_{Story by: Kevin O.}

Vee Gomez’s journey from a bustling New Jersey neighborhood to the sun-soaked beaches of Santa Monica is nothing short of inspiring. What started as a leap of faith, prompted by a serendipitous job listing, quickly transformed into a passionate pursuit of wellness, connection, and community. With the ocean as her backdrop, Vee has built a thriving yoga business that blends physical healing with spiritual rejuvenation. Her story isn’t just about starting a business—it’s about answering a calling to create space for others to breathe, find peace, and reconnect with the world around them. Get ready to dive into a journey of self-discovery, community, and the undeniable magic of the California coast.

Beach Yoga SoCal: A Journey of Healing, Balance, and Community

Interview with Vee Gomez

INTERVIEWER: Can you tell me about your company and what inspired you to start it? Let’s begin with the official name.

VEE:
Beach Yoga SoCal. We are Southern California’s original beach yoga experience. We are one of the only pop-up outdoor yoga studios that offer daily classes year-round. My husband and I moved here from New Jersey to pursue this vision. Bringing beach yoga to Santa Monica just seemed like a no-brainer. It was surprising to us that no one else had established something like this before. But once I started, I quickly realized just how challenging it was.

INTERVIEWER: When did you start the business?

VEE:
I moved here in June 2018, and now we’re celebrating our fifth year in business. It feels amazing to have reached this milestone. Receiving this recent award has been particularly meaningful because I’ve been on maternity leave since October. Right now, my hands are full with motherhood, and it’s been an adjustment trying to balance my new role while maintaining my business. Beach Yoga SoCal was my first baby, and I have such a deep love for it. Having to step back a bit was difficult, but receiving this recognition reassured me that the business has truly become ingrained in the community. That was always my vision.

When we moved here, we thought big. I still see Beach Yoga SoCal as a billboard in Santa Monica one day. That’s always been my goal. Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to receive media coverage from outlets like ABC and NBC, gradually gaining more exposure. But beyond that, this business was built on my core belief in the power of yoga and how much it has transformed my life. I wanted to share that with as many people as possible.

INTERVIEWER: How has yoga impacted your life in a way that led you to turn it into a business? What was missing before yoga entered your life?

VEE:
Balance. Yoga gave me balance.

I was diagnosed with lupus when I was 26 years old. I’m 34 now. At such a young age, dealing with an autoimmune disorder hit me hard. The traditional medical route—going to doctors, taking medications—felt like it was only treating the symptoms rather than allowing me to live a full, thriving life. I knew that if I continued down that path without exploring other options, I might struggle for the next 50 or 60 years. So, I began researching holistic approaches to managing my condition. That’s when I discovered yoga.

I wasn’t an athletic child growing up—I was more of a bookworm. I didn’t have a strong connection to my body. Yoga changed that. It helped me bridge the gap between my mind and body, teaching me how to tune in and listen to what I needed. After I saw how much yoga improved my mental health, alleviated my joint pain, and reduced my fatigue, I was inspired. I realized that so many people, especially those battling chronic illnesses like mine, didn’t know about the benefits of yoga. I wanted to be a voice for them. If I could do it, I believed anyone could. That’s why I decided to pursue yoga as a profession. It wasn’t just a job—it was a calling.

INTERVIEWER: Did you know much about lupus before your diagnosis?

VEE:
Yes, I did. My mother has lupus, so I grew up watching her battle the disease. Seeing her go through countless treatments, chemotherapy, and hospital visits shaped my perspective. She was diagnosed when I was about eight years old, and in those early years, she struggled immensely.

That experience is what pushed me toward holistic healing. I had witnessed firsthand how lupus can take over a person’s life when treated solely through traditional Western medicine. I had this nagging feeling that there had to be something more—something beyond just medication. I knew that if I ever had children, I didn’t want them to experience what I did, watching a parent suffer and feeling helpless.

Yoga became my way of regaining control. It gave me the tools to manage my symptoms naturally and helped me build resilience. On my worst days, when I felt exhausted or in pain, I turned to my practice. It gave me the strength to push through, to keep moving forward. I refused to let this illness confine me to a bed. I wanted to live my life to the fullest.

INTERVIEWER: Was your mother bedridden for a long time?

VEE:
She went through phases. When she was first diagnosed, it was really bad. Lupus, like cancer, has periods of remission, but it always seems to find a way back. My mother had a long remission period, but when I was about 13, the disease came back aggressively. She was hospitalized and bedridden for almost a year. That was a terrifying time for us—we didn’t know if she would make it.

She eventually recovered, but the illness returned when I was in college. I had to move back home to help. Watching her go through that again—losing her ability to walk, having to rebuild her strength—it was heartbreaking. Seeing her in a hospital bed for so long, then having to go through rehabilitation, it just didn’t make sense to me. Something inside me said, “This can’t be life. This can’t be my future.”

That realization became my turning point. I knew I had to find a different way. My mother doesn’t practice yoga, but for me, I knew I had to take a different path. I had bigger things to do in life, and I wasn’t going to let lupus stop me.

