Yoga studio now open on Ann Arbor's north side
Ita Yoga Studio owner Ita Reyes also is an owner of the neighboring Carpenter Bros. Hardware.
Laura Blodgett | For AnnArbor.com
Called Ita Yoga Studio, the business is owned by the same family that purchased Carpenter Bros. Hardware and Rental next door almost three years ago.
“This side of town has very few options for yoga or any physical activity services,” says owner Ita Reyes. “I have had a great response from the community so far.”
Reyes practiced yoga for seven or eight years and, after having her son four years ago, started thinking that she would love to teach it.
“When my son got a little older and I could juggle the schedule so my husband could watch him, I took the training to get my yoga certification at Sun Moon Yoga. I enjoyed every moment of it. Even before I finished the final exam, I was offered a class to teach there, and it all went from there.”
Reyes was teaching four to five classes a week at various studios on top of her full time job as a vet technician when the couple bought the hardware store. She was managing the back office of the store while still teaching classes when the 1,800-square-foot space where Curves used to be became available next door.
“Rather than drive all over and teach for someone else, I decided I would take the opportunity to start my own studio,” says Reyes.
Sure enough, the convenience factor has been priceless for Reyes.
“The hardware store and yoga studio share a hallway, so I literally just open the door and walk down the hall to open the studio. I’m much more productive now.”
Without the added drive time, Reyes can offer more classes, including earlier in the morning or late at night.
Open since Oct. 19, the response has been better than Reyes expected with more than 40 packages sold so far.
Clients pay either a walk-in fee of $15 per session or choose from three different levels of packages good for any class any day for a year. The 10-class package is $130, 20 classes are $225, and 50 classes are $575, which brings the price per class to almost $11 each.
Currently the sole teacher, Reyes teaches six classes at different levels and will add three more classes to the schedule in January.
Most of her customers are local residents 30 years old and up, including both male and female.
“What I love about yoga is the combination of physical health and calmness of the mind. The relaxation of it.”
“It’s a beautiful thing — when people come in at first they are like prairie dogs looking around at everyone. After two or three sessions they have learned to completely tune everyone else out. I’m happiest when I see people leaving with their eyes half open because they are so relaxed.”
If anyone is an example of entrepreneurial spirit, it’s Reyes and her husband.
“My husband’s dream came true when we bought the hardware store; now two years later, mine has come true,” says Reyes.
Laura Blodgett is a freelance writer and a frequent contributor to AnnArbor.com.
Comments
bapatrick
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 9:50 a.m.
I am a student of this teacher; she's an excellent yoga teacher and her studio is warm and inviting. I wish her much success.
Roger
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 4:22 p.m.
That mall is the kiss of death for many businesses. Anyone remember the various pet stores? The florists? The recent cellphone store that only lasted a few months? The travel agent, the video arcade, Crown house of Gifts, The antique store, Bella Vino, Whole Foods, The Merchgant of Vino, Showerman's IGA and A & P. They all left when it should be a good location. Now the building is getting old and many new malls surround it. I am suprised it hasn't ended up like the Georetown mall.
DFSmith
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:19 a.m.
@dark- looks like you are used to old-timer rules of grammar and usage. Nowadays, the use of the term "Ms" is perfectly legit when used to describe a adult woman, married or otherwise. OK, maybe you are not a yoga-hater. :) Nonetheless, I find you negative attitude towards the new Yoga Studio to be rather strange. Let her run her studio, and let the chips fall where they may. Were you in competition to rent that place and set up your own business? Otherwise, I dont understand your negative attitude towards this prospective yoga studio that you have displayed since your initial comment
Dark Dichotomy
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 7:19 a.m.
@DFSmith- A yoga hater? I took a few classes in Yoga at WCC 16 years ago and have practiced it since. Classes are offered at WCC, the YMCA, EMU, U of M, Ann Arbor parks and recreation, as well as 12 listings for yoga instruction in the Ann Arbor area in my phone book. As I said, good luck. Without any experience in such a business she will need it. BTW, "it helps if you read the story fully", but a woman who is married with children is referred to as Mrs.
DFSmith
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 5:19 a.m.
@ Dark D.- you know not what you talk about. I live in the NE part of town, and shop at Carpenter Bros., and like Mr Cahill, have had nothing but good service from Armando and his staff. If you have something personal against Ms Reyes, or if you are a yoga hater, well, I guess that is your problem, deal with it. The yoga studio will go on, despite your kvetching.
David Cahill
Mon, Dec 27, 2010 : 2:28 p.m.
I don't see jacked up prices at Carpenter Brothers. Instead, I get great personal service from people who know what they are doing. Ms. Reyes' husband Armando actually came out to our house and installed an old storm window that the hardware store's repair expert had resurrected. We should have every reason to expect that Ms. Reyes will make an equal success of her new yoga studio.
Dark Dichotomy
Mon, Dec 27, 2010 : 2:12 p.m.
@DFSmith - Wow, congradulations... they took over a successful 38 year old business for the last 2 years and stayed afloat by jacking up prices, kind of helps that there is no other hardware store anywhere near this part of town.
Soothslayer
Mon, Dec 27, 2010 : 1:49 p.m.
Yoga offers proven tangible lifelong health and wellness benefits for people of almost any age, sex and ability. Curves is an extremely limited scope fad "weight loss" scheme and has a much smaller market demographic focus. I see the Yoga shop doing VERY well here.
DFSmith
Mon, Dec 27, 2010 : 1:06 p.m.
Dark Dichotomy- you snarkiness is unnecessary. Keep in mind that this lady and her husband have run Carpenter Bros successfully for a while. It helps if you read the story fully.
Dark Dichotomy
Mon, Dec 27, 2010 : 12:33 p.m.
So Curves couldn't stay in business at this location but this woman thinks that since she has practiced yoga for 7 or 8 years that she can run a studio? Good luck.
simone66
Mon, Dec 27, 2010 : 10:27 a.m.
I'm looking forward to checking this out in the coming months.