Meet Theresa Collins | Yoga Studio Owner and Instructor

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

Hi Theresa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I truly believe I was divinely guided to open Sattva Yoga.

I moved to Carbon Valley, where Frederick, Firestone, and Dacono are, a little over 12 years ago and realized there were no yoga studios in an area that has over 46,000 living in it. I got the little whisper in my ear that I should open one. Since I was still working full time as a high school teacher and wasn’t even a certified yoga teacher yet, I ignored it…for as long as I could.

After retiring, getting certified, and accumulating over 1200 hours of training in yoga, the little whisper had become a shout. I knew this area needed a yoga studio, and it seemed that I was going to be the one to fulfill that need.

Yoga is very much about creating and leaning on a kula or a community. I have several friends who own yoga studios, and I leaned in and interviewed each one of them, some more than once, asking about their successes and challenges, things they were happy they did, and things they wish they’d done differently. I researched the demographics of the area and read a ton about what to do and what not to do.

I knew I wanted to open a studio that was fully inclusive, where people feel welcome, where friendships develop and grow, where people feel safe, both physically and emotionally, and where we fully embrace the idea that yoga is for everybody and for every body. I wanted to create a community within the walls of the studio that extended far beyond its walls.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My love of learning and greatly varied interests began when I was a child as a way to escape the many challenges of a rough childhood. Both continued into adulthood and on into middle age.

I have had a rich and varied career. I taught language arts and theatre for 29 years in Boulder Valley School District. I directed all our school’s plays/musicals, was the newspaper adviser for several years, and taught a wide variety of classes, including some in PE. I was also a volunteer firefighter and EMT and later served on the Board of Directors at Longmont Humane Society, where I also volunteered as a dog walker and trainer. I was on the Board of Directors at Longmont Theatre Company, acted as technical director, directed and acted in plays/musicals, and designed and built sets there.

Directing at the high school level meant becoming a Jill of All Trades: I designed and built sets and costumes, created lighting plots, ran a vigorous marketing program, and created all the publicity posters and play programs, besides dealing with all the challenges of directing high school kids! All of that experience prepared me to take on opening and running a yoga studio and deal with its challenges.

I have always loved learning, and that did not change when I retired from teaching. I started a Yoga Teacher Training program right after I retired and acquired more than 1200 hours of training and multiple certifications. I also obtained certifications in group fitness, Zumba, and SilverSneakers. My love of learning and continued training means my classes are fresh and my knowledge base continues to grow. It also means I am open to learning and growing as a business owner as well.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
What fun! I am going to go at this as if we have unlimited funds, boundless energy, and access to tickets!

For shear entertainment, I would take my friend to two shows at DCPA – one at the Buell and the other at DCTC. I’d also take them to a concert at Red Rocks (after having done yoga there in the morning!)

To get some fitness in and some soul feeding nature, I take them hiking around Boulder and then lunch or dinner at the Rio. We’d also hit Estes Park and a horseback ride in Rocky Mountain National Park.

To get a little more nature in with some incredible golf, I would take my friend to Mariana Butte in Loveland after breakfast at Snooze in Ft. Collins.

Back in Denver, I’d take my friend to the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science followed by an IMAX film.

Of course, we’d have to eat at Sam’s 3 and get cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory, followed by a jaunt down 16th Street Mall (which hopefully would be done!).

Time and season permitting, a Rockies game at Coors Field would not be out of the question!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I need to acknowledge the unwavering support of my wife. I am truly blessed to have her in my life and to know that she’s always got my back. She spent countless hours helping me remodel and prepare the studio for opening, and she continues to help in more ways than I can count!

I’d also like to give a shout out to Meghan Stockwell and Lori Glazebrook, both formerly of Soul Tree in Lafayette, for being my initial teacher trainers for my first 200 hour and 300 hour certifications. They gave me an incredible, well-rounded foundation of teaching skills both on and off the mat.

I’d also like to give a shoutout to Amy Ippoliti of Vesselify (FKA 90 Monkeys) of Boulder. Amy fed (and continues to feed) my hungry lifelong learner soul. Her method of alignment based yoga for longevity gave me so many tools and skills that I grew tremendously as a yoga instructor. With her I also learned how important a kula, or yoga community, is and how vast it can be.

Website: www.sattvayogacv.com

Instagram: @sattvayogacv https://www.instagram.com/sattvayogacv/

Facebook: Sattva Yoga of Carbon Valley https://www.facebook.com/sattvayogaofcv

Image Credits
Michelle Schmidt Yasi Nava Reamsnyder Photography