Meet Christi Workman of Hi-Lo Kick Studio/Goth Yoga

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christi Workman.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Christi. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
My interest in subculture started at an early age. In the mid 80’s I owned an underground retail shop in the Heights called, “Christi’s Coincidence.” It was a consignment shop for the local underground music scene. I carried Items made by local and regional bands, (cassettes, imported Creepers, bone jewelry, essential oils, clothing, and art).

1990-1997 I was the lead screamer for StinkerBell, a Texas Horror Punk Band, We toured both the East and West Coast and had several record releases. After dismounting from StinkerBell, I began doing, “Tae Bo” which was introduced to me by my neighbor and good friend, Ongele Hebert. I fell in love with how kicking and punching made me feel.

I continued my fitness journey incorporating Tai Chi, Krav Maga, Pilates, weight lifting and Yoga into my fitness regiment. I was one of the founding members of the Houston Roller Derby in 2004. I went by, “Christi Chaos” at the time. My husband and I owned SugarHill Recording Studio from 1996-2017. We recorded Destiny’s Child, SmashMouth, 30FootFall, Buckley, and other local and National gems. We had a great time!

When I started to focus on my own fitness business in 2014, I wanted to incorporate my love for punk and goth music into fitness. I loved working out but wasn’t into the music that was being played at the local gyms. I transformed my band rehearsal space into a small gym. I began training local underground female musicians and ladies from the underground music scene.

One of my clients call my yoga, “Goth Yoga,” and posted a pic of us on FB and that’s when it began. I purchased the domain in 2014 and hung onto it. Fast forward to 2018 I was asked to teach a donation “Goth Yoga” class by one of my clients, Jessica Anderson of Thorn & Moon. She had just started a monthly market, Thorn & Moon Magickal Market held at AvantGarden on Westheimer. Jessica said, “You should bring some leggings to sell.” and it went really well.

Since then, I have a full line of alternative print leggings, a line of Goth Chakra potions and adornments, branded apparel and yoga mats. I am doing markets almost every weekend, trademarked my logo, and launched my Goth Yoga online boutique November 2018. I am currently in the process of launching my own line of Goth Yoga fitness apparel. It’s truly an exciting time, to see a lot of my passions come together.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely been a struggle trying to focus my priorities and figure out where I wanted to take my brand. Goth Yoga really started as a fun thing to do because I love yoga and gloomy tunes, and its a great way to bring people together who don’t enjoy the typical yoga scene.

It was a hard decision to intentionally refocus my business after it really took off – and when I decided to start selling the jewelry I make and other things I like, people were really turned on by it. It’s very thrilling but I’ve had to learn to balance.

My online boutique, markets, my fitness business, my personal life, and now I’m launching my apparel line! So, all good problems, and great learning curves. Even though it hasn’t always been easy, it’s always been exciting!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Hi-Lo Kick Studio/Goth Yoga – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Hi-Lo Kick is a small private fitness studio. I teach Kickboxing, Kettlebells, Barbells, Pilates, Barre, HIIT, and Yoga. My studio is equipped with a full line of fitness gear. I am a certified Group Fitness instructor through AFAA & NASM since 2014.

I am known for being a fun alternative to the regular box gyms and personal trainers. I make sure my clients are receiving customized workouts to meet their fitness goals and have fun at the same time. Goth Yoga has been featured in CultureMap, CityBook, Gothic Homemaking, and Mantra “Yoga & Health.”

Goth Yoga is a celebrated Hatha yoga practice that introduces dark themes, curiosities of the macabre, and unique ways of self-expression.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I am a Houstonian! I love living in a vibrant and diverse community. I have found that it’s easy to be caught up in the churn of everyday metropolitan life. The least thing I like about Houston is the mosquitoes!

Pricing:

• Studio Time $25.00 – $75.00
• Apparel $13.00- $65.00
• Chakra Potions & Jewelry $3.00-$60.00
• Accessories (towels, stickers, buttons, coozies) $2.00-$13.00

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gothyoga.com/
• Phone: 713-962-6371
• Email: info@gothyoga.om
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothyogahouston/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gothyogahouston/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/christiwchaos
• Other: https://www.hi-lokick.com/

Image Credit:
Kevin McGowen, Jeff Fitlow, Everret Taasevigen, Rebecca Wells, Dan Workman

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.