Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Syed.
Hi Sara, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi! My name is Sara Syed and I am a 31-year old business owner, yoga and meditation teacher, international retreat host and entrepreneur.
I own two yoga studios—The Studio Cleveland and Lakewood Yoga; I offer 200- and 300-hour level Yoga and Meditation Teacher Trainings recognized by the Yoga Alliance; I host international yoga and meditation retreats; I founded Mindful Cleveland—an initiative that offers wellness at work, schools, and other facilities; and I have recently started exploring real estate investments. My Masters of Science is in Education and my Bachelors of Science is in Psychology.
I believe I am able to manage so much due to my dedicated meditation practice. I spend at least ten-days per year in silence at a donation-based meditation retreat called Vipassana. I find these retreats to be a helpful means to recharge my batteries and help me develop clarity.
I have not always had so much success, however. I faced sexual abuse as a young child which created many issues with my self-esteem, self-worth, and overall mental and physical health later on in life.
I struggled greatly in high school—I suffered from symptoms of BPD, bi-polar episodes, and eating disorders—all of which I tried to personally self-medicate and mask with drugs and alcohol. I was arrested for the first time at the age of 15, which marked the start of a long and steep journey to the bottom.
By the age of 20, I was a full-blown alcoholic and I had ingested more pills and booze than most will consume in an entire life. I blacked out every single day.
One day I found myself crying on my knees on the bathroom floor praying to God and asking for help.
To my surprise, things got much worse before they got better. The drinking and wreckless behavior increased until I was arrested yet again, for like the fifth time. I realized I needed to make a serious change in my life or I’d risk losing everything. I needed to face the pain I had repressed for so many years. I had to let go of everything and everyone I knew at the time in order to heal and find myself. I went from having a large and vibrant social life to totally isolating and deciding to get sober by age 20.
While I was struggling to remain sober, I remembered a yoga class I had taken a few years earlier. Although I was hesitant at the time, I started attending yoga classes daily in a town called Berea. I found myself crying throughout these classes; the tears brought so much healing. I was finally starting to process the traumas that caused me to dissociate in the first place.
I started using healing crystals, such as rose quartz, and listening to chakra meditations on YouTube daily to help. I remember wishing one day I could just wake up and be happy; that’s all I wanted—I didn’t want money or fame—I only wanted to be happy!
I remember laying on my bed at my parents’ house listening to chakra-healing music for hours on end with crystals placed all over my body. I would visualize my chakras and cry for hours. Each time I focused on a chakra, I felt deeply stored emotions arise and release. I had no idea what I was doing but it was working.
By the age of 21, I was completely sober.
When I was 23, I traveled to Costa Rica to attend an immersive yoga teacher training. I didn’t feel ready, strong, or flexible at the time, but my heart desired to go, so I did. I quit my job and I had no backup plan for when I would return.
I was presented with opportunities to teach yoga before I even returned home to the USA. I decided to use these teaching opportunities to overcome my fears of teaching and develop confidence. I taught volunteer yoga classes at The University of Akron, where I was attending for my graduate program.
I taught four weekly classes, free of charge, to the students at The University of Akron. I discovered I loved teaching yoga and I loved seeing the positive impact yoga had on others.
At age 25, after completing my Master’s in Education, I flew off to India for three months of strenuous yoga study.
At the age of 26, I attended my first ten-day silent meditation retreat, Vipassana, with David Dissell, who is now my beloved husband. We practiced silent meditation for ten straight days from 4 am – 9 pm with no phones, talking, or connection to the outside world changed. This donation-based retreat changed my entire life in unprecedented ways.
Again, things got a little bit worse before they got better.
The intense meditation practice brought even more of my subconscious thoughts, fears, and emotions to the surface for me to deal with and process. However, the clarity that started to emerge after six months was unmatched by anything I’ve ever felt—and I had tried it all! I tried ayahuasca in Peru with Amazonian shamans, I tried psychedelic mushrooms, I practiced yoga asana daily all over the world–I tried so many way to heal, but nothing came close to the clarity that developed as a result of of having attended this intense meditation retreat in the lineage of the Buddha and S.N. Goenka.
I searched the globe for a solution when in the end, the answers were already inside of me—I just had to remain still and silent for long enough to listen.
In 2018, I was presented the opportunity to purchase The Studio Cleveland from the previous owner, Sarah Cheiky. I was teaching regular classes there at the time and was honored at the opportunity to keep the legacy of The Studio Cleveland alive.
In my first couple of years as a business owner, I hosted several wellness retreats and yoga teacher training courses. I hosted some of my favorite yoga teachers, such as internationally renowned Kino Macgregor, as well as Buddhist monks from India, Vipassana mini-courses, artists of all kinds, kirtan groups, and more.
In 2022 a major dream of mine came true—I hosted my first yoga teacher training in overseas in Costa Rica, something I had been dreaming about since I took my own teacher training in 2014.
I recently expanded my business to include real estate investment and wellness consulting to corporations and businesses throughout Northeast Ohio. We created a new branch of our existing business—Mindful Cleveland. Mindful Cleveland provides wellness services and education to businesses, schools, and any place where stress relief is needed.
My newest venture includes starting a second yoga studio in Lakewood, Ohio, called Lakewood Yoga.
