Full Circle Yoga, where community, authenticity, and inclusivity take center stage. In this discussion with the studio owner, we delve into the inspiring journey behind the creation of this unique yoga studio, its distinctive philosophy, and its commitment to making yoga accessible to all. Join us as we explore the heart and soul of Full Circle Yoga.
Meet the owner, John Espinosa, and learn about him in the latest MysticMag interview.
What motivated you to establish a yoga studio, and what principles guide your studio’s purpose and vision?
Full Circle Yoga is my brainchild. I first joined the studio as a student and, within a year, embarked on teacher training. Immediately after my training, I began teaching, and my classes gained popularity. This led to an expansion of our class offerings. Eventually, I was asked to assume the role of studio manager.
Around a year later, I had the chance to purchase the studio. This opportunity was immensely significant to me, primarily because of our tight-knit community. My foremost priority was caring for our students and instructors, and ensuring the community’s continuity.
My mission has always revolved around preserving this sense of community. Our studio isn’t merely about yoga postures like handstands or downward dogs. It’s about fostering a safe environment where people can gather, exchange ideas, practice yoga, build connections, and form friendships. Community is the heart of our mission.
Please outline the services your studio provides and describe the unique aspects that set it apart from others in the area.
Certainly, we offer a diverse range of classes, including restorative yoga. Additionally, we provide yoga teacher training, and our studio is a certified Yoga Alliance school where we annually train students to become teachers.
In our classes, we not only cover various yoga poses but also delve deeply into yoga philosophy, which is a fundamental element of our studio’s identity and community.
What distinguishes us from other yoga studios in the area is our focus. We don’t offer hot yoga or have mirrors; our practice is intensely introspective. We generate our heat and prioritize the inner journey, placing less emphasis on external appearances.
How do you foster a positive and inclusive atmosphere in your studio, ensuring that people from all walks of life feel welcome?
I attribute much of the credit for our welcoming environment to our students. They’ve played a pivotal role in creating this wonderful atmosphere, where judgment has no place, and everyone is embraced with open arms.
Whenever a new student arrives, our team, including myself and other instructors, takes great care to make them feel comfortable. I’m particularly impressed by how well our existing students and community members welcome newcomers, regardless of factors such as age, race, or sexual orientation. As a minority business owner (Mexican-American), I take immense pride in this aspect.
I am not only a rare Mexican-American yoga teacher but also a yoga studio owner, and I hope to inspire a broader demographic to start their yoga journey.
As the owner of the studio, what strategies do you use to both attract new students and retain talented individuals in your studio?
Absolutely. It all comes back to community and providing a safe and welcoming space for both teachers and students. My philosophy has always been to do things differently when everyone else is following a certain path.
For example, when I’ve hired marketing companies to assist with promotion, we’ve sometimes clashed. They wanted to share images of the stereotypical yogi: young, attractive, with six-pack abs. I’ve firmly rejected that, as it doesn’t align with our studio’s values. Instead, I’ve encouraged the use of more realistic images, showcasing people of different ages, body types, and backgrounds.
I strive to keep the studio authentic and entirely inclusive for everyone, attracting an energy that makes both students and teachers feel at home, discouraging them from seeking alternatives. This ensures that teachers know they’re in a safe and supportive environment.
What are your future plans for your studio, and how do you envision its growth in the coming years?
In the short term, my focus is on spreading the word about the studio and expanding our community. I tend to set goals for the near future, typically within a one-year timeframe, aligning with my yoga philosophy, which emphasizes staying present and taking things one day at a time.
One of my imminent goals is to establish a scholarship program to make yoga more accessible to segments of the community for whom the cost is a barrier. We already price our studio classes more affordably than most, which is a core value for us. However, I want to take this a step further by offering financial assistance to those in need.
While my studio is my livelihood, I prioritize the studio’s mission over personal luxuries. My ultimate goal is to ensure that the benefits of yoga are accessible to as many people as possible, especially those who may not have the financial means to engage in this practice.
Do you have assistance with the administrative aspects of running your studio, or is it entirely managed by you?
No, I’ve transitioned from relying on marketing agencies to involving my students and teachers in various roles. One of our students handles our social media, and one of our teachers helps with the backend administrative tasks. I also have other teachers who pitch in with different responsibilities.
Initially, I handled everything on my own, but eventually, I realized that for the benefit of everyone, I needed to delegate and place trust in my students and teachers.
Indeed, these individuals have an in-depth understanding of the studio, and as you pointed out, the focus shouldn’t solely be on external appearances. While my background is more in IT than marketing, I vividly recall lessons about marketing emphasizing that while sex sells, it should never overshadow the actual product being offered. The oversaturation of the market with unrealistic and overly sexualized images is counterproductive. It’s vital to maintain a realistic portrayal of the product and ensure it aligns with the real needs and experiences of our community.
