We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christi Workman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Christi , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

I became a Fitness instructor at the age of 50. Initially, I was teaching at local fitness facilities and the one thing I wanted to do was incorporate a better playlist into my fitness routines. So, I built my own studio under my garage apartment on my property and began training local creative women.

I was teaching yoga to a new client, Margaret Leguene, from Two Star Symphony. She fell in love with my playlist and by coincidence, I played her favorite song by Echo and the Bunnymen, “The Killing Moon”. Margaret posted on Facebook about doing Goth Yoga. Boom, a seed is planted. I began receiving requests for Goth Yoga students. One thing led to another and “Goth Yoga” became a thing.

Christi , 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?

My colorful background includes mortgage banking, owning a small alternative boutique in the ’80s, front screamer for the 90s Houston horror/tongue-in-cheek punk band, “StinkerBell”, business partner at the legendary SugarHill Recording Studio’s, and a short bout as Houston Roller Derby organizer in 2004. Yes, I have done a lot of different creative things.

At age 50 I decided I wanted to do what I wanted to do. At that time in my life, I was into Kickboxing and fitness in general. After receiving my group fitness certification, as I said before, I was teaching at local fitness studios and I really wanted my own place to fulfill the underground music side of my personality. So…I created a fitness studio on my property and began training creative women in the Houston scene. I began creating fitness soundtracks for my creative clients at my studio and when it came to teaching yoga I went for the spooky sounds of the 80s post-punk, original goth tunes that I love.

Margaret referred a friend, Jessica Anderson, to me for Goth Yoga. Jessica also a creative started a market in the Montrose, Thorn & Moon Magickal Market. In 2017 Jessica ask me to teach a Goth Yoga class and bring some yoga products like leggings and such. I did and it was an awesome experience. Not only was I exposed to more like-minded individuals but I now had another source of income.

Since then I have trademarked my logo and prior to Covid, I was teaching Goth Yoga classes at Thorn & Moon Magickal Market while creating my own brand of fitness wear, aromatherapy products, jewelry, and home decor. I now travel around the US with my pop-up boutique vending horror, film, oddities, and underground conventions, markets, and expos.

The thing that sets me apart from others is I am being me. Each of us has our own individual creative side. We are brought up to think you have to fit a certain mold to fit in and it is not so. Being yourself is the most important factor in fulfilling our personal needs and desires.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients is events. I meet so many new people. The second to best is social media and using the proper tags. I get a lot of new followers each time I post.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Yes, I make most of my own products. I do outsource apparel printing, stickers, buttons, and pins. I needed to make products for my first event and let me tell you they weren’t the greatest but it was a start and they were received well by my audience. I have continued to educate myself to fulfill my product vision. My product line incorporates spooky and zen. I have come a long way in the last 5 years. I up-cycle skeleton yoga statues by hand painting and making adornments for each one. Some have mala beads, some have crystals, some have tiny resin pieces and some have a combination of all. I use mandala dotting tools to paint them. I also make resin jewelry and decor.

The big sellers have been my fragrance line and blood Splatter cleaver earrings, necklaces, and charm bracelets. I have created 8 unique scents. For each one, I create soy and beeswax candles, glycerin soaps, fragrance oils, and mineral bath soaks. These are just a few of the items I create. With the exception of my aromatherapy line each piece I create is unique. When you purchase an item from me you are receiving one of kind.

What I have learned along the way about making my products is that nothing is as easy as it seems. Several hours and sometimes days go into making products. Measurements, temperatures, and curing times all play a part in the success of my products.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://gothyoga.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothyogahouston/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gothyogahouston
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/christiwchaos
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChb6hUDo9pZLblJR47mFe1Q

Image Credits
Christi Workman Janette Lease