We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alison Pounds. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alison below.

Alright, Alison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

I came to yoga when I was struggling with some health issues that limited my exercise options. Yoga filled the need for a suitable physical workout, but as I continued to practice, I found that yoga and somatic practices helped me heal emotionally and mentally in deep ways I did not expect. I decided that I wanted to do my yoga teacher training to help others know this healing is possible. I knew I wanted to train with local, experienced teacher, Patty Williamson. I loved Patty’s teachings, her gentle guidance, and her profound philosophy of yoga as a path to self-discovery and empowerment. However, Patty closed her yoga studio a few years back and no longer trained teachers. I still reached out to see if there would be any chance she’d be willing to take on one more student. She was very reluctant at first but eventually agreed! I couldn’t believe I was going to have the opportunity to train one-on-one with Patty!

It was an amazing experience and perfect for me. However, as my training progressed, we faced a new challenge: the need for practical experience teaching to a group, which couldn’t be provided in one-on-one training.

Enter Shelby Perkins, the owner of Good Foundation Fredericksburg, a studio in town where I attended classes. One day, out of the blue, Shelby offered me the opportunity to use her studio for practice classes, complete with a supportive group of fellow yogis to provide feedback and encouragement. Again, I couldn’t believe I was getting this opportunity!

With the encouragement of Patty and Shelby, I very nervously taught practice classes for 6 weeks, working to find my voice as a teacher while I completed my certification. When I completed my certification, Shelby offered me the chance to continue teaching at Good Foundation Fredericksburg. I started with just one class a week and quickly realized I loved teaching. I eventually quit my administrative desk job to teach yoga full-time. I now teach 5 classes a week at Good Foundation Fredericksburg.

Jumping into teaching yoga was a scary and hard transition for me but I felt so supported by Patty, Shelby, and other fellow yoga teachers. Their encouragement and support were a constant source of inspiration, reminding me that I was never alone on my path.

I often reflect on the profound impact of those who helped me along the way. From Patty’s wisdom to Shelby’s generosity and the encouragement of other fellow yoga teachers, each person played a vital role in my journey, reminding me of the power of community and mentorship in the world of yoga. I am so grateful for the kindness and support of those who believed in me from the very beginning. Because of their support, I get to do something I love: sharing the healing tools of yoga with others.

Alison, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Showing up authentically, having personal conversations with people, being consistent and giving people a chance to try it for themselves for free have been the most effective for growing my clientele.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The Business of Yoga Course with Jackie Murphy has greatly impacted my entrepreneurial thinking. She has helped me learn valuable business skills. One of those has been that growing a business takes time, and not to give up too soon, even though there have been times when I’ve wanted to. She recommends sticking with your business for at least a year. This has given me the freedom not to get discouraged by judging things on a scale that is too small – like day-to-day.

Contact Info:

• Website: alisonpoundsyoga.com
• Instagram: @alisonpoundsyoga
• Facebook: @alisonpoundsyoga

Image Credits
UVR Photography