Meet Vivianne

Vivianne Velazquez

200-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher, Creative Visionary, Sound & Energy Practitioner

This non-binary, queer spirit, loves to create spaces for others to go inward & self-reflect. In a world  where we are so fast-paced, I enjoy finding soft pockets where we can bravely explore what our bodies & minds are trying to share with us. 

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Born and raised in Chicago, with roots from Mexico, I am forever nature.

As I look back on my connection to nature, my ancestors, and myself, I reflect on growing up in the city. While I may have not had access to forest preserves or open fields, I always found small ways to connect to nature, little did I know I was connecting with myself. Whether it was through closing my eyes and listening to the rustling of the leaves or being blessed by the small but resilient flower that cracked through the concrete, I’ll forever be grateful for the gifts Lake Michigan has blessed me with. Thank you, water, for allowing me to fly without having to leave the ground. 

I’ve always found ways to listen to the divine elements around me and I thank my mother for being an inspiration. Thank you to my mama for always reminding me to connect and embrace even the little things that the universe provides, and to seeing it all with love. I'm also beyond grateful for my kiddo who has invited me to see things with playful & gentle eyes, just by being themselves. 

While my foundation was grounded in Spirit, I struggled with anxiety & depression most of my upbringing. Although there was love, there was also a lot of toxicity in my home. I grew up disassociated from myself and others, always compartmentalizing. I remember always escaping to the outdoors to find some peace. I’d “run away” to our neighborhood church, where a lil pond grounded strongly with my favorite willow tree swayed me back to tranquility; even for just that moment. 

After continuing to experience traumatic events that altered the way I associated, I realized during my junior year of college that I needed to change something. That’s when I decided I needed more resources to help me pull myself out of the hole I felt stagnant in. 

I slowly started unfolding in therapy, learning that I had been in survival mode most of my life. I started to build a relationship with myself and began exploring what feeling safe actually meant to me. A few sessions with my therapist, they suggested meditation and yoga. I had explored yoga before this suggestion but had a  lot of old ideologies tied to the practice due to my religious upbringing that I didn't care to explore that before this new invitation. But I stepped into it, giving it another chance. Let me tell you, my first few experiences back were far from “zenful”. I did not “bliss out”; on the contrary, it was a horrid experience for me. 

As uncomfortable as I was mentally during these practices,

I knew there was something rich on the other side

if I allowed myself to go there.

So I carried on, exploring with curiosity,

slowly letting go of judgment & allowing the discomfort in. 

It wasn't easy but I decided to open my heart up again.

To surrender to the waves that were crashing down on me. 

Fast forward to a little over ten years, I'm still practicing yoga & mindfulness, and I’ve added other tools to my wellness kit along the way. I have invested in exploring the richness that comes with intertwining with these sacred tools that have been passed on through centuries. After so many hardships in life and not being connected to myself, I have been able to find groundness in the ungrounding moments. These tools have helped me feel & heal through some traumas. 

In 2019 I decided to dive deeper. I began my 200 hour yoga teacher training at a local studio that became a space for me to bravely explore my inner world some more and start building a foundation to eventually share with my community. I was expected to graduate from the program in April 2020. But the pandemic came knocking first. 

It felt as if the universe was testing me to see if I'd embody my practices. So I did. It was time to alchemize, reminding myself to not feel pressured to start teaching right away. I took time to truly slow down some more with intention, immersing myself in nature, with soul. I slowly started teaching friends a little more and eventually took the steps to teach at a local gym. I was feeling shifts as I started to teach larger groups. The lessons continued to roll through but things took a huge turn when I learned I had an AVM/aneurysm in 2021 & brain surgery in 2022. I have a feeling that subconsciously, I was putting together my kit, getting ready for this next deep endeavor.

Going through the discovery of the aneurysm and recovering from surgery,  it sank down into my soul that sharing these tools & my energy was my purpose. That reminding people of the power they hold was a part of my life's mission. This is why I have the passion to share Embrace 2 Emerge. 

It is my dream to provide individuals with a space where they can feel seen, heard and held with compassion as they explore their inner world and work toward healing and personal growth. At Embrace 2 Emerge, I believe in co-creating brave and inclusive spaces with a trauma-informed approach that promotes self-awareness, healing and personal growth. 

I understand that everyone’s journey is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. That’s why I strive to create a brave and welcoming space where individuals can explore and experiment with different tools and practices without fear of judgment. Whether it’s through mindfulness, yoga, breathwork, sound healing, dance, or other practices, my goal is to provide you with the support and guidance you need to discover what works best for you. 

My intention through Embrace 2 Emerge is to empower individuals

to connect with their inner wisdom and tap into their innate healing abilities.

By slowing down and embracing all that comes with being human,

we can cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness, compassion,

and connection with ourselves and the world around us. 

Thank you for considering Embrace 2 Emerge as part of your journey. I look forward to co-creating with you and holding space for all that arises.

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P.S. Curious as to why I'm using a 2 to express the word "to"? Check out my 2:22 blog post.