From Yoga Student to Teacher to Franchise Studio Owner!

As we are celebrating our 1 year anniversary here at The Foundry Thousand Oaks, it is my honor to acknowledge how truly wonderful the Foundry Teacher Training and Franchise program is. I can honestly say that my wife, Courteney, and I are doing what we love everyday. 

I started practicing hot yoga because at the time my previous career and lifestyle had me searching for a way to unwind. I was also looking to improve myself physically. Little did I know how much this practice would improve myself mentally. Overcoming challenges and distractions in the hot room carried with me outside of the room. I started to change the way I think. When new challenges and goals arise in my life my brain would previously default to thinking about all the reasons why I cannot do something. Now I start to default to thinking about all the reasons I CAN do anything. 

Teacher training was something that interested me so that I could learn more about Hot Yoga practice and challenge myself physically with the amount of practice required. I have struggled with social anxiety my entire life so I was on the fence about doing it. I honestly didn’t apply until the final reminder email! lol. To say the least, I am so glad that I did! The Foundry Teacher Training is such a well rounded program.  The Yoga knowledge I received from the variety of experienced teachers is so valuable. The ongoing support from the start to today is amazing. The personal development I have made has been life changing. I have completed 500 hours worth of training with The Foundry.I am certified in 26&2 Hot Yoga, Hot Flow, Hot Basic Yoga, and Hot Mat Pilates. After training I immediately started to teach as much as I can.

Entrepreneurship has been a goal of mine for a long time. My previous career gave me great knowledge into business ownership but the field was not a passion of mine. Hot Yoga quickly became my passion because of all the benefits I received from practicing inside and out. I knew that I could help others do the same! Helping others receive the benefits is the best feeling in the world! In teacher training we wrote down and manifested what our ideal life would look like. Studio ownership was something that I wrote down and spoke about for a long time. Writing it, visualizing it, talking about it, believing it, and receiving that same energy from others, made it happen! We are grateful that we got the opportunity to purchase the Yoga studio that I taught at. In just one short year since taking over we have had huge success! We couldn’t have done it without the guidance and support of The Foundry franchise program. Their program offers the perfect balance of studio operating systems and personal business creativity. Having their 17 years of studio ownership experience on our side is so valuable. The Foundry makes owning and operating a studio a very rewarding experience. 

From practicing, to teacher training, to franchise ownership, the lifelong relationships that we have built at The Foundry is my favorite part. 

Brandon Breit
Studio Owner/Teacher 
The Foundry Thousand Oaks

Benefits of Group Yoga & Fitness Classes

Have you been missing the hot room? Come sweat with us! Practicing yoga or working out with a group of people has so many amazing benefits.

Get Pumped Up and Inspired

While you might not hold standing bow for the full minute or finish that last round in the tabata while working out solo, you’ll find that the strength you needed was there all along when you have friends cheering you on! The group energy is strong and supportive at The Foundry!

Improve Your Form

Our teachers are always here to help you with your postures and exercises to make sure you are getting the most out of your class. You get the motivation of getting healthy & fit with a group of supportive people, as well as the focused attention of a fitness professional.

Fill Up Your Tank

One thing we know for sure, it takes energy to make things happen. Enjoying time each day to unplug from the outside world and plug into yourself on the mat. Recharge your soul. Fill up your tank with us so you can go out in the world and be your best self!

Engage With Our Community (#foundryfam)

There’s something special about being a part of a community of people who are all working towards the same goals — better health, better fitness, and better lifestyles. When you’re part of The Foundry Fam, there will always be somebody who has your back.

Mutual Accountability

When you exercise or do yoga as part of a group, your presence is valued — and your absence is noticed. When you develop an expectation with your classmates to persevere with your goals, we believe you’ll find it easier and easier to make the choice to show up and join your Foundry Fam for class!

Ready to take class with us?!?
Download The Foundry AZ app on Apple or Android to sign up for class today!

Empowerment: to give power to; to make powerful

By: Nicole Deacon

Honestly, I haven't felt super empowered these last few months. 2020 was intense for all of us in different ways and for me it was throwing in a new baby, a new studio, mandatory shutdowns, more awareness of injustices and my contributions, and general end of world fears... needless to say I have not been feeling ready to take on the world.

