Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Meymand.
Hi Susan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
In the fall of 2022, a community of yogis and yoga teachers were orphaned when our beloved local yoga studio suddenly closed. A small group of passionate teachers wanted to continue our yoga practice with our precious, soulful yogi friends. From the void left, we created a non-profit organization called Soul Friends Yoga Center.
Alright, 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?
The only thing that has been smooth about this road is the amazing patience and willingness of our community as we completed the steps in setting up our non-profit organization and waited for the Soul Friends doors to open. Having very knowledgeable and generous teachers has been an incredible help as well- they all taught for the entire first month as volunteers! It has been a tremendous learning process as we established our 501(c)(3) status, learned how to use our booking software, created a website in record time, and borrowed space heaters to heat the studio (because we could not get the utilities turned on for multiple absurd reasons). One of the biggest hurdles was negotiating lease terms for a shiny new non-profit that had no history and absolutely no money to show, except for some donations from ourselves and our beloved loyal community members.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Soul Friends motto is ‘real yoga for real people’, because we are not interested in pretending, nor in perfection. And we believe something as powerful as yoga should be accessible to everyone, so our prices are affordable; we even offer discounts to students, teachers, and first responders.
Our deepest commitment is in sharing the power of yoga, because this ancient tradition is the ultimate remedy for our modern times. It truly can deliver you from your inner-crazy-chaos and bring you back to smooth waters.
Flow-style yoga (vinyasa) is our specialty. We mildly heat the room (82ish degrees), ensuring a good sweat and de-stress. To top it off in a yummy way, everyone gets a cool lavender towel during savasana (that’s the ending pose where you get to simply lie down, close your eyes, and rest).
Bottomline: we’re a community of seekers, leaning on each other for connection and support. If you come here without a friend, you will leave with a new one.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a perfectionist and people pleaser! Cheerleader, homecoming queen, etc. I tried to do everything ‘right’ and be who I thought I was supposed to be because I was starving for love and acceptance and a sense of worth. My family was a wreck, to be honest- lots of abuse and addiction. I had anorexia throughout high school and into college.
In my early adulthood, I began a quest to find a better life, and I did!
Pricing:
- Tuesday Nights – Donation-based Flow
- Intro Offer- $3 for 3 classes!
- Unlimited Monthly Membership- $109
- Mini Monthly Membership- $75
- Drop-In Class $20
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soulfriendsyogacenter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulfriendsyogacenter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulfriendsyogacenter
Image Credits
Lucy Thornton photographer
