April 10, 2017

Meet Angela Wagner of YogaSport in Uptown

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Wagner.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Angela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up playing sports and taught group fitness classes after college but thought I was entirely too intense for yoga. When the stress of my advertising job took over, I found my way to a yoga class. I knew that yoga was a good stress reliever for some, but felt totally awkward and unsuccessful in the pretzely and intimidating classes. Just when I thought yoga wasn’t for me, my mom insisted I would love her yoga teacher and took me to a Baptiste inspired class in Boston. I fell in love with the class and immediately dedicated myself to learning the practice to help heal my depression and anxiety. In 2003, I began teaching yoga and attended my first week-long Teacher Training with my now mentor, Baron Baptiste. In 2004, I opened YogaSport and dedicated my life to teaching others this practice.

I love this practice because it’s for real people with everyday struggles. It’s not for the fancy, bendy or trendy (because I am definitely not fancy, bendy or trendy!); it’s for people who want to feel stronger, happier and more free in their bodies and in their lives. Every class challenges me in a different way, and unlike any other style I have tried, it feeds me mentally and has helped me grow into a person I truly love. With much tough love and lots of laughter, my classes will help you move through your life with more ease, grace and joy. If we are willing to put in the work, we have everything we need to make the changes we want in our lives. It really doesn’t get much better than this!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Back when I was a single gal in my twenties, I took on the world. I left the stress-filled, ego-laden corporate atmosphere and fulfilled my dream of owning a yoga studio. I thrived as an entrepreneur, teacher, and yoga life coach, and took the greatest amount of pride in helping the hundreds of students who walked through the doors of my studio each day find balance, flexibility, strength, and purpose. Seeing their faces light up when they had a breakthrough in a pose or were able to overcome a difficult obstacle in their lives was the most rewarding feeling in the world for me.

Now that I’m in my thirties, my life isn’t just about me and my students anymore. I have a family – a loving husband, adorable toddler, and a very busy baby girl, and I’m responsible for lighting up their lives, too. I’m proud beyond measure of the life and family I’ve created, but holding the flame high for others can sometimes leave me feeling a bit dim. I’ve certainly had moments when I’ve felt neither balanced nor strong, but rather frazzled and petered-out. Show me a mother who hasn’t felt this way, and I’ll give you a million bucks.

But just because I’ve taken on more roles and responsibilities doesn’t mean that I’ve stopped believing that I –or women all over just like me –can still take on the world. I’ve discovered how the challenges of life –all the juggling of work, friends, and family –can be amazing opportunities for growth. All my years of owning a business and teaching and coaching and being a wife and mother have taught me that we are all capable of truly amazing things if we support each other versus compete or judge each other. I believe we can change the world and ourselves if we let go of self-doubt and begin to truly love ourselves for who we are, flaws and all.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with YogaSport – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
YogaSport’s mission is to provide a connective community which supports the health and personal growth of students through a welcoming environment, quality personalized instruction, and an empowering physical practice.

We are committed to providing a consistent, strong physical practice and inspiring students with tools for life. We are normal people – all ages, all fitness levels, all with different reasons for taking that first step on the mat – who thrive in a community of inspirational people and unconditional support. We make it fun to sweat, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously. You won’t find any yoga snobs here. Our community is fun, diverse, vibrant, silly and strong. We share struggles, sweat and laughter.

People come here for their health and wholeness, and to get big inspiration for big goals. Our classes are challenging but accessible for students of all fitness/yogi levels. Even if you are brand spankin’ new to yoga, you can come to YS and learn the basics of the practice in any of our all levels classes.

We will ignite your body and energize you through a challenging workout, and when you walk out of YS, you will feel better than when you came in.

What Makes Your Practice Unique?
We practice Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga – a type of flow that is energetic, athletic and empowering. We love it because each class challenges us physically and mentally in a different and unique way. All of our classes follow the Baptiste sequence.

All of our classes are taught in a studio heated to about 90 degrees. This heat helps to get your blood bumping, your muscles loose and your body flowing. You will sweat.

