Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Gonzalez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My yoga teaching journey began in 2018 after completing a 235-hour certification through Devanadi School of Wellness in Fargo, North Dakota. Little did I know at that time that over the next four years I’d teach hundreds of classes across FM-area fitness centers and build a close community of regular students—many of whom I am blessed to say still practice with me today.
After the pandemic’s vast period of isolation and online teaching, I felt a strong urge to help people reconnect with themselves and their community again. I wanted more than a scattered class schedule; I wanted a stable, welcoming place where relationships and practices could all deepen.
In May of 2022, I took the leap of faith and opened YUJ Yoga Studio near downtown Fargo to provide that safe space for my regulars and the wider community I was eager to meet. As a creative, founder-minded teacher, I set out to build an environment where not only I, but a team of certified teachers could collaborate, dream big, and offer thoughtful, signature experiences beyond the structures and restrictions of most fitness centers.
The studio, YUJ, got its name from the Sanskrit pronoun meaning union, connection, and to yoke. The studio embodies that principle at every level. We focus on signature experiences and prioritize supporting local all around. Inside our space, you’ll find a large hand-painted mural by Chalsey Falk and other intriguing pieces of artwork by local artists. Outside of our space, we offer regular classes at Jasper Hotel in the heart of our Downtown city scape and have had the pleasure of partnering with many brands such as Lululemon and Scheels, and non-profits including Cats Cradle Shelter, Stonewall Sports, and Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Owning a yoga studio has truly been a journey filled with both challenges but many more rewards. In the beginning we didn’t have a lot of classes, or teachers, and our membership numbers were low. I was learning a lot through successes and some minor failures.
We gradually built a community and today we have a diverse range of classes, 22 teachers who are dedicated to their own practice and each other, and MEMBERS who are keep our studio alive and thriving. (Thank you!!!)
While the growth has been exciting, it does come with increased responsibility. I wouldn’t classify this as a struggle but rather a commitment to ensuring our guests still feels seen, heard, and taken care of.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
YUJ Yoga Studio serves the FM area with daily classes ranging from cooling restorative sessions to energizing hot yoga and mat pilates—something for every body. Monthly memberships are all under $100 and majority of class packages never expire. We strive to make yoga accessible for every lifestyle, and we offer quarterly scholarships for those who apply and qualify.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Am I lucky to do this work? Absolutely. Studio ownership in many large cities comes with high overhead and fierce competition, so I’m grateful for Fargo’s fitness climate.
But has luck played a part in my business? Yes, but it’s not something I necessarily waited for. Luck started to appear when I stayed consistent and began preparing for something bigger. Remember, I taught classes on a regular basis for 4 years before I was at the right place at the right time for everything to bloom and flourish.
Pricing:
- Intro Offer: Two weeks unlimited classes for $49
- Student Membership: $66/Month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yujyogafargo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yujyogafargo?igsh=eWpydWc4MG4wbHJp&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cq1PmuX8s/?mibextid=wwXIfr
