May 16, 2017

Meet Maile Wicklander of Tula Yoga Studio in Logan Square

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maile Wicklander.

Maile, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Born and raised in Central California I came to Chicago from San Francisco for a graduate degree in Psychology and fell in love with the city, the people and the snow! After also falling in love with an amazing man, I got married, had 2 children and settled in Logan Square. During the few years I spent as full-time mother, I discovered yoga. I was drawn to it as way to reconnect with who I am as a person, not just the various roles that I played in my life. I was also drawn to the quiet reflection and the turning-inward that yoga encouraged.

Despite the hard economic times, I felt a calling to open a yoga studio in my beloved neighborhood. I took a leap, found the perfect space and worked hard to make Tula a reality.

My philosophy on life is reflected in the environment and running of Tula. I believe that life is too short not to be enjoyed and the ultimate gauge for success should be happiness, not money, fame or popularity. I believe that Yoga is fun, has to have a sense of humor and doesn’t have to ‘serious’ to be beneficial; it doesn’t have to be hard, extreme or reserved only for the beautiful and fit. I purposely chose not to pursue a yoga teacher’s certification or training program before opening the studio because I wanted to make sure that I built the studio through my naïve eyes of a student, still open to many ideas and interpretations. Finally, I believe that to be great, you need to break a few rules once in a while and make your our path – not just blindly follow the in the footsteps before you.

My hope for Tula is that it will become a conduit for people to find their own yoga, find themselves, find friends & community and ultimately enjoy the journey.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course not! When I opened I had no idea whether or not it would work. Would people want yoga in their neighborhood? Would anyone show up to classes? The first year was very rough — empty classes, struggling to pay the rent was quite hard to keep a positive perspective and stick it out!

After the first year, things evened out, financially, and I began to break even then make a profit, but then came struggles with managing people. I had to learn about myself and my managing style. I had to learn hard lessons about how to let people go and how have those essential tough conversations.

After 5.5 years, there are still struggles with people, finances, marketing, and just running the business in general. I think you just eventually get used to it. I still think it’s all worth it and there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Tula Yoga Studio – what should we know?
In Sanskrit, TULA means “balance”. We are a Vinyasa-based studio that truly believes that yoga, like most things in life, is all about Balance.

Our approach to yoga is a harmony of traditional principles & philosophy combined with modern practicalities & accessibility. We aim to create classes that are a healthy mix of playfulness and exploration, while maintaining mindfulness and respect for the origins and traditions of yoga and attention to the anatomy and alignment of the body.

We are very community-focused, laid-back and have the strong belief that anyone can do yoga.

What sets us apart? We have successfully created a feeling here that anyone is welcome and that everyone belongs. Whether you are just beginning yoga or are a seasoned yogi, you belong here and we can offer you something. Oh, and we are the BEST yoga studio in Logan Square 🙂

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First of all my husband, Andrew. He has been my cheerleader from the beginning. My rock– never waiving in his support of the studio and my ideas.

Second of all, all the teachers. Whether they have been here since the beginning or whether they just joined us. They are the ones that make this community work. They are the ones that show up day after day and give their heart and soul to the students of the studio.

Last but not least, my studio manager, Rhiannon Kirby. She’s been teaching here since the beginning, but last year I hired her on as a full time studio manager. She has been amazing and helps the studio run smoothly. I often wondered how I got through the first 4 years without her!

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