Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Yuhas.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2008, during a particularly low period of my life, I decided to deepen my yoga practice. That decision changed everything for me. Mostly, my perspective on how I wanted my life to look or more importantly feel shifted dramatically. For the first time in my life, I became very clear about what I valued, the kind of people I wanted to surround myself with and ultimately what I wanted to share with the world. This has been a ten-year journey and a whole lot of work, difficult choices and giant leaps of faith.
I spent about four years concurrently working full-time and teaching as many yoga classes as I could so that I could feel personally financially stable. In 2012, I was finally able to leave my corporate 9-5 career to teach yoga full time.
I set myself up and my yoga career began to flourish. I was going to work in stretchy pants every day (bliss after 15 years wearing suits and heels), working amongst teachers and students that continually challenged and inspired me in all the best ways, and feeling really good and satisfied with my life and my work. And then, I fell in love. With a great guy. Who lived in Houston. Did I mention that I was living in Cleveland, Ohio?
It felt like the hottest and steamiest day of my life when I moved to Houston in July 2016. I left my sweet home, my family and friends, and a career and community that I cherished to be with the love of my life. Now what?
Fortunately, about six months earlier, I met my now business partner Madonna McManus. Madonna and I immediately connected on all things yoga. Our individual approaches to the practice magically aligned. Fast-forward 18 months later, a couple of tequilas and a basket of chips and salsa, and The Atrium Yoga Studio was born.
My secret dream of creating my own studio was finally coming to life after ten years. I rarely shared this dream because it was so big and in many ways felt impossible. Having a business partner who so beautifully compliments your skills and offerings is the real dream come true and together, we made this dream a reality. We opened our space on December 1st and our sweet little yoga home is special. Our hope is to build a community where teachers and students alike can heal, grow and thrive. This is what this practice has meant for me, this is what I want to share with the world.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is never a smooth ride! We are all consistently riding the highs and the lows. The yogis call this the spanda, the oscillation or vibration between the salty and the sweet, the light and the dark. The work is to find that tender, sacred space in the middle: balance, ease, calm all while navigating everything that comes our way!
I think it’s vital to share that pursuing my passion took time and a lot of work. Many people are inspired to leave conventional careers to follow their passions and it’s wonderful that we live in a country that supports entrepreneurship. But it’s important to prepare for that big move. Unless independently wealthy, we need to be smart about setting ourselves up financially before taking that leap. Build a nest egg, have a little money invested and then launch your passion project. Feeling financially secures feels different for each of us, and it’s valuable to have a realistic picture of what one is willing to sacrifice in order to pursue their passions.
The biggest struggle I had to face day to day was the doubt and fear that bubbled up in my mind over and over again. It’s still there, always. But I do my personal work to continue to come back to what I know is bigger, brighter and more effervescent that my greatest fears. So, for me, yes, there were struggles along the way but it never felt like a struggle because I was working toward something so special to me.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a yoga teacher who specializes in a deep love for this practice and its potential to heal, harmonize and energize. There are so many incredible yoga teachers in the world today. I don’t feel any extra special or different. But what I can offer is that I am devoted to the teachings beyond down dog. The opportunity to share the depth and textures of the ancient yogic philosophy so that folks can contemplate these teachings in the context of their everyday, modern lives is what I love about teaching. Witnessing this practice come to life for a student is extraordinary. It is a privilege. My classes have been described as light-hearted and authentic, fluid and challenging, motivating and positive, strong and vibrant. My hope is that students walk off of their mat feeling refreshed, energized and empowered.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Cultivate and listen to your intuition. It is the most valuable compass you possess.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Atrium Yoga Studio
3733 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77027 - Website: www.theatriumyogastudio.com
- Phone: (713) 364-3106
- Email: jen@theatriumyogastudio.com
- Instagram: @jenniferyuhas
- Facebook: n/a
- Twitter: n/a
- Other: IG @theatriumyogastudio.com
Image Credit:
bethanytakesphotos.com @BETHANYTAKESPHOTOSSS, ruddockvisuals.com
@paytonruddock
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