Lauren Farina O'Brien - Breaking Boundaries at Shakti Power Yoga

Lauren Farina O'Brien is the co-owner of Shakti Power Yoga in Nashville, Tennessee, with her sister Kelly. With over 16 years of experience in yoga practice and teaching, Lauren has studied under significant mentors like Dharma Mittra, where she completed her 500 and 800-hour certifications. Passionate about building community and holistic health, Lauren emphasizes blending traditional yoga with modern practices, offering various yoga styles and workshops at Shakti Power Yoga. Lauren has been instrumental in leading international yoga retreats, expanding her influence and providing immersive yoga experiences worldwide.

Visit Lauren on her website: https://www.shaktiyoganashville.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Lauren emphasizes the power of community and the pivotal role it plays in the success of Shakti Power Yoga.
• Diverse yoga offerings, including heated power flows and restorative classes, cater to varying student needs and preferences.
• Lauren's collaboration with her sister Kelly is foundational to Shakti Power Yoga's success, highlighting the significance of having a supportive partner.
• International yoga retreats led by Lauren and Kelly offer enriching experiences that combine travel, culture, and deepened practice.

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Chapters

• 0:03 Challenges and Joys of Running a Yoga Studio in Nashville
• 5:09 The Journey from Bikram to Vinyasa at Shakti Yoga
• 8:50 The Benefits and Challenges of Early Morning Yoga Classes
• 13:04 Yoga's Impact Amid Nashville's Cultural and Health Challenges
• 18:07 Evolving Yoga Practices and Teaching Preferences
• 26:55 Overcoming Shyness and Building Relationships in Yoga Teaching
• 33:19 Embarrassing Yoga Teaching Moments and Body Image Challenges
• 35:50 Blending Ancient Wisdom with Modern Practices in Yoga Culture
• 43:08 Sisterhood and Business: Running a Yoga Studio Together
• 49:11 Envisioning Future Life and Longevity in Yoga Practice
• 51:49 International Yoga Retreats in Scotland and Beyond
• 54:08 The Importance of Persistence and Connection in Business

Transcript

0:33

Welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast, so happy you are here. My goal with this channel is to bring inspirational speakers to the mic in the field of yoga, massage, body work and beyond. Follow us at @nativeyoga and check us out at nativeyogacenter.com. All right, let's begin. Hello and welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast, if this is your first time listening, welcome so happy you were here for those of you that are return guests, listeners, fans, whatever the term is. Thank you so much for all your support. I'm getting so close to episode 200 I can't believe it. This week, I'm really delighted to bring to you Lauren Farina O'Brien, she and her sister Kelly, own Shakti Power Yoga in Nashville. Check her out. Check them out on the their website,

https: 1:39

//www.shaktiyoganashville.com/, and if you're on Instagram, find them at @Shaktipoweryoga. And also, just to make mention, they are going to be holding, hosting and holding an international retreat in Scotland coming up in September 9 through the 15th of 2025 which sounds amazing. After speaking with Lauren, I was like, Oh man, how fun. I've never been to Scotland. That would be so cool. So I hope you enjoy hearing this conversation as much as I enjoyed having the chance to facilitate it. And if you have any specific queries, questions and or people that you would like for me to bring onto the show, send me an email at info@nativeyogacenter.com and also, I just wanna make a quick mention of my new free course that I have, which is called 8IN8. Learn 8 Limb Yoga in 8 days. It's totally free, and you'll see the link in the description below. All right. Well, that being said, let's go ahead and begin. Welcome, Lauren. I'm so thankful to have this opportunity to meet and speak with Lauren Farina O'Brien, Lauren, thank you for joining me today. How are you feeling? Thank you for having me honored. First of all, thank you. Um, of course, I'm, I'm happy to be here. You know, it's the busy season of the holidays. Up it's nice. Just like, okay, let's have a great conversation. Oh, well, thank you. You're you own and run Shakti power yoga in Nashville, Tennessee. Are you a Nashville local. Like, did you grow up in Nashville? Where are you from originally? Yes, I am a local, which is a rare find in Nashville these days. My I own the studio with my sister Kelly, my older sister. I have two older sisters, so the middle sister, Kelly and I, very cool, have had it together for 12 years. And yeah, we're from, we're from Hendersonville. She's like, 20 minutes north of Nashville. But we have been in Nashville for the past 25 years. You know, nice, yes, we're the locals. We've seen it grow. We've seen so much happen. And we're on Music Row in Nashville, which is, like, a very hot spot for tourism, and it's been fun to watch it grow. It looks incredible. I, you know, perusing your website, your the sign out front the building, the interior is all so beautiful, like you both did an amazing job putting it together. Was that both you and your sister that did all the interior work and the whole like layout and design. Yeah, we so we got it in 2012 and we had a contractor like it, what used to be a music publishing house, so Orbison owned it before us by so it was built in like, the late 1800s but like that, just the charm of the old home, like the wood and like the big doors, it's definitely got it's special. You know, I think it really feels like a home. I mean, we even lived there the first year that we opened. So it is literally my home as well. Amazing. That would be so fun to live right there. And like you said, with all that music that's happening in Nashville now, that would be so fun, so cool. Yeah. It was 12 years ago, at this age, understood now, so you're not living in your studio anymore. I take it. I moved out after a year and a half, but it was special, fun time of my life. I mean, you know, just turned 30, started a new business, and it was just a really fun, sweet time for my sister, amazing. Well, 12 years, that's quite an accomplishment. How? How easy or difficult was it getting? I mean, personally, because my wife and I have been here in our yoga studio for the last it'll be 19 years in April, so 18 officially, I think if I had to think back on the most difficult period of that time, the COVID time, like 2020, 2021, 2022, whoa. How was your experience managing a yoga studio through all that? It was tough, yeah, just like, like, it was the hardest thing for us, and also was like, the best thing for our business. When I look back, I'm like, it really gave us, like, an opportunity to start over and to like clear out. Wasn't what wasn't working, like even looking at, like, what we were spending, who was teaching. I mean, it kind of just like, flushed itself out on its own because of what happened. Yeah, and, you know, we got really good online, and people kept on