Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Bentley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lauren, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
The year was 2020 and the world we knew was suddenly vastly different.
From strict restrictions to the world slightly reopening, I found myself trying to create some form of normalcy and had decided to take a beach vacation with my family.
While on vacation, I receive a very unexpected email from a yoga studio I had long been teaching for. Like many yoga teachers, I taught at several studios but this studio in particular was my home.
The email read something along the lines of: I’m deciding to sell the studio and would like to offer to one of you teachers first.
I read and re-read this email. Each time through, more excitement was building.
Could this be true?!
A dream of mine was to eventually own a yoga studio and what better than the studio that felt like a direct reflection of my heart.
Upon arriving home, I met with the original owner and received all the details on buying the studio.
It felt like a no brainer to me, but of course, we were living in very uncertain times.
I received words from people trying to convince me to not go through with the purchase. “In person yoga is dead” they said. But even through all the noise and opinions, I still couldn’t ignore the inner whispers within.
I started a practice where whenever I was met with a difficult choice or a decision that contained fear that I would imagine myself at the end of my life. I’m on my way out of this human body and on to my next adventure, as I take time to look back on my life.
Are there regrets?
Am I happy with the risks I took or didn’t take?
Did I live?
Did I trust?
Did I follow my heart?
And it’s from these questions, I make the choice that end of life me would be happiest with.
It’ll always be better to take the leap
To risk failing in the name of love and faith
To always say, hey- at least I tried
And in this situation, I am filled with deep gratitude as I say, I am so glad I took the risk.
I am four years in with our Medina location that is thriving in community
And as of May 1, 2025 I will be opening the doors to our second location in Richfield
Always take the risk
Choose to follow your heart
Leap into the unknown
The worst thing that will happen is that it doesn’t work out. But that just means there’s something even better for you around the corner
Lauren, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I started my journey as a personal trainer. I was always interested in the health and wellness world and personal training seemed like the obvious route to take.
What I didn’t know, was that I was ahead of my time
I trained women in a way that was (unknowingly) a law of attraction practice.
To feel good in their body NOW. Not when they reach their body goals but now.
We learned to move in ways that feel good
To eat in ways that are both nutritious and sustainable
We practiced speaking kindly to ourselves and loving every part of us.
Unfortunately, this more “woo” way of training did not cut it in a corporate gym where they want people in and out and results as quickly as possible.
Leaving the gym was difficult on me. I had no idea what was next. But luckily, I found yoga, meditation and energy healing and everything began to click.
I started diving deep into this journey to myself by taking trainings and certifications.
Teaching yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
Leading retreats
Coaching clients
And eventually opening a couple yoga studios!
Now we offer a whole brand focused on loving ourself, moving in a way that feels good, living presently and of course community
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
We were right out of the pandemic. Restrictions only recently lifted.
Our numbers were still low
We were still trying to build back from months of being in the negatives.
And then one day I received the news that the building I rented out of, was being demolished and I was going to have to relocate.
Panic immediately set in. I thought for sure this would be the end of Half Moon Yoga until I received some encouraging words from my husband and a friend who reminded me that I can do anything I put my heart into.
I started to look for a new location as the demographic was incredibly important. I found something almost straight away. I created a yoga fundraiser. I asked for help . I delegated. I let myself be supported.
We moved with ease to a bigger, brighter and more beautiful location. Everything really does happen for a reason.
I could never have done this without the support of our community.
Our new location is always in honor of them.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Plain and simple it is my authenticity.
I do not follow workout trends and instead remain loyal to the yoga lineage.
I live and serve from my heart.
What you see is what you get
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.hmyoga.org
- Instagram: @thisishalfmoonyoga
- Facebook: Half moon yoga Medina
Image Credits
Mackenzie Osborne