Today we’d like to introduce you to Allie Brawley.
Hi Allie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My yoga journey began in 1999, when my mom suggested I try a class to slow down from a fast-paced New York City lifestyle. What started as a complement to fitness quickly became a grounding practice that carried me through career changes, moves, and life’s inevitable transitions—teaching me resilience, presence, and peace amidst uncertainty.
After years of practicing and teaching in cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco, I returned home to Northern Michigan to build community through yoga. I founded Northern Life Yoga in 2010, and it has grown into a welcoming space for movement, healing, and connection for 15 years and counting.
Today, the studio continues to evolve—offering yoga, fitness, healing arts, and now expanding into Pilates—while staying rooted in the same mission: helping people build strength, calm the mind, and feel empowered in their own bodies.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Early on, one of the biggest challenges was introducing yoga in a community where it was unfamiliar and often misunderstood. Over time, we broke through those myths by showing that yoga truly meets people where they are—from chair-based practices to more active flows—and word of mouth became our most powerful growth tool.
Like many small businesses, the pandemic required a major pivot. Moving quickly to online classes was essential to keeping our community connected, active, and supported during a time of uncertainty. Cost and motivation have also been ongoing challenges in a rural, economically diverse region, which is why we offer flexible pricing options and scholarships—so yoga remains accessible to anyone who wants to practice.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Northern Life Yoga?
Northern Life Yoga is a community-centered wellness studio offering yoga, fitness, healing arts, and now expanding into Pilates. We’re known for creating an inclusive, welcoming space where people of all ages, bodies, and experience levels feel supported—whether they’re stepping onto the mat for the first time or deepening a long-standing practice.
What sets us apart is our emphasis on accessibility, longevity, and community connection. From flexible pricing and scholarships to a wide range of class styles, we focus on helping people build strength, resilience, and balance in ways that are sustainable for real life.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that after more than 15 years, Northern Life Yoga continues to evolve while staying rooted in community, authenticity, and care. Our goal has always been simple: to offer a space where people feel better—physically, mentally, and emotionally—every time they walk through the door.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The most important factor in our business is the strength of our community—especially our incredible team of instructors and collaborators. Northern Life Yoga is powered by an all-women team of skilled, compassionate teachers who bring heart, expertise, and authenticity to everything they do.
We’re also deeply committed to collaborating with local women-owned and operated businesses like Bloom Co Sault, Full Potential, and Prim Aesthetics, among many others. Supporting one another strengthens not only our individual businesses, but the broader community—and that collective approach has been key to our longevity and growth.
Pricing:
- $39 for 2 weeks unlimited – new client introductory offer
- 10 class pass – $199
- Essential Membership – $69 for 4 classes monthly
- Zen Flex Membership – $108 for 8 classes monthly
- Ultimate Serenity Membership – $129 for unlimited classes monthly
Contact Info:
- Website: https://northernlifeyoga.com
- Instagram: @northernlifeyoga
- Facebook: @northernlifeyoga
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@northernlifeyoga2877