showing up. And there was definitely moments I'm like, why don't we just close down and move to a farm and get a bunch of bernadoodles, you know? Like, why don't you do that? Yes, but then, you know, you keep showing up and, like, people keep showing up, and you're like, oh, yeah, this is why we do this, because we need this. We need each other. So I think it made me have a more appreciation for just my the community, the practice, while it was really hard, it was like, barely getting by, like, each pay period, each rent Yes, yes, for the PPP, you know, yeah, that was solid, like that that really showed up for us and allowed us to go on and just the people that kept showing up. So, oh, it's hard. Yeah, it was an amazing thing in the end of the day. Very cool. I mean, if that was one of our more challenging elements, what would you say would be your most favorite element of running a studio over the last 12 years? It's really the people like, I'm so I'm just in so much awe of, like, the people that come into Shakti. Like I was more than I've ever imagined. I mean, Kelly and I, like, let's open a yoga studio. Let's create a space. Because, you know, we practice in Nashville, and like, we weren't getting that, and so we opened the studio. And, like, just the people, it's the best part. And like, still people coming in 12 years later, just know, their families, or, you know, just, I don't know, it's just such a beautiful community, and like the friendships and the care that's happened along the way that become my family, our family. Nice, great, great answer, I would agree with you. What was yours, right? What? What was your introduction to yoga? Who and how and why and when. Well, you know, I have two older sisters, so we kind of dabbled in, like, the hot 26 Bikram, way back in the day, like this is 2000 and, like six five, you know, dabble that, and then we stop. We're all in, like, athletics. We've moved our entire lives. You know, my oldest sister, professional athlete, we've just worked out played sports. So yoga came at a point in our life, like, Oh, we're not playing sports anymore, yes, but we need to move our body and take care of ourselves. And this yoga became a whole nother, like, Oh, this is a whole another. This is a whole another step up of like, self care and mental health as well, and definitely at that young age. And like, being in your early 20s, even younger. But really what happened is, like, my sister Kelly moved away to Scottsdale in like, 2006 and she got into yoga. I was still here, and I went out and visited her. I was like, You're different. And she started practicing yoga. And just like, a beautiful thing, like, there's something like, different about you, like, in a great way. I don't know what it was, you know, I mean, just like the ease, I don't know. She wouldn't probably say that now, she's like, I was a mess. But to me, the other it's like, I came home and I was, like, training for a half marathon or something, and I found a yoga studio that just opened brand new, and I just started going, and I fell in love with it. So I think that was yeah, and then she moved back, and we started practicing teacher, you know, and then teacher training, and then you're just, and then, you know, 16 years later, right? What style would you say that studio that you practice in Nashville was in or under vinyasa? It was like a hot 26 in vinyasa. Teacher, so, yeah, I started out teaching. I felt like the hot 26 was like a gateway for me, and I, you know, while I don't do it anymore. Haven't been in a long time. I think the discipline is what I needed at that point, being in like, early 20, you know, early 20s, mid 20s, yes. And then I discovered vinyasa, power yoga. It's like, Oh, this feels more like home. Got it? Yes. Do you what kind of classes do you offer at your studio now, most of their power yoga, and we have heated power yoga. We have unheated vinyasa, Yin restorative. We have a like, sound baths, breath work workshops. So think we do a really like, well rounded offering, but I mean, our main classes are heated power flow, cool. What are you noticing is the most, most popular out of all the classes that you offer? Are you finding there's one class or class style that it just seems to be the busiest, the most often? I mean, it is the heated power flow. But I think what's so great about Shakti is, like, we're not all trained by the same teacher. Like, there is some, you know, some of us are in the same, like, lineage. I mean, I also lead teacher training, so I'm teaching in a power vinyasa style to a lot of teachers. But there's also, like, you know, I'd say, like, 60 to 70% of our teachers have a different, you know, lineage of vinyas, and I think it's a, you know, beautiful blend. And I really believe that, like, people come to Shakti, yes, because they love the classes and the teacher, but I don't know it's like, I think the community, just like, keeps on bringing them back nice. And what I'm seeing more and more is that restoratives are really becoming more popular, which is so good to see. Yeah, I agree. I agree. Yeah, breath work workshops and sound bath like those are just like, people really wanting that, and I love that. Was there anything that when someone made a suggestion to being a studio owner, obviously you, or maybe it isn't obvious to listening, but one of the things as a studio owner is where people come up to us and say, You should do this. You should do that. It'd be great if you did this or that. And over the years, I've had situations where I kind of thought I was resistant toward and then I we implemented it, and it turned out to be one of the best things ever. Has it? Has that happened to you at all where you had a little, maybe a suggestion that you're resistant to, but then turned a corner and it worked beyond what you expected? Oh, man, I'm like, trying to think, I mean, definitely people are like, You should do this. I'm like, Well, if you can get 15 people to say that they'll show up at 5am that because if the teacher gets sick, I'm not coming at 5am yeah? I mean, like, there's little stuff like that, yeah, we always, I mean, I'm always open to suggestions and, like, making it better, because I don't see everything, and I'm, you know, really relying on our community and our teachers and stuff. But I can't really think of anything like off the top of my head, I'm like, What's What's something that they said, like, it's really working, but understood there's always the five AMS never gonna happen. No, yeah, five is pushing it. And have you tried it? Have you had a teacher say I want to do it and it worked? No, I've never had a teacher say that. Students, it's like these students, like, no, just come to the 6am 6am spot. Yes. Is that your earliest class is six o'clock? Yes. How many a week do you have? Monday through Friday? I taught one this morning because I was up for a teacher that just moved to Thailand. So we're like in this in between, which I mean, I taught six AMS my whole first 12 years of teaching. So it's not like, it's actually really lovely, yeah, but