Cathy Dobson
Lisa Craig explains why the time is right for a major expansion of space and programs at Inner Dawn Yoga.
She and her staff celebrated the grand opening of her larger studio, yoga boutique, lounge and library last weekend during First Friday.
The changes Craig has made to her business mean a bigger commitment of time, energy and money, no small challenge considering Craig has 18-month-old Hunter-James to think about. But the two are intertwined, she says.
“It’s about growing my business and my family,” said Craig who opened Inner Dawn Yoga in 2013. Until now, her studio was about 1,000 square feet on the ground floor of the Seaway Centre at 155 Front St. North, room enough to accommodate one class and a small office.
Craig was the only instructor when she started, teaching 24 classes a week, putting in long hours to get it off the ground.
But when she became pregnant in 2014, she realized big changes needed to be made. The business was flourishing but Craig knew she’d have to take some time off when Hunter-James arrived.
The answer? She trained a group of her students to become yoga teachers.
“I knew my life would change immensely for me and I wanted to have teachers with the same philosophy as me and I wanted my clients to know them,” she said. Today, four of those trainees teach at Inner Dawn.
Inner Dawn Yoga is now a registered yoga school offering certified yoga teacher training.
The appearance of Hunter-James also inspired a few new styles of yoga at Inner Dawn. One of the most popular is Craig’s Mommy & Me Yoga, which involves postures and songs for new moms and babies.
“I’ve found a deep connection with new mothers. We share our joys and our challenges,” said Craig.
In January, after contemplating an expansion for some time, she took the plunge and leased an extra 535 square feet adjacent to her studio. She and fiancé, James Arnold, have converted it into a reception area with a book nook for reading and lending yoga books, a boutique for yoga merchandise, and a coffee/tea bar.
Inner Dawn Yoga now has eight yoga teachers, 250 members and offers about 30 classes a week in a range of yoga styles. The newest addition is a Yoga for Anxiety-Yoga Nidra class, which focuses on relaxing with breathing, postures and deep relaxation.
For more details about Inner Dawn Yoga visit www.innerdawnyoga.com, email [email protected] or call 519-491-7949.
LADIES' FALL EXPO
The 11th annual Ladies’ Fall Expo and Lifestyle Show hosted by My Secret Garden is coming up Thursday, Oct. 27. It takes place from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Dante Club.
Admission is $5 for entertainment, a fashion show, door prizes, wine tasting and vendors. Proceeds to Noelle’s Gift. Call 519-542-3301 for tickets.
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Got an interesting business story? Contact Cathy Dobson at [email protected] or call 226-932-0985.