Meet Megan Rader | Yoga Teacher & Studio Owner

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

Hi Megan, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
The call to throw in the towel was strong in the depths of quarantine and the Covid pandemic. Outside of that time, I’ve never felt the push to give up on the studio. Each day, if I take a deep breath and look hard enough, my students and team provide reasons why the space is of value and needs to stay around. I’m big on following my intuition and trusting my gut, and I’ll continue to be guided by my internal compass.

What should our readers know about your business?
Kula Yoga is a wellness community for all who seek a non-judgmental, open space to practice yoga in all of its forms under the guidance of knowledgeable teachers. We now have two studios in the Grand Rapids area–one in Eastown on Wealthy and one on the West Side at Leonard and Alpine. We’re the most affordable studio in the city and the only spot offering sliding scale membership options. I’m really proud of the diverse workshop and event schedule we offer each month.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love me some Ginza sushi, Sheshco salads, and Sam’s Gyro’s veggie pitas. I’m an OG Eastern Kille (Gray Skies) fan for a delicious cocktail, and for some brews I’ll head to Brewery Vivant or Arvon. My pal Casey owns the incredible Pharmhouse Wellness for all of my cannabis needs, so best believe I’ll take my pals from out-of-town there. Nestology at Lake and Diamond is the sweetest store for maker-made goodies, and that would round out a day of exploring.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My husband, Elliott, has had unwavering faith in my ability and vision from the beginning. If it weren’t for his constant support, Kula would have never gotten off the ground.

My kiddos, Rey and Roscoe, keep my perspective in check and help me lighten up when I’m stressing over sill antics. . They’re my buddies.

The students at Kula are what keep it afloat. We are a student-funded yoga community, and they show up on their mats time and time again.

The team of teachers at the studio is like none other. They take their roles as instructors as seriously as they should, and I’m so grateful that each teacher chooses to show up fully and share their gifts at Kula.

Website: kulagr.com

Instagram: @kulagrandrapids

Image Credits
August Nyson Creative