it's not something I'm like, really interested in doing at this point consistently. Yeah, yeah. I hear ya. I hear you. We used to have really early morning classes too, and that was, like, I really liked that you mentioned that the whole COVID process was a clearing house event, in the sense that we had a similar thing where I was, like, stretching myself so far and wide over this long window starting really early in the morning with a Mysore Ashtanga class. And then that kind of dissipated when I came back. I consolidated it into a 90 minute session starting at eight o'clock versus starting at 530 and it, it, it feels so good, like it just makes sense. I was just spreading myself too thin. Do you when you what kind of class did you teach this morning at 6am Is it a hot, hot yoga class? And it was a heated power flow. It was sweet, you know, just people that show I just, I really just think so much of people that show up that early and, like, get it done and just want to take that time for themselves and get their practice in. I mean, like, I love it. Very nice. So good. I'm like, it was, like, 615 I was like, Wow, I'm so energized. This is. Great time. It was just, you know what? I was like, this is a great time, right? More. But then I'm like, Yeah, you're not rushing the alarm walks at like, 415 I'm like, well, that's why, yeah, exactly, right. Oh my gosh, I hear ya. Well, that's cool. What um, are you noticing in relation to the evolution of yoga culture in your neck of the woods, are you? So it sounds like at least 12, but longer than that, maybe 20 years of kind of being around yoga classes in the Nashville and Tennessee area. But just from my own personal experience of going and visiting Tennessee, I have family there, I've noticed that it is a little more of a Bible Belt feeling than where we are in South Florida, and I'm curious what your how you navigate the blending of the Eastern culture in with perhaps students and clients or maybe even yourself. I haven't even asked you what your your own philosophy is yet, but has that been an easy thing? Is that something that you need to navigate? How does that feel and look for you? It's actually been really easy to navigate, I think, because we live in Nashville, so we are, you know, like we are in the Bible Belt, but Nashville is a little bit more liberal, you know, we're just so but it's actually funny, because Shakti is right across the street from a church. A church has been around a very long time. We've had people yell at us that were like, Satan. We've had some things, you know, and we just kind of, like, laugh it out. And we've even asked the church to, like, let the ask that we could use their space, because they have a large like, well, we don't really resonate with what y'all do. We're like, okay, good to know how you know how you feel about us. But like, other than that, like, you know, you get some weird, random things here and there. But we've actually had a really great experience with, like, nobody's really bothered us. Cool. And I think what Shakti does just so well. It's like being kind and welcoming and loving. So, I mean, if people come in and, I mean, if you've had a studio for 19 years, you probably know you've kind of gotten some random, odd interactions over the years that you have to kind of like, yes, no, yes, correct. You know, probably shouldn't talk about but, yeah, there's always some random, weird thing that yoga studios attract, because people are looking for something, you know, healing or something you know. And so sometimes we can attract some odd things that have experiences that we really have to just stay grounded and calm and please exit. Yes, I agree with you, and I think we're being diplomatic and kind, which is the way to go. So I agree with you 100% yes, that's cool. I wonder, what have you had any famous musicians come and or, Why does famous matter? Any musicians come and practice with you that you've turned on to yoga or are traveling through that have said they've practiced elsewhere and really happy to find you? Yeah, we've definitely had some musicians. And, you know, it's national, so people are coming in and out. You know, we are on Music Row. So we actually have, like, a lot of, like, songwriters that will come in and just practice. Like, I mean, I'm not really a Name Dropper. Like Jules come, you know, like, Julie used to come a lot when she was, like, around Nashville. And then, like, people have stopped in, like, here and there. Like, Brett elders, Kevin took a thought, you know, we're just, you know, it's just fun. And we always try to just, like, just let him practice, like, let him be. And then, like, there we have some younger teachers. And so there have been some, like, newer, popular artists that, like, I have no idea who they are. So my one of our teachers, like, So and so is in class. That's, I was like, Who's that? Like, he's so big. And then Mary. I was like, Oh, great, you know, like, I don't know. Yeah, yeah. Welcome you like anybody else I hear you. Yeah. You know, the last time I was driving through Nashville on the north side of it and south side, I had noticed billboards that were helping to give people either hotline numbers or understanding that there is an opioid crisis in our country. And then when I got to the hotel that I was staying at, I was listening to a local station that was on the TV that was saying that, kind of saying that Nashville is one of, like, the highest places for overdose, or opioid overdose, is that anything that you have witnessed and or noticed that you've played a helpful role in the recovery element. I haven't like witnessed, you know, this stuff that you hear, and I think people come in that have like gotten on the other side of mental health, or, you know, a day. And they always share, like, how impactful coming to Shakti is for them, and that sometimes must, I'm like, I don't, you don't even know that's happening in their lives, but it's like, the after the fact, like, they'll come in and share, yeah, I mean, we haven't. I mean, always hear of people and people in the community, and, you know, I didn't know that about Tennessee. I'm like, that's I'm sadly, like, not surprised. I mean, I love Tennessee. I'm from here. It's just like, sometimes I'm like, come on, stuff your game? Yeah, there's a lot of, I hear ya. I hear ya. Are you what type of yoga. Like, if you had to go to a desert island with one style of yoga or a specific element of yoga practice, what would you take with you? I would probably take dharma. And just because it's so well rounded, of like, how Dharma is, you know, it's like, it gets into the meditation, the pranayama, yoga, Nidra, and also the physical asanas are just so complete in the and I just like, I think my heart while I teach power flow, and I love it and, like, it's, you know, it's a lot more marketable, honestly. But I think if I had to, if I was on a desert island, like, Well, I think I would take Dharma, awesome. What did you study with them? Yeah, my sister and I both did his 500 hour and his 800 hour. And that's how