The Ground Floor: Hiawatha yoga studio focuses on chronic conditions

In a recent post on her company's website, Anji Kozikowski noted that, “If you're so tapped out from taking care of everyone else's needs, then you really continue to give less and less of yourself.

“You're not healthy, vibrant or in a good head-space to truly meet the needs of your partner, spouse, kids, family (or) co-workers.”

The premise of Kozikowski's business, Singing Spirit Yoga, is that only by finding some time to take care of yourself can you be and feel healthy.

So much so that, while she hosts classes for people of all fitness levels, one of her focuses is on a clientele with special fitness needs due to pregnancy, obesity or chronic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis. This is where she sees a market need.

“When I look at yoga studios and fitness centers, they focus on people with a certain level of fitness,” she said. “What is severely lacking is a place for people with true physical difficulties.”

Yoga helps those with chronic conditions by making them more aware of their bodies' needs, in addition to providing the benefits that come with physical exercise, Kozikowski said.

Kozikowski, who has a master's degree in health promotion and wellness management, discovered yoga in 2000. She began teaching it in 2004, opening her first studio in South Dakota.

After moving to Eastern Iowa, she happened to visit Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha. Its focus on ecology and spirituality - “ecospirituality,” the center calls it - on 70 acres of prairie and woodlands, prompted Kozikowski ask the organization would consider allowing her to teach a yoga class there.

Kozikowski began teaching yoga classes for the Prairiewoods staff in January. Officials told her they'd like to see her there more often.

Singing Spirit Yoga will offer 13 different weekly yoga classes at its retreat and conference center beginning May 13. Classes will be held in the facility's conference center.

Weather permitting, Kozikowski plans to hold outdoor classes in the summer.

She also will offer integrative nutrition services.

“Yoga is a great way to get in touch with the nature of your body as well as outdoor nature,” she said.

“If you follow your heart and your passion, things will fall into place for you.”

• Owner: Anji Kozikowski
• Company: Singing Spirit Yoga
• Address: 120 E. Boyson Rd., Hiawatha
• Phone: (319) 538-7125
• Website: singingspirityoga.webs.com

Know a start-up company in business for less than a year? Contact business editor Michael Chevy Castranova at michael.castranova@sourcemedia.net.