Living in the Breeze – Dr. Ebony Blackwell

Yogi, Marathoner, Educator, Mother, Veteran, & Life-Long Learner

My name is Ebony, founder of Living in the Breeze, and I consider myself a child of the universe. When folx ask me where I am from, these days my response is “I am from the Army”. Both of my parents were active duty Army: my mother’s roots were from St. Louis, MO; and my father is from Bridgeport, CT. I was born in Colorado and have lived in at least 6 different states, most recently calling California home! I am a self-proclaimed nerd. My favorite things to do are watch cartoons, read/watch science fiction books and movies, and the library is my favorite place because I love the smell of old books! I have a passion for science and education. Over the years, I’ve earned three degrees: A Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Biology and a Ph.D. in Education Administration!

Prioritizing both physical and mental wellness has always been an essential core value for me. I lost my mother in 2005 to liver failure, in addition to a number of relatives to other health-related conditions, addictions, and suicide. Personally, I’ve struggled with body image issues, depression, and anxiety. Yoga, running, meditation, and therapy have always been critical parts of taking care of both my physical and mental well-being. I’ve practiced yoga on and off since the birth of my daughter in 2007. I’ve dabbled in weight training, cardio classes, and cycling. I became an avid runner in 2015, having participated in numerous 5k, 10k, half-, and full-marathons! And while my body fluctuates through different seasons, craving different means of fitness fulfillment, one thing has always remained constant – the peace I find when I am rooted in my yoga and meditation practices.

Certified Yoga Teacher

I became a Certified Yoga Teacher in 2022, after many years of trying to find time for teacher training in my busy life. Yoga, the act of practicing breathwork synced to mindful movements, helps me quiet my mind and make sense of all the noise. My teacher training helped me understand how interconnected the mind and body are, how our different bodily systems depend on each other for optimal function. Most importantly, I’ve learned how breath and movement synced together can be used outside of yoga class to help ease anxiety, center the mind, create mindfulness and increase productivity. I am passionate about bringing those lessons to other people through the Living in the Breeze community.

Mission

Using movement, mindfulness, and medicinal remedies, the Living in the Breeze mission is to be of service and educate people on holistic wellness practices so that they can live their healthiest, most empowered, and self-fulfilled lives! Living in the Breeze is a wellness community, creating space for people who look like me, black and brown folx. This is important to me because many people in our community will often walk into an “average” wellness space and when they look around, they may not see themselves reflected back. Therefore, this is an inclusive community of learning centered on and celebrating the health, rest, and relaxation of the array of folx with Black and Brown identities.

Living in the Breeze Values

  1. movement
  2. mindfulness
  3. wellness
  4. education
  5. service

In an ideal world, people wouldn’t struggle so much to stay afloat, we wouldn’t need tools and resources to survive unnecessary roadblocks that are thrown at us (racism, sexism, all the -isms and phobias projected onto us). Unfortunately, I can’t fix the world, but I can share how I’ve been navigating it, what techniques have helped me succeed, what mindsets have helped me recover from my failures, and how to use said failures as lessons.

Through yoga practice, workshops, and retreats, my purpose is to equip you with the resources to mindfully respond to life’s obstacles so that you can live intentionally in your purpose!

What brings me energy…

  1. I feel fired up when I am helping, guiding, mentoring, and developing other people.
  2. I love connecting people to resources.
  3. I love creating and streamlining systems and training plans.
  4. I love discussing wellness.
  5. I love pushing myself to my physical edge and watching myself stretch and grow.
  6. I love spending quality time with the people I love.
  7. I love loving on myself!!!
Lavender Farm

Dr. Ebony Blackwell

Certifications & Education

  • 200hr Yoga Teacher Certified (2022)
  • CPR/AED Certified (through 2025)
  • 20-hr Continuing Education Yin Yoga Certification (2023)
  • 30-hr Continuing Education Restorative Yoga Certification (2023)
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education Administration – University of New Orleans
  • Master’s of Science (M.S.) in Biological Sciences – University of Louisiana Lafayette
  • Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) in Biological Sciences – Southeastern Louisana University