Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Hill.
Brandy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It’s been an amazing journey these past few years – I was first introduced to yoga back in 2001 and it planted the seed for where I am today! I was in my early 20’s and was working as a recruiter in Boston. It was a high stress job and I quickly learned it was not where I was destined to be. The next few years I jumped around in various corporate jobs and eventually settled in Southern New Hampshire. I was still practicing yoga and the more I practiced, the more I knew the corporate life was not for me. I kept thinking I wanted to be a yoga teacher “when I grew up”. While expecting my first son I realized there was more to yoga and I felt something pulling me in the direction to learn more. I enrolled in a 200-hour yoga teacher training in the fall of 2008. My mind was blown-I learned about the philosophy, history, anatomy and alignment of yoga and realized that there was so much more I could offer to my community. I learned a lot about different styles of yoga and making yoga accessible for all. I had my second son just four days after graduation and going through the training while expecting inspired me to start my passion for teaching prenatal yoga. I started teaching within just a couple of months, focusing first on both Prenatal Yoga and Vinyasa (Flow) Yoga. I eventually left my corporate job to spend more time with my family and teach more. That naturally led into starting my own yoga studio and Banyan Tree Yoga was born in September 2011!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As we near our seventh anniversary, I realize how far we have come. Any other small studio owner can relate to the challenges of getting students in the door, inviting them to fall in love with the practice and to make the commitment to themselves. In the early days, it was often myself and 1-2 students, but they were loyal and dedicated. I am blessed to have introduced yoga to so many people over the years. Some are still with us, some float in and out of their practice and some have moved on. Yoga is always there for you with no judgement. The hardest part is getting on your mat.
We started out in a dark, carpeted room with mirrors. It was not my favorite space! After looking for almost two years, we landed in a beautiful restored mill with original hardwood floors, natural lighting and lots of charm and character! The energy of the space is amazing, but what really makes a difference is the people. We have warm, caring teachers who connect with our students, some of whom have been around since the beginning of Banyan Tree Yoga!
We’ve had our fair share of challenges along the way, but thankfully the practice of yoga is what keeps me grounded – Everything from challenging students, noisy neighbors, difficult landlords, and sometimes just balancing work and family.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Banyan Tree Yoga – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Banyan Tree Yoga is “Yoga for EveryBody”. There are many studios out there that specialize in one particular style or sequence and while that may be great for some, it’s not always appropriate for all, especially beginners or those with injuries or certain medical conditions.
My vision for Banyan Tree Yoga was to create a space where everyone was welcome. I love teaching prenatal yoga and it’s definitely something we’re known for in the community. It’s such a special time for moms to be, but also not always as pleasant as we let on. Our prenatal yoga classes create a supportive community for moms to share and connect. Many of them are still friends today and it’s amazing watching their children grow together!
Yoga can be intimidating for new students, which is something that I remind myself of often. I remember being “that student”, not knowing what to expect and feeling in over my head. Most of our classes are accessible for all levels and that’s what we are known for the most. We do have a variety of classes, so I always encourage students to review the class descriptions so they know what to expect. If you want something challenging, come to a Flow class, but if you want a great deep stretch, then come to Yin!
Most of all, we focus on traditional yoga incorporating the ancient teachings of the full 8-limbed path of yoga. I often tell my students that I can help them stand on their heads, but that’s not what impresses me. What impresses me is how they carry themselves in their daily lives off of their mat.
We run a 200 hour teacher training program and this is where the real magic happens-when students want to dig deeper and apply the 8-limbed path of yoga to their lives and eventually share it with others!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are fortunate enough to have survived the early years in business and be an established and respected yoga studio in the community. Right now, we are happy serving our community and watching it flourish and grow. We are always looking to see where we can contribute more to the community through donation-based classes to support local charities such as the local humane society and soup kitchen. We are excited to be planning a retreat to Belize in February of 2019. The retreat includes yoga (of course), journaling, excursions and a service opportunity to a local school with some of the poorest/at risk children in the country. We’re collecting supplies before our trip and will distribute to the school when we visit. Children are in need all over the globe and we give back in any way that we can.
Pricing:
- New Student Intro (14 Days for $14)
- Sun Membership (Unlimited Classes, $89/month)
- Moon Membership (4 Classes per month, $49/month)
- 10 Class Pass ($129/6 month exp.)
- Drop-In Rate ($15)
Contact Info:
- Address: 5 Pine St. Ext.
Unit 2A Nashua, NH 03060 - Website: https://banyantreeyoganh.com
- Phone: 603-889-1121
- Email: info@banyantreeyoganh.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banyantreeyoganh/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/banyantreeyoganh/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/banyantreenh
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/banyan-tree-yoga-nashua?osq=yoga
Image Credit:
Photo credits to Kelli Wholey of Lumina and Emily Soleil
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
