Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Gray and Jennifer Golden. Them and their team share their story with us below:
The Yoga Center Retreat was founded in 2018 by Jennifer Gray but the studio’s foundations were laid 20 years prior when Gray opened The Yoga Center of Minneapolis in 2000.
One of the first yoga studios in the Twin Cities and one of the longest-running, The Yoga Center of Minneapolis was home to some of the most sought-after yoga teachers in the city and was known to train the most prepared and professional new teachers. Gray owned and successfully ran The Yoga Center of Minneapolis for nearly 15 years. In 2014, she sold the studio but stayed on as a teacher to maintain her connection to the community while pursuing other professional goals.
When the Yoga Center of Minneapolis unexpectedly closed in 2018, the active community to that Gray had dedicated almost two decades of her life to was shut down. Many investors reached out to her hoping that she would reopen the studio. Humbled by the unexpected outpouring of support, Gray opened The Yoga Center Retreat in 2018 and brought on Jennifer Golden as her partner in 2022.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Many students and teachers were negatively impacted by the closing of the old studio, so the first thing we did was make good on what they had lost. For example, all of the students who had paid for a teacher training program suddenly found themselves without a program. Our new studio picked up the program where they had left off even though their tuition had been paid to the other business and not ours.
Our new studio was only 2 years old when we had to shut our doors due to the pandemic. Our industry was one of the hardest hit by COVID and it was heartbreaking to watch other studios close for good. We used every resource we had to shift all of our classes and training online, recognizing that people needed resources now more than ever to manage their physical and mental health and that our teachers needed to continue working. On top of the pandemic was the civil and political unrest that occurred not only within our city but across the country, so we continued to run donation classes to raise funds for local non-profits in the hopes that it would make a small difference in people’s lives during these unprecedented times.
The current challenge we face is growing our young company when it has not yet recovered financially from the impacts of COVID. We believe that we can thrive by continuing to listen to our students and teachers and offering the health and wellness services people need in the uncertain environment we live in today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We know that there are plenty of choices when it comes to yoga, fitness, and wellness. What sets us apart is our dedication to inclusivity, quality, and authenticity. We are much more than a yoga studio, we are a family that offers a holistic wellness approach for the body, mind, and spirit.
As a women and minority-owned business, we are proud that our students and teachers come from all walks of life and backgrounds. They look forward to coming together to learn and share with each other, regardless of their differences, in a safe and non-judgmental environment. People tell us constantly that they just feel good when they walk through our doors.
Our programming is thoughtful, intentional, and of the highest quality that can be found anywhere. We do not offer a service simply because it is trending. We stay true to the ancient lineage of yoga and are beyond fortunate to have the most seasoned, knowledgeable teachers in the Twin Cities deliver its teachings to students in a modern way.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Relationships are everything. We believe in nurturing deep relationships with our students, teachers, and the community at large.
You will naturally gravitate toward a person or message that resonates with you, but it’s important to be aware of and invite a different perspective. The more tools you can have in your toolbox, the better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theyogacenterretreat.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyogacenterretreat/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheYogaCenterRetreat
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theyogacenterretreat/
