Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaila Rubenthaler.
Hi Shaila, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My yoga journey began with a headstand I saw on Instagram in 2016. I remember thinking, I can do that. I tried, and very quickly, I was humbled. I couldn’t get anywhere close. What started as a simple goal to stand on my head turned into curiosity about yoga itself, and I began practicing small bits at home, focused mostly on that one pose.
Yoga had touched my life even earlier through healing. When I was 18, I was in a car accident that led to a partial hip replacement, and yoga was introduced during physical therapy.
In 2017, I was the general manager of a Starbucks and decided to quit my job to live out of my car and travel the United States. I would drive two to eight hours sometimes, and after long stretches on the road, my body craved movement. I started practicing in parking lots, rest stops, and open spaces. Following YouTube videos and participating in Instagram yoga challenges. Through that daily consistency, I began to feel a genuine mind-body connection. Yoga was no longer about achieving a headstand, it was about feeling at home in my body anywhere in the world.
When I returned to Dallas, I attended the grand opening of Black Swan Yoga’s Lovers Lane location in 2018. I had been following founder KJoy online, and when we met, she asked if I had ever considered yoga teacher training. I began training that summer and never left the community that had welcomed me. I always dreamed of traveling again and combining my love of the two but I wasn’t quite sure how yet.
After graduating, I started teaching at Black Swan Yoga and about a year later was invited to join the teacher training team. I went on to complete my 300-hour certification and had the privilege of supporting and leading ten rounds of training. Witnessing students grow from uncertainty to confidence is one of the most meaningful parts of my job.
Eventually, I felt called to create something of my own. I developed Journey Within, a Yoga Alliance–registered teacher training program rooted in self-inquiry, accessibility, and authentic connection. I hosted my first round last year, bringing together students who were ready to deepen their practice and step into teaching.
Alongside teacher training, I founded Wander Within Retreats, offering experiences that combine travel, movement, and reflection to help people reconnect with themselves and each other. Whether I’m teaching a class, leading a training, or hosting a retreat, my intention is the same: to create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and encouraged.
One of my mentors once said in Savasana, “Think about what you loved as a child and how you might turn that into a job.” As a kid, I always wanted to be a cheerleader. Over time, I realized that teaching yoga feels exactly like that, I get to encourage people, celebrate their wins, and remind them they’re stronger than they think. I’m not just guiding poses; I’m rooting for every person in the room.
What began as a personal challenge has become a lifelong practice of connection to myself, to others, and to the communities I serve.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road and in many ways, I’m grateful for that. The challenges shaped not only my career, but who I am as a teacher and person.
Early on, I struggled with self-doubt and feeling like I didn’t belong in the yoga space. I didn’t come from a traditional wellness background, and I often questioned whether I was “qualified enough” or ready to take up space. Learning to trust my voice and to teach from authenticity rather than comparison was a long process.
There were also practical challenges. Choosing to leave a stable job to travel and eventually pursue yoga meant stepping into financial uncertainty and an unconventional path. Building a career in wellness requires wearing many hats teacher, marketer, event planner, and business owner often without a roadmap. Teaching yoga full-time can be a hustle, early mornings, late nights, weekends, teaching 20 classes a week and barley making enough.
More recently, creating my own teacher training program and retreat business brought a new layer of vulnerability. Starting something under your own name means facing the fear of failure publicly. There were moments of wondering if anyone would sign up, if I was ready, or if I was doing it “right.” But each time someone trusted me with their journey, it reaffirmed why I started.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work lives at the intersection of yoga, community, and intentional experiences. Through my teaching, teacher trainings, retreats and events I create spaces where people feel supported, seen, and encouraged to reconnect with themselves.
I am the founder of Journey Within, a Yoga Alliance–registered teacher training program rooted in self-inquiry, accessibility, and authentic connection. Rather than focusing solely on poses, the training emphasizes finding your voice, teaching from lived experience, and creating inclusive spaces.
I also lead Wander Within Retreats, which offers immersive experiences that combine travel, movement, reflection, and community. These retreats are designed to help people step away from daily routines and return to themselves with greater clarity and connection. My focus is on creating environments that feel welcoming and grounded rather than exclusive or performative.
In my local Dallas–Fort Worth community, I teach classes and host events that make yoga approachable and human. I’m known for weaving storytelling, humor, and real-life reflection into my teaching, creating an atmosphere where students feel encouraged rather than intimidated. I often say teaching yoga feels a lot like being a cheerleader: I’m there to celebrate small wins, remind people of their strength, and help them trust themselves.
What sets my work apart is its emphasis on belonging. Many people feel like they need to be flexible, fit, or experienced to practice yoga. Yoga doesn’t require a certain body, background, or level of experience. It simply asks you to show up. I strive to make that first step feel less intimidating and to remind people that they belong in the room and creating spaces where people can show up exactly as they are. My offerings are rooted in the belief that yoga is not about perfection, it’s about connection.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of building something that reflects my values: accessibility, authenticity, and community. From teacher trainings to retreats to local classes, my goal is to create experiences that feel intentional, supportive, and sustainable.
How do you define success?
I define success as being happy, the kind of happiness that comes from living in alignment with my values. It’s not about constant joy or external achievements, but about feeling grounded in the life I’m building.
Pricing:
- All my offering have payment plans
- Wander WIthin retreats range $2,200-$3,800
- Journey Within YTT $3,000
- Private yoga starting at $75
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cowtownyoga.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaila.r/
