My Yoga Studio

So the other week, when I was putting together last week's post about Tree Pose, I came across some old pictures of my yoga studio.  It made me want to share with you all, because this place was so sacred to me.

I have been in love with yoga since I was 13.  To open a yoga studio in 2006, at age 24, was a dream come true.  Looking back, I can't believe I pulled it off for even two years.  What 24 year old does that?  With no business experience at all?

The couple of years it was open, taught me so much. I joke, that I am a self taught entrepreneur, and that I got my MBA from the School of Hard Knocks.  Now that I am doing freelance social media marketing and pr, I finally use everything I learned during those years to help someone else, not to mention, I created an awesome, part-time, work-at-home career for myself.

Anyway, so here are some pictures.  I did the build out of the space, totally eco-friendly and non-toxic.  And back in 2006, going green wasn't as huge as it is today.  I was the first business in Tallahassee to do that and the first to sell organic clothes.  Even though some people see it as a failure, I see it as a success.  I am so proud of myself for having the guts to risk everything to go after my dream.  I helped so many women and families during that time and I know I made a difference and planted seeds for change in our local community.  And even though I am STILL paying back the start up loan for this place, I am glad I did it.  I wouldn't change a thing, because then I wouldn't be me!

This was the studio part.  Those floors are bamboo. My husband and I, my brother and another two friends laid them ourselves.  All 2000 square feet.  It was some back breaking labor, but now I know how to install wood floors!  The pictures on the back wall, were of toddlers doing yoga and pregnant mamas and even a baby crowning at a birth. I kid you not.

The massage room. I used milk based and no-voc paint for the walls.  Bamboo and organic sheets for table, even the rug underneath was hemp.  Now you know why I am still paying on that loan!

 My front door. 

 The organic boutique in the front.  Everything was organic or fair trade.

See the playroom in the corner?  That is where I spent most of my time!  I was a nanny full time during the years I ran the studio. I worked 80 to 100 hours a week, every week, for almost two years.

 The front desk.  Loved that fabric so much!

 More of the boutique.

And the belly casts!  Everyone loved these so much.

Thanks for going down memory lane with me!  What do you think? It was a pretty cool place, right?!
P.S. Robin Adams Photography took all these pictures, she is awesome.

By Best Kids Health Blog