Spotlight on: Tawanya Norwood
- Jun 6, 2016
- 2 min read
Tawanya is an aspiring fitness models with goals to become an ambassador for Nike. She is self-taught and learned how to do advanced yoga poses like handstands. Her ultimate dream is to become a motivational speaker to women, athletes, and under- privileged youth and inspire them with her story.
All images courtesy of Tawayna Norwood
Angelica: When and why did you begin practicing yoga?
Tawanya Norwood: I began practicing last year in 2015 because I needed more complicated poses to perform in my pictures
Angelica: How has yoga helped you establish a better sense of self ?
Tawanya: It has helped me to believe in myself more by showing me what I'm capable of. After I do some of the poses, I can feel my strength. When I look at my pictures, I can see my power.
Angelica: What are a few ways that yoga challenged you or still challenges you today ? (This can be physically,mentally,or emotionally)
Tawanya: It challenges me to not be intimidated. In the beginning, I would see all the difficult poses other people could perform and I would be tempted to think that if they could do that and I couldn't, Nike would surely chose them over me. I fought against those thoughts however and just told myself to believe in what I could do as I worked on learning more.
Angelica: What aspect of your life has yoga helped you manage ?
Tawanya: My self- esteem and interactions with others. Learning poses like handstands has made me appreciate myself more and love myself for who I am and what my body can accomplish. I can see my strength when I do yoga so I don't look to others as much to validate it. I admire what I've accomplished so I don't seek out the admiration of others as much. I'm still working on some things but yoga has helped me find within myself what I once looked for outside of me... approval.
Angelica: Many people turn to their craft for release, when you're on your mat what emotions do you try to let go of?
Tawanya: The need to prove myself to others. The need for validation. The fear of falling. The fear of being overlooked.
Angelica: Besides yoga what else do you truly enjoy on a daily bases that keeps you relaxed?
Tawanya: I like to sit at home and read a book or watch Martin the TV show. It's my way of taking a break from the hustle of chasing my dreams
Angelica: Any additional comments or advice?
Tawanya: I would just say chase your dreams, it's amazing who you become in the process.
Follow Tawanya Norwood on Instagram: @th33besticanbe
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