Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Yanci.
Hi Allison, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Namaste! My name is Allison Yanci. I am an experienced registered yoga teacher, personal trainer, group exercise instructor, retreat host, and the owner of Optimal Wellness.
In 2011, I began my college career, studying managerial marketing and entrepreneurship. After graduating college, I was not sure what path to take and decided to do my yoga teacher training with my boyfriend, Andrew. I began teaching in April of 2016 and have loved every minute that I have been able to offer my practice. Like many yogis, I began my practice following my passion for physical fitness. I trained for years as a bodybuilder, lifting weights and exercising in a gym, where I took my first yoga classes. Beyond poses and stretching, yoga struck me as a way to balance and care for myself. Through asana (postures), pranayama (breath work), and dhyana (meditation), I developed a love for yoga not only as a physical practice but also as a lifestyle and perspective. After deepening my practice, learning what real yoga was, and studying with some of the best teachers in the state of Ohio, I began teaching more and more yoga. I became passionate about helping people feel good and become the healthiest version of themselves. Shortly after, I became a NASM personal trainer, went to India on a retreat with 2 of my teachers, became a NETA group exercise instructor, and took as many yoga workshops as I could. Yoga is a lifelong practice, and I will forever be a student.
When COVID hit at the beginning of 2020, I saw this as an opportunity. An opportunity to think differently and to start my journey as a business owner. That is when Optimal Wellness came to life! I had been wanting to launch a website and offer yoga classes and videos for a long time, and there was no better timing than during the pandemic. Since then, I have worked hard to develop my website and learn the ins and outs of video production while offering the services that I love. I offer retreats, personal training, lifestyle coaching, group yoga, one-on-one yoga, and a yoga subscription with videos filmed in unique places around the world. In October of 2022, I had the opportunity to partner with my friend Paisley (owner of Queer Mystic) to host my first yoga retreat. It was another thing I had wanted to do for a long time, and that dream finally came true, even after some failure. Failing has been part of my journey and my growth. I am so grateful for every situation I have encountered thus far. I see each day as a new opportunity to learn and grow. That being said, I am very happy to say that Paisley and I are hosting more women’s retreats this spring in Northeast Ohio! Andrew and I are also hosting an international wellness and yoga retreat in Costa Rica at the end of June.
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?
It has honestly been a somewhat smooth yet windy road. Working in the wellness industry comes with a lot of inconsistency and doubt. Not only from myself but often times from others as well. Having a positive mindset and practicing yoga is what has kept me going. I have learned to detach myself from those in the fitness, wellness, and yoga community who bring negativity, drama, and gossip. Studying the yamas and the niyamas (the ethical guidelines of yoga and also the first 2 limbs of yoga) are what I often come back to.
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?
Optimal Wellness is a well-rounded health and wellness platform dedicated to helping people meet their goals while living a healthy and happy life. We provide universal access to fitness and holistic wellness information delivered online through a custom-designed platform. Specifically, our platform provides professionally produced yoga videos, one-on-one lifestyle coaching, and personal training. We also share unbiased health data, resources, tips, and tricks with our clients. The value this provides is clear and concise health information that we have first-hand experience with. Optimal Wellness provides accessibility and authenticity in a world where there is a lot of noise. Our mission is to provide clients with real, science-based research to assist them in meeting their goals and live a happy and well-balanced life.
Beyond the services listed above, I also work with corporate offices, sororities, fraternities, collegiate athletes, high school athletes, bridal parties, small groups, and events. These groups are usually seeking yoga, and they are often times some of the most fun clients to work with because they generally all know each other, and I can sense the bond that they share.
If I am known for 1 thing in the fitness or yoga community, it might be handstands! I LOVE being upside down and love sharing the practice of inversions with other people. Balance is something I strive for in all aspects of life, including my wellness journey! I preach the practice of balance and contentment to my friends, clients, and students.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I believe there is a lot of room to grow in the health and wellness industry over the next 5-10 years. More and more people every year are seeking out longevity and healthier lifestyles. As the food market continues to offer an abundance of junk food, the health of Americans will continue to diminish. My goal is to educate people on how to take care of themselves and how to properly fuel their bodies and minds. Many Americans are also under a lot of stress, and the research shows that meditation and yoga are both very useful tools, not only for stress but also for trauma, depression, anxiety, and more mental health problems. I am so grateful to have the time and energy to continue learning and to be of help to people who are struggling.
From 2017-2022 there was a 7.5% growth in international wellness tourism. Wellness tourism is defined as travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal well-being. Wellness tourism is the powerful intersection of two large and growing industries: the $2.6 trillion tourism industry and the $4.2 trillion wellness industry. This gives us a huge opportunity to continue executing wellness retreats both internationally but also in Ohio.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://optimalwellness.health/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optimalwellness.health/ & https://www.instagram.com/a_yanci11/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052877869398 & https://www.facebook.com/allison.yanci/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-yanci-02806685/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzXPhrVaXDNvJT1Z4IYeFA
