Today we’d like to introduce you to Misty Crawford.
Hi Misty , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I actually was one of those people that didn’t even really care for yoga, lol! I’ve always been active, playing sports & working out, but I’ve never been crazy about the warm up or cool down part. I never really worried about stretching or whatever. I just never really appreciated the value of it. I had went to gyms and had taken yoga classes in passing, but they never really appealed to me at the time because they were vinyasa style classes ( I didn’t know at the time there were different types of yoga) and it was just another workout to me. I didn’t particulary care for it, I wasn’t flexible and it just wasn’t my jam. Until about 4 years ago, I thought I had injured my shoulder and I went to this neromuscular therapist that went to my gym and she literally changed my life and got me into yoga. As she worked on me, it turned out that I was not injured, not only that, it had nothing to do with my shoulder at all. It turns out that my pec was just tight. I was literally mind blown! Here I am thinking my shoulder is injured and I just have a tight pec muscle. I just couldn’t believe it. My perspective on everything changed in that moment. After I left, I started looking into relivieving my tightness and of course it led me to yoga. I was skeptical since I had done it before, but everything said that is what I needed. So I signed up to the 1st place I found locally and it turned out that it was Yin yoga. I had never been to a Yin class and after 2 classes, I felt immediate results and I was hooked. I never looked back and I was a Yogi for life. My teacher, aka the owner of the studio, decided to offer a teacher training about year after I started practicing with her. I jumped on the opportunity because I wanted to make sure that I could offer this to myself no matter what and at first I didn’t have intentions on teaching. As I was going through the training I decided that I had to share this with others because it had made such a difference in my life so I had to teach. I actually took over the space that my teacher held then she moved out of state and I’ve been teaching in that space for a little over a year now. I’ve been teaching for 3.5 years and my gym Organic Fitness Factory is where I teach on a regular basis. I do also teach a mommy & me yoga at Organic Fitness. I also have experience in chair & Restorative yoga. Along with my Yin classes, I was just certified in Deep. I currently teach weekly Slow Flow & Yin classes at my studio space located at 106 Public Square 3rd Floor Gallatin, TN Wednesdays @5pm & Thursday@10am with DEEP being rotated into some of those Wednesdays. I also have monthly Candlelight workshops that are on Fridays or Saturdays that are 90 mins and vary styles, but are usually Restorative.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all! I’m a full time Realtor and I teach several classes each week between different locations. Rent is expensive and class numbers are low. I’m definitely not in it for the money, lol!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I teach Yin Yoga and I love to use props. I make sure to offer variations to fit all types of bodies and do give all bodies different options. I like to think that I provide a class that is accessible to anyone. It does not matter your flexibility, your experience, or whatever. I like to leave people feeling at peace, relaxed, and more aware of what is going on in their own bodies because they have taken the time in quiet & stillness so they can listen. Ever since I have started this practice, my injuries have drastically decreased and I feel much better than I did 20 years ago. I’m very passionate about this practice because I know that everyone that I share it with will have the opportunity to have a better quality of life.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My teacher was very helpful and I know she is still there to help me if needed. It is absolutely important to get to know other yoga teachers and studio owners. We are all one community. Whenever anyone needs a sub, it’s great to have a group of yoga teachers to reach out to. We may even work for each other or even go to each other’s classes. I prefer to treat people in the business as an ally not competition.
Pricing:
- $18 drop in class
- $150 class package-10 classes
- $35 monthly workshops
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mistycrawford.offeringtree.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogaonthesquare_gallatin?igsh=cHRkb2dpNjM3anJq
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17HEyj7fZJ/
