Exploring Life & Business with Wendy Landry of Om Prana Yoga & Boutique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Landry.

Hi Wendy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Six years ago, I left my steady government job to run my own small business and follow my passion. I have two Master’s Degrees from Amberton University, a Master’s of Counseling & an MBA in Strategic Leadership, it was time to put them to good use. My dream was to open a yoga studio in Parkville, MO that offered quality yoga, taught by well-trained professionals in a place that was a non-intimidating, supportive environment.

In 2014, Om Prana Yoga opened its doors and we have been evolving ever since. Not only have I achieved my dream, but have gone beyond that dream. In 2016, I became one of the first IAYT Certified Yoga Therapists in the Kansas City area. Nothing brings me more joy than helping people live a life that isn’t centered around their pain. Every day I get to work with people who have lived with chronic pain for years and feel there is nothing else they can do. Then, they come see me for yoga therapy and we dive in and find ways to move out of a pain-driven lifestyle.

I am a total anatomy geek, so it is fun to figure out where things are connected in the body and educate on how to relieve stress and tension or explore habitual movements that have caused injuries. Two years ago, after outgrowing our second studio space in 5 years, I purchased my own building in downtown Parkville. Our building is a 160 years old building that we rehabbed.

My business is truly a family run business. My husband does many behind the scenes things, such as IT Support although he refuses that title. One of our dogs, JoJo even works with me in my yoga therapy business. She seems to just know when my client is facing cancer challenges and cuddles up to them while we work together.

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?
Yoga Therapy is a newer certification and people don’t always know this service is an option or how to find a trained, certified yoga therapist. I spend a lot of time educating my community that yoga therapy is more than doing yoga poses, it is taking a look at the whole picture of your life and figuring out what tools and techniques would work best to help balance their health. For instance, I may work with one client on learning to breathe better to support blood pressure, another client I might work with them on their morning routines to support a stable digestive system or someone with chronic & debilitating lower back pain we might work on small movements to stabilize their core.

The past 14 months, due to the pandemic, I have restructured my business model about every six weeks. I went from performing all my work in person to shutting down the building and live streaming all classes and yoga therapy sessions. I am constantly considering the health and welfare of my students and clients who come to see me to make the best decision for them while keeping my business viable.

As you know, we’re big fans of Om Prana Yoga & Boutique. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Om Prana stives to meet the person where they are, regardless of age, shape, size, sex or experience with yoga. We take yoga seriously, but we don’t take ourselves seriously. When one receive services, such as private yoga therapy, public yoga classes, workshops, reiki or sound healing, we learn what the needs of our clients are and work them into our services. The Om Prana Boutique is filled with only things that I personally love & use and the brands align with our belief system. Our customer’s experience in the Boutique will leave them happy, laughing and full of opportunities for gifts for themselves and others.

What does success mean to you?
Success is getting up and doing what you love every day.

Pricing:

• Yoga Therapy $75 an Hour
• Yoga Class Drop In-$17

Contact Info:

• Email: info@ompranayoga.com
• Website: www.OmPranaYoga.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ompranayoga/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ompranayogaparkville
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHktIuLfcvXxACIrzvqi8cA

Image Credits
Photo of the family (with dogs) Trish Elting Photography All other photos the RYE Studio