we met Pam and Andrew, our good friends. I figured I wanted to ask you nice. Just that was like 2016 2017 and we went back 2018 so we had a good three years with them, and they were just some of the most sweetest times. I felt like my life and my practice was sweet. So we would like go to New York. It's been the week in New York, and we'd be in the Dharma Center and be like, so calm and like, just the vibe of dharma, you know, just like peaceful, and then all sudden, like the New York, like sirens and like, the city's just just beyond that window, but it wouldn't matter, you just be, you know, yeah, in your practice. And, I mean, I'm so honored to have learned from Dharma being 8485 now maybe I don't know, you know, yeah, still sharing the whole team, the whole staff, they're all amazing. That's so cool. You know, I like the fact that you brought up that that's what you would bring with you. But you also noticed, like, from a marketing perspective and or in the way that you present yoga to the public and to make sure that you are able to pay your rent and keep the studio productive and working well for your teachers as well. That would you agree that teaching, the more I want to say, authentic, but the pranayama, the mantra, the chanting, the and the way that dharma brings all that into the yoga that that is a little bit harder to kind of cultivate in these smaller communities. Have you noticed that sounds like you kind of alluded to that? Yeah, I think it is. I think like, once you get again, I think people need to get in the door like, you know. I think sometimes, like, I know, like, like, I said, like, the hot 26 I was, like, just my gateway, and then I got into more and more, you know, as my practice evolve, but I feel like, once you can get somebody in the door, get them on their mat, then they become like, get in their body, get them in their bike, get them there, and then, oh, what's this sound bath like, Oh, what's this breath work, meditate, what's Oh, this teacher's Oh, we did a yoga nidra at the end of class, and there's like, Oh, I like, then they want to learn More. Like, what's this product like, oh, this breathing technique that was really calming. So I think it's like, you can kind of, like, kind of, like, weave in techniques from Dharma, you know, like, when I was teaching Dharma, yeah, I taught in the hot room. I would teach, like, a Dharma in the heat, just because, like, this is what I mean, I had to run my studio. And so yes, I would be like, people were doing Dharma, but it's going to be in the heat, and, you know, they loved it, and they're like, who like, tell me more about dharma. So, but I do think you kind of have to, like, get them in and then, you know, it's like, okay, well, I'm going to add this meditation at the end of class, or beginning of class, or we're going to do this breathing technique, you know, which is all part of yoga. I mean, it's all, you know, whatever practice you do, but yes, yes, you get people in, like, heated power flow really sells people like sweating athletic, like getting a workout in work, work in and a workout. You know, true, I hear, Yeah, agreed, agreed. That's where I think, like, when you made mention of the hot 26 and or Bikram yoga, like what and similar. Similarly, for me, my first intro into yoga was through Bikram yoga and going to Bikram yoga teacher training out in Los Angeles, and it was amazing and really hard and really difficult, and I don't teach it anymore, because it was like a point in life. And so I'm, I'm curious, um, as your practice is evolving, or or where it is now, what, what, where do you, where could you see your practice going from here? Like, do you? I know, I know it's probably pointless to go into the future, and I know we're constantly attempting, as yogis and yoginis, to, like, be present and not project too far forward. I know from the business side, we're taught, like, your five year plan, 10 year plan, 20 year vision, scale, it grow, it all that stuff. But I'm curious, from like, a spiritual and or practice perspective, if you had the time to just devote Do you see any sort of evolution that would occur? Yes, definitely. I mean, I think my sister and I talk about this all the time, because, like, for a while I feel like we went to a training every single year up until COVID, like we're just, we want to learn. I mean, that's how we did dharma. You know, it's like, I think kind of, I mean, right now I'm doing something with Janet stone, and so bringing like, I, you know, just like, it's virtual and in person. I just love like getting more, like subtle body, and like bringing in more embodiment movement like this, you know, it's, it's the practice. And I just think of like having different perspectives, and like just sharing a little bit more like, there's definitely places I want to grow. I think something that I'm we're working on definitely is like, holding space for people who are already, like, into that, you know, or like, yeah, I feel like, like, I say like, restorative and yen and like, these people are just like, I want to lead that, you know, we have. I was like, yeah, here's the space. And I think that's what's a gift about being a yoga studio owner. We have space. Yeah, yeah. Like, if somebody's passionate and they want to, like, you know, they want to lead yoga nidras Weekly, yes, we have the space, please offer this. Yes, amazing. So I think that's kind of like, I'm holding space, offering space, and still, I'm kind of, you know, I think I've been teaching for 16 years now, and I'm like, Okay, so I'm just like, slowly, you know, like, I'm so comfortable in the room, comfortable with people, but yeah, it's like, what do I want to keep offering? Yeah, good point. Yeah, cool. I hear ya. That's one thing that I've noticed that we started off kind of vinyasa, hot vinyasa, and we still do all that, and still have a stronger and I guess one earlier I'd made I'd asked you the question about, like, something where someone told you to do it, and were you resistant for me, one was that Todd, you should teach gentle yoga. And I had this kind of, like, I'll get another teacher for that, or I'll find somebody else to do it. And and when COVID happened, my gentle yoga teacher was out, and I thought, all right, I'll do it. I guess I'm doing it. And as like one of my most favorite classes to teach, I love just that taking all the pressure off, just like doing this super relaxing, easy yoga. And I just never would have thought. I would have really enjoyed and gravitated toward that, and I am getting older, so maybe that's why. But have you had any sort of similar experience with that? Yes. I mean, I feel, I mean, again, I've been in the heat for so long, and so I'm like, let's open the window. Let's I'm like, I'm gonna turn the fans on, cracking open. I mean, these are things like I've been doing, and I was like, oh, you know, like, I don't get cold, but like, I'm like, I don't need to get this hot. And I think we keep it at a really, like, decent temperature. We're not, like, overheated. But I feel like throughout my