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

Jolie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a customer success story with us?

Our industry attracts individuals seeking change and introspection, often drawing those who wish to manage their mental and physical health while pursuing their dream of teaching yoga. Each applicant brings a unique story, and over the years, we’ve witnessed some incredible success stories that have deeply touched our hearts.

During the tender times of COVID, we had a student who joined our course to find answers to mysterious autoimmune issues. Recognizing that yoga consistently improved her well-being, she decided to delve into its teachings and embrace her goal of becoming a yoga instructor. Throughout the month, lectures on the nervous system and the positive impacts of yoga on stress hormones profoundly affected her. She discovered immense confidence and comfort in teaching, which propelled her to graduate and become a revered health and wellness coach, yoga teacher, and author on healing. Her journey of overcoming health challenges and inspiring others epitomizes the core of why we do this work.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My journey is a testament to unwavering love for movement and the belief that it guides us through life, helping us understand our place within it. Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, I was immersed in a community that cherished artistic expression and development. This lead me to dance which I started at the age of three. Dance remained my passion all the way through university, where I earned my BFA in Dance and Movement Studies from the University of Colorado.

During college, a back injury altered my path. As part of my healing journey, I turned to yoga to restore balance and stability in my body. After graduation, I moved to New York to pursue a professional dance career. Over a decade in NYC, I held various roles, including dancing for professional companies, personal training, becoming a lead trainer for The Tracy Anderson Method, and deepening my relationship with yoga. What started as a means of rehabilitation soon became my sanctuary amidst the chaos of New York and my demanding work life.

Seeking to further my yoga education, I traveled to Bali, where I fell in love with the East and returned yearly. During this time, I was invited to teach on different yoga teacher training courses, an experience that felt like coming home. This calling led me to open my own yoga school, and thus, YOGAKOH was born.

My vision for YOGAKOH was to create a school that offers endless opportunities for growth and adaptation. Using the globe as our studio, we provide not only educational programs but also life-changing experiences. Our values at YogaKoh are Quality Education, Community, Acts of Service, Nature, and Authenticity. We aim to foster collaborations, embrace industry growth, and honor the profound influence of nature.

YOGAKOH offers yoga education opportunities in premier destinations, including 200-hour and advanced 300-hour certifications, prenatal teaching certifications, continuing education, and a variety of retreats. Our events span the globe, from Bali to New Zealand, Australia, the Maldives, Mexico, Hawaii, Italy, France, and beyond. Committed to our students’ growth, we strive to create a global community of support and service. We believe that well-educated yoga teachers can leave a lasting, positive impact on our communities.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I believe “Pivot” was the word of the year in 2020, and for YogaKoh, that couldn’t have been more accurate! Mastering the art of pivoting, thinking on our feet, and shifting narratives has become one of the most valuable skills I’ve developed as a business owner. What we anticipate and what actually transpires can be vastly different, and remaining open and adaptable is essential. This lesson hit hard during COVID.

YogaKoh, founded in late 2017, enjoyed two incredible years before the pandemic. As a travel-based business, we faced unique challenges when the world shut down, and pivoting became our lifeline. At the start of 2020, we forged a new partnership with a venue in New Zealand. Observing the different reactions to the pandemic, we realized that New Zealand’s strict border closure policies provided an opportunity. We shifted our focus to create programs for local students, offering them a chance to pursue their dreams during tumultuous times.

Instead of moving everything online, which never felt right for us, we embraced working with specific communities. By staying grounded and adaptable, we found ways to thrive despite the challenges, reinforcing the importance of flexibility in our ever-changing world.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social media presents a paradox, especially within the wellness industry. As a business, we recognize its essential role, yet we are all aware of its potential for an unhealthy mindset. Growing an audience on social media has been a journey of patience and keen observation, with authenticity emerging as our greatest ally. Representing the brand in a genuine way makes the process feel more wholesome.

There’s no denying that leveraging social media for advertising and exposure demands consistency. Content creation is paramount. Collaborating with professional photographers and videographers, and ensuring quality content capture during events, is crucial. When creativity wanes, it’s important to redirect projects, take breaks, and remember the natural ebb and flow of inspiration. Stay invested, noting what sparks your creativity, and draw inspiration from the diverse media artists at our fingertips. This approach helps maintain a vibrant and authentic social media presence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yogakoh.com
• Instagram: @yogakoh_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogakohLLC/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yogakoh/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yogakoh1092