Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sara Blumenkranz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Sara, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
Wellness is my business and I have learned over the years from different practices how to make self-care a priority. But let me invite you in on a little secret…it doesn’t matter what you do, because everything starts with time management! When I have the chance to cultivate my preferred schedule with self-care rituals I desire, these are some of my most productive days. Anticipating the length of time I need for a certain task has really helped me follow the ebb and flow of my schedule with patience. When my bar is set low, it can be as simple as drinking plenty of water and going to take a yoga class so I feel embodied, alert and quenched. When I get the chance to indulge, getting my nails done or booking a massage so I can slow down and recharge. But ultimately, at the peak of my self-care regimen, I crave the time to have a home yoga practice. You’ll find me in the quiet of the morning, setting the stage with a background of jazz music, lighting a candle, rolling out my mat and moving through a series of familiar grounding yoga poses. This is truly what helps me better connect to my body, thoughts, desires and builds a solid foundation to my day.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I opened Archetype Yoga in 2021, the first Katonah Yoga® studio in LA. The space has got great energy, natural light and a loyal following. Because we are the only place to practice Katonah Yoga we have become a destination studio for locals and beyond. Katonah Yoga was developed by Nevine Michaan based in Katonah, New York. It’s an innovative practice that focuses on providing guidance and bringing awareness to the two-way conversation between the body and breath. A unique characteristic of this style is how students are encouraged to ask questions within the informal workshop style setting. It allows room for conversation rather than silent postures, inviting dialogue among fellow students. With its focus on adjustments, alignment, visualization, and communication, Katonah Yoga has made a mark on the yoga world. At Archetype Yoga our classes and training sessions offer students an experience they will never forget.
As a founder, I’ve focused primarily on bringing on great instructors and planning out programming that sets us apart. Having studied with incredible instructors during almost a decade in New York, I’ve cultivated a collection of true talent. Archetype Yoga is slated to host exclusive training sessions with cutting edge instructors year round. Our upcoming training in November, features yoga and movement maven Chloe Kernaghan, known for her unique style of sequencing. A few lucky yoga instructors will have the chance to work with her directly to help them create a signature flow.
In our first year, we hosted masterclasses and training sessions with some of my favorite instructors when they had the chance to visit LA. Although this was amazing at the time, I’ve been inspired to break past the confines of location and go straight to the source. We’re about to launch a new type of class that connects powerful instructors from around the world to our community. “Archetype Anywhere,” is a concept class that elevates the digital invitation to yoga. Over the pandemic, livestream became mainstream and students kept doing yoga from the comfort of their homes. This opened up new channels for students, teachers and communities to commingle. While that was sufficient then, students are back in full force and ready to practice together locally. So why not merge the two? We’ve created a platform to host top instructors from around the globe. Each month we’ll feature someone new to zoom in onto our in-studio TV to take class together, students are welcome to join from home or come into the studio for class. Get ready to meet our revolving door of talent to elevate your practice!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
If you can see the steps on the pathway ahead you wish to follow, then you are ready. I’ve had many big ideas, some flowed freely while others stalled. Being a consummate overachiever and natural entrepreneur, I spent many years working for major companies yet feeling unfulfilled. As I started to consider other directions, I realized that if I could follow one step at a time on my desired path and ultimately see the end goal, then I could begin. In the practice of Katonah Yoga, we offer lots of hands-on adjustments that are meant to help students move out of their comfort zone. When there are a few instructors in the room that know the adjustments, you’ll see them jump off of their mats to find their place. When a student feels held, oriented and able to let go, then they can find their way and it is always breathtaking. We can’t do anything alone, we need support from others, “it takes a village!” When I considered opening up Archetype Yoga, I wrote down a list of all of the studio owners that I knew. One by one I reached out in order to gauge the good, bad and the ugly. The advice was plentiful and led me to list pros and cons, but it was when I reached out to a few instructors to see if they would join me that everything became surreal. The responses were encouraging and it gave me the hope I needed to forge ahead. The truth is, the moment I signed the lease, I opened up my world beyond my wildest dreams. Since then, I’ve confronted my personality traits and developed new skill sets that were ideal and shed those that weren’t. I’ve become a better version of myself in the process.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
“You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise L. Hay is a book I’ve come back to read multiple times. I can easily discover a layer of a topic that I hadn’t noticed before. That depth is what brings me back to uncover the foundation of learning to love yourself. Understanding how we interact with ourselves and others is looked at through the lens of trauma. Whether encounters seemed impactful or not, our lives are lived through our past. Pairing this with yoga is truly where my fascination lies. Because our bodies store traumas, we are constantly able to use movement, postures and breath work to go to the source. Just as Louise Hay instructs in her book, learning to love yourself is the key. It’s a kind tenderness that has helped me develop as an entrepreneur. I’ve certainly looked back and wished I had done something differently on my path to opening Archetype Yoga, but it’s most productive when I look back and think, look at what I’ve learned, go me! When we take the time to be honest, patient and kind, we can conquer.
Contact Info:
- Website: archetype.yoga
- Instagram: @archetypeyoga
- Facebook: @archetypeyoga
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/archetype-yoga-pasadena
