6 Invaluable Lessons I Learned While Opening My Small Town Yoga Studio

"Our town is so small that even a birthing center and ambulance service were deemed unnecessary-probably why why some people looked at me with mild concern when I told them I'd be opening a studio here. Still, I took the leap. While I had a decent idea of the many hats I'd wear, I wasn't prepared for how incredibly vulnerable this work would feel, or just how much I would learn, lessons that are applicable to studio owners in towns and cities of any size."

"The process hasn't been glamorous or predictable, but what it has been is wildly transformative-both personally and professionally. So far, I've leaned that meaningful work rarely arrives fully formed. I have had to make sacrifices and believe in my vision even when others doubt it. Every overflowing class, quiet week, and unexpected challenge has stretched me in ways I didn't anticipate, revealing that growth requires resilience more than it does perfection."

"If the doors of my studio stay open, it will never be because ‌of a flawless system, but because I kept listening, learning, and choosing my small but tight community over certainty. And to me, that feels like success. 6 Things I've Learned From Opening My Yoga Studio My yoga studio has become one of the clearest teachers I've ever had. Here are the lessons that help me stay grounded-and remind me how important it is to keep showing up."

I opened a yoga studio in Baker City, a town of just over 10,000, despite local doubts about viability. I faced questions about overhead and community need in a ranching town with limited services. The work felt vulnerable and required wearing many hats. Some days classes overflowed and I left buzzing with gratitude; other days the room sat empty and I wondered what I missed. The experience proved wildly transformative both personally and professionally. Meaningful work rarely arrives fully formed; I made sacrifices and persisted despite doubt. Every success, quiet week, and challenge stretched me and revealed that growth requires resilience more than perfection. I kept listening, learning, and choosing community over certainty.

Read at Yoga Journal