Linden Hills Yogis Celebrate Studio's First Birthday

Yoga studios are a dime a dozen in Southwest Minneapolis—just look at the frequency of yoga pants-wearers on the city's street corners.

But OM Collective, founded a year ago next Tuesday by three Linden Hills yoga gurus plus a kick boxer, is a bit different. Combining the best parts of any yoga studio—lots of teachers—and a business development center—low costs for newbie teachers to get started—OM has begun to help a new generation of yogis, fitness instructors, martial artists, and even a psychologist launch and sustain their careers in its spacious and spiritually inviting space. 

“We just wanted to support ourselves in this beautiful space, and then offer that opportunity to other teachers so they could build their own classes and actually make some money,” said Ronna Rochell, OM co-founder.

The Collective, at 34th and Lyndale, also hosts other body and spirit work teachers who rent space, giving the community a broad selection of different types of yoga, fitness training, meditation, and diet guidance all in one place. OM co-owners charge guest teachers $25 per hour to use the space. However, they do not take a cut of these teachers' earnings, which sets apart the Collective from some other yoga studios.

Yoga meditation teacher Jennifer Manion, of Tangletown, is among the dozen teachers invited so far by the co-founders to offer classes at the Collective.

“(Being part of OM is) a rare opportunity, really, and I'm incredibly grateful," she said. "To be able to lead a practice in such a beautiful space, to be supported so fully by Ali, Ronna, Jennifer, and Lisa, and in turn to support the community by offering meditation instruction is a huge gift.”

Manion said the Collective has boosted her business.

The four co-founders bring a range of experience to their studio. Rochell and Ali Certain are both Anusara-certified yoga teachers. Jennifer Colletti is trained in Vinyasa yoga and specializes in yoga for pre- and post-natal women, children, and men and women seeking fertility. Lisa Van Ahn adds her expertise as a kick boxing and fitness teacher.

Even when it comes to running their business, the four bring a range of tallents to bear to keep administrative costs down. Certain handles OM finances. Colletti handles marketing and is website master. Rochell is in charge of interviewing teachers seeking space rental. Van Ahn handles all the interior and exterior building maintenance.

“We've expanded so much since we came together,” said Colletti. “We all fell into natural roles” in taking on the business duties.

Back in her studio, Rochell offered students encouragement during a recent morning class, that sounds a bit like their own—so far successful—approach to business.

“Remember and celebrate our true self," she said. "Draw in and shine out...playfully expand...gorgeous!”