July Student of the Month: Cristine
We’re kicking off our Student of the Month series with a face we know you’ll all find familiar! Cristine Reid has been practicing at Twisted Grit Yoga for a while, and we knew she’d be a great person to highlight as our very first Student of the Month! We pride ourselves on fostering a welcoming and inclusive community, so we’re eager to shine a spotlight on our dedicated members–like Cristine–whose journey is truly inspiring!
Finding Her “Home” in Yoga
Cristine’s relationship with exercise has been a challenging one. “I really don’t like to exercise,” she admits. Over the years, she tried yoga on and off but never found a place that felt like home—until she discovered Twisted Grit. “I heard about Twisted Grit and pushed myself to try their program. So I signed up for a free class and liked it. Then I signed up for a two-week trial, and liked it more! Here I am a year later, still going to class!”
Flexibility in Commitment
One aspect that drew Cristine to Twisted Grit was the ability to control her commitment. “Being able to sign up for membership where I could control my commitment was important. Many other gyms require a 12+ month commitment and that is discouraging to me.” This flexibility allowed Cristine to ease into her yoga practice without the pressure of a long-term contract.
A Vibrant Community
Cristine finds joy in Twisted Grit’s community. “I enjoy meeting people, seeing familiar faces, the new classes, the new instructors, the specialty events, the contests—it never gets redundant.” The variety and dynamic nature of our offerings keep her engaged and excited to return.
A Leap of Faith
“When I saw Twisted Grit was opening, I thought they were crazy to open where another studio had failed,” Cristine recalls. Despite her initial skepticism, she reached out to our founder, Amy, and was impressed by her energy, offerings, and business model. “I took a class, then another, and another, and was hooked! In order to succeed where another has failed, you have to have something special, something different. Twisted Grit has it!”
Personal Growth and Wellness
As Cristine has grown older, she recognizes the importance of movement and wellness in her life. “I see the impact of movement and wellness on my body. I am striving to focus on me after years of putting my health on the back burner.” She dedicates her practice to just “be me” and to “be in the moment,” embracing the positive reinforcement from our instructors.
A Unique Experience
Cristine highlights Twisted Grit’s uniqueness: “I have taken many yoga classes over the years, and Twisted Grit is really unique and different! It is easy to find your ‘people’ and be comfortable in class, whether you are new to yoga or someone like me who has tried many classes over the years. There are so many different kinds of classes and so many different instructors, there is something for you here.”
Beyond the Mat
Outside of yoga, Cristine enjoys gardening, traveling, crafting, reading, fishing, cooking, and planning events. These hobbies reflect her vibrant and multifaceted personality, which she brings into the Twisted Grit community.
A Heartfelt Thanks
Cristine’s journey is a testament to the supportive and inclusive environment we strive to create at Twisted Grit. “I appreciate the space and constant reinforcement by instructors to be who you are. I am so surprised to see how many other people in class are listening to the encouraging words ‘eating up’ that message to ‘be you and to do you’. I don’t feel alone. I find myself thinking, ‘Wow…all these people in class have some sort of need, just like me.'”
Thank you, Cristine, for being a vital part of our Twisted Grit family. Your story inspires us all to embrace our true selves and find joy in every moment.
Every month, TGY is shining a spotlight on dedicated staff members, teachers, and students who make Twisted Grit Yoga such a special place! Keep an eye on the blog and our newsletter for more info!