What started as a way to achieve parental acceptance, has blossomed into yogapreneur, Dianne Bondy’s successful business, Dianne Bondy Yoga. Having struggled with body image for years, the East Side Yoga Studio founder has learned self-acceptance through the discipline of Yoga, inadvertently inspiring countless others to practice. After practicing for over 25 years, she’s developed a propensity for infusing spirituality into each pose.
In addition to running the studio, Bondy manages to find time to pen a column for the Elephant Journal, organize yoga retreats and train future Yoga teachers. When she says she wants to “help raise the vibration of the world,†we believe she is doing just that, making her an ideal pick for Blackenterprise.com’ s Yogaprenuer Series.
What was the impetus behind venturing into the health and fitness industry as an entrepreneur?
I always loved being physical and my parents really encouraged it as we were growing up. As a person with a weight issue, I needed to move. I quickly found that I was not alone in my feelings about my body image so I decided to share movement by teaching fitness. I was a group fitness instructor and personal trainer before finding my true love, Yoga.
How has business been going for you?
Very well, but I work extremely hard at it. It’s not without effort but the effort makes it very worthwhile and stimulating. I love sharing Yoga with my students. I also enjoy the business of marketing and getting to know the best ways to encourage people to invest in their health.
What resources did you use to start and grow your business?
I started very small. I ran combined fitness and Yoga classes in my church basement. I used my own savings to start my business. I started with 12 students and 3 classes and grew slowly. I do have a university degree and some training in business, which helped. I have since gone on to study with Yoga professionals on both teaching Yoga and building your Yoga business.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced during difficult economic times?
Of course, attrition is always a problem in any service-based industry. I do keep my pricing competitive. I also offer help and incentives for those who need financial aid.
How has yoga changed your life?
It has made me so strong; strong in my spirituality, stronger in making connections with others and myself. It has also made me more observant, more focused, more compassionate, more loving and more aware of the flavors of life. Yoga has changed the way I look at the world. It has taught me how to find happiness.
What are some of the challenges you face being an African-Canadian in the Yoga space?
My largest hurdle is the media stereotype of Yoga, which currently is young, slim, flexible and white. I am youngish, big and black. People of color are underrepresented in Yoga. I would love to see more people of color, men and larger bodies on the mat. The problem is in attracting more diversity to Yoga.
When doing Yoga do you feel a greater spiritual connection and how do you incorporate that in your daily life?
Absolutely. My Yoga practice teaches me I am not alone, to breathe when life gets tough and to live in the moment. I only want to focus on what is happening right now on my mat. It’s the same off the mat. I try to be in the moment, slow down and appreciate life; to focus and enjoy. I have learned through Yoga to enjoy and embrace life’s lessons, as hard and difficult as they may seem. Before I complained more, I fought more, I was angrier and I was less connected to myself and to God.
Being that you are one of the few Black entrepreneurs in the Yoga industry, do you feel that you have inspired other people of color to practice Yoga?
I certainly hope so. I try to put myself out there as much as I can. I need people of color to see me so that they know they can do it too. I’m working with a friend and amazing Yoga Teacher, Dara Brown from South Carolina on how we create more diversity on the mat. We are creating a Yoga Teacher Training Inspired for Teachers who are looking to increase awareness and bring diversity to the mat. We need more teachers of color putting themselves out there.
How do you encourage/promote health and fitness specifically to people of color?
By letting them know that Yoga transcends all the man-made feelings and belief structures related
to “Race, Color and Creed.†Yoga aims to take you deep within yourself; a place of complete self-acceptance and love for all. That, and it will keep you strong, healthy and “on top of your game,†for a long time.Do you have any tips on how to incorporate Yoga into a person’s hectic daily schedule?
Just remembering to breathe in your everyday life is part of doing Yoga. Even practicing as little as 10 minutes a day can improve your outlook on life, increase vitality and reduce your stress. A Yoga practice can be anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours, or more.
What advice can you give aspiring entrepreneurs who would like to enter into the field of Yoga/wellness?
Know your craft so that you can truly help people. Have a plan. Yoga and wellness is a real business and should be respected as such with proper training and business management. Be a professional. Know who you want to serve and create plan to serve them well. Yoga can change the world and effective positive change.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to make sure that I serve my local community well. I would love to continue to train teachers both nationally and internationally. I want to help raise the vibration of the world. Help people find their strengths and their passions for life through yoga retreats, writing and teaching yoga.
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Next Yogapreneur: DC’s Faith Hunter