Meet Iris Montanez | Yoga Instructor & Holistic Wellness

We had the good fortune of connecting with Iris Montanez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Iris, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Coming from a history of domestic violence I turned to yoga and meditation for peace and solitude. What I didn’t realize during that time was that practicing yoga, meditation and breath work was the very thing that would save my life. My yoga journey turned into my healing journey. I was able to reach from within, find all the beautiful things I neglected to love about myself, and fell in love with me all over again. It was at that time when I realized, I was able to create a safe space from within for myself, and thought how can I be of service to other beautiful souls who so desperately need it. I decided to become a Yoga Instructor to share both my knowledge and experiences to my own students as well as create a safe space where we can all be seen. But we couldn’t stop there! Another big part of Guerreiris Do Coracao is hand curated essential oil blends to heighten the senses and use for your own practice, whether that be for traveling, the yoga studio, meditation, and even pain management.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always been the type of person to lend a helping hand, take the shirt off my back for the people who mean the most to me. I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be of service to others. What better way to honor that by working in the medical field for over 14 years. Healing comes in many different forms, and I wanted to be the one to make the difference in the experience for every person who I made contact with. Of course there were and still are many challenges I face on a day to day but it’s the experience, the stories I take with me everyday. It makes me much more grateful for life and the thought that I don’t have it as bad as some may have it. It’s made me the most authentic version of myself, to be compassionate, to love whole heartedly, even if it’s not reciprocated. If there is one thing I’d want the world to know about myself and my brand is that I am the purest form of love and strength. Guerreiris Do Coracao translates to Warrior of the Heart, and I am exactly that. Despite all that I’ve been through in this path of life I continue to walk with my head held high and be of service to others in whatever form that may manifest.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in the Tristate area there are so many spontaneous things to do. One of my favorite brunch spots to eat is Jackie & Son’s, amazing atmosphere, great food, and right in the heart of South Orange where there are a variety things to do from breweries to live music. Another one of my all time favorite places is called The Oasis by Chef Andrea Reina, who curates a beautiful menu of feel good eats and amazing drinks to compliment each meal. That is where I spend most of my weekend summer nights.

I absolutely love being spontaneous, taking the subway to the boroughs of NYC and getting lost for the day. I’d have to say its truly the most priceless gift.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have met so many beautiful souls along this journey that we call life, many of those who have indeed shown me mentorship, compassion, and love. I think we can all agree everyone teaches us something in life whether that be good or bad, we take from every experience on this path. From my childhood friend, to the many humbled souls I’ve taught and encountered on my path of life, all the way down to my life partner, without all these strong resilient woman, you know who you are, I really just don’t know who I would have become. To the people who continuously show up for me I will forever be grateful for you.

Instagram: guerreiris.do.coracao

Image Credits
viiewco