Meet Joanna Chipi of Zen Den Yoga in Maine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Chipi.

Jo was first introduced to yoga after suffering many physical injuries from being a successful, high level gymnast. At the age of 12, her lumbar spine fractured meaning her gymnastics career came to a screeching halt. With a loss of identity, she was eager to find something that could supplement the discipline, awareness, strength and flexibility that the gymnast lifestyle once offered. Jo was hooked after her first yoga practice. For the years to follow, she sustained a consistent Bikram and Vinyasa Yoga practice, only to realize that there was much more to yoga than the heat, sweat, and physicality. Once the transformative magic of yoga surfaced, she knew it was something she had to share with others. Jo completed her 200 hour teacher training in 2012 with Jeff Peltz and Rae Lynn Stackpoole at Yoga on York and also became a Certified Child Light Yoga Instructor. Jo has been teaching around the seacoast for several years now and offers an accessible class that’s balanced between movement and stillness; challenge and rest; body and breathe. With a belief in love, karma, abundance, and community she encourages others to “take that leap” towards one’s dreams and desires. Trusting in the process has proven to be most pivotal in her life thus far. Jo leads many intensive style classes that make challenging “advanced” poses easily accessible to everybody and she also co-leads an unforgettable week long Yoga and Wellness Retreat in early November at the award winning Blue Spirit in Nosara, Costa Rica.

Has it been a smooth road?
You’ve probably heard that if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life. Speaking from experience, it is so true. As a new business owner, I have learned that work doesn’t end just because you leave the studio. Being a business owner is 24/7. I am the business. And I love every single second of it.

Rewind to March 2017. I was severely betrayed and discriminated against by my previous employer and had NO IDEA what I was going to do next. I knew I had a gift in the yoga world, but what to do with it? Go to Bali to do a 500 hour training, teach at a different studio….none of it really felt right. At the same time, I was also breaking of a 7 year relationship, in which I had been engaged for the past 2 years. EVERYTHING in my life was in shift. I was, for the first time, stepping into my full authentic powerful self. When you step into your power and dedicate your time to the growth of yourself, lots of people start to shed from your life. At the age of 28 going through all of this, I felt a lot of peers, who couldn’t and would never be able to relate, took my lack of presence personally and I was “kicked to the curb” quickly by what I thought were lifelong friends. “When you are evolving to your higher self the road seems lonely. But you’re simply shedding energies that no longer match the frequency of your destiny.”

You know something is meant to be when everything falls seamlessly into place. “Don’t be surprised at how quickly the universe will move with you once you have decided.” I remember feeling so alive; so unstoppable during the demolition and construction of my studio space. My visions were literally coming true in front of my eyes. I wanted everyone to feel the way I did. That was the fuel that kept me going through 5am mornings. I was teaching 16-26 classes a week. Honestly, looking back, I have no idea how I did it.

6 years ago, while I was graduating my 200 hour teacher training I had a dream of teaching yoga retreats and opening my own yoga studio. 2018 will be my third year back at Blue Spirit Retreat Center in the remote paradise of Nosara, Costa Rica where I host yoga and wellness week long retreats AND here I sit about to celebrate my business’ first anniversary. Once you step into your power and truth you can literally believe things into existence. It’s all thanks to a little magic called the law of attraction!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Zen Den Yoga is a welcoming yoga studio that offers a comfortable and tranquil escape from the busy, cluttered and scheduled lives that too often consume us. Zen Den Yoga offers a primary focus on Vinyasa Yoga, however different styles may be explored. We believe that an open mind and a beating heart is all you need to pave the way for a successful yoga practice.

Zen Den Yoga turns ONE on Sunday June 10. In the first year, we have taught over 1,850 classes. Aside from our nearly 30 weekly scheduled classes, we have built up quite the reputation for offering fresh and exciting events and intensives that have never been seem on the seacoast. From CBD infused meditation classes, to reiki offerings, shoulder or hip focused classes, learn how to handstand, aerial yoga and SO much more. From children’s yoga, learn how to float, pranayama (breathing classes), holiday shopping extravaganza, Iyengar inspired weekend workshops, beach yoga, beach clean ups, paddle board yoga, teacher trainings and so much more. Stay up to date on out stellar event line up by subscribing to our monthly newsletter. www.zenden.yoga

When you come to a class at the Den, you are not going to get a teacher just tossing out poses because they look cool, but you will get the highest quality of instruction and safety and you are guaranteed to leave saying “ah-ha I never knew that.” The students here are really looking to gain tools in which they can take home to apply. You study in the studio, you practice at home. We teach our students functional movement. We teach them WHY alignment matters, WHAT alignment looks like and WHAT integration and rest feels like. We like to prove the point that yoga doesn’t look like any intimidating pose, yoga is more of a feeling. We like to prove that you don’t have to go 100mph to get something out of it. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do for yourself, is to rest and relax.

As a business, we believe that if we have personal interest in something, our community does too. Our young, fun spirit has allowed us to truly serve our community. We listen, we care. We give the people what they want. Rise up with us!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! @_zendenyoga_ www.zenden.yoga

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The seacoast is filled with movers and shakers. The people here care about our incredible scenery here at the coast line. We believe that simplicity is a sophistication. The first thing you will see when you walk in is our stunning birch tree wall. Because we love the outdoors so much, but live in a place where the outdoor season is so short lived, we wanted to bring the calming, natural element of Earth indoors. We succeeded.

If someone were just starting out, I would tell them to stay true to themselves. There can be such saturation of the same thing bouncing around studio to studio, so do YOU. Don’t pay attention to what others are doing. Mold your energy, time and thoughts carefully. Keep them for yourself. Share your passion and believe in yourself 110%.

Pricing:

• Zen Den Autobill Membership $90 a month, $50 for students or fellow yoga teachers. For full price members, you get one free guest pass a month, 10% off retail, discounts on workshops and events, FREE beach yoga all season long and unlimited monthly drop ins.
• If you are a local first timer to the Den, you are welcome to take advantage of our intro specialty. 2 weeks unlimited for $35.

Contact Info:

• Address: 470 US Route 1 #3
  York, Maine 03909
• Website: www.zenden.yoga
• Phone: 207-361-4165
• Email: jchipi@zenden.yoga
• Instagram: @_zendenyoga_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZenDenYogaME/

Image Credit:
Amber Clair Photography

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.