Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Sliwinski.
Allison, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started taking yoga regularly about 6 years ago at a corporate yoga studio and after one of my favorite teachers approached me about teaching, I decided to give it a shot. I went through their teacher training program, and after about 12 weeks, I started teaching HOT and HOT style yoga classes (I was later certified through the same company to teach vinyasa). For the next 4 years, I lived at the studio. I was teaching anywhere from 2 to 5 classes a week and was taking classes as well in my free time. The pandemic of 2020 hit, and without warning, all of the teachers were fired. I was hurt, and after some evaluation, I realized I was burned out and needed a break. After about a year of not teaching, I decided to start teaching my own online classes. I started working with a mentor and she helped me get started with creating my own business and figuring out what I wanted to do. My online yoga business is still a work in progress, but I continue to work at it so that I can be a successful yoga teacher. I love yoga, both teaching, and practicing and it’s something I am super passionate. I love sharing it with other people and being able to reach others through physical activity
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been some challenges, especially during 2020 amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. After being let go from a corporate yoga studio, I felt hurt and burnt out and decided to take a break. But I loved yoga so much, I wanted to get back into teaching. With the COVID 19 crisis, it wasn’t possible to immediately go back into a studio, and I wanted to do my own thing. It’s been hard starting my own business from scratch and it still is. But it’s wonderful! I’m still relatively new to the business game, so there are so many little details that I never knew about. I’m constantly thinking about new ways to change my business up. I’m hoping to have a YouTube channel here soon and to figure out new ways to make myself available to teach yoga. I’m still learning, and there are challenges every day, but I’m hoping to work through them and make my business as successful as I can.
As you know, we’re big fans of Allison Rachael Yoga. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I run an online yoga business teaching classes over zoom (hoping to get a zoom channel started here very shortly. I’m a 200 + hour certified yoga teacher and have over 4 years of teaching at a corporate studio. When I was teaching at a studio, I was known for my terrible jokes and fun playlists, but also for being knowledgeable about modifications and adjustments for students and their bodies. One of the biggest things about my teaching style is that I am very hands-on and enjoy teaching people how to be in alignment. I’m proud that I started this business, even if it’s been challenging because I love it. Right now, I do teach online classes, but am hoping to do more YouTube stuff to male myself more accessible. I love when people ask questions about yoga because I love being able to connect with people and help them at the same time.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Finding things you love and are passionate about are so important. As someone who lives alone, having a good support system and people to talk with can really make a difference when you’re going through something challenging.
Contact Info:
- Email: allisonrachaelyoga@gmail.com
- Website: www.allisonrachaelyoga.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonrachaelyoga/
Image Credits:
Purely Perspective Photography LLC
