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Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy, or "Dr. Terri K"

What do you get when you cross a Harvard MBA and a Doctor of Philosophy in World Religions with a Yoga and Nutrition Instructor? 

Quite a bit of yin-yang!   After almost dying from a stress-induced ulcerated digestive system, Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy, realized that her Type-A workaholic tendencies might be good for the bottom-line, but not for her spirit or health. The process of rebuilding herself - mind, body, and spirit - unveiled her calling. A few years later, when she decided to leave her lucrative media career to become a social entrepreneur and writer, most people thought she had lost her mind. Instead, she found her Self. Now, her mission is to help people from all walks of life, live better lives.

Dr. Terri Kennedy is President of Power Living Enterprises, Inc. - a multi-faceted lifestyle company offering inspirational content, success-oriented products, professional and personal training services, and networking events (www.power-living.com). She is also Founder of Ta Yoga and the Ta Yoga House in Harlem (www.tayoga.com). In 2003, she was selected as an "Emerging Entrepreneur" by the Social Venture Network. In 2004, she was selected by the Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association, in conjunction with the Tides Foundation, to receive a Teaching for Diversity Program 2004 Award for her contribution to health awareness and teaching of yoga in Harlem. That year, she also received The Network Journal's 40-Under-Forty Achievement Award. Currently, she is a 2006-2007 participant in the Emerging Entrepreneurs Program: An Inc. magazine and William J. Clinton Foundation Partnership.  

Inspired by her mother, who started practicing yoga in the early 70's, Terri has followed a natural, holistic and positive lifestyle since she was 4 years old. Her healthy lifestyle has helped her succeed in business and life. She was a dancer and competitive athlete in track, swimming and gymnastics; entered Wellesley College at the age of 16; was named one of GLAMOUR magazine's "Top Ten College Women in America" in 1988 appearing on the The Today Show with Jane Pauley; was the youngest staff member, and then student, at the Harvard Business School; and became one of the youngest Vice Presidents of a major media company.

While at MTV Networks, she helped reposition the VH1 Television network in 1993, created VH1 Interactive (www.vh1.com) in 1994, started the Business Development & Operations group for MTV Interactive (www.mtv.com) in 1996, and developed the VH1@Work radio network in 1998, as well as working on the launch of MTV Networks' suite of six digital music TV channels. As Vice President of Business Operations, she identified business opportunities and negotiated landmark content/distribution deals bringing in over $30 million into the digital division. She managed such partnerships as America Online, N2K/CDNOW, Intel, Lycos, and Excite@Home. During her seven years at MTV Networks, her earnings were in the top 1% of the United States.

Although she is American, Terri had an unusual international upbringing - she was born in Accra, Ghana; started school in Adelaide, Australia; and studied/lived in Rome, Italy. She has traveled to over 30 countries around the world on all continents except for Antarctica. She comes from a family of high achievers. Her parents, journalist/entrepreneur Janie Sykes-Kennedy, and playwright/professor Dr. James Scott Kennedy, are international media pioneers. Other well-known relatives include: Adrienne Kennedy, the playwright; Leon Kennedy and Jayne Kennedy Overton, the film & TV personalities; Dr. Joseph C. Kennedy, co-founder of Africare; and Dr. Lillian Kennedy Beam, former Vice Chancellor of the United States International University in Kenya. Her great uncle, James Atkins, was a member of President Franklin D. Rooselvelt's "Black Cabinet," advising on education. The family's emphasis on education and achievement started with her great grandmother, Mary Atkins, who graduated from Knoxville College in the mid 1800s.

An artist, photographer, writer and model with a unique mix of creative and business skills, she has directed plays in Kenya with the Now Africa Theatre Company; worked in film development at Universal Studios; and worked as an Assistant Buyer for a fashion merchandising company. Terri has also shared her business and marketing knowledge as an Adjunct Professor at Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (LIM), a fashion college in New York. She also grew up with such cultural greats as Muhammad Ali and Smokey Robinson.

Terri trained in Nutrition at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN). She is also certified as a Hatha and Chair Yoga Instructor by the Integral Yoga Institute (IYI), and as a Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Lifestyle & Weight Management Counselor by American Council on Exercise (ACE). Recognized as a leader in the wellness community, she is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Yoga Alliance. Her yoga teachers gave her the spiritual name "TARA," which means "Star and Savior. A Name for Devi the Divine Mother." She also has a Ph.D. in World Religions.

Terri has led personal development workshops, motivational talks, retreats and panels for a variety of corporations and business associations. Check out events for a sampling of appearances. Terri is the author of 40 Days to Power Living®: Think, Eat & Live on Purpose, the producer of the Power Living®:Mini-Escapes Relaxation CD, and the author of three case studies published under Harvard Business School Publishing.

She has been featured in four books: Case Histories: The Dynamic Future of Nutrition (2007), Oprah's Live your Best Life: A Treasury of Wisdom, Wit, Advice, Interviews and Inspiration from O: The Oprah Magazine (2005), Integrative Nutrition (2005), and The NIA Guide for Black Women Achieving Career Success On Your Terms (2004).

Degrees:
Ph.D. in World Religions, Universal University
MBA, Harvard Business School
B.A. in Sociology and Studio Art, Wellesley College

Certifications:
Holistic Health Counselor, Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN)
Vinyasa Krama Yoga, Srivatsa Ramaswami
Hatha Yoga Instructor, Integral Yoga Institute (IYI)
Gentle/Chair Yoga Instructor, Integral Yoga Institute (IYI)
Personal Trainer, American Counsel on Exercise (ACE)
Group Fitness Instructor, American Counsel on Exercise (ACE)
Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant, American Counsel on Exercise (ACE)
Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), Certified Television Producer

Other Studies:
Interactive Telecommunications Masters Program, New York University
Design & Italian Culture, Rhode Island School of Design - Rome, Italy
Staging & Production, United States International University - Nairobi, Kenya
Cable Management and Finance, University of Denver
Effective Communicating, Decker Communications, Inc.
Various advanced yoga workshops

For a more extensive bio, go to our Power Living sister site. To book Terri for an event, call 212-289-6363, or email info@tayoga.com.