My story, how 359° Yoga was born. 27 years ago a very special teacher planted a seed in me. His name was Jonny Kest. At the time he taught a community yoga class in a dark dingy little space in Royal Oak above the Wunderground Magic Shop. I along with 8 others would practice yoga with him. It was at this time that I began the physical journey into my body and into my heart. A seeker by nature I spent the last 3 decades unfolding my life, growing, studying eastern philosophy, religion, energy medicine, raising 2 children, working, building companies, serving corporate America and becoming a yoga practitioner 1 breath at a time. In 2010 I took my first of 3 teacher training certifications and began another journey into sharing my love of yoga with others.

Fast forward to November 2014. A year of complete emotional chaos. The corporate America I so lovingly served for the past 15 years began to dissolve. I was no longer an asset to them nor they to me. I knew this deep in my soul and my physical body began to crumble from the stress created by this split inside of me. I eventually chose to leave the financial stability and security of a stable career that no longer aligned with my inner being. I resigned. I stepped into my teaching wholeheartedly. I did freelance design for a commercial real estate company in Downtown Detroit and poured my love into window art and displays. A weekend side business I had created earlier that year that I thought would continue and help to support my family until I figured out my next move. 2 weeks later they informed me that they were discontinuing the window activation freelance position and my last project with them was completed 3 days before Christmas and 4 weeks after leaving my former job.

So on Christmas Eve of 2014 after putting my children to bed I went outside to my 3 season yoga room, bundled up, sat down on my mat and asked myself. Where can I go to provide the most healing and open my yoga studio? There was never a doubt that my love of yoga would lead me here. The only question lingering in my mind over the past 22 years was where and when? When the answer arrived from my sweet sister up in Heaven I listened. My sister who just 11 months earlier transitioned into the spirit world often would talk to me. This evening was no different. Her answer to me, Downriver. Where she had lived for the past 12 years. I then asked her, Wyandotte? She said yes. When my sister speaks to me I listen.

I then spent the next 9 months looking for the vision in my head. After countless roadblocks and dead ends so to speak I started looking elsewhere for the perfect spot. More dead ends. She finally said to me while I was driving around town scouting and looking at different areas and cities, turn around and go back to Wyandotte! You’re going the wrong way!

That final trip back to Wyandotte led me to the vision I created in my mind for this studio. It was indeed the Amazing Race to find this space. And so, on Christmas Eve 2014 at 3:59 a.m. 359° Yoga was born. The seed growing inside of me for 2 decades had finally surfaced. 359° is a space of love, perseverance, and faith. In a mathematical equation it is 1 degree short of a full revolution. To me that 1 degree represents the continuing growth of our lives, we are always growing, always expanding as individuals. There is always more to learn about our bodies, our breath, our lives. So, it is with joy and service that I can continue to provide this space to grow and heal as individuals and as a community.

And as I have often said at the end of class, it is my belief that the mileage we put on our mats and into our hearts is the most important work we can be doing on the planet right now.

What sets us apart is the bigger mission beyond this 3×5 mat.

This practice of yoga is a deep dive into yourself, it is often referred to as a work-in as opposed to a workout. There’s no other fitness modality quite like it. It’s the entry door into your physical body in yoga it’s referred to as the Anamaya Kosha. It’s where we begin to cultivate body awareness. Living in a modern world, this can be challenging, we tend to be outward focused, and avoid the present moment, we avoid the stillness where the deeper answers and well-being arise.

Beyond this physical space lies a subtle space, referred to as the Anadamaya Kosha, this is where my mission lies. Where intuition and deep inner peace begin to permeate our lives. I want this for all of humanity. I have a deep longing for a more connected, healthy, supportive, and happy society. I envision a world where we are healed from trauma and adversity. 359° Yoga was created with this in mind. We all go through times in our life where we face hardship or illness or loss. 359° Yoga is a space for the community to rest, to heal and to grieve. That is the undercurrent of our studio. In addition to restorative and introspective yoga classes we offer fun and inspiring and yes sweaty power yoga classes! Detoxing and moving our bodies in new and challenging ways is a powerful way to heal and empower ourselves, gain strength, and improve the vitality within our lives.

Along with our yoga schedule we offer a wellspring of healing modalities such as energy healing, sound therapy, grief support, Tai Chi, meditation, massage, and so much more. We have offered these services since 359° Yoga was launched in 2016 and will continue to provide these services as long as there is a need. When we begin to heal and empower parts of our own lives that need tending too, over time this begins to heal families, friendships and communities.

We are all connected to this invisible sheath. The energy of this studio is created by all who are drawn to it, students, teachers, and staff. This is that subtle energy that runs vast and deep, it’s something that can’t always be seen, but can be felt. We cheer each other on, we support the dreams and ideas of others. We will be there to hold your hand when you’re scared or lost. I often call it a soft landing for whatever you are working though in your life. A safe place, free of judgment. My hope is that this is felt by all who come into this space.

The most rewarding moments as a studio owner is when a student walks in and wants to tell me something scary that they’ve done, such as quitting a job or embarking on a new adventure or a new career path or getting stronger within their own lives and making changes that serve them better. Or when a student thanks us for providing a space for them to grieve and heal. It is in these personal interactions with the community that keep me going as a business owner and student of 359° Yoga to continue our mission and to keep evolving.

 

What I am most proud and humbled by…

I am most proud and humbled for following my intuition, even when it seemed crazy at the time. Opening a studio 45 minutes from my home, from the community I raise my kids in. It didn’t make sense at the time. I had to completely free fall and trust myself. This was a pivotal moment for me, scary and confusing but I trusted it, and it led me to this community, this beautiful facility that I was able to design with minimal financial savings. Another reminder, that when we follow our messages our intuition, the universe and the people you meet will help you. One of these angels, as I call them, was my landlord, he helped me create this beautiful studio and worked with me. A true angel on my path. This leap, was like a trust fall and was petrifying at the time but through perseverance, not giving up, through trusting my intuition I am now passionate about helping others to trust their own intuition and inner guidance. As we all begin to trust ourselves and share our gifts the world begins to heal.