Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Eckley.
Maria, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started practicing yoga about 13 years ago. It was a family affair… My husband and our three daughters joined us on this adventure; trying yoga for the first time. I’ll never forget that yoga “high” experienced in that first yoga class. I completed the studio’s long standing “10/10 intro special”. I was hooked immediately. I was practicing six to seven times per week.
When our instructors announced that, for the first time, there was going to be a Certification to deepen our practice or to become a Yoga Instructor, I knew it was for me. Still, on that Yoga High and eager to learn everything about yoga, I signed up immediately. It was such an amazing experience. I knew then that Yoga was going to be part of my life forever.
After my training, another amazing event was announced. My Teacher’s Teacher was hosting a yoga retreat. Sri Dharma Mittra was going to be in Mexico and again, I signed up right away. When I returned from that retreat, I knew I needed to do something to share my love of yoga with as many people as I could. So, I came back to the Yoga studio and talked to my Instructor and previous owner of Chula Vista Yoga Center. I expressed my love for yoga and how I wanted to share the experience with everyone possible. I told him that I was thinking about opening a yoga studio and would love some advice. He surprised me with his reply, “Don’t Open up a Yoga Studio. I’m moving away and you can take over this one” … I was shocked but happy and overjoyed with the opportunity I was being given.
Several events took place after that first conversation, but finally, after a year and a half, I was fully committed to Chula Vista Yoga Center. Today I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve the community and look forward to our new projects. Our studio has been serving this community since 2002 and we are proud to be a one-of-a-kind yoga studio. At the moment, we are working on slowly renovating and updating our studio inside and out. New projects are coming for 2020 that we are super excited about to share with our students and the Chula Vista Community. Our experienced instructors and friendly staff are so much part of this community of yogis all looking for a healthier, happier and joyful life.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There are always challenges when running a business. Personally, Chula Vista Yoga Center has helped me to grow and step out of my comfort zone. Always looking for ways to improve our service and classes is our objective. Has it been smooth? No, it’s not smooth all the time. But we try to step up to the challenge and do our best. We have to do it one step at the time, due to time restraints and, of course, finances.
Please tell us about your business.
Chula Vista Yoga Center has been serving the community for 17 years, so there are a lot of students in San Diego that started their yoga practice with us. Our “all levels” classes are suitable for everyone. Whether a 1st-timer or a student that has been practicing for many years, whether you’re 15 or 82, everyone is welcome.
We offer alternative poses and modifications. We always encourage our students to be present and listen to their bodies. Some of our students try out other yoga studios and come back to tell us that our instructors and our studio has prepared them to take any yoga class anywhere because they build a strong foundation with us. Our walls inside and out have amazing murals from our students. Those murals and art are a huge part of our building and it’s history.
We are proud of our committed instructors that do their absolute best at every single class in our yoga room. There is a transformation that happens and the exchange of energy as soon as they walk into the yoga room.
What sets us apart from others is our commitment to our student’s progress and wellbeing. It’s truly an honor to have such an amazing group of instructors that make all the magic happen. They have been with us for many, many years and been yoga practitioners for a long time as well.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are super excited about our upcoming Training; something that has never been done in Chula Vista. We are ready to start our 300hr Yoga teacher training, in addition to our 200hr Yoga Teacher Training during Summer and Fall. Our Yoga retreat for 2020 to South America is also something that we are looking forward to. I mentioned before, we are also remodeling our studio. It’s a long process since there are so many things to do to our building that has been here for so many years. Lots of things are happening for 2020. We are starting a series of Sunday Service Yoga Classes that will include, yoga philosophy, yoga classes and live music after class. We intend to get our community more connected with each other. We are always looking for ways to improve our space and our service.
Pricing:
- 10 consecutive days for 10 dollars. Intro for New Students.
- $130.00 Monthly Unlimited
- $105 10 Class card
- $325 35 Class Card
- $335 3 Month Unlimited
- $1200 Yearly Unlimited
Contact Info:
- Address: 255 E Street, Chula Vista, Ca 91910
- Website: www.yogacenterchulavista.com
- Phone: 619-420-0170
- Email: yogacenterchulavista@gmail.com
- Instagram: @chulavistayogacenter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chula-Vista-Yoga-Center-105464185686/?view_public_for=105464185686
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chulavistayoga
- Yelp: yogacenterchulavista
Image Credit:
Nicole Spuehler.
Group Class Pictures Rick Saavedra
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