Hidden Gems: Meet Alexandra Skinner of Solènne studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Skinner.

Hi Alexandra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a West Michigan native who now calls West LA home. Owning a yoga studio was always something I aspired to do, but never really thought possible. But when I moved to Santa Monica from Chicago, I really craved and searched for a space that I just wasn’t finding; a place to teach in and practice at myself. I was looking for a bespoke neighborhood studio where it feels like you are entering someone’s home, where all the instructors and students know each other, a place were people come to practice but also a place where people come to gather, to learn about themselves, but also a place where you can be fully acknowledged. That is what we are building at solènne studio.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Opening a new business is not easy. Especially in a city that I still am not very familiar with. It took my partner and I about 8 months to find the perfect space in the right area then a handful of months for the buildout. The list goes on for challenges that we continue to face: spreading awareness in the community, learning how to run a business, not just teaching great yoga, finding the best instructors who compliment each other and all have a unique perspective yet a common denominator when in comes to teaching.

Many challenges:
-finding the perfect space,
-complications during the buildout,
-spreading awareness in the community
-finding the best instructors in the city
-learning how to run a business, not just teach great yoga

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Solènne studio?
We’re an independent, woman-owned business aiming to serve an unmet need in the local Santa Monica community for non-heated, community-focused yoga, all in the heart of the Montana Ave district. We believe we’re set apart from other studios in West LA based on our inviting interior design and operating model that focuses on smaller, more intimate class sizes. With a focus on intentional yoga that is rooted in finding stillness and awareness our classes are really meant to meet you where ever you are. We take a lot of pride in the community we have already built in just a short time. We have a beautiful demographic ranging in all ages and practice experience from kiddos that pop in with their parents to seniored yogi’s who have been practicing since before I was born. At solènne, we prioritize all of the little things, that compound to make a big difference: free tea and water, all mats and props provided, community engagement via local, small-business partnerships.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Growing up, I was a perfectionist in pretty much every way; from the sports I played, to having to participate in every extra ciricular activity, to striving to get the best grades possible. I remained a perfectionist all the way through college and into my first job as a pharmaceutical research and development biochemist… Then I decided to become a yoga instructor. I was able to still foster my love for science, anatomy, how the body works, moves, and breathes but through a new creative and expressive lens. I was able to let go of analysis from an analytical mind and move into this space of sensing and feeling through a creative mind. The perfectionism is a helpful tool when it comes to running a small business though!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.solennestudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solennestudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/sol%C3%A8nne-studio-61573590661271/

Image Credits
Jamie Kang
E.P. Photography