Meet Diana Sophia Virissimo | Yoga Lab Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diana Sophia Virissimo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diana Sophia, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My community is one of the biggest reasons I have decided to embark on this business adventure. I live in an area where there aren’t very many yoga studios and the studios that are here don’t offer quality control of their classes. Ever since I started teaching in this area of San Diego my following has grown and I’d like to think that it’s because of the time and dedication I put into planning my classes. My goal as a yoga teacher is to not only offer clients an amazing work out but also inspire them to make healthy choices that align with whatever goals they’re trying to achieve. At Yoga Lab SD our goal is to transform bodies, minds, and lives. When you dedicate yourself to a yoga practice you almost immediately begin to see and feel the transformation. It starts with one person. One person who feels good because of their practice can change the course of someone’s day with a simple smile or an act of kindness. Then that person does the same for someone else. Like a pebble that gets thrown into a pond, the ripples begin to expand and grow. This positive impact is how my business can help my community and eventually the world. Yoga has the power to do that.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I received my yoga teacher training certification spring of 2012 and by September of that same year I began teaching full-time. I fell in love with seeing the progress of my students. It’s such a rewarding feeling when you know that you have changed somebody’s life for the better from simply guiding them in the yoga practice. It’s that feeling that drove me to continue down this professional path. I was eager to learn how to continue to be a supportive instructor in more ways than one. I received training certifications in a plethora of yoga formats and dove deep into the practice of Ayurveda; the sister science to yoga. I read a lot of books and borrowed inspirational quotes from famous authors to apply in my classes’ themes. The beauty of yoga is that you never hit a wall when it comes to growing and learning. There’s always more to explore. As a yoga teacher the financial struggles are no joke. We don’t get paid very well and even if we did it’s hard to fill our schedule with classes from studios that choose to pay us more. Luckily I had a lot of financial support from my family which is how I was able to survive for as long as I did in that aspect. For this reason, one of the major focuses I have for my business is to be as financially supportive to my teachers as I can. I have an open door policy where complete honesty and transparency is welcome. My brand represents integrity, support, and offers everyone a chance at success. From my 10 years of experience in this field I have learned that being a leader, not a boss, is necessary for a business in this field to be prosperous. I lead by example. Sometimes people tell me I say too much but I can’t help it. I’m an open book!! My super open ways of communicating aren’t for everyone but it has never failed me. Ultimately it has helped me deal with life’s endless dilemmas in a more efficient and effective way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There’s so many amazing things in San Diego!! But I do have my favorite spots 🙂 I would start the day off by going to a hot yoga class then head to one of Swami’s Cafes many locations for breakfast. I’d probably go on a hike afterwards at Torrey pines and chill on the beach to sunbathe before I left. The views from there are breathtaking. For lunch I would definitely go to Harumama for one of their delicious Bao Buns and maybe some sushi :)) if it’s a Wednesday then I’d do some shopping at the Ocean Beach Farmers Market and end at OB noodle house for dinner. They have these peanut butter shots that are the perfect dessert to end the night. Obviously im a foodie. I love going out to restaurants and eating delicious food that I can’t cook 😅

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I first began to write my business plan 5 years ago I had no idea where to start. After doing some research I was blown away at the immense amount of resources that were available to me. Irma Ramos from SBDC (Small Business Development Center) pointed me in the right direction. She reviewed my business plan over and over again until it felt right. She then sat me down to help me figure out how to apply for an LLC and introduced me to the SBA (Small Business Administration) where I applied for my business loan. If it weren’t for her help with fine tuning my business plan I wouldn’t have gotten approved for the loan. From there I was introduced to Alma Miluso who I am forever indebted to. She’s a commercial real estate agent who truly had my best interest in mind. It took us over 2 years to find the perfect location for my yoga studio so her dedication was something that made me feel incredibly supported. These are just two people that have made an incredible impact on this venture. Others include my family for helping me never give up hope, my husband for taking care of the kids so I could work, friends that have always hyped me up, yoga teachers and peers that have sent so much love my way, and of course my two boys who have inspired me to be an example of someone who can make dreams come true.

Website: www.yogalabsd.com

Instagram: @yogalabsd

Facebook: Yoga Lab San Diego

Image Credits
Shannon Bailey Photography