practice, or, you know, as evolve, it's like, slowing down and and like, I love it when I get to teach a restorative class, because I rarely ever do, but if somebody like, I'm like, Oh, I really love this. Like, I really do, like to slow it down and, like, hold space and just, like, have stillness and like, quiet. It's because it's something like, I don't I need to do more, yeah, yeah. But when I get an opportunity, I'm like, Yeah, I could, like, see this, you know, becoming more part of it. Yeah, that's cool. You understand the challenge of managing people. And I'm curious if I and anyone listening say is a yoga teacher and is looking to get hired to teach in a yoga studio. And for example, I'm coming into Nashville, I don't know anybody, and I really would like to teach. What would be advice that you would give me and the listeners that are like, the key things you're hoping and looking for when we're seeking employment through a studio? Yeah. Well, first off, if you're new, like, Come practice at the studio that you want to teach at, that is my number one. Like, I get emails, like, I'm moving to Nashville. I'm like, Well, you don't even know who we are. Like, you might not even like us. So that is my number one. That is my number one thing, go to the practice at the studio you want to. Chat. That is, I know you're nodding. I'm like, so because like you don't even like you might not vibe with us. Like Shakti might not be your vibe. So your place that you want to be. So first number one, that, and then, you know, come I want to, you know, get to know you. It's like, or what's your experience like? How long have you been teaching? What's your like? You know, not just like I want to, I'm moving to Nashville, and I love to teach at your studio. Okay, great, well, and then, like, you know, after things have happened, like, we kind of have, like, a form that you fill out and, like, ask certain questions, availability, but, yeah, I mean, just practice where you want to teach, to start there, and, like, build that relationship and see if, you want to be there. And enthusiasm, like, we just hired a teacher who's teaching two six AMS. And mostly she got hired because she was so enthusiastic about being up that early, and like, offering yoga to the I was like, you're in. Yeah. That is the best advice, I think anyone could give. That was so spot on. Thank you for that. Yeah, yeah, it's so classic. I hear ya. Yeah, definitely. Come on in. Come on in. Check us out. Do you even like us like you might not. Yeah, good point. Let's talk. After you've come to the here's our first time. We're spent like come you know what about in relation to, I'm a new teacher, and only two people showed up. Why don't we say only two people? Because I always look at it like, wow, two people showed up. Like, it's a lot of work just to get to to have two people show up, that's a big deal, right? And then we can always grow what sort of coaching would you provide for understanding the long haul game of how much work goes into building? Yeah, well, I mean, like, consistency is key. So that's my number one. Like, keep teaching, try not to get as subbed. Like, keep showing up. That is the number one thing. Like, keep showing up, invite people to your classes, ask for some feedback. If you're open, maybe if you're working on something like, ask for some specific feedback or but really, like, you got to grow your class and so yes, consistently. But I also think, like practicing in the studio you teach at, like getting like, seeing people, seeing teachers on their map. I've heard over the years of like, because I don't even teach that much anymore, like, like I used to, but people are like, I love it when you're practicing as like that, you know like, they love to see teachers practice. I love to see teachers practice, because you know that they're also in it with you, like they're doing the work. So right, show up to teach everything, and then show up on your mat, and then you get to know people too, like, Oh, hey, I teach on Saturdays at 8am Why don't you come? You know, I think that's just kind of building relationships, like building relationships when I want, yeah, great advice. That's awesome. Lauren, I agree 100% Yeah. So then on the I can, I can, I can tell you're a very people person. You know how to get a conversation going, make people feel good and welcome and all that sort of stuff. If I'm really shy and I and I'm having a hard time coming out of my shell, what other kind of coaching can you give for like, how to break through that? Because it's tough. Like, don't you think that's something that on some level you were born with, like, ever since you were a kid, I bet you had some zeal for and maybe it'll correct me, maybe, like, No, I was the shyest person in class. And, you know, was there a breakthrough moment? Or Have you always had a certain enthusiasm for relationship development. I mean, I do think I've had enthusiasm, but I also, like, add, I would like drop out of classes in college because it's like oral presentations. Like, I like, had complete anxiety over stuff like that. And, um, I think for like, new um, because I lead teacher training, so I have, like, new teachers coming out, and they're like, like, you've just gotta, like, get it underneath your but, like, you gotta go. I'm like, stand in front of the class, look at people. Maybe find one person that you could connect with and like, smile. I like, just, you know, like, and it's okay if you mess up. Like, I sound like an auctioneer when I first started teaching, like, going so fast. And like, my hour class ended in like, 35 minutes, just like, you know, like, we've all been in these beginner there's always a beginning, always you kind of have to just, you have to, like, just practice. And like, you might not be great for a while, but like, if you show up with enthusiasm and your love and like, you bring this practice to life, and people see that it's fine, like, you'll be great, you know, yeah, good point. I know it's hard, but you're saying, like, if you're shy, but like, it just takes practice. Yeah, good point. Great point. My heart was racing, like my first many, many, many clap. Many, many, I can't even, you know, I don't even know, but, like, heart racing out of my oh my gosh. Like, so sweaty palm, so nervous, yeah, and that's great, because you know what that means. It's important to you. If you're not, like, nervous or something about then, like that might not mean that much. But if you have, like, Oh, this isn't because this is important to you. Oh, man, I hear you. Can I tell you a funny story real quick? Sure, one of my most embarrassing teaching experiences ever was when I got into Bikram yoga. And I went to Bikram yoga teacher training, and to be really honest, I did not want to put on a Speedo. It just was not I grew up surfing, wearing long shorts. So the speedo thing was just hard for me. And then when I got around Bikram, he was like, you put speedo on speedo, Speedo. I need to be able to see your legs and body and all that kind of stuff. And so I