I think one of the most disempowering things we do is not give ourselves room to be human. We have an instinctual drive for perfection and social media can feed the illusion that some people are only experiencing the "up" side of life and we are the only ones that don't have it all together. It is one of the things we try to empower our teachers in training with... that they don't have to have "perfect postures", a "perfect body", feel "perfectly at peace" and "in sync with the universe" all the time to be a teacher. From where we stand what makes a good teacher is someone who has a desire to grow, to learn, and to be of service to others. We spend a lot of time in training helping people discover the things that empower them so that they can share their light with others.

Can I tell you one of the things I discovered this year empowers me? Giving myself permission to be disempowered. Giving myself room to be Human. I had a challenging year with a lot of changes. When I just let myself be down for a little bit... recognizing that it is okay to not have it all together all the time... that feeling down doesn't disqualify me from being a teacher and owning studios. It is in that moment of acceptance I actually have the ability to engage with things that actually empower me. Then I can ask myself the question... what would give me power in this moment? In this circumstance what could I do to get a little bit more power? Is it just getting out of the house for a little while, being around positive people (even virtually), doing a hot class, a hot bath, screaming at the top of my lungs in the car, helping others, learning something new? The things that empower us will be unique to us and maybe different in different circumstances, but I do think it is important to know a few things that generally help you come back to your strength and power.

“Know what sparks the light in you. And then use that light to illuminate the world.” — Oprah

What are the things that light you up and cause you to be on fire? We would love to hear about it in the comments below.

5 Ways to Support Small Businesses through 2020

The Covid pandemic has had an effect on everyone at this point. It’s more important than ever to support your local businesses! Here are five ways you can help your local small businesses this holiday season!

1. Buy gift cards

One way to put immediate cash into your local small business is by purchasing a gift card for future use. You can save it and use it in 2021, while giving the local businesses immediate cash to help tide them over during this time.

Buy Foundry Gift Cards Now!

2. Shop local

When you need to stock up on necessities or buy Christmas gifts, shop from local businesses, both online and offline. Take the precautions when going out, but try to shop at local businesses instead of larger chains. If your local stores have online shops, consider shopping from them while you are at home!

Some of our favorite local AZ small businesses:
Balancing Paws Dog Training (Foundry member-owned)
Jemini Wild Spiritual Coach (Foundry member-owned)
Holy Healing Bali (Foundry member-owned)
Facials by Ann (Foundry member-owned)
Branded Bills (Foundry member-owned)
GemGirl Jewelry (Foundry member-owned)
PureKnead Massage (Foundry member-owned)
The Solossage System (Foundry member-owned)
Joshua Tree Running Company (Foundry member-owned)
Clover Canine Dog Training (Foundry member-owned)
Whole Steps Financial (Foundry member-owned)
Vida Moulin
UrbAna
Casita Curated Play
The Black Box
Vibrant Skin Bar
Honey Pot Wax Spot
Local Nomad

3. Order delivery or pickup from nearby restaurants

If you’re not up for cooking, order pickup or delivery from your nearby restaurants. That way, you can continue to support your local small businesses to help ensure you can dine-in at their location once the pandemic has passed. Try calling the restaurant or ordering directly from their website rather than third-party apps so the business can avoid fees.

Some of our favorite local-owned restaurants in Phoenix:
The Herb Box (Foundry member-owned)
Rito’s Mexican Food (Foundry member-owned)
Hop Doddy (Foundry member-owned)
Salty Sow (Foundry member-owned)

Some of our favorite local-owned restaurants in Flagstaff:
Fratelli Pizza
The Toasted Owl

4. Share on social media

If you can’t afford to go out or have sufficiently stocked up with what you need, encourage your friends and followers to support local businesses. Most small businesses have some form of social media. Share their posts so those in your circle can see it and support, too. This doesn’t cost you anything more than a click and it may encourage support from others in the community. If there’s a local business you frequent that you love, leave them a good review, which can lead to more potential customers and more business.

Here are our social media links!
Follow us for tips & tricks, giveaways, updates & inspo!
The Foundry Instagram
Foundry Flagstaff Instagram
The Foundry Facebook Page

5. Keep them in mind for the future

If you don’t need anything but are looking toward the future, take a look at some of your local small businesses’ online stores and make a note of where to shop when things calm down. Leave a helpful note to remind you, so when you’re ready to shop, that business will be the first to come to mind.