We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nikayla Russell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikayla, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success can be defined in so many different ways. For me, I think of success as being fulfilled and balanced in both my professional and personal life. This has taken time to achieve and there are always different factors that come into play that call for adjustments as professional and personal life evolves. As a yoga studio owner, i feel eternally grateful to have created an environment that I genuinely love being in and allows me to teach and practice something that is so dear to my heart. The passion I have for my business is felt by the consumers. The same is felt with the other Instructors I have hired at the studio. When people are happy and thankful for the service that is provided, that feels like success to me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Nikayla Russell and I am the Owner of Doza Yoga, located in Westhampton Beach, NY. The name Doza Yoga was a nickname given to me when I first became a yoga instructor nad pays homage to my maiden name, Mendoza. At Doza Yoga we offer heated and non heated yoga, Pilates, sculpt, meditation, barre, dance cardio, and more! As someone who grew up in Westhampton Beach, it is such an honor to serve the community that has done so much for me throughout my life. It is truly full circle to see former bosses, kids I babysat, teachers, and school friends walking through our doors.

Something that I’m proud of within the business is the welcoming energy we give to every practitioner. Walking into any fitness environment can be overwhelming and intimidating. One of my goals was to always make people feel like they belong in our space. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or you are taking your first class with us, we treat you with respect, warmth, and gratitude for being there. One of the main points of feedback we receive is how grateful clients are for a space that feels safe and in turn, they bring their friends and family to experience what the studio has to offer. These practices are so transformational. Our intention is to bring you home to your mind, body, and breath.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In September 2023 I found out I was pregnant with a baby girl! February 2024 I was informed that the building the studio was in was being sold and we would have to move out by May. There began the search for a new studio space. Just when it felt like we had finally settled in and nearly perfected the original studio I had built out, we had to start all over again. So, while very pregnant, I found a new location and renovated a completely new studio after only a year and a half in business. This space was triple the size at 2,200 square feet and would cost triple the amount to maintain. This was a feat I was not prepared to make, but as many business owners know, adaptability and creativity can go a long way when in tough positions. Throughout the process I learned that trusting in yourself and having confidence in the business you created goes tremendously far. Clients always appreciate upgrades and beautification and they were all nothing but supportive throughout the endeavor. When we opened the new space on April 3rd, 2024 I was ecstatic. Our practitioners, literally had tears of joy as they entered the new and improved space. The community understood the potential that this new studio would bring and all the offerings we could accommodate in a larger space. We now offer non-heated classes as well and hold tons of events and workshops. I had my baby on May 12th and the studio has been rocking since!

Any advice for managing a team?

Something that I believe in wholeheartedly, is to allow your employees to thrive. In the fitness industry it’s extremely common to feel micromanaged by the owners or managers to perform or teach in a specific way. Creating a relationship with your employees where they feel trusted in their craft and the freedom to be creative in their teachings allows them to perform to the best of their ability. When an Instructor feels confident in their teachings, their authenticity exudes and the practitioners can feel that energy. There is nothing worse than when someone who is supposed to be teaching you, feels uneasy or uncomfortable. As a practitioner, that feeling makes you question the credibility of the studio and even what you are doing in your own body.
Before I opened my own studio, I worked in several other studios under different owners. I distinctly remember that feeling of my creativity feeling squashed, my self confidence plummeting, and dreading to hear the critique I would receive after class was over. Teaching is an incredibly vulnerable task. As an Instructor you are putting yourself front and center of a room full of people who are waiting to receive an experience. I always say, as much as you are teaching and sharing the gift of yoga, you are also putting on a show. It is a performance and a form of entertainment. Allowing your staff to be themselves, teach the classes they enjoy the most, put their own creative flair on them, and give them the opportunity to feel confident, the more that employee to employer relationship can grow, and the more well received the classes are for the practitioners.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Dozayoga.com
• Instagram: @dozayoga

Image Credits

Janine Spillane- Salted and Zen