Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Salazar.
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?
I am the old Nashville that has been trying to survive in my evolving city. It is not attractive to be a struggling yoga teacher in your own hometown, yet, I have been turned down by some of the best studios in Nashville.
I have spent most of my life “learning how to swim,” so I am an amazing swimmer. Newer teachers have been hired and given more classes than me at studios. I have taken way less pay than what I am worth for the sake of doing what I love. I knew if it was meant to be then it would happen for me.
I am here to tell you to not give up if you have an idea, passion, or dream, do not ever let it go. Trust that the universe hears your dream and when the time is right, it will come true. You’ve probably heard that yoga is a lifesaver, and I promise you will hear this again and again from people just like me. This year, my 10-year dream will come true when I open Hot Yoga Columbia.
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?
Sure, my life was super kush growing up in Brentwood as a successful builder’s daughter, all of the love from my mother, and I had everything I wanted (spoiled). Everybody has struggles and something they want to change about themselves. Dolly Parton says, “Storms make trees take deeper roots.”
I have always suffered from Raynaud’s disease and I hate shaking hands with people, getting my nails done is not always fun, nor is having people touch my cold, clammy hands and feet during yoga. I actually do not like Acroyoga because of this condition! I have struggled with acne since 3rd grade and still deal with a lot of skin issues.
At 14, I was diagnosed with ADHD and I still refuse to believe it. I am named after the Shelby Cobra, and sometimes I get so overheated I think my bloodstream may have the gasoline running through it. The onset of puberty and hormones in combination with my body’s natural disposition really affected my mental health.
I sought to find something that would fill my empty soul. I went to the Brentwood Library the summer before I turned 14 and on that day I found a clue to my purpose. I checked out a Rodney Yee AM Yoga for Beginners VHS (1998) and that’s where my love story began.
The only place I knew to practice was in the lower level of the Maryland Farms YMCA, but I stayed determined to find the right classes and trainers for me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Dolly Parton also says, “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” I did not find out what type of yoga I enjoyed until 10 years after practicing. I specialize in teaching vinyasa, sculpt, barre, and yin. I received my 200 RYT in Hatha Vinyasa from YogaPod with Rob Loud, Geenie Celento, and Lindsay Gonzalez.
Yogapod is my home studio in Colorado where I began trade work as a Karma Yogi for unlimited yoga and more affordable training. My Yoga Teacher Training was REALLY good, thorough, and dynamic, which is something that sets me apart from other teachers. I began teaching immediately because my personal practice was so strong and attending a variety of classes helped me find my authentic teaching style.
In 2016, I became certified to teach barre and sculpting. I attended many barre teacher training and found out I loved leading high-energy classes. I moved from Denver, CO to Richmond, VA to manage The Hot Yoga Barre and to learn more about the business of yoga and barre. I missed my family and home in Nashville and felt worn out from struggling to pay bills as a yoga teacher.
That is when I moved back to Nashville and did not recognize the city. There were so many hardships about moving back, but I landed a job with Fahrenheit Yoga and it paved a new path for me. In 2021, I took Hot 26 training at Fahrenheit Yoga Studio under Roland Landers and Heather Heatherly.
I am still trying to finesse this style because dialogue memorization does not come to me naturally and can be arduous. I try to remember that a good teacher will always be a student. Learning a new discipline like Hot 26 is a gift because it allows me to be a student.
I am absolutely thrilled to hold a space for people to practice where I can offer the community my services as an owner/operator/teacher. The moment you walk into the studio, our goal is to make you feel welcome, included, and comfortable. We want everyone to know they are VIPs!
HYC promises to deliver high-quality classes and teacher training and to uphold a high standard in and out of the studio.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I do want to emphasize the importance and benefit of serving the yoga community.
There is no better feeling than hearing your students say the service you are providing is helping them. I am elated every time I teach a class and I do not think that feeling will ever go away.
I hope you will follow us and stay in the loop for the grand opening date of the studio this summer!
Pricing:
- $59 Presale Membership.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@hotyogacolumbiatn.com
- Website: www.hotyogacolumbiatn.com
- Instagram: @hotyogacolumbiatn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hotyogacolumbiatn/
Image Credits
Crystal K. Martel
