Journey to Empowering Others Through Yoga and Nutrition – Exclusive Interview with Rosanna Shillolo

Rosanna graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She personally experienced the positive impact of exercise and good nutrition, both mentally and physically, and wanted to help others do the same. She first became certified as a CanFitPro Personal Trainer. Years later, due to an injury, she sought out yoga to heal her body and discovered it also helped balance her busy family life while raising three children. Living on the lake inspired Rosanna to take her yoga practice to the water and, naturally, to a Paddle Canada certification as a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) instructor to offer SUP yoga classes. Most recently, she was certified as a Precision Nutrition Coach, providing a wide range of wellness services.

Rosanna Shillolo, Yoga Instructor, Wellness Coach, and Entrepreneur

Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.

Hi! I’m Rosanna, owner and operator of Sunrise Yoga Studio on beautiful Lake Couchiching in my hometown of Orillia, Ontario, Canada. I’m a proud mom to three incredible humans and two fur baby French Bulldogs. Now that my kids are older and more independent, if I’m not in the studio or on the water with clients, you’ll probably find me enjoying a dog walk alongside my husband, planning a good meal, playing guitar, or learning Italian. I start every day with good coffee and some kind of physical activity, such as yoga, running, or resistance training. Exercise always leaves me feeling empowered and ready to take on whatever the day has in store.

Where did your journey in the health and wellness industry begin?

I can trace my initial love for fitness as far back as my mid-teens, when I discovered at-home workouts in the form of a variety of classic VHS exercise tapes. I think I wore out the entire Abs of Steel series. This is when I first connected exercise and healthy eating to feeling my best physically and mentally. I took psychology in university, but always knew the kind of support I wanted to offer people was helping them make the same connection between moving their body and feeling well and living optimally.

Fast forward to my early 20s, when as a stay-at-home mom, I earned my first certification as a personal trainer. As I built my coaching business, I really became invested in the progress of each of my clients. I wanted to ensure I was offering them the full spectrum of fitness training. This meant attention to their rest, recovery, and flexibility as much as it did their resistance training and cardio conditioning. In my early 30s, my desire to become a well-rounded trainer led me to invest in a 200-hour Yoga Teacher certification. From there, I branched out further to complete a Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) Yoga certification, and in the last 5 years, I completed a Hot Yoga teaching certification and studied to become a Precision Nutrition Coach to further support the goals of my clients.

What inspired you to start Sunrise Yoga Studio?

I sensed the need for a space that provided sanctuary from the stresses of modern life that promoted health of body, mind, and spirit. I envisioned a kind of ‘health hub’ where my coaching services and group classes could be offered in an environment that was welcoming to every body. It was important to me to create a community that was supportive, inclusive, and inspiring.

What benefits do your clients most often experience?

I believe they experience the benefits of being seen and supported. I aspire to meet everyone where they’re at in any given moment. When people feel seen and supported, they’re more likely to be consistent with their wellness routine and achieve their goals.

How do you support beginners who are new to yoga?

I welcome beginners just as I would want to be welcomed as a beginner. I’ve been there! We’ve all had to experience a first class once. It can feel intimidating even in the most welcoming of studios. I always speak to ‘newbies’ before class to answer any questions they may have and to assure them that they’re always their own best yoga instructor, meaning it’s important they listen to their body’s sensation cues and rest or modify as needed. I’ll monitor them throughout class and offer assistance or adjustments if it’s required. After class I check in to see how they feel or if they have any feedback from their experience.

What role does community play in your studio's mission?

If I were to use one word to describe what I’ve aimed to achieve with my studio, it is simply community. I often tell my yogis that I gain as much inspiration from them as they do from me. We’re all on this journey of life. Why not share the light, knowledge, and experience each of us has to offer if it could make the journey a little smoother? I’m blessed to continually witness meaningful exchanges and connections among clients. I love seeing my students, once strangers to each other, grabbing coffee or meeting up for hikes, etc, outside of class.

In terms of our surrounding community, the studio hosts karma events throughout the year to support local causes. Most notably, our annual SNOWGA event embraces the great outdoors in the midst of winter to raise funds for our local food bank.

Tell us about your greatest career achievements so far.

Recently, I hosted my first international yoga retreat in Tuscany, and it was an absolute dream come true. Prior to this accomplishment, I’d say my greatest achievement was the making of my yoga DVD series, Sun Series Vinyasa Yoga, now available online. Oh, and opening the hot studio is right up there, too.

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