how it began.

about alysia, the founder

Over my years in the health and fitness industry, I’ve had the honor and privilege to work for several unique wellness settings.

I began my career in corporate wellness as an exercise specialist. (Specifically for NASA, Sherwin Williams, and KeyBank.)

It was especially at NASA where I soaked up the ongoing education of wellness, and really fell in love with the science of the mind/body connection. Its many proven benefits to our overall health are fascinating!

From there, I took the time to further my education through yoga and bodywork. I became a certified yoga instructor and a massage practitioner.

With those tools, I was able to bring my passion for wellness to an even larger population and began working all over the Cleveland Community as the Owner of Calm Cleveland. An onsite yoga and wellness company.

THE GOOD PART!

It’s a blessing and a curse of mine that I don’t settle easily. I just couldn’t get comfortable with the fact that not everyone has access to this. What about those who don’t have the means or accessibility? What about those who’ve endured trauma and could use these tools to benefit their health?

I just knew the confidence and the strength this practice has provided me, and it needed to be more accessible within our community.

I believe I was so drawn to this practice because yoga has been a tool in my personal life that has led me through severe anxiety and panic disorder. I wanted the world to have access to these SIMPLE TOOLS.

Thus began The Mat Project in 2018. 

It’s pretty simple (because we love simple).  We show up directly to our students who may not have access to such opportunities.  Yes, we show up with yoga mats, but it's more than just the physical practice of yoga you might be thinking.  We provide a safe space to experience self-empowerment.  An opportunity to build confidence, and finally, the option for educational and career opportunities through our yoga teacher training scholarship program.  We journal, we talk, we breathe, we move our body, we take care of ourselves.

We’re The Mat Project!