Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Reese.
Hi Shawna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story started off simple, just a girl doing a lot of yoga at home via YouTube. I was always too intimidated to go to a yoga studio for classes, and had only participating in yoga at the YMCA. Becoming a yoga teacher was always on the back of my mind, and I eventually just went for it! I earned my certification in December 2023 and began thinking about my future as a yoga teacher. Initially I just wanted to be a traveling yoga instructor, popping in and out of studios and gyms whenever I could, but the universe had a different plan it seems! A space was available in downtown historic Canal Fulton and it blew me away the first time I walked into it. The exposed brick, high ceiling, and old wood floors stole my heart. After a few months of renovations, the space was transformed and Wild Yoga Studio was born. I created this studio with the mission to bring a space to share yoga with people, with no performative or competitive intentions: just soul-filling, peaceful yoga no matter who you are.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been very twisty and bumpy along the way. There are huge learning curves for anyone starting a new business. There is this balance of growing new skills and mastering existing ones that I am always dancing between . Most of my struggles have been dedicating time to social media marketing and building the website. I have no prior experience with this, so it was a struggle for awhile!
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?
This yoga studio is special. It is known for its welcoming and serene atmosphere. I am most proud of the comforting environment I’ve worked hard to curate. Each person is greeted with a smile and my classes are approachable yet challenging. Wild Yoga is a collection of the kindest people, who support each other and boost each other up each class. At Wild Yoga we offer yin, vinyasa, hatha, and restorative classes each week, along with special events such as sound baths, massage workshops, and themed classes (i.e. Pumpkins and Poses or Coffee + Yoga). Each class is filled with smiles and stretches.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If you are just starting out as a yoga teacher, my best advice would be to just be yourself. Your people will find you. And it is ok if you are not everyone’s favorite teacher or someone doesn’t like your style, just keep showing up for them and yourself.
If I could go back and talk to February 2024 me when I first opened, I would say to spend more time having fun with your classes and not worry so much about what others think or waste time comparing this little studio with others.
Pricing:
- Drop In $10/class
- Annual Unlimited Membership $480/year
- 6 Month Unlimited Membership $270
- Monthly Unlimited $50/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wildyogastudio.offeringtree.com
- Instagram: @wildyogastudio.cf
- Facebook: Wild Yoga Studio Canal Fulton, OH
