We had the good fortune of connecting with Kara Kiefer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kara, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind the success of SŌZŌ YOGA is how we believe life change happens in community and wellness is not just about the physical body. SŌZŌ was birthed out of the desire to invite people into a supportive community and empower everyone who walks through our doors to live well and thrive in mind, body, spirit wholeness.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a former math teacher and most recently a stay at home mom of two amazing kids! I’ve always loved teaching whether it be math, how to cook or plan an awesome vacation, so teaching yoga was definitely something I was interested in when I started 4 years ago. I just didn’t realize I would own my own studio! As I practiced, I kept envisioning what I would do differently and ultimately, I wanted to be able to walk to a studio to practice and teach because we live in a walkable community in Fayetteville. I felt a calling on my life to share with people in my community how yoga can help with strength, flexibility, balance + coordination because as we age, we lose these four things quickly. I want those that I love and do life with to live their best life for as long as possible. I’ve also noticed how yoga has made me a better person…a more whole version of myself, so I took the obedient risk and jumped all in to open SŌZŌ YOGA in Trilith. It has not been easy, but I believe God has put the right people on my path to help me in every way that I’m deficient so that the studio can be successful. I started out thinking I’d only have 3 teachers and after 9 weeks, I have 12 teachers! The biggest lesson I’ve learned in my business is to stay focused and always come back to the reason that I felt called to open a studio: it’s not about me, it’s a bigger purpose + ultimately it’s walking with people + cheering them on in their journey to find mind, body, spirit wholeness. I love what I do + wish I would have made this jump 10 years ago, but realize the journey for me to get to the place where I would be ready had to happen first.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to Fayetteville, the first thing I’d do is pour her a glass of wine and sit outside at my Trilith home and enjoy this fabulous spring weather. Then we’d venture up to Enzo and eat a lovely Italian meal. We’d visit the shops in Trilith and do some damage at Curator to find the best clothes on the southside and head over to Rooted Cafe in Peachtree City for a coffee and then lunch at Kale to the Chef. We would have to make our way to Beirut for dinner one evening because it’s the best Lebanese food around and since i’m a quarter Lebanese, I can’t miss out on sharing these lovely dishes. We’d venture over to Chatt Hills area for an afternoon hike and end up at Palmer’s for dinner.

Our family has had season tickets to ATL UTD since day 1, so we’d definitely go to a game and hang out on the westside to shop and eat. I’d love taking her to the Belt Line + Ponce City Market, there’s so many cool spots to see, a week just doesn’t feel like enough time!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The tribe of people who have surrounded me, walked with me, + prayed for me + the vision of the studio through the year long season of deciding whether or not to open SŌZŌ is who I would dedicate this shoutout to. They continually lifted me up, cheered me on, challenged me + encouraged me to take the obedient risk I felt called to do.

My husband, Russ, who challenged me and supported me through the process + is the most dedicated yogi at the studio. My amazing friend, Ashley Tyndal, who has been my right hand, given me amazing advice, support, and encouragement. I couldn’t have opened the studio without her + it wouldn’t have become as amazing as it is without her leadership + how she leans in as a friend + instructor. Caroline Harbin, owner of COR Marketing + an instructor at the stuido, walked closely with me over the last year + has created the most amazing marketing for the studio. Sharon Townsend, a friend + instructor, who introduced me to the name of the studio, was + still is constant encouragement + support through the process of opening SŌZŌ.

Website: sozoyoga.com

Instagram: @sozoyogatrilith

Facebook: sozoyogatrilith

Other: kara@sozoyoga.com

Image Credits
Cory Klein Photography/CKP Studio

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