Alana Abdal shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Alana, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Like many people, I juggle a lot! Being that I am a yoga studio owner, yoga instructor and Thai Massage body worker. I find it important to find balance and time to breathe in between the everyday hustle and bustle of life.
Before owning Bodhi Yoga, I was a part-time yoga instructor for about three years, but that all changed about 7 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.
Let’s get right into a typical day!
MORNING
• Rise and Shine before sunrise for personal practice and breath-work
o I try my best to meditate for at least five minutes in the morning, but if I’m being honest, some days I just don’t have the time. It’s always a bummer when I don’t get around to it because I know my days will be better when I do find the time.
• Visualize the best day/life that you are manifesting and co-creating with the universe.
• Drink warm water
• Review the calendar for the days/weeks appointments and commitments.
• Teach two group yoga class in person
• Make notes about client awareness’ so that I can address them in the next class together.
• Head to my first private appointment – new client intake. This can take from 60-90mins so always booking 2hrs for new intakes – giving you time to decompress after particularly intense individual case histories.
AFTERNOON
• Break for fresh air, food, play.
• Work on business of yoga instructions.
EVENING
• Break for rest, yoga nidra or fresh air, food, play or chores.
• Teach two evening group yoga class and/or private client.
• Reading before bed something that inspires me
This average day can be shorter or longer depending on the time of year, my travel schedule and life events.
One of the things about the practice of yoga is that you are designing your life around your ideal schedule.
If you are a morning person – get up early and get going and be done by 3pm each day and relax and enjoy life.
If you prefer to get up later and start later in the day get up and take time for self and start your workday at a time that feels grounded for you – could be 3pm – 8pm.
There are clients and students for all of our different preferences.
I have always enjoyed working 2 longer days and 2 shorter days each week and when I have programs that run through the weekend making a point of taking days off during the week to balance my schedule and energy levels.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I began my yoga journey in 2005. I immediately felt an awakening and haven’t looked back since.
Yoga has helped me to understand myself, others, and the human need for love, movement, and deep reflection.
Along with helping to nourish my thirst for movement and personal inquiry, it awakened a passion for listening: to the sounds of nature, to my loved ones, to strangers, and especially to myself. The practice of yoga has a profound ability to focus the mind, straighten the body, and nourish the soul. Teaching yoga is challenging and fulfilling, much like a regular yoga practice.
You get back what you put into it. I put my heart and soul into the classes I teach through practicing cueing and sequencing, crafting fun playlists, getting to know my students beyond their first name, giving my students a chance to know me through my personal shares after class, having conversations with students at the front desk and always being mentally present for my students in every class.
My students inspire and motivate me in ways they may never know and understand. So when they are kind enough to share with me how I’ve motivated them, well it kind of rocks my world in the biggest way.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad instilled in me a strong work ethic from a young age. He didn’t just tell us to work hard; he showed us what it meant through his own actions. I remember watching him rise early in the morning to head to work and manage the countless tasks that come with running a small grocery store.
He never complained, never shied away from hard work, and always approached every task with dedication and perseverance.
He also involved us kids in the work, teaching us the value of responsibility and contributing to the family business.
Believe it or not, this girl learned how to work a register at a young age – and look, it wasn’t such a bad gig for the weekends & summer job. My parents made sure we understood that hard work is an essential part of life.
And it isn’t just about putting in the hours; it is about doing things right and giving your best effort in everything you do.
It is important to take pride in your work, no matter how big or small the task.
My dad showed me that a strong work ethic isn’t just about achieving success, but about building character, developing discipline, and contributing to something meaningful.
These lessons have stayed with me throughout my life. They’ve helped me to build a successful business, navigate challenges with resilience, and approach every task with a sense of purpose and dedication. I’m grateful for the example my dad set for me and my brothers.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You Are Stronger Than You Think
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 my younger self that she is stronger than she thinks. That she will survive the heartbreaks, the failures, and the losses. That she 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.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, don’t try to fit into someone else’s mold or live by someone else’s rules. Be true to who you are, even if it means going against the grain. Your authenticity is your greatest asset, and the world needs you to show up as your full, imperfect self.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
I would regret if I was not my true self. It has always been important to me to be myself and let people get to know the real me. If someone does not like me, because they don’t jive with me, that’s okay, but I would hate for someone to not like me, and I didn’t give them the opportunity to really know me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BodhiYogaFarmington.com
- Instagram: BodhiYogaFarmington
- Facebook: Bodhi Yoga Farmington
Image Credits
Alana Abdal Owns all rights
