Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Keyhani.
Hi Kay, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey to creating YogiSmile has been shaped by both personal challenges and the support of an incredible community.
One of the experiences that shaped my perspective was losing my husband to cancer when our children were very young. In the years that followed, I focused on raising my family, building a career, and creating a new life in the United States. Those experiences taught me resilience, gratitude, and the importance of community.
For most of my professional life, I worked in the corporate world. While I was grateful for a successful career, the stress of balancing work, family, and life’s responsibilities eventually took a toll on my well-being. I struggled with anxiety, anger, sleeplessness, joint pain, and the cumulative effects of years of stress.
That was when yoga entered my life.
Yoga did not erase my challenges, but it transformed the way I met them. Through yoga and meditation, I found tools to calm my mind, improve my sleep, manage stress, and reconnect with myself. The practice helped me become stronger physically, emotionally, and mentally. Over time, I realized that what I had discovered was too valuable not to share.
What began as a personal healing journey gradually became a calling. I became a yoga teacher and eventually founded YogiSmile in historic Laurel, Maryland. My vision was to create a welcoming and inclusive space where people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels could experience the benefits of yoga, meditation, and mindful living.
Like many small business owners, building YogiSmile has required wearing many hats. Over the years, I have been the teacher, administrator, scheduler, marketer, cleaner, event planner, maintenance person, and sometimes even the person moving furniture before class. Running a small yoga studio is not just about teaching yoga—it is about serving people, building relationships, and creating a space where everyone feels welcome and supported.
What I am most proud of, however, is not the studio itself. It is the community that has grown around it. YogiSmile would not exist without the support of our members, teachers, volunteers, and members who have believed in our mission and helped us grow. They have shared ideas, invited friends, volunteered their time, attended classes, participated in events, and created the warm and caring atmosphere that makes YogiSmile special.
Today, YogiSmile offers yoga, meditation, Pilates, workshops, wellness events, and community gatherings. We strive to be more than a place to exercise. We are a place where people can connect, learn, heal, and support one another through life’s ups and downs.
My experience has taught me that life can be unpredictable and difficult, but it has also taught me that healing, growth, and joy are always possible. Through YogiSmile, I hope to share the tools that helped me navigate my own journey and, together with our wonderful community, help others live healthier, happier, and more connected lives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would not describe it as a smooth road, but rather as a continuous journey of learning, adapting, and growing.
One of our biggest challenges came right after opening YogiSmile in 2020. Like many small businesses, we were immediately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and had to suspend in-person classes. We quickly adapted by offering livestream classes so our students could continue practicing from home and stay connected with our community. It was a challenging time, but it also reinforced how important yoga, connection, and wellness are, especially during difficult periods.
As a small business owner, I have also learned that building a studio requires much more than teaching yoga. There are always new challenges, whether it is managing operations, maintaining the space, growing the business, or balancing the many roles that come with running a small organization.
I am grateful for the wonderful team we have built and for the positive impact they have on our members and community. As we continue to grow, we are always looking for teachers who align with our mission and values.
Looking back, I am grateful that we persevered through those early years. Thanks to the support of our members, our community, and our dedicated teachers, YogiSmile is still growing in 2026. We continue to evolve, learn, and look for new ways to help people live healthier, happier, and more connected lives.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
YogiSmile is a community-centered wellness studio located in historic Laurel, Maryland. We offer yoga, meditation, Pilates, Zumba, workshops, and wellness events designed to help people improve their physical health, reduce stress, and cultivate greater balance in their lives.
What makes YogiSmile special is our focus on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. Many people are curious about wellness practices but may feel intimidated by the idea of walking into a studio for the first time. We work hard to create a space where beginners, older adults, people recovering from injury, and experienced practitioners alike feel comfortable and supported.
We are known for our small class sizes, personalized attention, and strong sense of community. Our teachers are passionate about helping students build healthy, sustainable habits that support their overall well-being.
One of the things I am most proud of is the community that has developed around the studio. Over the years, YogiSmile has become more than a place to attend a class. It has become a place where people form friendships, support one another, learn together, and find a sense of belonging.
In addition to our classes, we offer meditation programs, Tea Talks, workshops, and community gatherings that encourage connection and lifelong learning. We believe that health and happiness are nurtured not only through movement, but also through meaningful relationships and a supportive community.
If there is one thing I would like readers to know about YogiSmile, it is that our mission goes beyond teaching classes. We are here to help people live healthier, happier, and more connected lives. Whether someone comes seeking movement, stress relief, healing, friendship, or simply a quiet place to breathe, we want them to feel welcomed, supported, and valued.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Personality-wise, I was quite shy and reserved. I tended to be more of an observer than the center of attention, and I was often happiest in smaller groups or quiet settings. I have always been an introvert, and that remains true today. I think there is a common misconception that introverts do not enjoy being around people, but that has never been my experience. Introverts can care deeply about others and enjoy meaningful connections; we simply need time and space to recharge and reflect.
I have always been a kind, thoughtful, and caring person who enjoys supporting others. Looking back, many of the qualities that shaped me as a child—curiosity, kindness, a love of learning, and a desire to help people—continue to influence both my personal life and my work today.
I still enjoy learning something new every day, whether it is related to yoga, meditation, wellness, business, or simply gaining a deeper understanding of people and the world around me. I believe that curiosity and lifelong learning help us grow, stay open-minded, and continue evolving throughout our lives.
Pricing:
- New Student Intro Offer: 30 Days of Unlimited Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, and Meditation Classes for $49
- Beginner Yoga Package: 5 classes for $50
- Livestream Classes: Practice from the comfort of your home for $10 per class or enjoy unlimited livestream access for $69/month
- Prenatal Yoga Package: 4 classes for $85
- We strive to make wellness accessible and affordable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yogismile.com/
- Instagram: @yogismileyoga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogismileyoga/
