Life and Work with Tova Sklar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tova Sklar.

Tova, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always had a love for fitness and exercise but I first started yoga when I was in chiropractic school in 2003. What began with an interest in a ‘good workout’ soon blossomed into a deeper love and understanding of what the human body is capable of both physically and on a deeper level. I decided not only to teach yoga but to create my Instagram account a few years later where I could track my physical progress. My Instagram soon turned into a creative outlet for my workouts, yoga, handstands, family, and some deeper intentions that support me on a daily basis.

In 2016 after a few posts had gone viral, Cosmopolitan contacted me about doing a feature. They wrote an article and a featured piece about my style of ‘wall yoga.’ From there, I went on to be a guest of a few local Chicago TV shows as the ‘Yoga Mom!’

I currently teach yoga, work part time doing fluoroscopy (X-rays), work as a social media influencer; but most importantly am a full time wife and mom and or course; a yogi through and through.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There are always moments of self-doubt and insecurity. But to me one of the gifts of my yoga practice is the understanding that your self-worth can only be dictated by you. As soon as we rely on others to feel good about ourselves we are on shaky ground. Brene Brown says it best when she explains that if our intention when we walk into a room is to fit in, then how we leave the room really depends on others. But if your intention when you walk into a room is to just be yourself, then you win every time.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Instagram @Tditty2 – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I love to inject my classes and posts with humor, intention, and inspiration that are applicable both on the mat and in daily life. It’s great to focus on alignment but with enough individuality that someone at every level can find a connection to a workout, flow or pose. I feel that the more we understand why we are doing something, the more we can appreciate the benefits of it. This understanding then gives us the freedom to really want to better ourselves for our own benefit and not some external motivating factor that might go away at some point.

I think what sets me apart is my openness for something different. I don’t need or necessarily want a one size fits all answer to everything. And that really plays into the classes I teach and the posts I write. I definitely have a certain style, but I like to change it up enough where it stays fresh and exciting.

There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Absolutely. I feel like while there are certain aspects and challenges facing women today I see there are also many opportunities as well. Everyday, there are examples of strong women accomplishing things that we didn’t see in the past. This serves as a daily inspiration to me and I am honored when someone tells me they or their daughters are inspired by something that I do!

Contact Info:

• Email: tova.tditty2@gmail.com
• Instagram: @tditty2
• Facebook: Tditty Yogafit

Image Credit:
Marty Hackl

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