We don’t use music during our classes and there are no mirrors in the studio. We have found that both of these things can be a distraction to what is truly happening inside your body and mind. Because we live in an over-stimulated society, this may be the only time of day you are able to be truly present with your body, emotions, actions and intentions. It’s pretty rad.

Each of our instructors has graduated from YSYS (YogaSport Yoga School) and has been trained personally by the YogaSport Owner, Angela Wagner. Each brings a unique story, gift, and way of being to the YS community. Our instructors verbally lead students through practice and give clarifying spoken cues along the way.

Many of our classes are graced by the presence of YS Assistants. We love them! Assistants navigate the studio to provide non-verbal instruction and hands-on adjustments during practice.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our Spark Online Program!
[spahrk] noun: anything that activates or stimulates; inspiration or catalyst.
Imagine waking up every day with a sense of clarity, inspiration and motivation. You are happy and content in this journey we call life. You are filled with a sense of purpose and joy. You see life through a positive lens, where you are not only ready, but willing to accomplish the things on your to-do list. Join our community of people who have redefined what’s possible in their lives with Spark.

What if I told you that anyone can achieve this state of mind? With some honest dedication and work, along with the tools I will give you in this program, you can live the life that you want. Sound awesome? If you think so, then please read on.

The objective of this 5 week program is to:

Identify what isn’t working in your life
Learn to operate from inspiration vs. desperation
Feel (more) grateful for who/what is awesome in your life
Take home specific tools to help you manage stress more effectively
Gain more confidence in yourself and your decisions
Unplug from your distractions and gain a sense of purpose and focus
Feel more positive and energetic
Create a vision for your future

Spark doesn’t contain any over-the-top, magic solutions such as fad diets or extreme weight loss programs. Every tool is accessible and easy to understand. You simply need to be willing to do the work. You can do this. Yes YOU, the person who is reading this web page! I know this because I have been guiding people through this program since 2010 and the results are incredible.

Spark Online is made up of three major components over the course of five weeks.
Mindful Movement – Unplug from your distractions (i.e.: cell phone, tablet, computer) and move purposefully and with intention. We all know we should unplug but how often do we really do it? This weekly component will ask you to put down your devices for a short time and focus on who and what is important in your life. By the end of the program, our previous participants have actually been excited to ditch their devices during family dinner, lunch with their girlfriends, and their son’s soccer game.

Stress Less – Each week you will receive a new tool that will help you chill out. You will walk away with tangible ways to manage stress in your daily life whether you are on a crazy work deadline, vacationing with your in-laws or simply feeling anxious on any given day.

Inspired Actions – Inspired actions are the heart and soul of this program. Ranging from setting goals to tracking your time to cleaning out your pantry, each week you will complete activities that will help you gain clarity, passion and inspiration.

Weekly Themes
Week 1
Get Clear – What we think is happening in our lives is often very different than reality. Many times, we are so busy that we don’t take the time to pay attention, to feel, and to listen. This week is about doing the work to see what is actually happening in your life. And we insist that you do this with no judgment. If you would like to focus on cleaning up your diet and haven’t purchased the 10 day detox, we highly recommend purchasing it this week so you can have it shipped to you in time for the Week 4 10 day food challenge. Purchase it here and select any 10 Day Detox that fits with your goals.

Week 2
Get Crystal Clear – In Week 2, you will continue the process of digging deep to see how you are spending your time, what you are putting in your body, how you are thinking, etc., and you will begin the exciting process of creating a vision for what you do want in your life.

Week 3
Fresh Start – This week you will put your intentions into action. You will mentally and physically clear out clutter that has been holding you back. You will begin to think, and act, from a place of purpose and joy.

Week 4
Committed Action – This week you will make a huge commitment to yourself and your new way of living. You will identify and let go of your excuses and live from a more positive place.

Week 5
Celebrate New Beginnings – Pop out the champagne and welcome yourself to your new, improved life! In this final week of the program, you will reflect on the work you have done and create a plan of action to keep you motivated and inspired beyond the program.

Pricing: