Stay positive and true to your heart - you will never be steered in the wrong direction.
Q & A With Morgan Story, Owner & Instructor
at Karma Yoga Studio
What services does Karma Yoga Studio offer?
Karma Yoga offers Yoga and Reiki at 9 Woodlawn Rd. E. (Guelph).
How did you come up with the idea to start Karma Yoga Studio, and what purpose did you intend to serve with the concept?
I started my Yoga Teacher journey in 2012 and absolutely fell in love with the Yoga and Holistic Healing world, immediately. Yoga helped to heal me in so many ways, and I knew in my heart that this was something I wanted to share with my community. Yoga goes far beyond the mat and is a deeply spiritual practice that has unfortunately been lost along the way, as time goes on, for many. My dedication is to share the spiritual side of the practice along with the physical side with the community. Bringing peace and healing into our world and individual selves.
Which milestones have marked meeting benchmarks towards the fulfillment of your personal goals/ the company's vision and goals?
I have been selected for top Yoga Studio in Guelph for many years in the Readers' Choice Awards, which I am extremely grateful for. As well, for two years in a row, Karma Yoga has been selected as the top studio by Consumer Choice Awards Guelph, and in Community Votes. One of my personal goals that Karma Yoga has been able to reach was a goal to have a high retention rate. We have been able to create an incredible community of Yogis to come together and get to know one another on a deeper level. Another one of my missions has been to make yoga accessible to everyone by keeping it affordable and accessible to people of any ability or age.
Which steps have you taken for the company to achieve the level of consumer trust that has been nationally recognized?
I have prioritized staying open and honest with my students along my yoga journey as a business owner and yoga instructor, and as a human. I remain vulnerable and transparent to allow the trust to deepen between myself and my clients. We have an incredible connection and I truly believe it stems from being open and honest about our own personal journeys in this life. This has helped build trust and comfort for us all.
What part of your education or other experiences do you feel was the most helpful in preparing you for success?
A major component of my education was completing an incredible Yoga Teacher Training program back in 2012. I studied with Rita, the owner of Blue Heron Yoga Studio (since retired), and it was a beautiful and transformational program over nearly 3 years. Rita was extremely talented as a mentor and yoga teacher trainer. She set everyone in her program up for success by being extremely thorough and diving deep into the true meaning of yoga and its eight limbs. Rita placed a large focus on Yoga Philosophy which aligned with my values helping set me up for success as a Yoga Instructor.
Which strategies have you found the most effective in growing your audience/ bringing awareness of your service to a larger consumer group?
Social media, including FaceBook and Instagram, have been very helpful platforms in allowing me to effectively grow my audience and expand my business. Google reviews have also been helpful, as they allow students to share their personal experiences, thoughts and opinions with potential new customers. I currently have a rating of 4.9 stars with 18 reviews! Here are some links to my social media platforms and website:
https://www.karmayogastudio.ca/
https://instagram.com/karmayogaguelph.
Which partnerships, if any, have been the most constructive in bringing your goals closer to becoming a reality?
Connecting with clients and being involved in the community events have been helpful along my journey. Vendor events and things like Yoga Fest have been another great way to meet people. Collaborating with other individuals to hold workshops, outdoor classes and healing events has been instrumental as well.
Are there any challenges that made it difficult to continue operation and that you managed to overcome? What was your approach to get past these?
The closures and lockdowns during the Covid Pandemic made being a small business owner very challenging. We were able to stay afloat during this challenging time through the assistance of my landlord at the time, a small business grant, and the creation of an online Yoga Studio. We were able to adapt and continue to teach yoga in another form until we re-opened. Remaining positive and connecting with the community throughout the closures helped us so much.
How do you balance work, passions/hobbies, and relationships?
Thankfully, my job teaches that exactly: finding balance, peace and stability through Yoga. I practice exactly what I teach, and so, I thankfully receive all of the same benefits of Yoga that my students receive! My job is extremely rewarding and so beneficial to our mental and physical health. I meditate daily and practice many rituals throughout my day to help bring balance into my mind. I also have an extremely active German Shepard dog that keeps me active as she loves to be outdoors. Being in nature helps the mindset so much.
What are your future plans to build on your personal/ company achievements and fulfill your vision for success/ what developments can your audience or clientele look forward to expecting next?
Karma Yoga Studio will always continue to grow physically and spiritually. My goals are to continue to make yoga accessible to as many people as possible and to share the beauty of Yoga with the community. Our yogi community can look forward to many continued fun and exciting workshops, classes, events and more!
What advice would you like to give readers that hope to achieve success in your field?
Stay positive and true to your heart - you will never be steered in the wrong direction. Work from a place of honesty and love and you will always find success. And always practice what you preach and teach!
Is there anything else you would like to share with Winner Magazine readers?
I am so grateful for all of the incredible people I have met along the way in my yoga journey. I’m so thankful to each and every one of them. I’m so excited to see what is ahead for Karma Yoga Studio!
We thank Morgan for sharing these insights and experiences with Winner Magazine's readers. If you are looking for Yoga Services in the Guelph Area, we would recommend reaching out to Morgan at Karma Yoga Studio!