finally broke down, and I got a speedo and I wore it to class, and I was like, I got over just that, all that, like body image, like embarrassment and all that stuff. And then I started be like, okay, all right, I'm not so embarrassed anymore. Like I can handle this. So I went to go teach one of my first classes when I got back at the Bikram, you go to yoga studio. And all I had was my speed I don't know how this actually happened. And the guy that and run this and the studio was like, dude, just wear your speed on teach the class. And I've never felt so it can only have that dream where you're like, you're going to school and you're naked and you and you're like, you're like, going, oh my god, panicking. It was one of those moments, and it was a real life experience. It was so, I guess, character building, but at the same time, I get, like, I can feel my palm sweating even just telling you the story. Well, it's, you know, it's good to know you can teach yoga in a Speedo if you need to, right? But, like, throw all your speedos out so that never happens. I'm like, do I tell the story? I'm just gonna go there. All right, oh yeah. I mean that world too. I mean, like, you know, I didn't do it become training. I did, like, somebody who's trained under and, you know, just the amount of body, but, you know, you're like, I'm really glad I'm getting out of it, yeah? So you're not wearing a bikini when you go into teach. It's right, Yeah, correct. No, there's a lot of booty shorts going on. That phase is over. I know I do feel like that's evolved in the yoga culture. I mean, maybe I'm completely removed, but does it seem like that shifted? Well, I mean, I think in the in my in our studio, because, like, people aren't wearing that because, like, it's a vinyasa, you know, like, yeah, like, yeah, yes, not Yes, but I have, I mean, from a funny story, like, there was a man that came in who would wear tiny, tiny shorts and and then you'd have to, like, somehow explain to him. Now, that's not appropriate. And you know, it's like, those weird moments, like, yeah, yeah. That's just not gonna work here. Yeah, interesting. I hear ya what part of yoga culture if you could change? Like, is there anything that you see in our yoga culture, I guess, let me back up in our American yoga culture. Is there anything that, if you could wave a magic wand and or have a few conversations with people? Do you think we could evolve better toward a really good question. I know it's a hard one, and I just kind of threw it out for, I mean, so it's really great. I mean, I My first thought was, like, slow down, slow down. Yeah, um, no, I think. And I could say this for my own advice, you know, my own but, um, yeah, just like, it's such a, I mean, it's a, I'm so grateful that it is a booming industry, because I've been able to have a career from that. And, you know, I think bringing in, like, more the traditional like, it'd be so great. Like, I mean, and I could do this because it's RSV, but like, just having meditation class, like, you know, being able to, like, again, yeah. And I do think culture, like we are because of mental health. And I think it is becoming a bit, you know, more popular to do that stuff. But I think just the whole slow down and, like, just honor, you know, like, where it's from, where we've come from, where we've our teachers. Like, yeah, yes, wow, yeah. That's a good answer. That's a great answer. I agree. That's a really good answer. Let's slow down a little bit like on but don't you feel like that's a very anti American ethos, work ethic concept, in a way, 100% I like, I'm literally saying this because I'm like, slow down. But look, start your class on time, on time, to your social media and, like, get it in the 60 or whatever the time the classes. And then, like, yeah, people have, like, dead it, like, you gotta somehow do this. Like, you know, then, like, don't forget to post on your socials. I'm like, Oh, yeah. Point. Yeah, it's a good point. It's an interesting paradigm, for sure, it is. But like, that's what yoga is helping, like, create that balance. And so, yeah, while it's this, it's also this. And so how can we how can I like to say it was about myself, how can I do both and not go crazy? Yeah, that's a good point. I heard, um, I like to interview everybody in the whole yoga world. And I recently interviewed somebody around the Ayurveda subject, and then I had a medical professional person come to me and say, don't you think in India, they've actually moved away from Ayurveda and kind of adopted more of the Western medical model. And does Ayurveda even work? And do people think it's any good? And so I, like, went home, and I kind of mold over that, because I'm a fan of blending, like, let's take from these ancient wisdom and also utilize what science is helping us to evolve toward as well, and somehow bring the two together. And then I started thinking, well, maybe, like, they say, like, like, traditional medicine, and I guess I would clump yoga into this sort of older, ancient, traditional, sort of healthcare, in a sense. And maybe the model is like, kind of the other way. It's like the the medical world is more of the like. I hope I'm getting my point across here properly. But, you know, the old stuff we know works, and the new stuff we're experimenting with, and we're looking at it like the new stuff is the only way to go, and the old stuff is, well, it's kind of okay, and maybe, maybe we should or shouldn't, or it's, it's outdated, or whatever. I don't know. I just kind of saw it in a moment where I saw it flipped the other way, and I was like, Ah, okay. And then I had someone yesterday say to me, well, maybe there's going to be a little shift where people are going to really, even truly start, like, if they moved a little bit away from the Western medical model, they'd see more of the benefit that comes from the mental health benefit, the physical benefit, the cardiovas, all the benefits that come from exercise. Because we could just break the yoga into exercise and or just a spiritual proponent component too. What is your thoughts on how do you view your use of the ancient with the modern. I love that you're saying, like, blending, because I feel like, I'm like, Yeah, that's what I do. It's like, I mean, there's some certain things that I'm half gonna have Western medicine, you know, like, had bronchitis, I needed that inhaler. Yes, there's certain things, but, but then there's also, like, the whole time I was doing, like, honey and lemon and ginger, you know, like some mixing, like, Yeah, I think. But like you said, it's like the, if we can kind of let go of our attachment to, like the medicine, like the quick fix of, like the coughs, or just things, you know, like, Oh, what if we tried some, like, reading techniques and or, like, some ginger, you know, just other techniques that, like the aryabhati and the old or, like some yoga poses that could be helpful, yeah, but like, people have to, like, once, I think again. I think it's kind of just like the same thing with, like, physical Asana. It's like, you got