We had the good fortune of connecting with Hansa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hansa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

I started teaching yoga because I wanted to share a tool that made a difference in my life. . . not just a physical change, but a change that gave me mental stability and connected me to the Spiritual yearning within.
There was not really a plan. The business grew as my needs changed and then as yoga in America changed. First, I wanted to have some people well trained to cover classes while I went to trainings.  One step ahead of the changes in the yoga realm, I developed training programs before they were formalized by national organizations.    PranaYoga grew and matured advanced training classes.  When the International Association of Yoga Therapist established Yoga Therapy accreditation standards, the business grew again with the addition of PranaYoga Therapy Training Program. We were a Private Occupational School. State laws changed and yoga schools could no longer be accredited.
The one thing I did not adjust through the years was maintaining the depth of classical yoga. Our training programs are very inclusive of yoga principles, yoga philosophy, teaching methodologies, DEIA principles, etc.  Plus the teachers at PranaYoga have high educational and teaching credentials.
Now, the business is beginning to shift again and the transition is still unfolding.

What should our readers know about your business?

I really do not like to call my work my business. Yet, we have to have best practices to operate efficiently and create right livelihood for me and the teachers at the studio. Some key differences between PranaYoga (note, this is a dba), include:
•Our focus is to include all aspect of Body, Mind and Spirit in the teachings. There are some studios that serve the yoga population by teaching courses that focus on the body. Classes at PranaYoga are presented “in the moment” addressing the specific needs of the students that day, rather than a pre-formatted sequence.
•PranaYoga and Ayurveda Mandala is unique in that we focus on small yoga classes and small yoga training classes. Many yoga studios focus on building volume. Our class sizes are normally under ten students creating an opportunity for each student to receive individualized attention.
•All the teachers in our training programs have a minimum of over 1,200 hours of education plus teaching for a minimum of five years of teaching.  I personally have taught for 35 years, or so.  I forget!
The biggest thing I am proud of, is the people we draw to the studio are willing to dive into the deeper teachings of yoga. Yoga really begins when you leave the mat. Learning to apply the principles to daily life, supporting personal wellness, personal growth and the awareness to support connection with Self are the essence of PranaYoga. Many people feel the sacred space we are all a part of, and the studio and its environment, is a connection to the inner sacred space.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

To abbreviate a week, first it would depend on the season. Day trips would include mountain visits and hiking, possibly some time at the YMCA of the Rockies and some hiking / walks in Rocky Mountain National Park. In the winter, some time at the Museum and Nature and Science would be enjoyable. Any season, I would include walks through the Botanical Gardens.
I love cooking at home. We would probably eat a lot of home cooked meals. If we went out, the Spice Room, the Universal, Thai food, Japanese sushi, and Gregorio’s would be great.
Mostly, I would visit friends in the yoga community and create time to visit places that would be interesting to the guest. Do they want to be in the mountains, or on the plains? Attending some of Denver’s amazing theaters? Local clubs?
Often visitors get “over whelmed” with so many to do’s. Sitting in the back yard, walking or bike riding one of many bike paths would be another option.
Low key . . . but choices that calm the heart!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Allison Zuelke. She has been the administrator for PranaYoga and Ayurveda Mandala. Her work allows me time to teach and not just administer. She is also a yoga therapist and yoga teacher.

Website: pyamandala.com

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/pranayogaandayurvedamandala/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansa-knox-a49bb71/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PranaYoga-and-Ayurveda-Mandala

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqv2ckwb6K4SNyv2Yq7sMAQ

Image Credits
The individual picture of me is vertical. It is the most recent formal shot I have. It was taken by Povy Atchison: https://www.povy.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.