Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Tripoli.
Meg, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up, our family often relocated due to my father’s job. This quasi-nomadic lifestyle allowed me to meet new people and have new experiences, however, I often felt an outsider being the new girl to school having not had those special relationships with people you “grow up” with. Moving frequently made it difficult to maintain any sense of community, something I knew was important to me.
A few years after graduating from college, I ended up moving to Southern California (this time on my own). I found a passion for hiking, surfing, beaching, and of course yoga. There was an instructor who held a donation-based outdoor yoga class twice a week overlooking the beach. After my first class, I was hooked, I felt more in balance and at peace than ever. If you ever make it to San Diego, go check out the weekend yoga on Law St! While in San Diego, I landed a job in corporate healthcare. I have always had a passion for medicine and this position allowed me to help improve the others’ quality of life and explore my own curiosities without having to go to medical school. After California, I ended up in Dallas when I took a new position working with hospitals on infection control. While I learned a lot and loved being in a hospital weekly, I was exhausted with the demanding travel and giving up yoga and other activities I needed to be my best self.
While in Dallas, I met my other half and we bought a house in Oak Cliff. After a long holiday season with my company, I decided it was time to move on. Feeling inspired by the sense of community and support by neighbors here in Oak Cliff, I decided to partner with my neighbor and open UH Yoga. My goal was to share and promote a practice that enriched my life and to create a space where the Oak Cliff community could serve each other.
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?
Struggles? Nope, not here. Just kidding!!! I think no matter where you are in life, putting yourself out there and being vulnerable isn’t going to be easy. When you build something and put all of your heart into it people will still criticize you and give you the “If I were you…..” routine. It can be hard not to take some of these things personally, but you have to try to separate you and the business. Also, you are going to have days… (maybe weeks or months) when you don’t feel like you are doing anything right when it’s one forgotten thing after another.
My advice to those starting their journey is to be gentle on yourself. Realize your vision isn’t everyone’s and that is 100% ok. Understand that you are allowed to have days where things just don’t go well; those are learning days. Instead of feeling bad about them appreciate and embrace them because they will help bring you to a better place. And make sure to surround yourself with people who are also entrepreneurs and can empathize. There are incredible women business owners in Oak Cliff, and they (along with wine) have helped make harder moments, passing moments.
Please tell us about Urban Hippie Yoga – what should we know?
The yoga in Southern California that I was introduced to focus heavily on breath-to-movement, the origins of yoga, and its practices. It was my goal to open a studio that mirrored those concepts, focused on bettering peoples’ well-being and mental health instead of just a quick workout (although I love that yoga too). I am really proud of our focus being centered around health and wellness. I think it has created a much more open studio where people aren’t afraid to laugh when they end up facing the wrong way or aren’t embarrassed when they don’t feel they are flexible enough. It warms my heart that people who have never done yoga before have signed up and paid in full for a year membership! That commitment is HUGE and it means a lot to me to have a studio that encourages that.
I am also very proud of our team. They are all so supportive of each other and quick to step in when someone needs assistance. I love watching their connections grow and friendships develop. I feel so lucky to have them as part of the UH family.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
My Grandmother was a big inspiration in my life. She loved golfing and played during an era where the sport was played almost exclusively by men. She loved the game, but wanted to see some changes and decided to make a difference by running for President of her country club. As you might imagine, this was not initially received well by the club’s male members. However, her leadership style and diplomacy commanded the respect that led to her election to the position. She became the first Woman President of the club! These leadership skills are not something everyone possesses but are something I strive for.
Pricing:
- $29 – New Student Special
- *Available to New UH Yogis
- *Enjoy 7 consecutive days of unlimited yoga
- *Mats, Props, Blocks, and Towel Service Included
Contact Info:
- Address: 833 W 7th Street
Dallas, Tx 75208 (*Use Davis St. Entrance) - Website: Urbanhippieyogaoc.com
- Phone: 469-781-1150
- Email: urbanhippieyogaoc@gmail.com
- Instagram: @urbanhippieyogaoc
- Facebook: Urban Hippie Yoga
Image Credit:
Justin Clemons, Naomi Mccoy
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