Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Olson.
Hi Amanda , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I took my first Yoga class at the local library because it was free. Little did I know that this would be a life changing moment for me. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I wasn’t even sure how to describe it but I knew I needed more of this in my life. I started taking classes with the local teacher from the library and then joined a studio closer to my home so I could go more often. The teacher at this studio had been teaching classical Hatha Yoga for over 20 years and decided to offer a 200 hour teaching training. I couldn’t sign up fast enough. I shadowed her over the next year and soaked in everything I could learn from her. Unfortunately, the studio closed shortly after this but I was determined to keep teaching Yoga and took every opportunity that came my way. I taught classes for free and said yes to everything, the hustle is real! I was teaching everywhere and anywhere that would let me. I continued educating myself taking teacher training courses and got certified in Thai Yoga Bodywork. I also took a lot of Yoga classes with all different kinds of teachers and styles of Yoga. I always tried to learn something new from each class to help me become a better teacher. 15 years ago I landed at Dragonfly Yoga and Fitness teaching 1 class a week. I am now the owner of the studio teaching 20-25 sessions a week. I teach Hatha Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, and Outdoor Yoga classes with Alpaca’s on Silkies Farm. I feel so blessed that I get to do what I love every day as my job!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m not sure that getting to the place of owning your own business is ever smooth sailing. I am a big observer and over the years I would watch other Yoga studio’s open and close. I paid attention to what they did well and what made them fail. This also gave me time to think about how I wanted my business to look and what was important for me to be able to offer to my students. I realized that not everyone was going to connect with my style of teaching or maybe even with me they and that is ok. It can be exhausting trying to please everyone and I had to let that go.
We’ve been impressed with Dragonfly Yoga and Fitness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Dragonfly Yoga and Fitness is a Hatha Yoga Studio offering Group Classes, Prenatal Yoga, Private Yoga Sessions and Outdoor Alpaca Yoga on Silkies Farm in the Spring and Fall. I am certified in Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and Thai Yoga Bodywork through the National Yoga Alliance. My job as a teacher is to guide you through a practice using the movement of your body and breath, making you feel stronger, calmer and completely balanced. Every yoga class should feel like an experience. I love when I have a new student that has never taken a Yoga class before because I want their first experience to be a good one. Everyone should leave feeling refreshed and renewed!
How do you think about happiness?
I have 3 younger sisters and they are my best friends! I love traveling with them and just being together. They are my girl squad! My children make me the happiest because I always wanted to be a mom and they are my greatest blessing! I met my husband when I was 18 and he is funniest guy I know! He makes me laugh every day! Teaching Yoga makes me happy because I get to do what I love every day with the most amazing people! Coffee also makes me happy, just sayin!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.dragonfly yoga.net
