Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christy Stransky. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Christy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business, and the specialized niche that you have made your very own?
Well, the most relevant part of that story started in 2015. I was embarking on a new chapter in my life where I wanted to do something for myself outside of corporate America and the career/ industry I had always known. Yoga had been such a positive instrument in my life and I found my mission was and still is to connect with people who were looking for the same thing as I was…. to find themselves again, even if they didn’t know it. I discovered that the power of breathing through yoga and the community it provides were the two things that helped ME find who I was after the traumas that I endured back to back at that time in my life. One of these traumas was the loss and the pain that came from a failed relationship, which so many can relate to, while the other being more bizarre. I was involved in a devastating accident and not one while driving a car, but more specifically, a plane crash. I’m going to save some of the details and those rougher moments in the aftermath of those events for another time and tell you they resulted in my moving back to the area that I fell in love with years ago.
It wasn’t too long before I noticed something very important to me and something that had been life altering in recent months, was missing. I was unable to find a yoga studio similar to that I had found in Fort Worth.
Although I had never started a business like the one I envisioned in my mind, I DID have a phenomenal support group that fueled my dream and the mission written in my heart and soul. I was able to seek and connect with the right team in order to provide a space in my community for just what had saved me in past months. It was at that time, and God sending exactly who I needed into my life, that I paved the way to put exactly what I had in mind into reality. It was then that I laid the foundation of the studio, Gypsy Waltz, in January 2019. I started with offering hot yoga, and as I talked and connected with members I realized not everyone sees the same results from one form of exercise, mentally and physically. I ended up adding hot row and hot cycling about six months later, then followed with hot barre six months after that. Regardless of the season that we are in, the power of breathing and connecting with others works to fuel our positivity, ignite our creativity and engage our passion in order to find or re-discover the importance of a healthy lifestyle. With bringing our mental happiness and awareness to the surface , it allows us to take control of our free will and for the game to change in our personal lives. Although the game did change for me and adding the specific infrared heat panel that we offer was entering into a new space, I felt this was necessary and a main variable in the health benefit hot yoga offers. The name of my studio represents who I am and my love for travel, as I know I am a gypsy at heart. I was raised in a family that always reminded me to waltz with grace during our highs and lows knowing that God does not give us more that we can handle at any given moment. Everything from the name of the studio to my logo represents who I am as the star of my own life journey. The wildflowers represent my mother and father and the legacy that they left. The resilience and strength of the wildflowers represents my father and the zest for life and energy represents my mother. Each time I walk in the studios I am reminded of who I am, my roots, and their positive impact they had in my life. My businesses are not about me, but about the members who find what I found years ago and uncovering the most authentic part of themselves while giving compassion to all who they encounter and leading with love. When a person shows up for themselves and their community it provides a ripple effect! Show up. Rise up. Love hard.
I love it…that’s awesome! So, before we get into more of the open ended questions, and dive into more of the present time can you briefly tell us some basic facts about yourself?
The infrared heat panels that we use are very unique and specific to their purpose and that along with the well rounded experience of community we provide from the moment they walk in until they leave. I want every member and customer to feel as if they’re coming HOME if even for the first time. From the lavender aroma to the friendly team, they should feel only love within our walls.
Have you ever had to pivot?
There are so many times we all have to do so… I always say-“Pivot with grace. Then add a sassy hip pump and give yourself a high five after!”
I think any business owner will state that the past two years have made us stop and re-group or even re-brand. For me, this was a time where we had to shut down for two months and really take a hard look at what we’re providing and whether or not it was a good decision to move forward with that or change the game. I used this as an opportunity to slow down, as we all did, and focus on my ‘why’, possibly more than I ever have. I didn’t want to loose any of the instructors or members due to any financial reason(s) so I had to adjust a few things and shift the weight to where any sacrifices made would be on my personal part if I could help it, over any sacrifice of my Gypsy family.
My accident in 2015 made me realize that God wasn’t down with the plan I thought was best for me at that time. I had to give it all back to Him. He had another move for me to make while on Earth, (ha) hopefully a few more! (Wink)
On the most personal note of this discussion, I have had another great loss at the very beginning of 2022. Losing those we love is never easy and that heartbreak and hole they leave once gone is something that always causes deep reflection within myself. I lost my father in 2008 and then recently my mom in January. One loss being one resulting from a terminal illness and one through a tragic and unexpected event. You have to teach yourself how to live again and use your breath to keep moving…even if it’s one step at a time. For me I always go back to my central self and balance my mind and body to regain my strength. Understanding that grief is a process and is very important to take time when needed in order to move forward at full force. Learning to celebrate life in a different way and without them and their love, support and feedback is still a struggle for me most days.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
I think this is one of the hardest things to do when struggling through a personal valley is realizing that not everyone has the same fight or struggles that I do. You realize others have alternate perceptions and motivations depending on their own life experiences and losses/struggles whether great or small. The goal is to lift all of your team members up and constantly stay on the same page and connected. One mission. One family. I remind them that we are all human and the more that we can support and promote one another, the more we can achieve! The only person that sees what I do behind closed doors on a daily basis is me. It’s important to allow myself to take a step back and take a look at the entire picture, to be objective and calculated in every situation and ask the question “Is this honoring my mission?”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gypsywaltzyoga.com
- Instagram: gypsywaltzyoga
- Facebook: Gypsywaltzyoga
- Twitter: gypsywaltzyoga