BLAIR, NEBRASKA (2024 December 6, Friday)
Don Harrold, Writer / Editor
blairtoday@mail.com – Facebook
Blair residents seeking wellness close to home have a fresh option with the September opening of Purple Lotus Yoga. Unlike traditional studios, this innovative approach brings yoga instruction directly to the community – whether at workplaces, community centers, or through virtual sessions.
When Nicole Steinert opened Purple Lotus Yoga in Blair this September, she brought with her a vision for making yoga accessible to everyone in our community. Her journey to founding the studio began close to home.
“I started practicing yoga about 3 years ago here at our local YMCA,” Steinert shares. “I had a wonderful instructor there, and after taking one class I was hooked. I enjoyed the physical and mental elements of the practice and how they connected with one another.”
That initial experience sparked a path that would lead her to become not just a practitioner, but a teacher. “After taking classes for a while, I wanted to learn how to teach yoga and enhance my own personal practice. During my teacher trainings, I learned about the many different modalities of yoga and how these can be used to promote mental and physical wellness.”
Now an RYT-500 certified instructor, Steinert has created something different from the typical yoga studio. For Blair residents new to yoga, the RYT-500 designation means their instructor has completed 500 hours of professional training plus 100 hours of teaching experience. This advanced certification, typically found in larger cities, brings high-level instruction to Blair while maintaining the personal attention of a small-town studio.
“When I was creating my studio, I chose not to follow the traditional brick-and-mortar approach, which typically focuses on offering multiple in-person group classes each week,” she explains. “Given the high failure rate of fitness studios today, I knew I had to be innovative in order to serve our community while maintaining a sustainable business.”
Instead, Purple Lotus operates on a mobile studio model. “I opted for a mobile studio model that fosters deeper connections by bringing yoga to existing spaces where people already feel at ease,” Steinert says. “While I will host group classes once or twice a month in Blair, this represents only a small portion of the services I offer. These include chair and mat yoga classes for businesses, community centers, academic institutions, senior living facilities, virtual private sessions, and eventually, online classes. This approach allows me to share yoga with as many people as possible.”
The studio’s group classes will feature various styles on a rotating schedule. “These will include beginner introduction classes, slow flow vinyasa, restorative, Yin, meditation, and combinations of these,” Steinert notes. “The frequency of the classes may vary depending on demand. I wanted this aspect of my business to grow organically, based on the needs of the community.”
For those who might feel intimidated by yoga, Steinert offers reassurance. “I completely understand the feeling of being intimidated when first starting yoga. When we see images online of athletic people performing acrobatic poses, it’s easy to wonder if that’s what a yoga class is really like. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. My classes welcome people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and abilities. I truly believe that yoga is for everyone, and it’s adaptable to every body. We all have different bodies, and through pose modifications and the use of props, yoga can be customized to meet each person’s needs.”
This adaptability extends to workplace settings, where Steinert tailors her approach for corporate clients. “When doing yoga in a corporate setting, there are a couple things to consider,” she explains. “First, many participants may be wearing professional attire, so I avoid sequences that could lead to sweating or discomfort. Additionally, since many people in this setting spend their day sitting at a desk, I focus on encouraging movement while incorporating calming elements to help reduce stress and combat fatigue.”
Operating in a smaller community presents both challenges and opportunities. “The challenges and opportunities for a yoga business are similar to those faced by other businesses in our area,” Steinert reflects. “One challenge is whether people will choose to patronize your business or travel to Omaha. Another hurdle is the rise of online classes, as many people now prefer the convenience of practicing from home rather than attending in-person sessions.”
However, she sees significant potential in Blair’s community spirit. “Our community excels at supporting local businesses through positive word-of-mouth. Additionally, since we’re a small community with the next town miles away, the market here isn’t saturated with yoga services like in larger cities, giving me a better chance to hopefully build a successful business.”
Her aspirations for Purple Lotus extend beyond business success. “I hope my services will help improve the overall mental and physical health of the people in our area, as well as to help foster a greater sense of community.”
New students can expect a welcoming environment focused on their comfort. “When a first-time student attends my class, they will receive a warm welcome along with an explanation of what to expect. All of my classes are beginner-friendly. I will guide them through the practice, offering cues for poses and prop usage, so they feel comfortable and confident without any intimidation.”
Purple Lotus Yoga offers various pricing options for both group and private sessions. Group classes are available as single classes for $19, three-class passes for $54, or seven-class passes for $120. Private virtual sessions include a free 15-minute introduction session, with 30-minute sessions priced at $30 and 60-minute sessions at $60.
For Blair residents, Purple Lotus Yoga offers more than exercise – it provides hometown access to wellness without the drive to Omaha. Through this accessible approach, the studio adds another thread to Blair’s growing fabric of local businesses serving community needs.
For more information about classes and services, visit http://www.purplelotusyoga.net or email purplelotusyogablair@gmail.com.
