Sze Chieh Chen

Coming out of the pandemic in 2021, I felt stuck. I was lost but craving change. So I took a big leap forward, with my eyes closed, unsure where I’d land.

I quit my job in fashion to help start a family business in San Diego, a cafe. It’s completely different and I knew nothing about the industry. I moved across the country from NYC, where I’ve lived my whole adulthood, to a place where I barely knew anybody.

Acclimating to a new city, working in a startup team with no experience, and still learning to set up structure and boundaries in my life meant everything was constantly moving. As someone who relied on organization and stability, it was all too much. Not to mention working daily in a high-stress, physically demanding environment.

My coping mechanism was physical exercise because when I’m moving, I stay engaged and leave my day outside. However, I was merely hitting pause because when I’m done, my stressors are still there. Nothing changed.

But Modo Yoga was different. My mat was my refuge, it gave me stillness and peace. And it was so much more.

I started in the Energy Exchange program because I wanted to give back to the hot yoga community I know and adore, and the people that share and hold space for me in the hot room. Now I’m excited to meet and connect with everyone individually at the front desk. And have the chance to share the benefits of hot yoga and my passion for this yoga practice with more people that come through our door. See you at Modo Yoga!