In a world where self-care often feels like a luxury rather than a necessity, Keyla Guardado stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Her journey from a dedicated elementary school teacher to a transformative yoga and somatic movement guide is a testament to the power of resilience and self-discovery. Through the profound loss of her younger brother and a cultural upbringing that emphasized self-sacrifice, Keyla found her way to healing and empowerment. Now, she shares her wisdom and passion, helping women reconnect with their authentic selves and embrace their own sacred rebellion. Join us as Keyla opens up about her personal journey, the challenges she faced, and the powerful practices she employs to create a safe and inclusive space for healing and growth.
1. What initially drew you to yoga and somatic movement as tools for personal empowerment and self-discovery?
What initially drew me to yoga and somatic movement was, honestly, burnout. I was an elementary school teacher who cared deeply about her students, so I often took their work, family trauma, and systemic indifference with me. I knew I needed better coping mechanisms other than numbing out with my phone or a large glass of wine to “unwind.” It wasn’t until my little brother passed away that I truly listened to that urge to take better care of myself and finally tried out a local yoga class.
2. Could you share more about your personal journey of rediscovering your authentic self after experiencing the loss of your brother and feeling disconnected from your cultural identity?
In our Latine upbringing, the principle ingrained in us was prioritizing others before ourselves. For women, it was expected to embody this self-sacrificing role, ensuring everyone else’s well-being before their own. My mother was the greatest example of this unrealistic belief.
After my little brother passed away at just 13, it hit us all hard, like a ton of bricks. Without even realizing it, I took on my mom’s role in the family. I made sure everyone had food, someone to talk to, and was taken care of. I buried my own grief deep down to be the tough one because Mom was totally shattered by my brother’s death. I clung to this shield, threw myself into getting my master’s, and worked like never before.
A year and a half after his passing, I rolled out a mat and said, “I vaguely remember some yoga poses, I’ll just stretch and see where this goes.” An hour later, all I could do was cry in child’s pose. Heart on the ground, just sobbing out all the grief I had stuffed deep inside of me. I recall getting up and hearing birds chirping so loudly outside my window, almost as if there were hundreds of them outside. I took this as a sign that my little brother wanted me to heed the calling to put myself first and, in doing so, I would help others heal.
3. What challenges did you face in merging your cultural background with the practices of yoga and reiki in your teachings?
The biggest challenge I faced when merging my cultural background with yoga and reiki was probably navigating how I wanted to integrate my connection to Source. I grew up in a very religious Christian household, to be exact. And while I loved what I had learned, I wanted to find my own way of merging self-healing tools without guilt or shame. I believe God resides in all I do, whether it’s chanting, reading a verse from the Bible, or flowing on the mat. For many, this is unheard of—to infuse all these practices—but I disagree. I think oppressive systems makes us believe we are all separate, but in unison, we are stronger, connected, and kin.
4. How do you approach the concept of rebellion within the context of self-care and healing, especially for women who may feel pressured to conform to societal norms or expectations?
In a patriarchal society, slowing down to listen to your intuition is so hard! No one teaches you how; there isn’t a manual given to you in school. It’s the exact opposite—our culture tends to want more from you, and fast.
It can feel so challenging to go against the grain, to say no when everyone else is saying yes. We all want to belong and feel part of the group; it’s a human need for connection, which isn’t bad or less than. What I want to offer women is the space to pause and ask themselves, “Is this something that I truly value and want to do?” Pausing to ask questions, to inquire within, is such an act of rebellion because you aren’t going along with whatever someone said is “right” but diving deep into your own heart and getting a clear direction from there.
5. What role has mindfulness played in your own healing journey, and how do you incorporate mindfulness practices into your teachings?
Bringing mindfulness into my healing and my everyday life has been a game changer for me. When I am uncertain, doubtful, or anxious, the moment I pause and notice, there’s a sliver of presence created, and in that moment, I can discern the root of my discomfort. So instead of numbing or people-pleasing, I have a choice to pivot. It’s in the small choices that we get to create a more mindful way of living.
I always encourage my clients to bring the stillness and “zen” created on the mat into their everyday lives. During practice, I remind them to pause and notice their breath and thoughts, and over time, this becomes a daily ritual they can implement while drinking their coffee or dealing with a deadline at work.
6. Can you share a transformative moment or experience from your yoga and somatic movement classes that highlights the power of these practices in facilitating personal growth and empowerment?
A client I have been working with for 2 years came to me with overwhelming feelings of grief, pain in her lower back, stress, and a lot of self-doubt. We practiced 1:1 yoga with coaching after each session, and with each class, she blossomed more and more.
After 8 sessions, she was finally able to go on that beach vacation she had been thinking about for years without guilt. Her flexibility grew by at least 50%, she had little to no back pain, and she grew more and more confident in her authenticity.
Through somatic exercises, she was able to release a lot of stuck grief, self-sabotaging thoughts, and low self-worth. During our practices, we flowed gently, sometimes pausing to journal. We created safety within her body first, enabling her to go out into the world and take up space. It was a real honor to watch her growth.
7. How do you create a safe and inclusive space for women of diverse backgrounds and experiences in your online yoga community?
Being a first-generation immigrant, honoring my roots has been a big part of my healing process. I can only rise as high as I honor where I come from.
When you attend any of my classes, I always begin by honoring the roots of yoga and reiki. I open the space in prayer and reverence to the origins of these ancient modalities. I do the same with the community that works with me. I celebrate all backgrounds, learning abilities, and experiences with movement. All my classes are trauma-informed and inclusive. All rebels are welcome!
8. What strategies or self-care practices do you personally rely on to maintain your own well-being while supporting others on their healing paths?
I have many nervous system regulation practices, but my top four would have to be meditating in the morning, taking movement breaks throughout the day, practicing self-reiki healing sometimes before bed, and sitting in ceremony with nature and my ancestry. Anything that helps me connect back to my body and Source is what I lean on.
9. Lastly, how can women interested in your teachings and approach connect with you and get involved in the I am Sacred Rebel community?
I hang out mostly on Instagram @iam_sacredrebel ! If you want to learn more about my services or want free mindful rituals head over to my website to sign up for my love letter crew.