to get them in. You got to have a gateway, correct? What are you doing? You got to try this thing that works. I mean, I'm so grateful that my mother in law is all like holistic health. You know, she's all into that, and she's, we've, you know, my husband that way too. So I feel like we, we have a good blend. And, yeah, we gotta get people. You gotta get people in some way. So maybe it is like, at the yoga studio, somebody takes out Enter to Ayurveda. Like, oh, I didn't even know that they were, like, these, dosha, you know, like, oh, well, that makes sense. Okay. Well, maybe I could try this. Like, oh, I need to sleep more. Maybe I need or, like, less fire, less spice, more spice, you know, or just things like that, oh, like, learning those little things about themselves is, you know, can be really beneficial and get them, like, in the doorway to more understand, agreed. It's funny when you said that. I didn't want to make joke, but like, hot, like, Asana is like the gateway drug for Ayurveda meditation, and it's like the the entry level. I mean, you got to get people in their bodies. I mean, you know, it's like, it's hard to just like, go. I mean, in this cultural like, right now, and I'm like, we got to get people. I mean, for me, it's like, I gotta get in my body, and then I'm once, I'm there breath, now I can like, Hey, I'm now more receptive, you know. So, a great answer. I'm so curious. Are you thinking, or have you thought about having two yoga studios? Have you ever contemplated? I'm sure you've had some business people come to you and say, Lauren, you should scale and grow and franchise and do all this stuff. And I just want to hear. Love to hear your thoughts on managing one really well versus bigger, better, badder, you know, that type of idea. Yeah. I mean, we definitely try to open up multiple times. We've tried to open up second series before COVID. And just like, property was so expensive. I was like, she, you know, just like the rent. I'm like, I mean, and then thank goodness we didn't, because we'd had to close it with COVID. So I'm just so and then, like, after COVID, it just, like, clears up. Like, you know, this place is great. Kelly and I have a really great lifestyle. We have flexibility if we open up a second one. The only way I'm opening up a second one if it's, like, in the mountains or by the beach. It's somewhere, somewhere far, far away, not in, it's not in a 20 mile radius of Nashville, you know, just like, it's like a destination, you know, and, or it's something like that, or where we've moved to, or, I don't know, but it's just like, so over that. And I think it's because it's like, again, the just the community at shock teams, like, these are my people. Like, I just love and like, I feel good. I don't want to leave them. Yeah, right, not right now, I would like split my energy over here on this side of town, or I feel like I'm already that way sometimes, anyway, which is like, home and like my friends and then awesome, even though a lot of friends are from Shakti, but, like, some No, not, like, just yeah, you know, family. So I would, I really want to hear your take on if you tried to imagine your sister not being your partner in business, would you still have taken on the undertaking that you have alone? Or how important is it having a wing man or wing woman to make the ship fly? It probably never would have happened, honestly, without Kelly, it just wouldn't I mean, I could have tried, and I might have done well, but I think we're just so in sync. I mean, we're very different, yes, but we both had, like, a very like, clear path of what Shakti is. And, I mean, it's we've learned along the way as well, but like when we started, and it's while we've had some, definitely early years, some kind of big tips, fights, screaming, you know, about business and stuff. We also lived together the first year, so, you know, but, I mean, I wouldn't do it any other way, and then she would say the same thing. And I think, like we've only, and I would hope anybody you know that owns a studio or it's so good to have a partner, it really is just have, because it, you know, owning a business can be lonely, um, being like, you're on, you know, it's just lonely sometimes, because you're like, oh, you know. And I think it's so nice. It's so, so grateful to have Kelly, because we can just call each other, we can talk it out or and then we're like, you know, then if we need to seek other, I mean, other advice or consult like we will, but just to be able to talk to somebody that just, like, understands completely what's happening is just a really big gift. And I think that's why we've also been able to just be together for 12 years. And that's so cool. That's so cool. I would recommend it. I mean, do you own yours with your wife? Right? I do, yeah. How could you imagine it any other way? No, not, not even like I would now, knowing the amount of work that it takes, I wouldn't even want to try to even think about doing it without having somebody that can completely do everything. If I step out, I get sick, I go down, I'm out for a week or two, or whatever she could. She can come in and do everything and I could, and vice versa. So I feel like if it was just me, I just think it would be so, so challenging. So I agree with you 100% and I love hearing that you and your sister do it. That's amazing. I just like that makes me want to come visit and practice with you guys, because how cool that you guys are doing as a team like that. That's really special. That's That's unusual. It's unusual. Would you agree Lauren, like, how many other family run and own studios. Do you know of have you come across others? Is this a common thing? Am I out of the loop? What? What are you noticing? See a lot of like family, like that star. I mean, I knew like a couple that was married that no longer at a studio, but I don't, you don't really see like, a lot of sisters or brothers or, yeah, you know, I think you see more like partners versus like siblings, um, owning thing, owning businesses together. Yeah, yeah. I feel like it's, it's a sweet time, because, like, some people will be with us for years, and then they don't know we're sisters. Like, no way, no way, really, like, a couple years ago, a couple years ago. But. And they'll be like, what you guys are sisters, and they we let a teacher we, like Kelly and I lead teacher training together. And it wasn't till the end of teacher training that this person, your sisters, were like, Oh my gosh, that's so awesome. I was like, wow. Like, where have you been? Yeah, so awesome and sad at the same time. Yeah. Like, our our mannerisms are but, you know, sometimes your best friends, you could end up having stuff like that, but, yeah, it was really fun. And then there's some people, like, walking like, Oh, your sisters, you know, like, you know, it's funny. It's a sweet, it's sweet. That's cool. That's cool. So then longer term, down the road, how many years do you want to do this? You know what I mean, like, do you think you're a 19? I know, I know. I think about I'm, like, my originally, my goal was 30, like 100 like, I'm going for 30, and then I'll reevaluate at that point. 