We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dr . Renee Tengella. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Dr . Renee , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
The act of doing yoga completely transports me to another time and space. In the present moment, When I practice yoga or when I teach I am fully immersed in the practice, eyes closed, focusing on my breath and my body’s movements. This focused attention allows me to disconnect from the constant chatter of my mind, leaving behind worries and anxieties. In this state of mindful presence, I find a deep sense of peace, calm and clarity. The physical challenge and mental discipline of yoga, combined with the stretching and strengthening of my body, contributes to a renewed sense of self-awareness and well-being. It’s a practice that allows me to take a moment for myself and drift away from the everyday to return to a sense of clarity, feeling grounded and rejuvenated to take on life’s challenges.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Dr. Renee Tengella is a Baltimore native who has dedicated her life to serving her community through health, wellness and financial education. A retired educator and a passionate advocate for both youth and families, Dr. Tengella is also an accomplished author, speaker, and the CEO of Peaceful Warriors, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting community well-being, particularly for teachers, students, elders, and families.
With a Doctoral degree from Morgan State University, Dr. Tengella believes that in order to truly serve others, we must first prioritize our own health and wellness. This philosophy underpins her work and is reflected in her several books focused on wellness and self-care, including Be Well at Work, Who Influenced You, Teacher Advocacy DONE: A Teacher’s Journey to Quitting, and the Teacher Self-Care Journal.
In her personal life, Dr. Tengella enjoys activities that nourish her body and mind, such as gardening, biking, yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. Her commitment to a balanced life is a model for those seeking to live a healthy lifestyle to create lasting positive change in their own communities.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed that because I was a black girl, the middle child in a family of four, there were limits to my life and what dreams I could achieve. I grew up in Turner Station, a tight-knit black community in Dundalk, near the Key Bridge, and while that was a place of love and support, there were other spaces beyond my neighborhood where I didn’t feel welcomed or safe. I grew up believing that were places I didn’t deserve to be or belong.
But today, I no longer hold those beliefs. I now know that I must do whatever it is -scared and uncomfortable. To move out of my way and know that I am capable of stepping into any space and making my mark. I have ventured into places and achieved things I once thought were unattainable, and I no longer see any boundary that limits me as to where I can go or what I can do. I’ve come to understand that I belong everywhere, and that my dreams, no matter how long it takes or how big .. I deserve to see my thoughts/visions come to life.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
After experiencing some major setbacks, I’ve learned that failure isn’t a dead-end, but simply another opportunity to start over and get it right. One of the hardest moments for Peaceful Warriors came during Covid when we had to transition from in-person yoga classes to online. Initially, I thought it was the end of our organization. My vision for Peaceful Warriors was so rooted in how I imagined we should show up in person in the community that I couldn’t see beyond the traditional, in-person format. But when the shift to virtual classes happened, we were able to expand our reach beyond Baltimore and serve people across the country. It was a game-changer, and I completely changed my perspective on virtual classes. What once felt like a failure turned into an opportunity to grow and connect with a broader community.
More recently, as our organization transitioned from one fiscal sponsor to another, I struggled with feelings of failure and frustration. I was unsure whether we should cease operations, merge with another organization, become a 501c3. But I’ve since realized that sometimes the best course of action is to pause, regroup, and give yourself the space to breathe and reevaluate. It’s important to slow down in moments of uncertainty and ensure that you’re making the best and thoughtful decisions. That shift in mindset has allowed me to approach Peaceful Warriors transition day by day with more hope, clarity and confidence.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am deeply committed to helping my community heal and thrive to ease the impact of adverse childhood experiences and traumas that often plague urban areas—things like violence, poverty, scarcity, unkindness, negativity and unhealthy diets. As the founder of a health and wellness nonprofit, my mission is to be a consistent positive resource for the community, focusing on empowering and valuing ourselves to proactively take care of ourselves and healing. I believe that by starting with children-and those most connected to them, their families and teachers-we can build a foundation for lasting change.
I am dedicated to teaching proactive ways to release stress and anxiety before heart attack, stroke or other ailments. Through proactive tools like deep breathing, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and healthy eating, checking in with our mind and body is crucial. Being aware of our thoughts, our ailments, our anger and stress before a negative impact, before disease, before violence helps us become better people for ourselves and our community. It’s not a quick fix; it’s a long-term commitment to building healthier communities from the inside out. I believe in this work so deeply, and I will stick with it for as long as it takes to make a difference.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
When I first graduated from Northern High School and entered college, I believed I was following the path my family wanted for me—pursuing a degree in Business so I could earn a good living, be independent, support my loved ones, and enjoy the rewards of success. For many years, I thought that was the road I was meant to travel.
But over time—and through what felt like chance, though I believe nothing in life is accidental—I discovered my true calling: teaching. My years in Baltimore City Public Schools became the foundation of the work I was born to do, revealing a purpose far deeper than I ever imagined. Teaching not only shaped me, but it also paved the way for my transition into my current roles as a speaker, author, Founder/CEO of Peaceful Warriors, and financial educator/professional.
What began as my search for independence has grown into a lifelong mission of impact and service, and I look forward to the future as the work continues to unfold.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peacefulwarriorsyoga.org
- Instagram: peacefulwarriors
- Linkedin: renee tengella
- Facebook: renee tengella
- Other: tik tok: drmamaeducator
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