Robin Samples is the vibrant owner of Bare Feet Power Yoga located in Chicago. With a rich history of travel and residency across various states in the U.S., Robin eventually found her home in the Midwest. 
Starting her journey in yoga through a Bikram class and later branching into power yoga, she founded her studio in 2012. Her business has thrived for over a decade, evolving with the community and the changing yoga scene. 
Beyond her role as a studio owner, Robin passionately leads retreats, emphasizing integration with culture and ceremony, and continues to expand her offerings in wellness and spirituality.

Robin’s website: https://www.barefeetpoweryoga.com/
Follow Robin on IG: https://www.instagram.com/BAREFEETPOWERYOGA/

Key Takeaways:

• Robin Samples details her evolution from teaching 17 classes a week to focusing on special workshops and retreats that emphasize heart-centered experiences.
• She stresses the importance of maintaining a sense of community and human connection within her studio, valuing the simple joys of interaction and mutual growth.
• Robin candidly discusses the double-edged sword of competition and collaboration within the yoga community.
• The conversation highlights the importance of simplicity, returning to elemental and traditional practices for grounding.
• Robin reveals her participation in a corporate wellness app initiative, bringing yoga and wellness to wider audiences.

Embracing Simplicity and Expansion in the Yoga Community: Insights from Robin Samples

In the bustling city of Chicago, amongst the towering skyscrapers and the expansive waters of Lake Michigan, lies a small yoga studio that’s a sanctuary of peace and empowerment. Bare Feet Power Yoga, led by the vibrant owner, Robin Samples, is not just a place for physical practice, but a conduit for personal and communal growth. In an insightful conversation, Robin shares her experiences and visions, revealing the essence of her journey as a yoga teacher and studio owner.

Key Takeaways:

• Simplicity in Practice: Embracing simple pleasures like watching birds or moving to the rhythm of a song can offer profound mental shifts and enhance well-being.
• Expansion and Collaboration: Pursuing expansion through community-based workshops, retreats, and embracing innovative opportunities like wellness apps can foster growth and connection.
• Navigating Competitiveness: Adopting a mindset of collaboration over competition in the yoga industry enriches both personal fulfillment and community development.

The Pursuit of Simplicity amidst Complexity

The modern world, with its unceasing demand for attention and action, can often lead us away from the fundamental experiences that ground us. Robin Samples highlights the importance of returning to simplicity, whether through observing nature, engaging in dance, or sharing moments of connection. These acts serve as a reminder that at the core of our bustling lives, serenity can be found in the elemental and the everyday.

Yes, simple living. Are my basic needs met? And is the sun shining? – Robin Samples

To delve deeper, the conversation between Robin and her interviewer illustrates that despite the myriad changes introduced by technological advancements, some aspects of human existence remain timeless and unaltered. Emotions like love and joy, experiences of togetherness, and even the consistent nature of the elements like fire, continue to anchor us in a world that is ever-evolving.

Expanding Horizons through Collaboration and New Ventures

Robin’s journey from teaching an array of weekly yoga classes to focusing on specialty workshops and immersive retreats is a testament to her philosophy of expansion. By branching out to global retreat locations such as Oaxaca and embracing collaborative platforms like wellness apps, she’s extending her reach and inviting others to explore diverse aspects of wellness and personal growth.

Continuing on this path of doing more workshops less often, reaching bigger groups of people, collaborating with other fantastic teachers here in Chicago… – Robin Samples

The implications of such expansions are vast, hinting at a world where the wellness industry can transcend borders and cultural limitations. The sharing of knowledge through retreats and digital means not only democratizes wellness practices but also infuses them with the rich tapestry of global traditions and perspectives.

The Delicate Dance of Competition and Community

In the discussion, a critical theme that surfaces is the dichotomy between competition and collaboration. Robin admits to the personal struggle of oscillating between the two, ultimately finding solace in the belief that elevating others serves the greater good and fosters a sense of unity within the yoga community.

…we’re all part of the human race. We all want to see one another succeed because when we do, then it only expands from there. – Robin Samples

The broader implications of this philosophy are particularly relevant in an age where individual success is often lauded above collective achievements. By shifting the focus to mutual support and cross-pollination of ideas, there’s a potential for a more cohesive and compassionate community that thrives on shared success.

The dialogue between Robin and her interviewer transcends the specifics of yoga and touches upon universal questions about the essence of simplicity, the nature of expansion, and the power of collective upliftment. Each quote and reflection serves as a beacon, guiding us toward a future where mindfulness, gratitude, and unity take precedence over solitary achievement and competition. Through her experiences and insights, Robin Samples not only shapes the fabric of the yoga community in Chicago but also adds her voice to the global conversation on wellness and interconnectedness.

Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out: 👇
Free Grow Your Yoga Live Webinar – Every Thursday at 12pm EST
➡️ Click here to receive link

New Student FREE Livestream Yoga Special ~ Try 2 Weeks of Free Unlimited Livestream Yoga Classes  at Native Yoga Center. info.nativeyogacenter.com/livestream 
Sign into the classes you would like to take and you will receive an email 30 minutes prior to join on Zoom. The class is recorded and uploaded to nativeyogaonline.com  ➡️  Click Here to Join. 

Practice to a New Yoga Class every day with our nativeyogaonline.com course called Today’s Community Class with code FIRSTMONTHFREE.

Native Yoga Teacher Training 2024– In Studio and Livestream – for info delivered to your email click this link here: ➡️ https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/native-yoga-teacher-training-2023/

Subscribe to Native Yoga Center and view this podcast on Youtube.

Thank you Bryce Allyn for the show tunes. Check out Bryce’s website: bryceallynband.comand sign up on his newsletter to stay in touch. Listen here to his original music from his bands Boxelder, B-Liminal and Bryce Allyn Band on Spotify.

Please email special requests and feedback to info@nativeyogacenter.com

Support the show

Native Yoga website: here
YouTube: here
Instagram: @nativeyoga 
Twitter: @nativeyoga 
Facebook: @nativeyogacenter 
LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin