Today we’d like to introduce you to Alana Abdal.
Alana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
People often ask me how Bodhi Yoga came to be…
I think the best way to talk about my reasons why I decided to open a yoga studio is by exploring what yoga is and can be for each of us.
As many of you already know yoga can start by being just a physical practice, as it did for me, nearly meant to be a compliment to other forms of movement.
What I’ve come to realize, and maybe for those of you like me who struggled to understand their purpose in this world, yoga is about ultimately developing your intention; to move, to think, to feel, and to want.
The natural human tendency is to reduce the world into terms of what isn’t. A well develop sense of intention directs our energies instead to what is and what can be. Exchange uncertainty for opportunities.
Before owning Bodhi Yoga, I was a part-time yoga instructor for about four years, but that all changed about 8 years ago. If you teach yoga or if you do a lot of freelance work, you know it can be hard to make a living. Clients cancel, you have no paid time off, and absolutely no health benefits, besides the benefits of being physically active all day, every day.
As time went on, I began thinking about wanting something different, I wanted to give back what yoga has given me. That’s when I thought, about the entrepreneurial side of me, so I made the plunge and opened up a studio in Downtown Farmington.
Before yoga, I also had a background in Dietetics. I really believed that living a holistic and healthy lifestyle was the answer to true beauty. I knew it was never just a quick fix; it was the whole lifestyle of healthy living, that’s when yoga came into play.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In March 2018 an opportunity was presented that would allow my dream of opening up a studio to become reality and I jumped right into owning my first business. For 3-months I worked tirelessly to create a beautiful space for the community of Farmington to come together and practice yoga.
We opened our doors on May 10th, 2018. Just as I was getting my bearings, the world changed in March 2020. COVID-19 started to make its way to the US. Like so many, I didn’t know what was best. As a brand-new studio owner, I didn’t want to do something that didn’t feel authentic to the space. On March 16 I decided to press pause on live operations at the studio. I set out on a plan to find different solutions to help our members. I started to create a schedule for us to do live classes on Zoom. We provided daily movement for our students.
As a person who loves change but struggles with not being in control of that change, the unknown came and filled me with anxieties. That’s when I decided that I needed to see the positives in this negative situation. I think most small business owners would agree that surviving the pandemic was incredibly challenging, but it did gave all us an opportunity to connect with our community in new ways and to be positive in times of unknown.
There will be times in life when things feel impossible—when the challenges seem too big and the road ahead too long. But in those moments, I’d remind you that you are stronger than you think. That you will survive the heartbreaks, the failures, and the losses. That you will come out on the other side, not just okay, but thriving. Strength doesn’t always look like confidence or perfection. Sometimes, it’s just the ability to keep going, even when everything feels hard. You have that strength within you, even when you don’t realize it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Bodhi Yoga, you’re not just booked into a slot. We’re not just a yoga class. We’re your neighborhood sanctuary—a place where your name, your body, and your story matter. Our teachers know your injuries, your goals, your family, and your progress. The front desk greets you by name. There’s no anonymous scan-in or robotic welcome—there’s relationship, warmth, and memory.
Because we’re small and independent, we can respond to what’s actually happening in your life. Whether you’re recovering from something, looking for a challenge, or just need a quiet space to breathe, our offerings are designed with you in mind. Our classes grow with you. Need a slow flow, a stronger practice, or a place to rest? We listen, and we adapt. We’re not locked into corporate formats or mass-produced schedules. If something isn’t working, we change it.
That responsiveness extends to how our teachers lead. You won’t find scripted classes or rehearsed sequences here. Our instructors have trained extensively—often across traditions—and they bring their full selves to the mat. They create each class with care and originality, drawing from personal experience, deep study, and real-time intuition. Our teachers are humans, not hired voices. They bring wisdom, soul, and creativity to every class.
Most importantly, Bodhi Yoga cultivates a community in a way big operations can’t. When you practice regularly in an intimate space, friendships form naturally. There’s time to talk after class. To ask questions. To share stories. We host workshops, circles, and gatherings that feel less like events and more like extended conversations. We’re more than a studio—we’re a community of curious, kind, real people who support each other on and off the mat.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
My grandpa was one of my best friends – I miss him every day. He was my biggest cheerleader and the person who helped me follow my dream. He continues to show up in my life in different ways now that he is gone.
I am an early riser.
I typically wake up before my alarm goes off. And I am most productive between 6 – 9 am. In the Summer, I am up even earlier. I love the quiet of the early morning and watching the sunrise.
I am old school when it comes to certain things – I still use posts its, paper journals, and a calendar. My desk is filled with post its and every time I have an idea, I write it on one… I also always have a notebook nearby.
A crow mistakenly took my unbrushed hair for he’s nest – When I was 8, I refused to brush my hair before heading to the pool. The crow swooped right down and landed on my head, claws and all.
I love to cook/bake – I prefer to eat at home than to eat out most nights. I make a killer cheese and carrot cake.
I love being vulnerable, but struggle because I’m also very private.
Pricing:
- New Student Special: 2 Weeks Unlimited Yoga $49
- Monday’s @11am & & Friday’s @6pm – $10 Drop-In
- We offer over 21 classes per week
- Affordable Yoga with Convenient Times
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BodhiYogaFarmington.com
- Instagram: BodhiYogaFarmington
- Facebook: BodhiYogaFarmington
