By Katie D’Onofrio
The “Ask a Yoga Teacher” series highlights yoga teachers, studio owners, and other experts who share their insights and expertise. Today we spoke with Gwen, owner of The Camel Clubhouse, also known as the Yoga4Sobriety Studio and Training Center (Hightstown, N.J.), about opening, owning, and running a yoga studio that serves a specific community. Read on if you’re ever considered owning a studio of your own.
About Gwen: Gwen is passionate about linking the body, mind, spirit, and the Twelve Step recovery process through the 5,000-year-old practice of yoga. She founded Yoga4Sobriety in 2013 upon discovering a missing physical component in her own recovery. “I live by the steps in my life,” says Gwen. “I became aware of the physical impact of depression, anxiety, and stress in my body. Once I learned how energy affects and impacts the body and recovery, I was inspired to share it.”
Gwen brings the language and principles of the Twelve Step recovery program into the physical practice of yoga. She teaches students how to breathe while releasing tension from the body, deepening the connection to a “Higher Power” (Spirit) and walking the path of recovery.
Describe your studio - your class offerings, teachers, clientele, etc.
The Camel Clubhouse is the Yoga4Sobriety Studio and Training Center. Our classes are designed specifically to support those in all Twelve Step recovery programs. Our clients include people in all forms of recovery as well as those with anxiety, depression, and people who just seem to like the methodology of our teaching. Classes are slow-paced, chakra focused and include recovery language and readings.
How long have you been a teacher and a studio owner?
I have been teaching yoga since 2012 and we opened our own space in October of 2018.
What was your number one reason you wanted to open a studio?
The number one reason I opened a studio was that I was struggling to find our own space for workshops and events. We always got last dibs on time slots and it made it challenging for me to provide services for our community.
What was the most difficult part about the process before the studio opened? What was the most surprising?
Finding the right space at the right price was the most difficult part of the opening. The most surprising was finding a space that I LOVE for the price that works. I thought I would have to settle for someplace that was either too small or run down and that was definitely not the case.
How many other teachers did you have when you first opened?
When I first opened it was me and one other teacher who volunteered her time to teach once a week. Today we have three more teachers leading classes as part of their service to the community.
What changes has your studio went through since opening?
We have only gone through minor changes. We play with the schedule every three or four months bringing in new programs and letting go of old. Additionally, we continue to beautify our space as money allows.
What type of support do you have (administrative help, a studio manager, etc.)?
We don’t have a studio manager but we have active community members who help out in various ways. One the back end we have an accountant and bookkeeper.
What advice would you give to someone who’s considering opening a studio?
I would tell anyone opening a studio to make sure they have a strong accountant and someone to help with the legal ins and outs. New Jersey laws can be tricky and you may need help navigating the ins and outs.
Connect with Gwen and her studio on Instagram at @Yoga4Sobriety and visit her website at www.yoga4sobriety.com.
Katie is a Jersey-based yoga instructor and writer. She believes that yoga is for everybody and every body and loves to bring a sense of lightness, play, and self-discovery to her classes. When she’s not on the mat, she probably has her nose in a book. Follow her on Instagram at @KatieDonof