YogaSoul Shakes Up the Formula

Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us

Tarisa Parrish believes in second chances.

After a disappointing and stressful first experience with yoga in 2001, Parrish decided to give it another shot when she attended a class dedicated to Kundalini yoga—a unified style that incorporates all eight "limbs", or paths, of yoga practice.

"It blew my socks off," Parrish said. "By the time I got done with class, I was like, 'Oh my god."

Parrish' powerful experience with Kundalini yoga set her on a path that culminated in 2008 with the opening of the 3,000-square-foot YogaSoul Center, an Eagan-based yoga center located off Town Centre Drive. Now, four years after the business got off the ground, Parrish is rolling out sweeping changes—including new class offerings, a mobile application, redecorating and a grand reopening ceremony in November.

YogaSoul has achieved steady growth through a difficult economic period, Parrish said. Over four years, the staff size of the business grew from six to 17 individuals and most class sizes are five times larger than when the center opened, according to Parrish.

But the business owner and Best Buy employee believes that success is only sustainable as long as her business remains relevant for her customers, which is why Parrish is taking the opportunity to refine and revitalize her yoga center this fall.

YogaSoul already offers courses in Kundalini, Hatha, Yin and Vinyasa yoga, and is equipped with a Pilates studio.

As part of the grand reopening, Parrish plans to add as many as eight new courses to those pre-existing offerings, including "upbeat" yoga courses for students interested in the fitness side of the activity, gentle yoga classes for older practitioners and more Hatha-style yoga courses.

The business is also releasing a software app that will allow students to register for classes and get email alerts from the business via their mobile phones, Parrish said. Parrish also plans to take advantage of online programs like Yelp to help spread awareness of her business.

The YogaSoul free grand reopening ceremony, scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 16, will feature a ribbon-cutting, "aura" photos, special promotions, a yoga mini-class and food. Attendees will also be able to meet and mingle with teachers.

The reopening and the new additions to the YogaSoul business model will better position the center for long-term viability, according to Parrish.

“It's totally all about serving our students and staying relevant, and meeting them where they're at," Parrish said. "It is my hope that the total outcome is really to build our student base and serve our community better because they know we’e here."