Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
My profound love for movement transformed into a career path of well-being. As a young girl and throughout my young adult years, I was a professional ballet and contemporary dancer performing for the Moving Poets Theatre of Dance, SeaWorld San Diego, and the San Diego Dance Theatre. Dance had been my lifelong passion but the demanding nature of the art form took a toll on my body and mind as I grew older. Yearning for more balance and holistic well-being, I started practicing yoga to complement my dance training. Yoga was far more gentle and forgiving on my body and mind. Immersing myself in the practice, I found physical restoration and also a deep sense of inner peace. Yoga quickly became a transformative journey for both my body and for my entire outlook on life. As my love for yoga grew, so did my realization of its potential beyond my personal practice and I wanted to share this experience with the world around me. After completing a yoga teacher training course with Yoga Works where I was certified as an E-RYT 500 instructor, I decided to transition my career path to yoga and wellness. Equipped with my experience as a professional dancer, I felt as though I brought a unique blend of discipline and mindfulness to my students. My career took an unexpected turn for the best when I recognized the need for holistic well-being in corporate environments. The fast-paced, high-stress nature of the corporate world resonated with my own experiences in the competitive dance industry. Determined to make a difference, I founded my corporate wellness business in 2015, Hang Zen Yogis. My venture aimed to bring balance, resilience, and a sense of peace to corporate settings. My expertise as a former dancer added a touch of artistry to my wellness programs, making my classes not just about physical health but also about cultivating self-love, compassion, and a deeper awakening of consciousness. Hang Zen Yogis started to flourish as companies began to see the benefits of investing in the well-being of their employees. My evolution from a professional dancer to a yoga-inspired entrepreneur showcased the power of transformation and the ripple effect that one individual’s journey can have on the health of many.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
As the CEO of a burgeoning yoga company, the demand for our services had grown exponentially, and expansion was on the horizon. The heart of the challenge was finding the right instructors who aligned with my philosophy and could carry the essence of the Hang Zen Yogis brand and vision. In the quest to expand, I faced the risk of putting my faith in others. It was a delicate balance between growth and maintaining core values. After careful consideration, I decided to take the leap and hired a team who had impressive credentials and shared my passion for the practice and well-being. The instructors I onboarded brought fresh perspectives and diverse styles, enriching each of Hang Zen Yogis corporate wellness offerings. As our team expanded, so did our reach, attracting a broader audience. Through this journey, I learned that growth and trust go hand-in-hand. The risk I took in trusting others with my vision expanded the business and created a community of like-minded individuals, united by a shared passion for well-being and mindfulness. In the end, the lesson was not just about a CEO expanding a yoga company; it was about building a tribe of like-minded individuals who believed in helping people.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Making mistakes is all part of the process and are bound to happen when building a company from the ground up. After 9 years of founding Hang Zen Yogis, I’m still learning. As CEO, I make it a priority to be better at delegating tasks to my team of people who specialize in helping Hang Zen Yogis grow outside of instructing classes — in marketing, public relations, and web development. I have to continue to embrace the power of asking for help, instead of trying to do everything on my own. This realization serves as a valuable lesson because it provides me with an opportunity to grow and learn. Embracing mistakes fosters resilience and a mindset geared towards continuous improvement.
Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
Hang Zen Yogis strives to be a catalyst for positive change. Workplace wellness contributes to a healthier world by enhancing individual and collective well-being. Healthy and satisfied employees are more productive and help foster economic growth. Additionally, workplace wellness programs often promote sustainable practices, mental health support, and positive work culture, which can have broader societal impacts on health and happiness. Corporate wellness initiatives positively impact the world as a whole. This can also lead to reduced healthcare costs and a positive environmental impact through initiatives like remote work may decrease commuting-related emissions. Overall, it contributes to a healthier, sustainable global workforce.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?
Move your body daily. Regular exercise is crucial to a healthy lifestyle. Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine for improved mood and fitness. This supports holistic health and overall longevity. A simple and effective yoga sequence for moving your body daily is the Sun Salutation. It involves flowing through a series of poses that stretch and engage various muscle groups. Start with mountain pose, move to forward fold, halfway lift, then go through high- to low- plank, upward dog, downward dog, and return to mountain pose. Repeat this flow a few times, syncing your breath with each movement for a rejuvenating experience. This will gradually increase your heart rate and circulation, aiding in cardiovascular health.
