Tasha Brooks - Owner, Yoga Den (Avondale)
Tasha is the owner of Yoga Den Avondale, a yoga studio franchise that believes that yoga is for every body. Inspired by her own yoga journey—which she casually embarked on while working at a restaurant in the neighborhood—Tasha’s goal is to make her students’ journeys as seamless as possible. As part of her commitment to better the communities where she lives and works, Tasha also currently serves as President of the Historic Avondale Merchants Association.
The Basics:
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Current city: Jacksonville, Florida
Alma mater: Terry Parker High
Degree: High school diploma
Very first job: Food court at the Avenues Mall
Hustle: Owner, Yoga Den Avondale; President, Historic Avondale Merchants Association
The Interests:
Babe you admire and why?
Kathryn Klos, owner of Kathryn Wines. Kathryn has a passion for wine, and noticed the lack of selection and variety that our area of Jacksonville had. It was a scary time to open (in the middle of a pandemic) but she said ‘I want to do this,’ and she did! Her love for wine matches my love for yoga and we can talk for days about our passion. She opened the cutest wine shop on Park Street, featuring some of the best and most unique wines I’ve ever had. And she’s super cool, too!
Describe your perfect day.
Morning yoga, coffee, lunch with friends, nap, early evening yoga, tacos, Netflix and bed!
Are you an early bird or night owl?
Early bird
What IG account have you been binge-scrolling lately?
@adrianmayphotography
Favorite place to grab happy hour in Jax?
Biscottis. Blue Fish. You name it! Historic Avondale has the best walkable happy hour in town.
The Hustle:
Tell us about your hustle.
As the owner of Yoga Den Avondale, my students are my top priority, and I hope to make their yoga journey as easy as possible. Multiple times a day I check my schedule, emails, voicemails, Facebook and Instagram messages for students looking for the perfect class for the day, and solving any issues or questions anyone might have. Then I take a short bike ride to the studio to make sure everything is in order for students and teachers. As a teacher, I know having your space ready, peaceful and clean before class allows you to teach with a clear mindset. My day is intertwined with emails from the Historic Avondale Board members as well as the Riverside Avondale Preservation and local city boards and officials on happenings in the area. Answering questions, solving problems and creating fun events for our community is an everyday task of mine.
Walk us through your yoga journey. When were you first introduced to it + how did it evolve into your career path?
I was working at The Fox Restaurant and one of the owners, Mary, had a beautiful Yoga Studio in Fairfax. After trying a couple of classes with friends just for fun back in 2010, I noticed how great I felt: I was in no pain, super relaxed, and in an overall better mood. I knew I had to keep it up, and continued yoga three days a week for months. I learned I could actually become a yoga teacher through Yoga Den, and the training was beautiful and inspiring. I immediately started teaching all around Jacksonville the day I graduated; Yoga Den provided me with opportunities to teach, manage and then own my own studio.
How have your past professional and academic experiences and lessons prepared you for the work you do today? How have they not prepared you?
Well, my academic experiences let me know academics in the traditional sense just weren’t for me. My past professional experience really helped me hone my people skills. I have come to learn to make connections with people pretty quickly, which is helpful in a lot of ways. Professionally, as I entered the yoga world, I was able to develop my own style while also gaining an understanding of how a studio should run.
As a business owner, what measures do you take to ensure that Yoga Den has a diverse and welcoming atmosphere?
We try our best to advertise that any BODY can do yoga. Wherever you are mentally or physically, and especially if you can’t touch your toes, we have a class for you. Once you make your way into a class, each teacher knows the yoga journey and remembers their first yoga class. It can be intimidating and confusing at times if you have never taken an in-studio yoga class, but our teachers greet everyone with a smile and possess the knowledge to make everyone who walks through our doors comfortable in this environment.
How has being a woman impacted your professional experiences? What can we collectively do to support and empower women in your industry today?
Being a woman in the yoga world has been the most remarkable experience. Women are so resourceful and multi-talented. I’ve learned so much professionally from the women in this industry, along with daily support mentally. We can empower women by proving and showing that all shapes, sizes, races and religious backgrounds can find yoga helpful physically and mentally. We can also empower women in this industry by using supportive words and having non-judgmental conversations to allow these women to feel comfortable to do whatever they have set in their minds to do.
In a generation that celebrates women’s health and bodies at all stages of their journeys, what is your approach to encouraging and motivating the women you work with—no matter their fitness level?
You have to start somewhere. Today is the day. We’re not trying out for the Olympics tomorrow, we’re just going to a yoga class. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. Just do one. Next week, maybe do two. And so on. Yoga is a practice, not a performance. Practice one small thing every day to feel good in your mind and in your body.
What’s one thing you’re proud to have accomplished in your career thus far?
If you’d asked me a year ago, my answer would have been different. But I am most proud of how the studio has fared during COVID-19. It was the most stressful year I’ve had to date, but I was able to adapt to all of the different challenges 2020 threw at me—and I think I’m stronger for it! The studio still has a ways to go to get back to where I’d like it, but I know it’s headed in the right direction.
What do you think makes so many people gravitate towards yoga?
It’s all about how yoga makes us feel; how yoga changes us mentally and physically. You're not going to come out of your first class feeling completely enlightened. It takes time. Yoga teaches you, over time, to let go of the small things; to focus on what you can control and let go of what you cannot. Yoga shows your body how to move, and how to feel better—with more energy and less pain. Yoga changes you, you don’t change for yoga.
Are there any other activities or self-care rituals that you enjoy after a long day of work?
Wellness Wednesdays! Every Wednesday is my day for self-care. I either do a face mask, take a long bath, or finish a book; really anything that I enjoy that relaxes me and gives me energy to get through the rest of the week.
Who are some women in your field that you look to for inspiration?
All other Yoga Den Franchise owners. This group gets me, gets it and we love each other for it. We have our strengths and some opportunities for growth. We help each other through the tough times, like COVID, and the fun times, like yoga events.
Career and/or life advice for other babes (both inside and outside of your industry?
Find your tribe; find those business ladies. Not only in your field, but different business-minded babes, too. Talk, meet, brainstorm and hang out just for fun. The advice and personal experience babes in our communities have is bigger and better than any book you can read or article you can look up. These relationships are priceless, and will help you beyond belief.
Connect with Tasha:
Personal IG / Yoga Den IG / Historic Avondale IG
This interview has been condensed and edited.
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