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Conversations with the Inspiring Evelyn Steeb

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn Steeb.

Evelyn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have enjoyed and practiced yoga for the past 30 years. I was very successful in the corporate world for 34 years and was blessed with 4 amazing children. I was practicing yoga once a week as a physical practice. In 2010, I had the rug pulled from under me and the universe decided to give me a wakeup call. I was laid off and went through a divorce all at the same time. I never saw it coming. I fell into a deep depression and started to have anxiety attacks. Went from 130 lbs to 95 lbs… I really didn’t feel hungry. Fortunately, I was surrounded by a great group of friends and family. I had a neighbor that would come by and check-in on me and one day she invited me to a free yoga class. It was held at church on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So, I started to attend and it was a life changer. It was something I looked forward to “A purpose.” It was where I could shut down my mind and stop the replay of what was happening. As I started to realize I was the one creating this drama in my life, I also learned that I didn’t need to hit the replay button. I started to apply myself to the practice of yoga and the more often I would show up on my yoga mat or blanket, moving through the postures and the breath. I started reassuring myself that I needed this practice. I would drop into this place, breath and move. I began to discover this is what I needed.

In 2012, I started my journey of deepening my studies of yoga and completed my 200 hours of yoga teacher training… I was studying and practicing yoga daily with my teachers, as I started to share this practice with my friends, family and the students that came to my classes, I began to share authentically my personal growth and thoughts. Sharing the practice of the breath, the stillness and the movements.

I had the pleasure of becoming the Director of Yoga Education at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and assisted in the yoga teacher training in 2013. I completed my Advance Yoga Teacher Training in 2015 at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, Arizona. I was introduced to Yoga Nidra and completed my first training in 2013 and in 2015, I completed my certification of Advanced Yoga Nidra at the Armit Yoga Institute in Salt Springs, Florida under the instruction of Kamini Desai Ph.D. and Gurudev Shri Amritjii. “The truth is the stillness is what frightens me the most. For if I kept moving, there was no time to think about my feelings. The unknowing, the darkness to drop in and to see me, was such a scary, uneasy and uncomfortable feeling. The more and more I practiced, the clarity came. I reminded myself that I am not those thoughts and that I did not need to attach myself to these feelings. I had the power to receive or not.”

In February of 2016, I decided to fulfill a dream of mine and open Body In Balance Yoga studio offering Yoga, Barre and Reformer Pilates. Yoga has helped me in so many ways in the past few years… bring balance to my life and giving me patience. My hope is to share a safe and non-judgmental environment for individuals to explore the benefits of mind, body and spirit with the practice of meditation, breath and movement.

I want my students to know that I see them, I hear them and that I am there for them, they are important and not alone. I will remind them to breathe, to laugh, to move, to forgive, to be flexible, to be accepting of themselves and others. To let go.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have been fortunate to have landed several classes immediately after my first 200-hour teacher training. This is not the norm and once I started to look into opening a studio an opportunity presented itself.

I struggled with keeping the focus on my business plan. I keep letting fear sneak in and I would forget that It was going to take time to build the business. Just because you open the doors, people still need to get to know about you and what you are offering. Don’t talk yourself out of your dream or let others talk you out of it. I would recommend a mentor or positive influence that you can count on for advice when you need a little boost. “We all need support from time to time”.

Make a goal list-vision board- white board. Keep it in sight, look at it every day. Stay focused and on task. Meditate and try not to get distracted by outside disturbances.

Fear of not being good enough. Not doing something or moving forward because you think you need “Just One More Training” If you have the tools/skills don’t be afraid to use them. Yes, it’s great to continue your training, but don’t let this be your reason for not moving forward. Jump in and use your knowledge.

Not charging enough or giving your services away: I think that we get confused with Sava – I believe there is a time when you give to the community and when there’s a time to receive. Most healers are givers and we forget to receive. Know that you are worth the price you are asking. We tend to under estimate our value. Many of us have hours of educational training and that came with a price, an expensive one. Our knowledge and experience are worth the price. Price your services and charge the people what you are worth.

