Welcome!
My name is Cara Truitt and I live in Fort Mill, South Carolina with Riley, my husband of 10 years, and our two young children Theodore and Autumn. When I’m not speaking or leading retreats and classes, you’ll find me dancing in the kitchen with my kids, hiking on the greenway, or drinking coffee with a friend. I believe that everyone is creative, wise, and brave…we only need to pause and listen to our bodies for guidance. I’m a natural collaborator and lean into the power of community.
Where It All Started:
My purpose to help others embrace their authenticity began when I started my career in the beauty industry in 2005 as a makeup artist and skin care consultant.
Almost every woman who sat in my chair (including professional models) would apologize to me for a part of her face. They would say ‘sorry about my wrinkles, or my blemishes or that one eyebrow is shorter than the other’, etc. I realized that how I responded in those moments would have a lasting impact one way or another.
I chose to speak intentionally to them about embracing their authenticity. The longer we talked, the more their confidence grew. When you truly see and appreciate someone as they are and help them to do so too, you can make a difference that extends to their families and community. I knew then that my chair was meant for more than just makeup. It was for helping women grow in self-love.
I wondered what could change for the world if all women could truly feel like a work of art. I added personal retreats to my business and in 2015 Art of You was born.
From Loss to Collective Leader:
We all have turning points in our lives. The times that make you question everything and force you to follow your inner wisdom. For me, 2011 was that year. Over one week, I filed for divorce - escaping an abusive marriage, filed for bankruptcy, and lost my 23-year-old sister in a car accident. That week resulted in losing my previous job, home, possessions, and community. Just two months later, on the first day that I stepped outside after my sister died, I was in an accident that landed me on my back for several weeks and totaled my car. I wanted so badly to switch places with my sister. When I got back on my feet, I let my world to go dark and I got busy with the work of not feeling.
It was not until 2014 that I allowed myself to slow down to feel again. Unsteady, I walked into Be Yoga Charlotte for my first-ever Nia class. That day was life-changing. The movement, the music, the breath, the collective love in the air…it awakened something in me. Something that I thought was gone. My body whispered ‘stay’ and I listened. The Be Yoga community held me and became family. It is where I found yoga, Qoya, and slowly found my true north. It is where I discovered the healing that is possible in a community of kindred spirits. In 2017, I became a Licensed Qoya Inspired Movement Instructor; one of the first in our city. I had the privilege of serving as Be Yoga’s Director of Operations and eventually became the owner of Be Yoga Dilworth in 2019. During the pandemic, we left our brick-and-mortar studio and I founded Be Yoga Collective to support our community from across the Carolinas, the country, and beyond.
Finding Direction:
Prior to owning Be Yoga and while I was freelancing as a makeup artist, I worked in several fields which included becoming a real estate broker, managing offices, speaking at events, and educating chiropractic and physical therapy patients.
Each experience was at the right time and a result of building relationships. I was always working closely with people and creating a community wherever I went. The insights I gained made me a better business owner and teacher and ultimately, led me to the dream of opening the Art of You Retreat Center here in Charlotte, NC. We are starting now by coming together, setting intentions, and honoring the journey.
