Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Ruiz.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When we moved to the area (Peachtree City, just south of Atlanta), the town did not have a yoga studio. I was pregnant with my fourth and had practiced yoga with each previous pregnancy. I knew that I needed a space to practice, to connect with my growing baby, and take some time to breathe and find centering in my day. There were instructors teaching in a variety of venues, from gyms to recreation centers, but there was not a dedicated yoga space. I felt that this was something our community needed, a place to decompress and find connection with others through the practice of yoga. While I studied and trained as a music teacher, I had never owned a business before, so there was a bit of trepidation and nerves when opening. It is always a challenge to put yourself out there, but I truly believed that this was something that would help others. Since opening in 2018, we have doubled our practice space and our yoga community is growing daily.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As I mentioned, we opened in 2018, so what no one could foresee was a global pandemic! We ended up closing our doors for a few months of in-person classes but were fortunate enough to move the classes online, first for free on Facebook, and then via Zoom and eventually to the MindBody platform. While online classes were not ideal, it was so reassuring to see familiar faces and know that people were still practicing yoga during a time of great stress. Our instructors were amazing at continuing to bring yoga to our students and encouraging them to keep showing up for themselves and the community. It was certainly a difficult time for everyone, but for small business owners, we especially weren’t sure we would make it out to see the other side. To arrive at this place has been a journey, as owning a business always presents challenges, both small and large. From arriving at the studio to find a pipe had burst to a global pandemic, each time we turn a corner there is always something to keep us on our toes. One of the most difficult obstacles has been to keep people coming into the physical studio space. When the world shut down and people began practicing yoga online, we learned we had to get creative with our class offerings and also move the business online. What we didn’t anticipate was that people are still hesitant to return to yoga studios because the online classes are very convenient and often free. But what online yoga will never be able to replace is our connection to others, something we inherently need to survive as human beings. While owning a business presents a myriad of challenges, it has also brought moments of great joy and happiness for myself, but more importantly, for the people in our community.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am most proud of our beautiful yoga community! From embracing new students into our space to hearing laughter in the hallway, it is bringing people together that has made this venture worthwhile. It brings me immense joy to be on my yoga mat and seeing people smiling and finding joy in our otherwise very busy and stressful lives. We offer a wide variety of classes to meet many yoga needs in our community, from Heated Vinyasa and Power Flow classes to Stretch and Destress and Yin classes. We are the only studio south of Atlanta that offers Prenatal and Mommy and Me Yoga classes and our mission as a studio is to offer classes for ALL students across all different backgrounds and experience levels. We thrive on giving back to our community and offer free classes quarterly as well as run many fundraisers and sponsor school and community events. Sweet Tea Yoga is truly a space for all and will continue to create opportunities for people to come together in a healthy and safe environment
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Yes! Opening a yoga studio in Peachtree City in 2018 was a HUGE risk! It wasn’t until after we opened our doors that I truly understood why there were no existing yoga studios in the area…because many in our community did not understand yoga. When we enquired about advertising in the local paper, they actually denied us the opportunity because they did not “believe in promoting middle eastern ideas or beliefs”. We were shocked! There has been a learning curve, my response of course was that yoga originates in India, which is not in the Middle East, and also we are not selling a religion or belief system. It is not uncommon to receive calls and questions from those wondering if yoga will interfere with their religious beliefs. Yoga is not a religion, it is first and foremost a breathing practice and you take what you want to receive from your practice. We are holding space for people to come together, to move and to breathe in the practice of yoga.
Pricing:
- 3 for $30 NEW STUDENTS
- 5 Classes for $85
- 10 Classes for $160
- 20 Classes for $260
- One Month Unlimited $154
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sweetteayoga.com
- Instagram: @sweetteayogaptc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetteayoga
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdTukQOfC414MrtYv4iMUGQ
Image Credits
Southern Light Cinema