20, right now, 20. Cool, yeah, yeah, that's amazing. I interviewed a woman named Suzie amendala, who's up in Omaha, Nebraska, and she's been doing it 40 years. And I was like, wow, I have to just sit for a second and ponder that. That's amazing. I mean, so anywho i i guess i just curious, if you see yourself being 80 and still playing the studio. You know, still having a yoga studio, where do you how do you envision retirement? What do you see? How do you see yourself as a 80 year old woman and your yoga I'm like a coastal grandma by 80 with a rocking chair, in a rocking chair or in a yoga pose? Maybe, maybe a chair post, yeah? Maybe a supported, supported warrior, you know? Like, I don't know. Yes, cool, cool. So you, so you like the coast, then you're, you're, you're in the middle of the country, do you? Because you meant you made two references to the coast? Yeah, my husband's from New England, Connecticut, okay? Mystic, Connecticut, which is a coastal, adorable town, yeah. So imagine our life will lead us up there at some point. But my family's here, you know, and families like, you know, family is what keeps you around and empty. His family understood, um, yeah, like, I think 80 that's, um, that's like, only 38 years from now. So we'll see. Isn't that amazing, because I watched Dharma, and I'm like, 84 and I'm like, This guy just like, I'll wake up in the morning like you said, the alarm will go off at four. And I'll try to imagine Dharma, because I one time I took a class with him, and he said, You just roll out of bed, get on the floor, into a yoga pose, like, do the first thing you do, just like, and I so I'll sometimes I wake up, I'll be like, No, you know, the mind will go, No. And then I'll think, oh, Dharma, he's like, you know, he's 84 doing it, and I've been doing it for how many years now, 50 something, running the studio in New York City. So I don't know. 75 I feel is like when Dharma, no, he was studying with his guru before that, and huge inspiration. Yeah, he's sweet, man, I know. Oh, I really before we get Oh, thank you so much. I'm glad I remembered. Can you please tell me about your upcoming retreat in Scotland. I want to go to Scotland so bad. Tell me how that came about. Well, Kelly and I lead international retreats every year. We've been doing it since 2014 so we've been like, Costa Rica, Thailand, Peru, Greece, Italy, Spain, France. We went to France this year. And we've been, we're, we've been, I think it's like we didn't travel when we were younger. So we're like, we're gonna use this as a way to, like, travel with others, and also like practice and, you know, build community. So we're going to Scotland in September of 2025, and actually just got back from there to, like, check it out, yeah. And it's like six days on this beautiful farm in Scotland, like, about an hour outside of Edinburgh, and it's just like, we kind of just do retreats, how we would like to travel, like we move and meditate in the morning, and then there's like, time for, like, exploration or rest, like we might go golfing because it's Scotland, or we do, like a bike to you know, there's, there's always things you can do if you want to do them. There's always things to rats. We do restorative like, in the evening, we have meals together. It's, you know, like we had 15 people go to France, maybe a little bit more this year, and then, like, 13 of them are already re signed up for Scotland. It's like a, you know, people just love it, yeah, so, but there's still space. And if that's something, I think yoga retreats are great because you don't have to plan, you know, it's like, it's all, all you gotta do is, like, book your flight, and you don't have to go plan this adventure. Or, you know, and like, and there's with people. Like, great people. I mean, we have made such amazing friends from this. And like, people made lifelong friends through the. And it's just again, it's like, another sweet time, and it's fun. And so whatever it is, like, when we were in Peru, we did a lot of ceremony. We also went to Machu, Picchu and, like, Rainbow Mountain. So wherever it is, like, we'll just, like, tap into that culture and just soak it up. Oh, man, that sounds so cool. Congratulations for being able to, like, keep that organized and do that every year, because it is a lot of work. Yeah, we have used also a company, like, true nature travels out of Asheville. So we used to use them, and we still connect with them. And I think they're, if you're, like, wanting to start a retreat, if you've never done it, like, they're a great they take care of everything for you, and, like, have roots. So I think that's how we that's how we started. And nice. They're great, nice. Oh, cool. Thank you so much for sharing that. You know, I learned so much Lauren getting a chance to to just meet, you know, I It's our first time we've ever had a chance to sit together and talk. And so I just want to thank you so much for being open to to the idea and that, because that that means a lot to me. I think that's really cool when I can reach out. And I did have a wonderful introduction via Andrew and Pam. So thank you so much, Andrew and Pam for helping make the doorway a little easier. But so I really appreciate your openness to like, Yeah, I'll have a conversation that sounds great. Personally, I learn a ton. It's really pleasant to speak with somebody else that is running and owning and operating, because it just helps me keep my mojo up and keep me excited for doing what we do. So I'm really grateful for that as well. Is there anything that you would like to speak on or share before we sign off as a closing I prayer for the world. Keep practicing. That's perfect. It's nice, but yeah, keep practicing. Yes. Don't give up. Don't give up. Yes, just keep wrapping up. Yes, but whatever it looks like, I think it's and just thank you for, you know, having me, it's so lovely to have a conversation. You know, it inspires me and just also reminds me why I love it. So thank you. And if you're in Nashville, come see us next time. I drive up and down between Michigan and Florida through Nashville every year, and I drive somebody, and so I'm going to try, next time to somehow get her to agree to stop in Nashville, and then I'm there. So thank you for the invitation, and I look forward to meeting you in person and again. Thank you, Lauren. This has been a real pleasure. I really appreciate it. Thanks. Appreciate you. Thank you. Native yoga. Todd cast is produced by myself. The theme music is dreamed up by Bryce Allen. If you like this show, let me know if there's room for improvement. I want to hear that too. We are curious to know what you think and what you want more of what I can improve. And if you have ideas for future guests or topics, please send us your thoughts to info at Native yoga center. You can find us at Native yoga center.com, and hey, if you did like this episode, share it with your friends, rate it and Review and join us next time. Well, yeah, no, you