Meet Cheryl Fincher

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Fincher.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Cheryl. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It’s a funny thing that I ended up a yoga instructor because I didn’t like the first yoga class that I went to all that much. Even though I have always been pretty athletic and enjoyed sports and dance, I think I thought it was okay but wasn’t really “for me”. Fast forward probably just a few years and I had two young kids and was working out quite a bit. Without even realizing it, I wasn’t giving myself and my body the rest that I needed. I went to another yoga class, and this time, it was just what I needed. As a Christian, I found that yoga felt like a natural time for prayer and connecting with God on my mat. I found Holy Yoga International which provides Christian based yoga instructor training. I completed their 225 hour instructor training in 2015 and have been instructing since then.

Over time, I often had ideas running through my mind about the possibility of running retreats. I like to plan and organize things and this sounded like something I would enjoy doing, yet felt overwhelming at the same time. I started to think about possibly doing something like one day or half day retreats or special event sessions for groups. From there, I realized that doing private yoga parties for bridal groups seemed like the perfect fit. I get to plan and provide brides and their friends with a special time during a season that yoga is perfect for- often stressful, yet joyous and something you want to soak up!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was just about a year ago, in November 2018, that I started dreaming and planning for Arizona Wedding Yoga. However, at the end of that month, I ended up with a really bad injury to the ball of my foot that left me in a boot for about the next four months. It was frustrating to feel like I was wanting to get my business off the ground but wasn’t able to because of my injury.

Once my foot was doing better and I was able to get going again with the business, I signed up to be a vendor at the Arizona Bridal Show. This opened my eyes to the struggles that can come with doing all of the back-end aspects of the business. I suddenly had to become a graphic designer, social media advertiser, and email campaign manager. I knew how to be a yoga instructor, but had underestimated just how much work would go into the other sides of the business.

Please tell us about your business.
My business, Arizona Wedding Yoga, provides private, pampering yoga parties for brides and their crew! I come to their location of choice and bring everything needed for a special, relaxing time together. I bring a few floral arrangements and decorations, champagne, strawberries, and chocolates. I provide yoga mats for everyone, and we do an hour of yoga and end the class with cucumber slices and essential oil scented towels to go over everyone’s eyes.

I focus on providing a very relaxing time and on making it as accessible as possible for everyone, no matter their age or ability level. I want everyone close to the bride to feel like they can participate. I have taught from kids to older adults, with some having no yoga experience, and I feel I can adapt as needed for whoever might be in the group.

Preparing for a wedding is such a special time and I love being able to bring a unique aspect to the preparations, whether it is in the weeks leading up to the wedding or the day of!

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I don’t feel like I would have done anything differently so far. I feel like I dove right into putting my business out there and learned along the way, and I feel like that’s what you have to do- just dive! Even though there have been challenges, it has been so much fun and I am continuing to learn!

Pricing:

• Groups of 1-5 people- $150
• 6-8 people- $200
• 9-13 people- $250
• over 13 people- $20 per person

Contact Info:

• Email: azweddingyoga@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/azweddingyoga
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/azweddingyoga

Image Credit:
Breanna Marie Photography

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