Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Lewis.
Hi Dawn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I lived in the Lakewood area of Dallas for 30 years before moving to North Fort Worth, in the Keller/Alliance area. I’ve been practicing yoga for 23 years and am also Catholic, so when we were planning our move, my first two Google searches were: “Where do I go to church?” and “Where do I do yoga?” I visited about nine different studios in the area but couldn’t quite find what I was looking for—and that’s what sparked the journey of opening my own yoga studio.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Securing the lease was incredibly difficult. It actually took me over a year and a half to find the right space. I received rejection after rejection. Then came financing—I had to bootstrap the entire endeavor. There were many moments when I questioned if it would ever happen.
Once I started renovations, I served as my own general contractor: applying for permits, sourcing materials, and finding the right people. But it came together—and in just seven weeks! We opened our doors for a soft opening on October 1st.
It’s been a challenging process to put everything on the line. But with equal parts passion and determination, I had a clear vision of what I wanted to build. Balancing it all while taking care of my children and everyday life wasn’t easy, but the drive to create something meaningful kept me going.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I began my career as a computer programmer, working for 12 years at companies like JCPenney Headquarters, Southwest Airlines, and a few startups. After that, I became a stay-at-home mom and eventually transitioned into becoming a yoga teacher.
My very first yoga class was in 2001 at Southwest Airlines Headquarters—someone came in to lead lunchtime yoga in between the cubicles on the third floor.
The yoga scene in Dallas is incredibly vibrant, and I was fortunate to be part of it for many years. I learned so much through that experience. Between my passion for yoga, my background in business, and my experience managing a big family, it all came together to support this new chapter.
What makes you happy?
My four incredible children make my life meaningful every single day. Hands down, they are what I’m most grateful for.
I also love working and staying busy. I find so much joy in the practice of yoga, and I look forward to traveling more in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Exhaleyoga.co
- Instagram: @exhale817
- Facebook: @exhale817
- Twitter: @exhale817
