Divinity Gaines booked her first professional dance job at 12. Since then, movement has taken her from the performance stage to the yoga mat, and everywhere in between. A former Knicks City Dancer, she's now a yoga teacher, Pilates instructor, personal trainer, and founder of holistic wellbeing platform Divinity in Motion, building community-rooted wellness experiences in Los Angeles and beyond. Most recently, we collaborated with Divinity on Manduka's P/ROX campaign. Below, she shares tips on building consistency without burnout, the one-percent rule, and why every return to the mat counts.
What first drew you to movement professionally, and what led you to becoming a yoga teacher, personal trainer, and Pilates instructor?
Movement has always been my thing. I booked my first professional dance job at 12 years old, and from that point on, movement became both my passion and my profession.
As I got older, I realized movement was doing more than keeping me physically fit — it was helping me heal. Through grief, life transitions, and challenging seasons, movement became my anchor. It helped me reconnect with myself, build resilience, and find joy again.
That's what led me to become a yoga teacher, personal trainer, and Pilates instructor. Today, I teach because I know firsthand that movement can transform your life. My goal is to help people feel stronger, more connected, and more at home in themselves — on and off the mat.
How has your teaching evolved over the years?
My teaching has evolved as I've evolved. I started as a children's dance teacher, focused on choreography, performance, and helping people move with confidence. As my own wellness journey deepened, so did my approach to teaching.
Today, I draw from my experiences as a dancer, yoga teacher, Pilates instructor, personal trainer, entrepreneur, and even being featured on global television. What began as teaching movement has grown into helping people build a deeper connection with themselves.
What continues to inspire me is witnessing transformation. Whether I'm teaching one person or a room full of people, there's nothing more rewarding than seeing someone leave feeling stronger, more confident, and more connected than when they walked in. That's what keeps me coming back. It reminds me why I started in the first place.
What do you hope people feel when they move with you?
I hope that people leave feeling more like themselves. I want them to experience joy, freedom, peace, and a sense of childlike wonder. So much of adulthood is spent rushing, performing, and carrying the weight of responsibilities. My classes are an invitation to come home to yourself.
Whether it's through dance, yoga, Pilates, or movement, I want people to remember that movement can be playful, healing, and empowering. If someone leaves class feeling lighter, more connected, and a little more present than when they arrived, then I've done my job.
How do you balance intensity, recovery, and mindful movement in your routine?
Honestly, I'm still figuring it out.
For a long time, I thought doing more was the answer. These days, balance looks like being more intentional with what I put on my calendar and making sure I leave space to recover. As a personal trainer, yoga teacher, and Pilates instructor, movement is both my passion and my profession, so rest has to be part of the practice too.
I've learned to listen to my body, honor when I need to slow down, and remember that recovery isn't something you earn — it's something you need. Some days that looks like a challenging workout. Other days it looks like stretching, walking, or simply taking a break.
I'm learning that sustainable wellness isn't about doing the most. It's about creating enough space to move, recover, and actually enjoy the life you're building.
How do you stay consistent on the days when motivation is low?
I don't rely on motivation. I rely on consistency and remembering how movement makes me feel.
Some days it's a full workout. Other days it's a walk, a stretch, or a few minutes on my mat. I've learned that showing up doesn't have to look the same every day.
Movement is part of who I am, and even on the hard days, I know I'll always feel better after moving.
How do you encourage your students to build consistency in a way that feels supportive rather than overwhelming?
Start small. I always tell my students to focus on the one percent. What's the one small thing you can do today that gets you closer to your goal?
Keep listening to that voice that encourages you to get on your mat, take the walk, or show up for yourself. Those small actions may not feel like much at the moment, but they add up over time.
What advice would you give to someone trying to create a more consistent movement practice?
Get really clear on your why. If you don't know why you're doing something, or there's no meaningful reward connected to it, it's going to be hard to stay consistent when life gets busy.
I also like to have my workouts planned for the week ahead. When it's already on my calendar, there's less decision-making and more follow-through.
And don't underestimate the power of finding a great teacher. The right instructor can make movement feel less like a chore and more like something you genuinely look forward to. Consistency becomes a lot easier when you enjoy the experience and feel supported along the way.
What might people be surprised to learn about you?
People are often surprised to learn that I'm actually pretty introverted. While I spend a lot of time leading classes, hosting events, and speaking in front of groups, I keep a very small circle and genuinely enjoy my quiet time.
I also never planned on becoming a yoga teacher or wellness professional. I thought my path would look completely different, but God had other plans. Looking back, every chapter of my journey led me here.
And a fun fact: in high school, I played the flute and swam on the varsity swim team — two things that seem very different from what I do today, but both taught me discipline, focus, and commitment.
Take a Class with Divinity
Join Divinity for a 20-minute total body circuit training class that combines lower body, upper body, and cardio movements for a balanced full-body workout. Move at your own pace as you build strength, improve endurance, and get your heart rate up. No equipment needed.
Divinity is practicing on the P/ROX Hybrid Fitness Mat.
Move with Divinity: The Playlist
Divinity's go-to tracks for high-energy movement. Save this playlist for your next workout.
About Divinity
Divinity Gaines is a wellness guide, yoga teacher, Pilates instructor, and founder of holistic wellbeing platform Divinity In Motion. A former Knicks City Dancer, she brings the energy of performance together with the grounding practices of mindfulness and movement. Raised in New Jersey with Bermudian roots, Divinity's approach to wellness is deeply rooted in community, culture, and connection. After completing her yoga teacher training in Nicaragua, she expanded her work to help others cultivate strength, confidence, and inner peace, both on and off the mat. Through classes, events, and community experiences, she creates spaces where people can move with intention, reconnect with themselves, and embrace wellness as a lifestyle.
Follow Divinity on Instagram: @thedivinitygaines
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