We recently had the chance to connect with Lauren Curl and have shared our conversation below.
Lauren , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I get up early, even on the mornings when staying tucked into bed sounds tempting. I’ve learned that giving myself that extra time in the morning, rather than rushing into the day, supports how I show up for everything that follows.
The first part of my morning is about intentional body care. I move my body gently, check in with my breath, and spend a few moments in stillness. Nothing elaborate, just enough to notice how I’m feeling and create a sense of steadiness.
After that, I’m careful not to rush through getting ready. Even showering or getting dressed becomes a quiet check-in. Sometimes I’ll do a brief body scan or simply notice where I’m holding tension and let it soften.
When I make breakfast, I base it on what my body actually needs that day rather than habit or routine. Some mornings call for something light, other days I need something more energizing. That small act of listening sets the tone for moving through the rest of my day with more awareness and choice.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Lauren, and I’m the founder of Torches Yoga & Mindfulness. I’m a mindfulness coach and yoga teacher, and I work with people who are functional on the outside but quietly disconnected, stuck, or running on autopilot.
Torches was created from my own lived experience. I’ve spent years navigating chronic health challenges, burnout, and the pressure to keep going when my body and inner world were asking for something different. Mindfulness, when I finally encountered it in a practical and embodied way, wasn’t about fixing myself or becoming calmer. It gave me awareness, and with that awareness came choice.
What makes Torches different is that we don’t treat mindfulness as a lifestyle overhaul or a lofty ideal. I focus on small, doable practices that fit into real lives. Things like noticing how your body responds before you react, learning to work with emotions instead of suppressing them, and using micro-moments of awareness to interrupt old patterns.
Right now, I teach yoga and mindfulness both in person and online, and I create educational content that blends ancient wisdom with modern psychology and neuroscience. My goal is to help people feel more grounded in themselves, not by becoming someone new, but by learning how to relate differently to what’s already there.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that shaped me most was with my mother. Growing up, I worked hard to be “good enough”—honor student, well-behaved, trying to meet expectations that were impossible to satisfy. Much of what I did, even normal teenage phases, felt like it was judged as a personal attack on her, and I learned early to shrink myself to maintain peace.
It wasn’t until my early 20s that I realized this wasn’t about me—it was about her. That realization gave me permission to start living for myself, to discover who I am apart from the need for someone else’s validation.
Looking back, those early struggles taught me something invaluable: I could step out of the shadow of someone else’s expectations, see how bright I could shine, and learn to love myself fully. It shaped how I approach life and my work today—helping people find their own sense of alignment, choice, and self-acceptance.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, absolutely. There were a couple of points in my life where I hit what felt like rock bottom. I tried to turn everything around the way I thought I was supposed to. I got a new job, distanced myself from old friends, and made the changes others said would fix things. But nothing really changed. I still felt like I couldn’t hold my life together.
Eventually, I reached a point where I wondered what the point of trying was if everything just kept falling apart. There was no cheering section. When I struggled, it was often seen as proof that I was lazy, weak, or lacking direction rather than someone who was overwhelmed and hurting.
One night, I picked up the phone intending to say goodbye to a friend. Instead, I asked for help. That moment changed everything. They truly saw me and reached out with a level of care and support that saved my life.
Looking back, that experience reshaped how I understand resilience. Sometimes perseverance doesn’t look like pushing harder. Sometimes it looks like letting yourself be seen and accepting a hand when you can’t stand on your own.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely—just with mascara. I show up as my full, awkward self. Sometimes I wonder if there’s a piece missing up here (gestures to my noggin) because I just can’t seem to put on a character for public life. Who I am and what I believe—my values, my approach to life—I carry with me in every moment.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember feeling heard, seen, and valued when they were with me. I hope the memories of me are tied to a sense of safety, support, and maybe even a little uplift. I’d love for them to say I was adventurous and brave—and that I made it a little easier to show up as their own true selves.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torches_yoga_and_mindfulness?igsh=YzY0aXlhNTI4ZjN2
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AHwUx6SuD/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TorchesCoaching
