This month’s newsletter introduction includes an interview between studio co-owner Melissa Paz and Tamiko Nimura, a Source student who is working on the studio newsletter and online marketing.
Congratulations on opening the University Place studio! How has the growth felt so far?
We feel very optimistic about the growth of the studio and the community has been very gracious and excited about having yoga in their neighborhood. We are already seeing the class sizes grow, and are enjoying getting to know the new students as well as seeing some of our more familiar faces from the North End studio. We had originally planned for an opening in January, which is a very good time for a yoga business, but life had other plans and the soonest we were able to open was the beginning of May. Despite having opened a business in a non-peak time of spring and summer, we feel very grateful to our community of students that believe in yoga and transformation as a way of living. They contribute to the well-being and success of Source Yoga.
What made you decide to open a second studio? How did you choose University Place as the second location?
When Erin and I had originally started our business plan with the North End studio, now 6 years ago, we had put in that we would one day like to open another location and offer the wonderful benefits of yoga to more communities. To spread the love basically, and share the joy and gift of yoga that many of us have found it to be in our lives. I think we all strive to make a difference in our lives, our families, communities, and the world overall. By continuing to offer quality instruction, classes, meditation, workshops, and retreats, we feel that we are making a positive difference that will last for generations.
We had looked at a couple different areas to expand and when we did the demographic research, University Place seemed the logical next community. It is not too far from our current location, which makes it accessible to our current students, giving them more class options if they prefer; works for both Erin and myself and maintaining our households and the balance of family and work; and provides a community that previously had not many convenient options for quality yoga instruction.
What has been your biggest challenge in the process? What has kept you grounded during the process?
I would say that the biggest challenge was the buildout of the space coupled with the timing of the birth of Erin’s daughter. I wrote many a blog post about this and it challenged me and also reminded me that joy, patience, perseverance, and asking for help goes a long way when working on a large project. I made sure during the entire process that I had support, whether that was childcare for my boys, downtime for me, extra people to help with the buildout process, and then eventually the open house. It took a community to open the doors of the UP studio and I am so grateful for everyone that contributed.
I had made a promise to myself at some point early on in the buildout process that I was going to enjoy and relax with the opening of the studio. I remember having no idea how I could uphold that but I kept being present to it when I would get stressed, worried, etc. and then breathe and trust.
And, I have to say, overall, it was an enjoyable and relaxing process, regardless of what the circumstances were. For me, this is one of the greatest gifts of my yoga practice to find calm in the midst of chaos and to feel centered within, no matter what!
What are your hopes for this new studio?
My hopes for the studio are that students find it as a home away from home just as the North End students have had for years. That they discover new friendships, a deeper sense of themselves, and grow as individuals. I hope that the studio becomes a destination in the community for health and vitality and continues to e the source for quality yoga instruction and exceptional service.This studio is a beautiful and inspiring space to discover one’s truest self.
Overall, I hope that more people practice yoga, and that we find kindness, respect, and compassion as everyday ways of being.
