We had the good fortune of connecting with Krystle Sangillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Krystle, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Everything changed at the start of the pandemic. We were all thrust into a scenario we couldn’t control, and at first it was scary. Yoga studios were closed temporarily. Classes were being taught online. My daughter could no longer attend school in person. For a while, I – like many other people – was in survival mode. Finding work/life balance in the new normal took some trial and error. Ultimately I learned to say “no” more in order to prioritize my well being and physical health. These days I’m running around less and teaching fewer public classes, but focusing more on creating more meaningful experiences for and deeper connections with my students. My daughter always comes first, and my primary focus over the last year has been on ensuring she feels safe, cared for, and loved, no matter what is happening in the outside world. If I consider being her mom my most important job, then I suppose I’m now working around the clock. But all of the work – motherhood, teaching yoga, managing the studio, copywriting – is important and rewarding.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m lucky to have created a nontraditional career path that I love – half the time I have the privilege of teaching yoga and managing an amazing studio, and the other half I work from home as a marketing copywriter. It took several years to get to the point where I have experience and credibility in both arenas. Finding a balance between the two career paths took time, patience, and working 6-7 days a week – often late at night – but it was worth the effort to learn and grow in both of my professions over time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In the current socially distanced world, my favorite place in DFW is Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano. It’s a peaceful pocket of nature in a pretty busy suburb, and if you spend enough time there, you will find plenty of quiet spots for moments of solitude in the outdoors. There are some great plant stores to visit all over the metroplex – you can’t go wrong at a Ruibal’s for exotic houseplants, and even the location in Carrollton has a good selection. For those of us in the north suburbs, the Farmer’s Market location in Dallas is worth the drive for a day trip.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Uptown Yoga, its owner Jen Chitwood, and the rest of the studio management team – Alexandra Grimm and Jenn Usherr-Davis – have played a central role in keeping my head above water while navigating all the changes that came in 2020.

Instagram: @yoginikrystle

Image Credits
Ed Zabel Photography, Peach and Port Photography

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