When I’m out there, feeling everything you describe—the rhythm of the ocean, the sand, the wind, the breeze, and the sun—that’s when I feel closest to a higher power. It’s the only time I feel like there’s something else out there, something I can’t see, but I can definitely feel. It’s almost like I can communicate with that higher power. To me, that’s the most natural way to do it. It feels like the right way, especially compared to the enclosed spaces where many religions have temples, chapels, or churches. These spaces often include symbols that shape the way people experience spirituality. But out there, on the beach, it’s different. You can feel connected to whatever you believe.

Anybody can walk into a yoga class, no matter their background or whether they’ve practiced yoga before. What they’ll get from the experience isn’t just about the yoga itself—it’s about being outside, moving your body, and breathing in fresh air.

As a new mother, I focus on raising my children in an environment where they can experience that connection to a higher power. I want them to have that space, that sense of purpose, and to know there’s something out there looking out for us. This connection gives us all meaning, rather than feeling like we’re just wandering aimlessly.

I’ve been focusing on running local retreats ever since my babies were born. I’m currently in talks with the Viceroy Hotel about hosting a retreat in Santa Monica starting this fall. This shift in focus allows me to spend more time with my family while also growing the business.

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INTERVIEWER:
That’s a beautiful perspective, and I completely agree with you about the spiritual connection you get when you’re outside. The beach, in particular, has this way of grounding people.

VEE:
Yes, I’ve had people refer to our outdoor sessions as their “Sunday church.” For some, it truly is a spiritual experience, breathing in the air, being present with the ocean, and simply moving or being still. The beach offers an excuse to be out there, and I’m always fascinated by how many locals don’t take advantage of this natural resource. So many Californians don’t go to the beach regularly, even though it’s right in their backyard! I grew up in New Jersey, far from the ocean, so I cherish the proximity now.

The healing power of the beach is something we all should appreciate more. Just standing on the sand for five minutes every day can be life-changing. You’ll feel different, your mood will shift, and your energy will improve. I just wish more people realized how therapeutic it can be.

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INTERVIEWER:
That’s a powerful message. I think a lot of people would benefit from hearing that.

VEE:
Absolutely! The beach is not only beautiful—it’s also healing. It’s a place where you can reconnect with yourself and nature. And it’s accessible to everyone, no matter where you come from.

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INTERVIEWER:
So, how did you end up in Santa Monica? I know you moved here from New Jersey. What attracted you to Santa Monica?

VEE:
Santa Monica is incredible! People from all over the world come here—it’s this beautiful, eclectic city with such a cool vibe. It just felt like the right place for me. Coming from New Jersey, I knew I wanted to be somewhere more connected to nature and the ocean. Santa Monica was the perfect fit.

I didn’t have a specific plan when I moved here, but I saw an ad on Indeed one day in November of 2017. It was a yoga studio looking for someone to take over the business as the owner was retiring. At first, I ignored it, but then the ad kept popping up. By the fourth time, my husband, Eric, came home and saw it. He said, “You should look into this.” I wasn’t sure, but he encouraged me, and eventually, we decided to check it out. We flew out to Santa Monica in April 2018, and when I saw the business in action and met with the owner, I just knew it was meant to be. Within a week, we packed up everything, said our goodbyes, and drove across the country with our dogs to start a new chapter here. We arrived in Santa Monica on May 30th, and I began working on transitioning the business immediately.

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INTERVIEWER:
That’s incredible! It sounds like everything just fell into place.

VEE:
It really did. We were relying on yoga to support us that first year, and it was challenging at times. But as we moved forward, everything seemed to align. Joining the Chamber of Commerce was a game-changer for me. I built friendships and connections with local business owners, which was crucial for growing the business. I ran a leadership program through the Chamber, which helped me connect even more with the community. And through these relationships, I started working with local hotels like the Viceroy, Lowe’s, the Hilton, and the JW Marriott.

The Chamber gave me my first sense of community here, and I’m so grateful for it. I would recommend networking through local organizations like this to anyone looking to establish themselves in a new place. It’s how I met so many of the people who helped my business grow.

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INTERVIEWER:
That’s fantastic! It’s clear that your connection to the community has been instrumental in your success.

VEE:
Absolutely. It’s been a beautiful journey, and now I’m at a point where our business has expanded to include a $20 online store, along with all the local partnerships we’ve built. It’s been incredible to watch everything fall into place. I feel like the universe was affirming that I was on the right path, and it’s such a reassuring feeling.

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INTERVIEWER:
Are you associated with any causes or organizations?

VEE:
Yes, I work with Lupus LA, which supports research for Lupus and offers assistance to patients. It’s a cause that’s very personal to me. Last year, I hosted a special event for National Lupus Awareness Month. We did yoga and breathwork on the beach, and participants donated items to create goody bags for the patients. It was such a meaningful event.

In traditional Western medicine, doctors often recommend that Lupus patients avoid the sun, but if cleared by a physician, I believe it’s important for them to get outside. The sun is essential for our well-being—it gives us energy, joy, and vitality. For me, being on the beach, feeling the sun, and breathing the ocean air was life-changing, and I think it can be for others too. I’m not dismissing the medical challenges of Lupus, but I think there’s a balance. We need the sun just as much as plants do to grow. It’s vital for our mental and physical health.

Follow Vee and her continued journey at: www.beachyogasocal.com