2021-June-24
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Yvonne Urness: Hula for the Soul
BY KRYSTAL CHENG · EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS · UNITED STATES
We all have amazing passions that can inspire some of the work we do at Cisco. Sometimes it’s cooking. Sometimes it’s kiteboarding. And, sometimes, it’s hula.
At Cisco, Yvonne Ohumukini Urness is a Strategic and Executive Communications Manager for the Customer Experience organization. However, her passion is empowering women through her coaching program, Hula for the Soul.
By uniquely applying ancient Hawaiian wisdom to her lessons, she guides women to embrace their inner strength, confidence, and power.
A hula inspired by ohana
Yvonne grew up hula dancing.
Her mother was a professional hula dancer who taught Yvonne how to dance hula as soon as she could walk. Her father was an accomplished Hawaiian musician and vocalist who often accompanied her and her siblings when they performed.
Because of her upbringing in a proud Hawaiian ohana (family), Yvonne always felt connected to her culture.
When her father was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2009, Yvonne realized it was up to her to carry on the legacy of aloha.
She got to work studying ancient Hawaiian wisdom and gaining a deeper understanding of her ancestors’ stories.
Hula for the soul
As she was studying, Yvonne felt a strong connection to the Hawaiian goddesses and their stories. She was inspired to create her consulting program, Hula for the Soul, which helps women connect with the goddess archetypes and embrace their inner strengths for success.
“As women, we often let go of our power and give it away to others. Hula for the Soul is about guiding women to recognize the greatness that is already within them and reclaim their own agency,” Yvonne says.
As of today, Yvonne has been empowering women through Hula for the Soul for the past 10 years and has mentored nearly 5,000 women worldwide through one-on-one coaching, live events, and destination retreats.
“The best part is that I have the honor of witnessing these women change their lives. I don’t actually do it — I’m just a guide,” Yvonne shares. “But once they realize their inner power, they can see drastic changes in their work, their relationships, and their well-being. It’s truly amazing.”
Bringing the aloha spirit to Cisco
At Cisco, Yvonne finds herself using many of the lessons she has learned as a lifelong hula dancer.
“When I was hula dancing as a child, I was always taught about the impact of sharing our stories through movement and song,” Yvonne explains. “And at Cisco, I feel like the same lesson applies to what I do in strategic communications — that it’s not about telling a story, it’s about showing it.”
Most importantly, Yvonne enjoys seeing the parallel between lessons she teaches at Hula for the Soul and the Cisco culture. “Embracing who I am as a woman, native Hawaiian, and a storyteller permeates everything I do,” Yvonne shares.
“The Cisco culture enables me to bring my whole self to work, empowering me to truly be who I am every day.”
Yvonne’s greatest advice
Throughout her past 10 years as a coach, Yvonne’s greatest piece of advice would be to unapologetically show up as yourself to the world.
“My advice always goes back to clarity, confidence, and courage,” she notes.
“First, find clarity in who you are; your natural gifts, talents, and abilities. Next, find confidence in that, claim it, and own it. And finally, courageously stand in your own power and who you know yourself to be.”
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