We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lana Reed. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lana below.
Lana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?
When I first became a yoga teacher, my only dream was to teach. I wanted to show up, share my passion, and leave knowing I had made a difference. For a long time, I believed that was all it took to succeed. But over the years, as I watched studios struggle to support their teachers and saw my own workshops and classes fail to fill up, I realized there was so much more to being a yoga teacher than just showing up.
The business of yoga is something I’ve learned from every angle because I’ve lived it. I started as a hustling newbie, barely making ends meet teaching 15+ classes a week. I moved into a phase of trial and error, wondering why my workshops weren’t drawing in the students I dreamed of connecting with. Then, I spent five years immersed in studio management, learning the complexities behind the scenes. Finally, out of necessity, I launched my own small business—and it’s been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life.
Building my business from the ground up hasn’t been easy, but it’s taught me lessons I now share with other yoga professionals. From practical marketing and energy management to navigating the very real threat of burnout, I’ve learned how to balance my passion for yoga with the realities of running a business. It took time, but I reconciled my desire to focus on what I love with the necessity of understanding the business side of things. What once felt like two opposing worlds now work in harmony, fueling my passion to help others succeed.
Today, I’m proud to be both a small business owner and an accredited yoga education provider. My journey has given me a deep appreciation for the effort it takes to thrive in this field, as well as the tools to guide others through their own challenges. Whether it’s advice on marketing, building client relationships, or simply how to avoid burnout, I’ve been there.
To all the yoga professionals out there, know this: you’re capable of so much more than teaching. You’re capable of creating a business, a community, and a career that reflects your unique gifts.
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?
I’m Lana, the heart behind Wild Thing School of Yoga, Wild Thing Photography, and Wild Thing Malas. My journey is one of creativity, movement, and adventure, and I’m excited to share it with you.
Born into a large family in South Carolina, I grew up moving often, which sparked a love for exploration. In the Chicago suburbs, I discovered my passion for photography. Capturing fleeting, magical moments through my lens became a lifelong love. Later, a yoga class at a local community center transformed my relationship with movement. What began as a simple practice soon blossomed into a profound journey of study, teaching, and healing. Though my practice has evolved, the joy I feel on the mat remains constant.
Adventure has always guided me. At 15, I took my first trip to Europe with just a backpack, which opened the door to further travels through Asia, Europe, and a life-changing move to Cholula, Mexico, where I embraced the culture and learned Spanish. A serendipitous turn brought me to San Antonio, where I graduated from the Esther Vexler Yoga School in 2012. My love for exploration struck again when I rode a 125cc Honda, affectionately named Lyra, from Santiago, Chile, back to Texas—a journey I’ll never forget.
Shortly after returning, I met Alex, my husband and partner in life. With him, I found Acroyoga, a practice that deepened my love for movement and introduced me to circus arts like trapeze, hand-balancing, and contortion. My dedication to yoga grew further, culminating in an advanced teacher training in Austin and earning my E-RYT 500 certification. From there, I founded Wild Thing Photography and School of Yoga, LLC, in San Antonio—a leap that’s brought me immense fulfillment.
Today, Alex and I share a beautiful home with our delightful family of four cats, a lovable pup, and seven fluffy hens. Together, we embrace a life of travel and sustainable living.
Professionally, I offer yoga privates, mentorship for those building meaningful yoga careers, and yoga teacher trainings. My photography focuses on yoga, portraiture, and creating stunning images for small businesses. Meanwhile, I channel my creativity into designing unique gemstone jewelry, which I sell at pop-ups around town and online.
Whether through movement, photography, or jewelry, I’m honored to share my passions with the world and look forward to connecting with you!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My creative journey is deeply rooted in the desire to connect with individuals who I know I can genuinely support through the skills and passions I have cultivated over the years. Whether it’s guiding someone toward a more sustainable and resilient yoga practice that nourishes their body and mind over time or crafting stunning, meaningful images that authentically represent who they are and what their brand embodies, my mission is to hold space for transformation.
I strive to empower people to bring their unique visions to life—whether it’s through movement, mindfulness, or creative expression. By offering personalized guidance and capturing moments that tell their story, I aim to inspire confidence, alignment, and connection. At the heart of it all is a commitment to fostering meaningful relationships, creating beauty, and leaving a positive impact that resonates far beyond the work itself.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn was the belief that yoga shouldn’t be something you make money from. For a long time, I held onto the idea that charging for yoga somehow devalued its spiritual essence, but I came to realize that it’s not only possible but necessary to honor yoga’s traditions while creating a sustainable livelihood. After all, sharing yoga in an impactful and meaningful way requires energy, training, and dedication, and it’s okay to be compensated for that work.
I also had to unlearn the notion that business is boring, rigid, or purely profit-driven. For a while, I resisted the idea of embracing business practices because I saw them as disconnected from creativity, authenticity, and joy. However, I’ve learned that business can be a deeply creative process and, when approached intentionally, it can even be an extension of yoga itself—a practice of mindfulness, discipline, and integrity. It can be fun, innovative, and deeply fulfilling when aligned with your values.
Perhaps the biggest shift came in realizing that yoga teachers who value business and professionalism are not undervaluing yoga’s traditions; in fact, they may be preserving them in new ways. It’s easy to get caught up in the belief that professionalism is at odds with authenticity, but I now see how the two can coexist beautifully. Running a business with integrity, care, and respect for yoga’s roots can help make the practice more accessible and sustainable for teachers and students alike. In this way, yoga and business are not in opposition—they are complementary paths that, together, can support a life of service, purpose, and balance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://LanaReed.com
- Instagram: @wildthing_photo | @wildthingmalas
