Yoga, Health and Fitness for Everyone at Riverstone Yoga in Tarrytown

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. This series is as much about supporting companies as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.

Our spotlight today is on Patricia Fischer Donohue of Riverstone Yoga.

Business: Riverstone Yoga
Owners: Patricia Fischer Donohue
Website: www.riverstoneyoga.com
Address: 2 Hudson View Way, Tarrytown, NY 10591
Contact_Info: 914 332 9642; patricia@riverstoneyoga.com

How did you come up with the name?

Yoga, among other this allows students to slowly transform themselves, learning to be a more authentic person and live an more authentic life, so that the beauty that has always lived within can shine through. A river stone starts as a rock with hard jagged edges but becomes smoothed and the rough edges softened. This transformation is slow and over time the beauty that was always there shines through. There could be no other name. That, and the fact that my studio sits on the banks for this glorious Hudson River at Hudson Harbor.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?

This is my home, there is no other place for me but here to share what I love with my community. Yoga is community, yes, it’s a business but it is a business built on community.

Briefly, what business are you in?

Yoga for Everyone, Corporate Wellness, Health & Fitness

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

Getting people to know where we are and understanding the yoga is more that just great exercise (and, that it is for sure). But , yoga is about living a better life, being a better you: a parent, sibling, friend, neighbor, co-worker, boss, etc. When you de-stress, you make space for the things that really matter.

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?

NO. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and growth.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

First, every student who has the courage to walk into our studio, not knowing what to expect. Those who stay quickly understand that yoga gives you the space to learn about yourself each time you step on your mat, it take courage to start seeing yourself as you truly are, with all our warts and blessings. Next, having Seane Corn at my little studio and finally, seeing 75 smiling faces one Wednesday night enjoy our free outdoor yoga in the park this past summer - we have been doing free classes now for 3 years in a row.

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?

Kids Yoga, Family Yoga & Teen Yoga. Since I don’t’ have kids myself I was nervous but thanks to everyone…it has been stupendous!!

How do you deal with difficult customers?

I breathe deeply.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

Community classes, work study, scholarships, sliding scales, Free Outdoor yoga, etc.

The plan behind this series at Patch is to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

This is as much about supporting local businesses as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.

Click here to get to a simple form where local business owners can answer a few quick questions to be part of this ongoing feature.