Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Gilligan.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Atkinson, NH. I moved out to Southern Pines, NC in 2002 because I married a military man, and he was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. We lived in the Southern Pines area because it was near post where he worked. This is where I found yoga. I met Virginia Gallager in yoga classes and we became close friends. We decided to go to yoga trainings together and our friendship grew at the same time our love for yoga grew. After many trainings together, and many life lessons together, Virginia Gallagher opened her first Hot Asana Yoga Studio in Southern Pines in 2010, and I was her first teacher. The yoga community there was amazing (and it still is). When my husband and I got divorced in 2013, I moved back to NH to be with family. But something was missing, and I knew it was my yoga studio. I knew I had to bring to NH the experience the community had in NC. So, I opened the 5th Hot Asana Yoga Studio in Hampstead, NH, with Virginia as my business partner as well as my friend. Yoga attracts amazing souls. The community here has accepted Hot Asana with open arms. We have built a community that is kind, compassionate and supportive to each other. I have learned from the past, I appreciate the present moment here at Hot Asana, Hampstead, and I look forward to our bright future.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has NOT been a smooth ride. Both personally and professionally times have been tough. Personally, it is so important to follow your heart. And following your heart is not easy, sometimes it calls for tough decisions that you really don’t want to do, but you have to keep yourself happy and fulfilled. Personally, I have learned that forgiveness goes a long way. Not only for the person you are forgiving, but mostly for yourself. When you are angry and bitter, it changes the person that you are. Forgiveness will allow you to let go of those horrible feelings, and be better able to move on gracefully. You will be happier and fuller if you can forgive. You will have more to give others who need it, like your children and family, and yourself. Professionally, stay persistent and patient. People you deal with along the way will make it difficult for you. Don’t get frustrated, just be calm and deal with it as gracefully as possible, one situation at a time. That is when you will move along step by step, and ultimately reach your goals.
What should we know about Hot Asana Yoga Studio? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At Hot Asana Yoga Studio we do Vinyasa flow yoga in a heated room. Some classes are warm, 85-90 degrees, some are hot, 90-100 degrees. We increase the humidity to help you sweat properly. We increase the heat and humidity to replicate the conditions in Calcutta, India where our lineage of yoga was born. The heat adds many benefits to your practice, but the best benefit is the way you feel when you leave. This practice is the whole package. Physically, this is a hot, sweaty, detoxifying experience that promotes weight loss, increases flexibility, increases strength, and decreases stress, so you leave with an overall feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. But it is also slows down the mind, and allows you to make a mind, body, spiritual connection that we are all searching for. You leave with a sense of overall wellbeing that can be surpassed by none!
I am so proud to the brand we have created. I am proud of the teachers I have and the commitment they have made to our clients and themselves. We strive to give our clients the best experience they can have every time they come into the studio. We have been blessed with an amazing community that has welcomed us with open arms. Our hot classes, the teachers attitudes, and the studio experience sets us apart from all others….oh, and the cold cloth and head massage at the end of every class does too!!
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Personally, I think one of the biggest barriers is being able to be strong and stern with decisions. I don’t know if it is because of the industry I am in, yoga, or of it is just me as a person, but I have a hard time saying no and staying clear on decisions. I have learned to pause before I give an answer or make a decision and think about it. Then I go back with my answer and my clear reasons for it. I have learned to be straight forward, and use as few words as possible to make my point.
Contact Info:
- Address: Hot Asana Yoga Studio
Colby Corner Route 121 & 111
East Hampstead, NH 03826 - Website: hotasanastudio.com
- Phone: 603-974-2013
- Email: paula35@comcast.net
- Instagram: hotasanahampstead
- Facebook: Hot Asana Yoga Studio Hampstead
- Twitter: Hot Asana Yoga
Image Credit:
Rachel Garrison Photography
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