Valinda Cochella MA, E-RYT has been on a healing path for 22 years. She is passionate about helping stressed out, overwhelmed, anxious people find peace in their daily lives. She has a Master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy from UCLA and worked as a therapist for years and has been teaching Yoga & Meditation in the South Bay of LA for 16 years when she started South Bay Yoginis. She is certified at the highest level in Kundalini & Hatha Yoga. Read our interview with the lovely Valinda below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I was working as a social worker and was stressed out and overwhelmed. Yoga/Movement Therapy was my passion and I took the leap of faith to doing it full time to share my passion in 2000.
Tell us about your business.
South Bay Yoginis came about after I graduated from my 1st Yoga teacher training program in 1999 (Cloud Nine Yoga). I gathered my group of friends together and thought, wouldn’t it be cool to serve people in our community by creating in-home yoga programs! That is how it began.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Yes! I have a course on Udemy: Kundalini Yoga to Heal Stress & Anxiety, and I upload my weekly classes to my Vimeo channel! I have FREE classes there and on my website: http://SouthBayYoginis.com.
Also 2 more FREEBIES: A 3 minute exercise to remove negativity (video) or 5 steps to creating your home yoga practice (PDF). Email me for them!
List awards/certifications/
- M.A. Dance/Movement Therapy UCLA 1992
- I led 3 Yoga Teacher Training programs in the South Bay of LA via Cloud Nine Yoga South Bay Branch
- I recently completed 5 years of Level 2 trainings in Kundalini Yoga & Meditation: Conscious Communication, Lifestyles and Lifecycles, Mind and Meditation, Stress and Vitality, and Authentic Relationships
- I have presented at the South Bay Yoga Conference 3 years in a row
- I went to Clearsight Clairvoyant school for 11 months
Where is your business based?
South Bay Los Angeles: Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I was teaching 17 classes a week all over the South Bay of LA to get “known”. I taught many classes for free in the community (which I still do).
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Teaching in the community, doing speaking events, offering free classes, going into schools, offices etc.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Starting an online business.
How did you overcome these challenges?
A huge online supportive community.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I go back to my practice, always, connecting to why I started and what I truly love.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
Well, I’m passionate about Kundalini Yoga & Meditation, which isn’t as well known as Hatha Yoga, so that pretty much sets me apart – there are only so many of us in the world!
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Trust yourself, keep going, even when you feel like quitting. Get support, take a break, go back to why you love what you do and DO that.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
The same as above!
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
For my online business BTBY (Be True, Brand You with Kimra Luna).
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @valindayoga
Twitter @
Facebook @SouthBayYoginis
Website www.
Email Valinda@SouthBayYoginis.com
Hashtags: #SouthBayYoginis #ValindaYoga #KundaliniYoga #Meditation
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
Oh gosh, I love reading, so I read a lot of books! “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert was awesome. I also love “Tiny, Beautiful Things” by Cheryl Strayed, “Mother Mary’s Wisdom”, “The New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle… so many!
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
Sales funnels, setting up systems, creating webinars and more online courses, creating my signature program. SELLING MY STUFF! Getting out there!
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
Selling my online stuff! Live-streaming, getting a system set up to get more people on my email list with my 2 freebie offers.