Practice mindfulness once per day. Practicing daily mindfulness, such as deep breathing or meditation, is important for mental and emotional well-being. This will help reduce stress, improve mental health, enhance focus and concentration, regulate emotions, and increase self-awareness. I incorporate alternate nostril breathing, also known as Nadi Shodhana, as a yogic breathing technique that involves alternating the breath between the left and right nostrils. This breathing technique has a calming and centering effect on the mind. It’s believed to balance the energy channels in the body, as well as improve concentration and mental clarity. Practice this technique mindfully, and it can be a valuable tool for relaxation and mental balance.
Prioritize Sleep. Ensure that you get sufficient, quality sleep. Quality sleep plays a key role in physical health, aiding in the repair and restoration of the body. Consistent, good sleep is linked to better immune function, reduced stress levels, and a lower risk of various health conditions. Ultimately, prioritizing sleep enhances both physical and mental resilience, improving daily functioning and long-term health. One effective yoga pose to help promote relaxation and improve sleep is the “Legs Up the Wall” pose also known as Viparita Karani. This posture is known to increase circulation, relax the nervous system, reduce swelling, reduce stress, alleviate back pain, and stretch hamstrings. It’s a simple and accessible pose that can be done by individuals of various fitness levels and is often used in restorative yoga practices.
Drink a green smoothie every day. This is an easy and convenient way to incorporate a variety of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables into your diet, promoting overall health. My go-to “Green Bliss” smoothie includes fresh spinach leaves (or kale for a heartier flavor), banana, peeled cucumber, chopped green apple, lemon juice, chia seeds, and almond milk.
Connect with people who bring you joy. Fostering meaningful relationships and social connections are crucial for mental health. They provide emotional support, companionship, and a sense of belonging. Friendships contribute to a positive mental well-being, reducing feelings of loneliness and stress. Additionally, friends offer different perspectives, fostering personal growth. Strong social connections can enhance happiness, resilience, and overall life satisfaction.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Mental health encompasses an individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It influences thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that play a vital role in how one handles stress, relates to others, and makes choices. Maintaining good mental health is essential for overall well-being. It affects how you handle stress, make decisions, and relate to others. Positive mental health contributes to a fulfilling life, effective relationships, and the ability to cope with challenges. This movement would create a more compassionate and supportive society. In the corporate classes I teach, I address mental health by encouraging positive affirmations. These are statements or phrases that are repeated with the intention of fostering an optimistic mindset and promoting a stronger sense of well-being. Positive affirmations are often used as self-help or self-improvement techniques and are designed to challenge and overcome negative thoughts. When using affirmations, it’s essential to make them specific, positive, and in the present tense. For example, saying “I am confident and capable” is more effective than “I will be confident and capable.” Consistency is key, and incorporating affirmations into yoga classes can maximize their effectiveness and reach a broader audience.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
Upon founding Hang Zen Yogis as a solo entrepreneur, here are five things I wish someone told me before I started:
Thorough Market Research. Understanding your target market, competitors, and industry trends is crucial. This knowledge helps identify opportunities and challenges, allowing for informed decision-making.
Clear Value Proposition. Define what sets your business apart. A compelling value proposition communicates why customers should choose your services over others, fostering customer loyalty.
Solid Business Plan. A well-thought-out business plan outlines goals, strategies, financial projections, and operational details. It serves as a roadmap, guiding your business and attracting potential investors.
Financial Management. Effective financial planning and management are essential. Monitor expenses, manage cash flow, and allocate resources wisely. This ensures sustainability and helps navigate economic fluctuations.
Adaptability. Markets evolve and successful businesses adapt. Be open to receiving feedback and constructive criticism, be willing to pivot if necessary, and foster a culture of innovation. This flexibility helps navigate changing landscapes.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
Encouraging sustainable living practices to address environmental concerns and improve overall well-being benefits planet Earth as a whole and is a way I choose to live and teach. By aligning yoga practices with sustainable principles, individuals and communities contribute to a more mindful and eco-conscious approach to well-being. It’s about extending the principles of mindfulness cultivated in yoga, to encompass a broader sense of responsibility toward the planet and its resources. Some examples of this include utilizing eco-friendly props, yoga mats made from natural or biodegradable materials, participating in green studio practices, and organizing community engagement such as beach clean-ups.These practices benefit society by minimizing environmental impact, preserving natural resources, and promoting a healthier planet for future generations.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
Hang Zen Yogis is found on Instagram @HangZenYogis or by visiting www.hangzenyogis.com. To follow my personal wellness journey, I’m @KathrynMcCann on Instagram. Aloha!
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.