Practicing Meditation, yoga and taking time for self ” fill your cup,” in order for you to continue your service.

Staying connected with your true passion and your authentic offering.

what should we know about Body In Balance Yoga? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m the owner and operator of Body In Balance Yoga Studio. I run the day to day operational services for the studio. I currently teach several yoga classes including Hatha, Restorative, Yin Yang Flow and Yoga Nidra. I also teach Reformer Pilates and Barre classes. I also enjoy teaching several private clients, along with teaching corporate events and yoga classes. We offer Yoga Teacher Training and Continuation Training.

I love teaching people that are new to Yoga, meditation and restorative. Most of my classes are a slower pace, which allows the student to drop into the pose and release tension. ” More of the feeling and being and less of the doing.” I have a balance of men and women in my classes and I think this brings a nice energy to the space.

I currently specialize in Yoga Nidra meditation classes. This is a practice of guided sleep meditation technique, using a series of body, breath and awareness. It is designed for a profound deep restorative state that balances excessive tension and stress.

Yoga Nidra is the integration sleep of the yogis – a unique combination of alert awareness and deepest relaxation. It takes you to the alpha and theta states of consciousness, far beyond ordinary consciousness. Ordinary sleep is a static condition; Yoga Nidra is a dynamic state where you enter Samadhi (state of Oneness), but you also are alert and conscious. There, the individual is no longer a wave- it has merged into the ocean. Then you are simply and completely “I am that I am.” You are no longer bound by your identity as ” I am… a wife, an executive, a failure, overweight, unhappy.” and so on – all the labels that prevent you from knowing who you truly are. – Yogi Amrit Desai, Armit Yoga Institute.

Body In Balance Yoga studio offers morning, afternoon and evenings sessions six days a week. We offer a variety of beginner, all level classes and intermediate classes in our yoga studio to get you through your week. Whether you are seeking to bring peace and focus to your busy day or to improve physical strength, flexibility and stamina, we will guide you in reconnecting with your body, mind and spirit.

Our Active Yoga classes include Hatha Yoga, Detox & De-Stress, Vinyasa, Yin/Yang Flow Happy Hips & Shoulders and Yoga for Beginners 101 Foundations.

Our Relaxing and Renewing Yoga classes included Yoga Nidra, Restorative and Yin, Reiki

Pilates classes are available including Reformer, Tower Pilates, Jump Board, Chair and Mat Pilates. A variety of styles and props may be used including magic circle, stability balls and resistance bands. Classes improve balance, core strength, breathing and posture.

Barre is a fitness class inspired by elements of ballet, Pilates, yoga, dance strength training. Our Barre classes are fat burning workouts that integrate the use of the ballet barre, light weights and props. Each class includes highly effective sequences of toning and resistance exercise with an emphasis on the core, arms, seat and thighs.

I’m so proud of the amazing feedback from our clients. How they feel safe and comfortable. How they love the classes and instructors. The instructors are a huge asset to the studio and I am blessed to be surrounded by such talented instructors. Each of the instructors is passionate about their practice and offering.

It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
Meditations from the Mat by Rolf Gates, Wheels of Life by Andodea Judith, Bringing Yoga to Life by Donna Farhi, These are are just a few of my books. I have so many I can’t list them all.

Pricing:

  • Specials! New Members: Group Floor Classes (Yoga, Barre & Mat Pilates) 30 Days for $30.00 Monthly Unlimited
  • Specials! New Members Equipment: 5 Class Pass $ 99.00.
  • Equipment Classes: 5 Class Pass $120.00, 10 Class Pass $200.00. For more information please visit the website
  • Group Floor Classes: Monthly Unlimited $72.00, 10 Class Pass $90.00, Single Drop In $12.00. For more information please visit the website

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Ashley Olsen, Riane Roberts

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