Royal Oak Yoga Biz Stays Flexible

Where do you go when you need to stretch it out? Do you maneuver your couch and coffee table so you can roll out your yoga mat? A local yogi suggests in this stressed out, on-the go world you exercise at the office.

Belightful Yoga has been in business since 2009. Owner Lisa Ballo, of Royal Oak, started up the mobile yoga studio, which serves corporations throughout southeast Michigan, after she was laid off in 2009 from an advertising agency.

“Marketing didn’t resonate with me any more. I was ready to move on,” Ballo said.

Take a few breaths

Before being laid off, Ballo was already coaching her co-workers, who were asking her how she managed to stay so calm.

“I would teach them how to breathe,” the yogi said. Before she knew it she was kicking off company meetings with 10-minute yoga sessions.

Understanding the stress and demands of working in an office, Ballo knew Belightful Yoga had to be convenient.

"I never wanted to do it in a studio setting,” she said.

Over the past three years, Ballo has brought yoga to offices, schools, hair salons, and special-needs communities. Contracting with 17 specialized instructors, she’s happy bring yoga to any place that has room for five or so students. And, she can accommodate all skills levels.

“Most businesses do two days a week during lunch hour,” she said. “It benefits the mind and body. People feel rejuvenated and refocused. Yoga opens your mind.”

Belightful Yoga also specializes in kids’ yoga and yoga for children with special needs. 

“We work with children with autism, Down syndrome and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder,” she said. “Yoga becomes a lifestyle and a full support system. It helps kids with focus, concentration and achieving goals.”

So stretch out and see what yoga is like

If you are interested in bringing Belightful Yoga to your place of work, Ballo suggests reaching out to your company’s human resources or benefit person. Your HR director can find information at www.facebook.com/belightfulyoga or by sending an email to Info@belightfulyoga.com