Meet Mary Beth Harding | Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Beth Harding and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary Beth, how do you think about risk?
For a long time, I believed that a salaried job meant stability. A steady paycheck, benefits, and a predictable schedule felt like security, but I eventually realized that wasn’t always true. You can lose a salaried job in an instant, and in the meantime, you might be spending your days feeling stuck, undervalued, or misaligned with your values. That realization helped me redefine what “stability” really means.

Leaving my full-time job at a nonprofit to become a self-employed Yoga teacher felt like a huge risk. However, it was a risk that gave me greater agency, creativity, and joy. Being self-employed doesn’t mean things are always easy, but I can pull different levers to adjust when life changes. I can take on more clients when I need income, shift my teaching schedule to allow for rest, or explore new opportunities when inspiration hits. I have flexibility, which has become more valuable to me than predictability.

Risk has played a key role in helping me align my work with my purpose. It’s taught me that betting on myself isn’t reckless—it’s a kind of long-term investment. The payoff isn’t just financial. It’s the ability to build a life that feels authentic, adaptive, and sustainable.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My teaching centers on helping people feel more at home in their bodies. I teach Yoga, mobility, and strength in ways that are trauma-informed, functional, and grounded in real life. You won’t find rigid rules or pressure to perform in my classes—instead, I offer frameworks that invite curiosity, options, and support. Whether I’m working with athletes, beginners, older adults, or people recovering from illness or injury, my goal is the same: to help folks move in a way that feels sustainable, empowering, and true to them.

What sets my work apart is how adaptable and person-centered it is. I don’t teach a method—I teach people. I intentionally create space for those who don’t always feel comfortable in conventional Yoga or wellness spaces. My classes often blend styles of practice and adapt to the group’s needs, and I believe that this fluidity is a strength.

Getting here wasn’t a straight line. I spent over a decade working in nonprofit leadership before leaving to pursue teaching full time. The transition wasn’t easy—there were plenty of financial and emotional hurdles—but it taught me how to trust myself, how to listen deeply, and how to build something that’s values-driven rather than fear-driven.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built with students, many of whom have followed me through big life changes, just like I’ve supported them. I want the world to know that Yoga doesn’t have to look a certain way or be reserved for certain bodies. It can be a powerful tool for connection, resilience, and healing, especially when we make room for people to show up just as they are.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh, I love playing tour guide—especially when it means taking people off Broadway and into the real neighborhoods of Nashville. I enjoy sharing a mix of movement, great food, fresh air, and meaningful connections when I have guests in town!

Nashville has an incredible food scene, so we’d definitely eat well: Fat Belly Pretzel for the best sandwiches you’ve ever had, Café Roze for brunch, Osh for standout Uzbek cuisine, InterAsian Market & Deli for bánh mì, a late-night burger at Dino’s, and a happy hour at Bad Idea are just a few of my favorites!

I’d take them to Bells Bend for a hike—it’s one of the last rural areas in Davidson County, full of native flora, wildlife, and some of the best small-scale sustainable farms around. We’d stop by the new Bells Bend Farms store, where I have a CSA, so they could take something local home with them.

And of course, we’d take a Yoga class. I’d bring them to The Space for a dynamic class with Gillian St. Clair. To unwind, we’d head to Heart of Wisdom Yoga in Germantown for Mikka’s Roll & Restore—one of my absolute favorites. It’s the perfect way to find some rest in the middle of a busy trip.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout goes to Gillian St. Clair, my first Yoga teacher and someone I’m lucky to still learn from and teach alongside today. Gillian has had an immeasurable impact on both my personal practice and professional path. She taught me that Yoga isn’t about getting the “right” shape—it’s about curiosity, presence, and connection. Her creative and fun approach to the practice permitted me to explore Yoga in a way that felt honest and sustainable.

Even now, almost 15 years after my first class with her, I still find myself drawing on her teachings—whether I’m guiding a class, mentoring a new teacher, or deciding how I want to show up for others. She embodies the grounded, adaptable leadership I aspire to. And beyond her knowledge and skill, she’s just a fiercely kind and generous person.

I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today without her early encouragement and ongoing example. I’m endlessly grateful.

Website: https://www.marybethhardingyoga.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogawithmarybeth/

Image Credits
Erin Fiebig/Heart of Wisdom Yoga

Laura Hull

Kelly Phipps