“Providing relief, fun and tools for improved company culture, mental wellbeing and connection at work is most important to me and Yoga Nut,” says Coward. “We love connecting with local businesses, understanding the challenges they face and helping them pick a program that not only supports their staff, but also the way they do business.”
With the knowledge and experience as a corporate yoga instructor, as well as a master’s in Public Health, Lindsay Coward relaunched Yoga Nut in 2021 to provide Workplace Wellness programs, including an online portal.
Read our full interview with Lindsay below…
Tell us about your business and the role you play in it.
Yoga Nut is a Workplace Wellness business founded in Asheville in 2016 by myself, Lindsay Coward, a UNCA and Lenior-Rhyne alum, plus lover of the mountains. Yoga Nut meets you and your business where you are – livestream, in-person and on-demand to support working adults throughout the work day. We provide Workplace Wellness programs that build company culture and community, manage stress, improve mental wellbeing, encourage movement and fun, plus provide tools for team members to show up as their best selves. Our services take into account each business’ needs and interests with options available for yoga and meditation sessions, wellness workshops, team challenges, and access to our on-demand portal of yoga, meditation and breathwork that fits your schedule. At Yoga Nut, we understand that when your people thrive, your business also thrives.
What’s a little-known fact or trivia about your business?
Yoga Nut started as a one-woman operation that expanded to a team and group of affiliates that provide wellness options other than yoga: nutrition, mental wellbeing, inspirational coaching, herbals and more!
How has your company grown over the years?
Yoga Nut started as a traveling yoga business where I would come to you, your business, or your event with my yoga mats and props to provide a customized session. After finishing my master’s in Public Health, and focusing on stress and workplace wellness, I shifted Yoga Nut’s focus to incorporate a myriad of well-being options for businesses and working adults. We still meet you where you are – which now also includes online!
Where did your career find its start? How did you get involved with your company?
I used to work in the corporate grocery industry and was overworked and underappreciated. The days were long and I began to have a negative disposition toward work and life in general. I began taking yoga classes and found myself showing up from a more positive and grounded outlook although nothing about my job changed. This inspired me to seek a new career, one in which I could support other working adults in feeling productive and excited to be at work.
Was there ever a time you felt like you had to completely start over?
Yes! I was deep in the Master’s of Public Health program at Lenior Rhyne University during the height of COVID, working a remote internship with A-B Tech, and a became a second time mama. The shift in how businesses operated and the current model of Yoga Nut didn’t completely align, although we were already providing livestream yoga sessions. I wanted to offer more than corporate yoga, to show up for businesses on multiple levels of wellbeing, to support teams during a time of heightened isolation, limited team connection, high turnover and unknowns. Through the knowledge and experience as a corporate yoga instructor and the masters in Public Health, I relaunched Yoga Nut in the 2021 to provide Workplace Wellness programs that include real-time interaction, education, plus an on-demand component known as our portal.
The greatest business advice you’ve been given?
The best business advice I’ve been given is never give up. There will be setbacks and challenges. Keep going. Giving up is the only true “failure”.
What is most important to you/your company now?
Providing relief, fun and tools for improved company culture, mental wellbeing and connection at work is most important to me and Yoga Nut. We love connecting with local businesses, understanding the challenges they face and helping them pick a program that not only supports their staff, but also the way they do business.
What’s on the horizon?
I am excited to keep expanding Yoga Nut, to support more local businesses (and beyond) in their wellness journey as they shift toward desiring an improved culture, better team connection, less turnover, and reduced burnout. I am dedicated to providing awareness of these issues and to solving them without your business breaking the bank or losing productivity during the busy seasons.