On my free time, I enjoy pondering the mysteries of the universe, writing, hiking, traveling, practicing yoga and Pilates, learning from more experienced spiritual teachers, and spending time at home with my husband, cat, and family.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I started my first LLC in 2017, with hardly any income, (maybe $50/week), and only a vague vision of what I wanted my life to be. I had bad credit and a lot of credit card debt ($16K plus monthly interest!). I had a Master’s degree with no job. I didn’t yet know what I wanted my life to be, but I knew exactly what I did not want my life to be. I had options for income and jobs, but I would not settle for anything that wasn’t aligned with my heart.
With the help of my mother, I was able to purchase The Studio Cleveland, my first yoga studio (I made it a mission to pay her back as soon as I could).
The next great struggle came when Covid graced our world in 2020. I finally had a successful business and the entire world literally stopped. Businesses were closed. Our revenue halted. Everything was unknown. We had only enough money in savings to pay two months’ rent at the time. I was very stressed and afraid at the thought of losing my business. Instead of letting fear take over, I turned to God and maintained my strong faith and belief that everything would work out, even if I didn’t know how. That was my anchor within.
We quickly shifted our business model from in-person classes to online with the help of a friend, Nick. My husband and Nick worked together on the tech end, and several very wonderful teachers and myself taught the classes. We were able to struggle our way through the pandemic and stay open–largely with the support of the community and teachers.
I am very grateful we have made it through and for all of the help, support and guidance I have received along the way.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I host numerous businesses under the umbrella of MindfulCLE LLC.
1. Studio Cleveland is a yoga studio located on the East Bank of the Flats in Downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The Studio Cleveland offers daily yoga and meditation classes, aerial classes, teacher training, continuing education courses, local, regional, and international retreats, and appointment-based services such as massage, reiki, and infrared sauna sessions.
The goal of The Studio Cleveland is to provide people with the tools, skills, and resources necessary to create overall physical and mental well-being, peace of mind, happiness, and a positive quality of life. Read more at www.thestudiocleveland.com
We have a gift shop next door, The Rock Shop, where people can purchase gifts, metaphysical items, crystals, incense, crystal singing bowls, books, jewelry, candles, & CBD products, and more. Read more at www.therockshop.guru
2. Satya Meditation and Yoga School is my yoga teacher training school where formal yoga education is provided to students seeking to learn the full depth of traditional and ancient yoga philosophy and practices. I utilize my Master’s in Education and my Bachelor’s in Psychology to create comprehensive, authentic, and practical programs. My yoga school also offers immersive retreat experiences for those wanting to experience the benefits of an immersive experiences without the commitment to certification. I host retreats in Hocking Hills, Finger Lakes, Appalachian Mountains, Costa Rica, and soon India, Greece, and Bali. Read more at www.
3. Mindful Cleveland is our Corporate Wellness program where we consult with businesses, schools, hospitals, apartments, and large companies. Mindful Cleveland expanded its reach as a result of the Covid pandemic when the need for stress management solutions and strategies was greatly increased. We offer wellness-based services, classes, training, retreats, and workshops to private entities. Email wellness@thestudiocleveland.
4. Lakewood Yoga is the second yoga studio I purchased. It provides a super inclusive and welcoming, body-positive atmosphere. Lakewood Yoga also offers the lowest rates for yoga classes to make yoga more financially accessible to all.
5. Yoga for Every BODY is how we give back! Every summer we offer a dozen donation-based classes per week at local parks throughout northeast Ohio, although primarily throughout Cleveland. These classes are taught in an accessible manner and are open to all humans, regardless of shape, size, experience level, and socioeconomic status. Students can donate money at the end of they see fit, but donations are never expected or even pressured. We just want people to practice yoga and break down the barriers that stop people from practicing! Classes are offered from May – September; find more on Instagram @yogaforeverybodycle.
What makes these businesses unique?
My life experiences provide me with a unique lens. I was raised Catholic and Muslim and now mostly identify as Buddhist. I have worked with diverse populations between ages 18-months to 80+ years of age. I have taught at all levels of the formal education system from preschool throughout college. I have taught at juvenile detention centers, drug rehabilitation centers, Wounded Warriors Veterans events, and mental health facilities. I believe yoga is a life-saving intervention and the people with the least access can benefit the most.
I have visited over 20 countries in my approximately 30 years of life. I have had many friends die from substance abuse; I have seen and experienced abuse of all forms; I’ve witnessed homelessness and extreme poverty during my travels. I have volunteered in impoverished schools in Nicaragua; I have seen some of the darkest situations and still make the conscious decision to find the light. These experiences help me realize the interconnectedness of us all.
Duress experiences help me to priorities diversity, inclusion, love, and awareness to all of my business endeavors. I believe in giving people second chances. I approach my business models from a place of compassion. I see business as a tool to help me learn more about myself and the world, rather than as something that is meant to be gained or achieved.
What matters most to you? Why?
Family and health are most important to me. It is so easy to get caught up in our day-to-day lives, checklists, and to-do lists and miss the blessings right in front of our eyes.
No matter how busy life gets, I make sure to make my husband, cat, and family a priority. My personal health is equally important to me. I believe there is no material gain worth sacrificing one’s mental or physical health. Someone can have all of the money, cars, and vacations in the world, but if they’re not healthy or at peace within their own body and mind–then what is the point of it all?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thestudiocleveland.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestudiocleveland
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestudiocleveland
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thestudiocleve
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thestudiocle
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-studio-cleveland-cleveland-2
- SoundCloud: https://www.instagram.com/saranadiasyed
- Other: https://www.meditationandyogaschoo.com/
Image Credits
Nick Cucuzza – http://ncproductions.co/ and Daniel Lozada – https://www.daniellozada.net/
