Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Lou Dreisbach.
Mary Lou, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began practicing yoga as a form of exercise about 15 years ago. At that time, I was a busy, stressed out social worker with two little kids, and a difficult marriage. Despite the calming effects of yoga, I was inconsistent in my practice and didn’t have the mindset to truly embrace the full effects of a yogic life. As my children and I began to settle into a new life post-divorce, I turned half of my bedroom into a “Zen Den”, began to spend a lot more time on my yoga mat, and learned more about yoga philosophy.
I decided to enroll in a yoga teacher training to deepen my understanding and received my certification three months later. I eventually found the confidence to apply to teach a yoga class at the local YMCA. As my love for teaching yoga grew, I started exploring teaching opportunities in a dedicated yoga studio, but wasn’t able to find a studio in my area of town, so I decided to start one.
Within six weeks, I registered the business, found a space to rent, and began advertising classes. The first two classes were held in early October 2025, with my good friend as the only student. In less than a year, Sacred Energy has grown into a community of people who want to slow down and reconnect with their bodies and breath.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a short, but fairly smooth road from the very beginning of Sacred Energy. In the early days, attendance was very small which disappointed me at first. My mantra during some classes became “If you build it, they will come,” as I was hoping to have packed classes from the beginning. However, starting with just a couple of students gave me the opportunity to learn to connect with them in a way you don’t experience in a class of 20-30. I was able to teach to exactly their skill and ability level, while still learning my own teaching style.
The biggest struggle is time management for me. I am a single mom of two teenagers, and a small menagerie of pets (2 cats, and 3 dogs), as well as a full time social work administrator. Finding time to dedicate to Sacred Energy was a challenge, but it is now built right in to my daily routine.
I was also able to connect with a local small business development program, working both in a small cohort of entrepreneurs, and individually with a mentor. The program has provided me with new skills for marketing, networking, and growing a business that has been invaluable.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a registered 200 hour yoga teacher, and I teach hatha and vinyasa classes. Sacred Energy provides an inclusive and supportive environment for all people to slow down and reconnect with their mind, breath, and body. While I have a plan for every class that I teach, I am paying attention to the students in the room and will change the plan to meet the needs in the room. I offer a lot of suggestions during class, so that a beginner and a more advanced student can practice in the same class but never feel out of place. My proudest moments since opening Sacred Energy have been seeing the progress of students. One of the first students to attend class at Sacred Energy is over 75 years old, and he had not done yoga before. He has attended classes consistently in the last 11 months, and his progress with balance and mobility is amazing to see.
What sets Sacred Energy apart from other local yoga studios is the location, and style of yoga. I started the business because I couldn’t find a yoga studio near my home, and that convenience is why many of my students attended their first class with me. But what keeps them coming back is my style. Personally, I do not enjoy the hot power yoga style that is offered at many studios. I prefer to slow down and really experience each pose, rather than feeling rushed from one to another, while dripping in sweat.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Yoga is growing in many different directions, which is great because there is a place in yoga for everyone. There continues to be attention on yoga as a workout, which is why the hot power yoga classes have grown in attendance and demand.
However, there is also more societal focus on overall wellbeing – mental, emotional, and physical. I think that yoga teachers are becoming more specialized in offering classes focused on a specific problem, such as sleep, specific injuries, or workplace wellness. Additionally, as people are aging, they are turning to yoga to improve mobility, balance, and even mental clarity.
There are so many benefits to yoga that people are becoming increasingly aware of due to the accessibility of yoga resources on the internet. Online classes have become more popular since the pandemic, but the community and environment of a group yoga class should not be discounted.
Pricing:
- $15 for one class
- $55 for a 5 class pass
- $100 for a 10 class pass
- $149 for an unlimited monthly subscription
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sacredenergy-erie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_energy_yoga/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SacredEnergyErie
