We Are Upstate NY With Stone Wave Yoga Founder Liz Glover Wilson

Meet Liz Glover Wilson, owner of Stone Wave Yoga, an ever-evolving hub for hot yoga, hatha and vinyasa classes, meditation classes, yin and restorative yoga, prenatal and kids yoga, teacher training programs, as well as retreats and workshops. With two beautiful studios in Poughkeepsie and their flagship in Gardiner, guests enjoy a generous schedule of offerings with a large roster of diverse and experienced teachers. As Liz explains,

“The practice of Yoga is beyond the physical and provides us with the tools for mindfulness, positive thoughts and the power of being present.”

It is the latter which Liz celebrates especially, explaining how “when we are present we can be more effective.”

Enjoy beautiful views, serene spaces, a deepening practice for every level of practitioner, and, as Liz says, “the art of the pause.” The inclusive “come as you are” culture of Stone Wave Yoga fosters a true sense of community and brings all the benefits of yoga and meditation to the Hudson Valley including stress and anxiety reduction, improved physical and mental health, and greater presence. This inspiring woman-owned business is definitely one to support. Read on to learn more.

INSIDE+OUT: Where are you originally from, and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

Liz Glover Wilson: I was raised in Westchester County. My parents were Christian ministers and very community-minded. When I was young, they often took us to the Hudson Valley and the Catskills for peaceful family getaways. I fell in love with the whole region and found my way here as an adult in 2010.

What inspired your yoga practice, and how did it lead to a business?

Hot Yoga was my first love; early on, it was just another form of exercise for me. After my sister passed away in 2012, I found myself on a very different yoga journey. It was on the mat that I found myself again, picking up the pieces from the tragic loss and finding my voice and my vision. The mat is healing, and I wanted to share this with everyone I could. That is where Stone Wave was first birthed.

What is special about running a business in the Hudson Valley as a female business owner, Latino, and business professional?

As a Latina woman with European ancestry, I find much inspiration from the many beautiful and diverse communities that reside and thrive in the Hudson Valley. Like the colors of the rainbow, our studios attract climbers, skydivers, artists, hikers, cyclists, homeschoolers, LGBTQ, university students, teachers, and medical professionals – to name a few. As a woman, I am thrilled to see many women-owned businesses and feel supported as a female entrepreneur.

Tell us about your three yoga studios: one in Gardiner and one in Poughkeepsie. Do you have further expansion plans?

We now have three studios. Our Gardiner studio is a true sanctuary with panoramic views of the Shawangunks. In Poughkeepsie, we have a peaceful sanctuary studio right next door to Dreaming Goddess and Crafted Kup. We also just opened our first dedicated Hot Yoga Studio right upstairs from our Sanctuary Studio. There are more options for everyone now. Our hope is to open more studios in 2025 and 2026.

The Poughkeepsie studio offers Hot Yoga classes. What is the attraction and benefits of practicing Hot Yoga?

The Hot Yoga practice has many benefits. While not for everyone because of the hot temperatures, it can be a very refreshing practice. To start, the practice improves flexibility and builds bone density. As you age, you are in danger of bone density decline. Hot Yoga is a hatha practice that guides you to strengthen your whole body, increasing your bone density. Like all Yoga, it also reduces stress, eases depression, and provides a cardiovascular boost. Finally, the heat and the sweat help detoxify and nourish the skin, leaving you glowing!

You do so much aside from classes – you’re a teacher, business owner, and mentor; you host workshops, retreats and teacher training. What drives you, and how do you keep yourself organized?

Meditation, prayer, lists, and more lists! Truly, I have a lot of passion for what I do, and every day is a gift. It goes without saying that I am human, and sometimes, it is easy to start to spiral into being overwhelmed. That, to me, is a sign to practice what I call “the art of the pause.” It is a practice that helps me stay present. When we are present, we can be more effective. While we need to plan and prepare, we also must dedicate ourselves to being in the moment and intentional with our time.

How do you personally define wellness and self-care, and how does your yoga practice contribute to this?

This is a great question, as this year I experienced a very bad case of Lyme disease. Being in “dis-ease” was challenging my self-care routine and inviting me to broaden my definition of wellness. Today, as I come back into ease (healing from Lyme), I would prioritize rest, meditation and positive thoughts as the three most important things for self-care. Movement, a good diet, adventure, and curiosity come next! The practice of Yoga is beyond the physical and provides us with the tools for mindfulness, positive thoughts and the power of being present.

What is one question you’re constantly asked or the biggest misconception about your business?

Potential students always say, “I can’t do yoga because I am not flexible enough.” That is exactly why you should do Yoga. You don’t have to be anything but yourself.

What is the most rewarding and most challenging part of your job?

Each day, I am rewarded just by seeing my students in practice. Yoga is not about the goal or achieving a certain level. It is about being committed to the journey of self-observation and self-care. To see students show up weekly over the years simply makes my heart sing. As for challenges, there are many hurdles that we must overcome all the time. From plumbing problems to finding good admin support to keeping the proper weekly class schedule going. The list is long, but it never discourages me from continuing this very meaningful path.

What impact does your business strive to have on your community?

The impact is found in the word commUNITY. Yoga means unity. Stone Wave provides a space where people can come together, unified in breath. Yoga does not care who you are, what you believe in, or what political party you are part of – it just calls you to embody your breath and increase your awareness. I believe that if we all practice more mindful living, we would have a kinder, more peaceful world.

What local businesses do you rely on to be successful?

We hire cleaning professionals and rely on local stores for supplies.

Are there any new developments or upcoming plans you’d like to share?

Yes, we are thrilled to be launching our first product in October 2023! During the pandemic, when I was in my studio storing away props, I realized how easily germs can spread with cloth materials. As I was putting away the cloth bolsters to put them into storage, I realized I needed to do better for my students. In general, cloth bolsters are simply not a sanitized way of offering a prop in class. Cloth-covered bolsters are challenging to clean, and due to the material’s permeability, you’re still breathing in old germs left behind on the inner material. That was the beginning of my journey to design an antimicrobial bolster. These are all hand-made here in the Hudson Valley by a Latina Women-owned business. Each bolster has a hand-picked white quartz rock in the center for positive and healing energy.

What is missing in the area that you wish we had?

A Trader Joe’s!

Tell us something about yourself that people might be surprised to learn?

I am shy. I rode my own motorcycle for 20 years. I am a fine artist. I love to dance in the rain barefoot. I have a campervan.

What is your current state of mind?

Remembering that faith and trust in the Lord of love carry me every day.

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Connect with the Stone Wave Yoga COLLECTIVE > Website | Facebook | Instagram | INSIDE+OUT Spotlight | Shop Bolsters HERE

STONE WAVE YOGA COLLECTIVE

HOT YOGA STUDIO
2 Langrange Avenue, Suite 206 in Poughkeepsie

SANCTUARY YOGA STUDIO ~ NEW!
44 Raymond Avenue, Storefront #2 in Poughkeepsie

SANCTUARY YOGA STUDIO
2694 US 44 55 in Gardiner

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