A Reflection on a Decade of Duluth Yoga

This Women’s History Month, we sat down with our own, Duluth Yoga founder, Kristin Hill, to reflect on the last decade of building a community that has become so much more than a place to practice yoga. 

Read her full interview below to learn how the studio came to life, meaningful lessons from the journey, and what’s next for Duluth Yoga.

What’s the origin story of Duluth Yoga?
Long before Duluth Yoga opened its doors, yoga played an important role in my life.

After college tennis, my body began craving gentler, more sustainable movement. I had grown up studying classical ballet, so I was immediately drawn to yoga not only for the physical challenge, but for its creative expression.

It offered something unique—a creative outlet alongside a meaningful physical practice.

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), I could also clearly see how yoga and physical therapy complement one another. Both emphasize awareness, alignment, breath, and working in harmony with the body rather than pushing against it.

Over time, what started as a personal practice evolved into a desire to create a space where everyone, regardless of ability, could learn, practice, and experience yoga in a way that harmonizes with their mind and body.

What’s one important lesson you’ve learned throughout the journey of building Duluth Yoga?
There are many ups and downs, and that is part of the journey.

No two days are the same. One day, you might find yourself leading a Teacher Training Weekend Intensive surrounded by strong, inspiring, and brave women. And the next day, you’re troubleshooting unexpected HVAC issues or navigating challenges you never saw coming. 

At the end of the day, I’ve learned that you have to roll with the punches and hunches, while still enjoying the fun, meaningful aspects of creating a business rooted in such an incredibly supportive community.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to bring their passions to life?
Honestly, try not to overthink everything in the beginning. Just show up. Lean on your village. And trust that it will unfold the way it’s meant to.

Thinking too much often leads to paralysis by analysis. So, don’t be afraid to take action, try new things, and see what sticks. 

It’s especially important to understand your customers and stay close to them, because they truly are the heart of your business. 

Do your best to listen to them. Put yourself in their shoes. And stay close to the front lines of communication so you’re always in the loop on what matters most to your community.

How do you incorporate the foundations of yoga into your daily life?
For me, yoga foundations aren’t just something I practice on the mat — they’re things I return to throughout the day.

Breath is the first one. When I feel overwhelmed or pulled in too many directions, I come back to slow, steady breathing. It sounds simple, but it changes everything.

Awareness is another. Whether I’m with my children and husband, walking outside, or teaching a class, I try to stay present.

And finally, alignment by checking in with myself and asking:

• Does this feel true to who I am?
• Does this feel sustainable?
• Does this align with where I want to go next?

What else do you wish more people knew?
I wish more people knew that yoga truly is for everybody AND every body.

You don’t have to be flexible. You don’t have to look a certain way. You don’t have to ‘be good’ at it. 

Since opening our doors in 2015, we’ve worked hard to create a safe community where everybody feels truly welcome—a place where you can come and be as you are, move freely, and discover what’s possible both on and off the mat. 

Here, there’s no pressure to achieve perfection, perform, or push yourself beyond limits. Every class is an invitation to explore, grow, and connect with yourself and with others.

What’s next for Duluth Yoga?
The next chapter of Duluth Yoga is about intentionally expanding and growing in ways that continue to serve our community well.

We’re looking forward to hopefully offering Teacher Trainings more regularly, both online and in person, for students who feel called to deepen their practice. We’re also working to establish more consistent studio boutique hours, creating a curated extension of the Duluth Yoga experience beyond the mat.In addition, we hope to host more workshops and pop-up classes, expand our class offerings, and increase overall class availability. To stay up to date on the latest updates from our studio, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.