professional work all revolve around building inclusive, supportive spaces. When Joyce and Amy met, their friendship quickly extended beyond the mat, setting the stage for a powerful partnership.

Joyce first discovered yoga during a Body & Soul retreat. She never gravitated toward competitive sports but found yoga to be a physical practice that nurtured her both inside and out. Amy, on the other hand, came to yoga for healing—recovering from heartbreak, athletic injuries, and later from the cognitive challenges of post-concussive syndrome. Yoga became her lifeline, offering both physical recovery and mental clarity.

Challenges Along the Way

For Joyce, her early career in publishing and film taught her the difficulty of working in industries steeped in rejection and external validation. Yoga became her antidote, grounding her in something that required no comparison, only connection to her own breath. Amy's greatest struggle came after her concussions, when her cognitive abilities faltered. Remembering what she was learning was difficult, and she often questioned whether she had what it took to teach. Over time, she discovered the value of authenticity and embraced her unique voice. This shift freed her from imposter syndrome and gave her the confidence to teach in a way that resonated with both her and her students.

Evolving as Teachers

Joyce turned uncertainty into opportunity by committing to yoga teacher training. Teaching opened new doors: workshops,

classes across diverse spaces, retreats, teacher trainings, and eventually studio ownership. Yoga gave her a renewed path and a sense of purpose.

For Amy, the journey was about learning the difference between rigidity and true discipline. Her teaching evolved into a style that created spaciousness—for herself and for her students. This openness continues to define how she practices and shares yoga today. Building The Yoga House

The Yoga House was founded in Kingston in 2011. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Joyce and Amy were asked to take over ownership. Despite the uncertainty of in-person classes in a socially distanced world, they took a leap of faith and reopened the studio. From that point forward, their mission has been clear: yoga should be enjoyable, accessible, and available to every body.

What followed was steady, organic growth. They opened a second studio in Highland in 2023, and in September 2025, their third location in Poughkeepsie. Each studio reflects their belief in cultivating connection—students not only practice together but also form friendships that extend beyond the mat.

Their strategy centers on diversity in teaching staff, ensuring that every student feels represented and included. This grassroots, community-driven approach has been the heartbeat of their growth.

Lessons I've Learned

Both Joyce and Amy acknowledge the challenge of wanting to do everything themselves. Over time, they've learned to trust each other deeply, listen with intention, and let go of control. Their partnership is a daily lesson in balance and shared vision.

They've also learned that running a studio is a different skillset from practicing yoga. Numbers, marketing, scheduling, and leadership all demand as much attention as teaching. Delegation and systems have been critical in keeping their work sustainable.

Most importantly, they've learned that the right partnership can make all the difference. Trust, kindness, and mutual respect are the foundation of everything they've built.

My Message to Founders

Lead with kindness. It is the heart of yoga and should extend not only to others but also to yourself. Too often we let negative self-talk dominate, and it blocks us from growth. Choosing kinder dialogue with ourselves creates healthier relationships both within and beyond the practice.

Be a student, always. Flexibility of the mind is the real goal of yoga. The most advanced practitioners are those who remain curious, open to wonder, and willing to be wrong. Stay teachable and let that curiosity fuel your creativity and resilience. Practice is not about perfection. It is about perseverance, patience, and the willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. Each time you do, you expand your capacity to live fully in the present.

Business Takeaways from Different Skills

Loving yoga is not the same as running a yoga business. Success requires financial literacy, marketing savvy, and leadership. Delegate Wisely

You cannot do it all. Identify your strengths and bring in people whose skills complement your own.

Systems Matter

Clear processes make delegation easier and help you troubleshoot challenges without chaos.

Trust Your Gut

If something feels overwhelmingly wrong, it probably is. The right path feels lighter, not forced.

Partnership Power

The right partner changes everything. A business built on trust, respect, and shared vision has resilience others do not.

At , we don't just share inspiring stories — we break down what makes yoga businesses succeed. By learning directly from real founders and entrepreneurs, we extract actionable lessons and proven strategies you can apply, so you can avoid common mistakes, feel more confident, grow faster, and make bold choices with clarity.

Business Takeaways

  • How did you start your yoga business The Yoga House was founded in Kingston, New York in 2011. In 2020, when we were deeply ensnared in the COVID-19 pandemic, 'House teachers Joyce San Pedro and Amy Reed were asked to take over studio ownership. Not knowing what would come of in-studio yoga classes in a world that had pivoted to social distancing, on a leap of faith and an earnest trust in the connective power of yoga, we braved pandemic protocols and reopened the studio. Since this reopening, The Yoga House has flourished and our mission has never been more clear: Yoga and wellness should be enjoyable, accessible, and available to every body. We opened our second location in Highland, NY in 2023, and our third location in Pougkeepsie, NY earlier this month, September 2025.
  • How did you grow your yoga business Emerging from the pandemic was so challenging for Yoga studios, and we were not immune. With a lot of patience, trial and error, and faith, we slowly began to build back our student base and gain new community members. Our particular approach is what we think helped us to grow - we believe in having a diverse teaching staff with various experiences and backgrounds, so that our students see themselves reflected when they walk in the door. At our studios, students become friends, who nurture and support one another on and off the mat. And, after the Pandemic, social connection was lacking for so many of us.
  • What have you learned as a person and business owner Jocye and Amy come from similar backgrounds. As the two "get it done" multitasking mavens that we are (!) it's easy for us to try and do everything ourselves. We grew up having to self-advocate, so it's been a lesson of letting go of control. We are so blessed to have incredible partners in one another. As business partners, we have had to learn to really listen to one another, trust one another, and make room for each person's evolution. I think we both know in hindsight that we were meant to do this, together. We cannot underestimate the importance of trusting and believing in yourself, your partner, and your business.