emotional) stressors that could be alleviated and helped by yoga. For these classes, I approach teaching differently in a more tactical, task-oriented approach, similar to what they experience at work. For example, if the goal of the day is to work on the back/shoulders and hips, here are the 10 steps and stretches we are going to take to achieve releasing them.
Back in 2017, I met a recently retired (early, due to 9/11 illness) firefighter that had moved to the Charleston area a year prior. Long story short, our second “date” was me flying for a weeklong visit at his house at the time and immediately falling in love with South Carolina. I actually refer to it as my “soulmate state” as the second I landed for the first time, I felt as if I were “home” and that this is where body and spirit belonged, in a similar vein to a feeling of deja vu. Months later, and after I had just received a yoga teaching offer at a studio in West Ashley, the relationship ended in a devastating manner and I returned to NYC; shortly thereafter, my mother was also diagnosed with a 9/11 cancer, and due to being treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering, I currently split my time between NYC and Charleston, until I can become a permanent resident.
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?
I believe that every obstacle is an opportunity to pivot/redirect and that everything truly does happen for a reason. There have been, and continue to be, many, many obstacles. Yet, life is a constant ebb and flow of experiences that allow us to evolve and lessons to learn.
Without that initial obstacle, I never would have had the courage to shift careers from full-time at a magazine to teaching yoga and go freelance, illuminating that with struggle, comes a redirection to what is truly meant for us. Without the next relationship, I never would have discovered the love of South Carolina (and, after 4 years of no communication, we recently reconnected, so who knows what the future holds!). And, without the struggles, financially and emotionally, of being self-employed and always working to gain multiple streams of clients, I learned the strength within myself to achieve my dreams, including a bucket list item of receiving a publishing contract and writing my first book (during COVID!).
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Yoga Instructor, Author, and Freelance Writer. I specialize in yoga privates, working one on one with individuals to truly address their unique needs, as well as teaching first responders, specifically firefighters. My unique teaching style is very alignment and anatomy oriented to address each person’s individual needs in a nuanced way that matches their “energy” ie. when teaching firefighters and other students that are more interested in the physical release and mental relaxation aspects of yoga, I tend to steer clear of any Sanskrit or spiritual mentions v. students that are receptive to more spiritual practice, I will shift my energy and teaching accordingly.
As for my book and freelance writing, I cover wellness, beauty, travel, health, wine, and lifestyle content.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I am fortunate and grateful for my two yoga mentors, Gwen Lawrence and Marco Rojas, and their immense help in my yoga career. I am also grateful for the support of my private yoga students, as well as my parents.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Crystal-Fenton/187869918
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cf912/
- Other: https://crystalfenton.contently.com
