For many, success is setting a goal and then accomplishing what they set out to do.
By this definition, Sudbury businesswoman Dawn Condon is successful.
However, she has achieved success on several other levels. The certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor doesn't punch a time clock. She doesn't answer to a demanding boss. She doesn't have to deal with headaches at the office.
The owner of the Connected Living Yoga & Wellness Studio makes her living doing something she enjoys. Her job allows her to live a healthy lifestyle while helping others pursue their wellness goals.
A fringe benefit of being a fitness and yoga instructor for more than 30 years is the many friends she has made.
Condon opened her spacious studio on Long Lake Road three years ago.
"I moved here in the middle of the pandemic," says the mother of two adult children who looks at least a decade younger than she is.
Yoga can help calm your mind, manage stress, strengthen your body and develop flexibility and balance, she says.
The ancient Eastern practice can benefit people of all ages and fitness levels.
Condon teaches a variety of carefully curated classes including one for beginners, and chair yoga, which is popular with seniors because it allows them to use chairs for additional balance and stability.
She also offers a weekly class for men only called Stiff Guy. This class helps men release muscular tension and increase their flexibility, which can help prevent injuries from sports and physical labour.
"We have been fed an image of what yoga should be … only for the fit and young. Yoga is for every body," Condon says.
Participants pay a monthly membership for in-studio or online classes which allows them to take as many one-hour sessions as they want.
By necessity, the pandemic shutdown motivated Condon to organize online classes, learn about social media, and rebuild her website which have contributed to the growth of her business.
Condon got some help from NORCAT's Digital Mainstreet program.
"That was a lot of fun and a really good experience,” she said. “Great team to work with. They were really collaborative and really got my marketing program going."
Most people initially seek the fitness benefits of yoga but there is much more to it on a spiritual level.
"I help men and women learn to enjoy eating, moving and living again,” Condon says as a way of introduction on her website. “Life is for living and that means enjoying the riches out there. Your body wants to support your life, your soul wants you to live. Let’s make that connection between your health and wellness as a team.”
She first studied yoga when she was a young mother. She was stressed and not feeling well. Her passion for yoga and the confidence she got from her studies helped her to make important life-changing decisions.
"Yoga literally saved my life,” she said. “I would not be living a full life."
Recently Condon received a Good Neighbour Award from Sudbury NDP MPP Jamie West. She was honoured for her community work with the Blue Door Soup Kitchen, L'Arche Sudbury and the Sudbury Women's Centre.
"Sudbury is where I grew up and have been supported. I think it is important for me to do my part to give back. I am a Rotarian and I try to give back whenever I can … I have subsidized spots in classes for people who are economically challenged, and I teach at the YMCA."
Condon is in her happy place and doesn't have any plans to expand her studio. Her current goal is to develop programming for people with Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and other chronic health issues.
"I am having such a good time,” she said. “I didn't start out thinking I wanted to start a business to make money...to just make enough to make sure the rent is covered.
"It's not work work. I love what I do and I can't see myself stopping (teaching)."
Vicki Gilhula is a freelancer writer. Success is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
