Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Blevins.
Hi Natasha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began practicing yoga almost 10 years ago as another fitness modality as I had primarily only ran and lifted weights before then. After only a few classes, I could tell there was more to yoga and new that I wanted to teach it one day. I continued practicing for some years, often on my own as I started progressing in my practice. However, at that time, it was never my primary focus. I was still lifting weights and spent most days focusing on that. Then in 2020 the opportunity rose for me to do a teacher training at Shanti Yoga Studio with it’s founder, Dawn. I jumped at the opportunity with little hesitation. I took a position teaching at Shanti under it’s new owner as soon as my teacher training was completed. I’ve continued to teach at the studio since then and in October of 2025 was approached with an offer to purchase the studio. I had already been planning to open my own studio one day in the future as I knew that’s where my passion lay. After some consideration, I accepted the offer of purchase and became the third owner of Shanti. I have many plans tumbling around in my mind for where to go with the studio and how to continue to grow it. I’m so fortunate to have been able to step into such a thriving community and be trusted with helping it to continue to thrive.
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?
Ownership of the studio so far has been a smooth road. However, I know that it’s only been a few months and ownership of a business never comes without obstacles. Prior to taking over the studio, I worked for my husband helping him to run his construction business so I’m no stranger to the woes or being an entrepreneur.
In my personal journey as a teacher, I’ve been through multiple struggles from experiencing a miscarriage to tearing my ACL and having to have surgery to replace it. However, through it all, I’ve always been able to come back to the practice and to my faith to help me get through to the other side.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Shanti Yoga Studio?
We are a yoga studio rooted in the traditions of the practice. We believe in providing a space where everyone can learn yoga not only on their mat but also off of it, out in the real world. Our classes include traditional breath work (pranayama) practices as well as the poses (asanas). We are the oldest existing yoga studio in the area having been founded in 2007. We believe that yoga can be a tool for all to be able to better navigate the stresses of life, creating more calm and peace in their lives. Life is not without hardship but one doesn’t have to struggle through it it they have a strong foundation. We offer Vinyasa and Yin classes as well as a combination class of those two practices. Additionally, we offer an Ashtanga Remix class (rooted in the tradition of Ashtanga but making the practice more approachable for all levels) and Yoga Drills (helping to create strength and skills needed to improve the physical practice with time).
We have a team of amazing teachers that dedicate their time to growing in their own practice and also in their skills as teachers. Every one of them is equipped with the knowledge to help students at all levels of practice, whether they need modifications to make the practice more accessible to them or need encouragement to push themselves.
Beyond all of this, our community is what’s most important to us. We firmly believe that community is necessary to make it through life. We want to share your struggles and be there for our students but also be able to celebrate them whether it’s something in their practice or outside the studio.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
There have been a few people that have played a role in where I am and where the studio is today.
Sissy Castillo – The previous owner of Shanti and also a mentor to me for 5 years as I practiced and taught under her.
Lynn Blevins – My husband and probably biggest cheerleader and sales person. He supported my choice to do teacher training and when I came to him with the idea of purchasing the studio, he was immediately down for it.
Stephanie Clifford – My yoga sister. We have been teaching and practicing alongside each other since teacher training. She has always been there to support me in anyway, encouraging me and being a sounding board whenever I need it.
Anna Mukamal-Stevens – Another teacher at the studio that has always been a cheerleader and huge support in everything; always willing to provide advice no matter how many times I ask for it.
There are many others whom I do life with that have been a huge support as well, especially when it came to taking over ownership of the studio. Advising me not only as friends but also as business people. And I honestly feel that I can’t finish this section without mentioning the support that I’ve felt from God. All of this really could not have come together when it did or the way it did if He didn’t have a hand in it.
Pricing:
- Single Class Pass – $20
- 5 Class Pass – $80
- 10 Class Pass – $145
- One Month Unlimited – $125
- 6 Month Unlimited – $700
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shanti5103.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantiyogamb
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shantiyogamb
