Reflections on Five Years of Hola Yoga: A Community for the People
A heartfelt reflection by Hola Yoga’s Founder + Owner, Khrys Baltodano.
As I reflect on Hola’s five-year anniversary, I am filled with gratitude and awe. What began as a vision—of a space where people could move, breathe, and connect—has grown into something greater than I could have imagined.
From the very beginning, I hoped Hola would take on a life of its own, shaped by the energy, dedication, and kindness of those who step through its doors. And it has. Hola is more than a yoga studio; it is a living, breathing community, built by the teachers who hold space, the students who show up with open hearts, and the connections that extend far beyond the mat.
For much of this journey, I have been present for every small detail, but I have intentionally kept a low profile. I could say it's because I wanted Hola to be about the practice, the community, and the experience—not about any one person. I’ve always believed that yoga studios, fitness spaces, and wellness communities are at their best when they empower the people within them, rather than revolving around a single voice or personality. Hola was never meant to be mine—it was meant to be ours. And while that has always been my intention, if I’m being honest, part of me was also afraid of stepping forward as the face of the brand. What if I screwed it up?
When I moved to Nashville, I was just 26, full of enthusiasm for yoga but with no experience in running a business. I had a vision, but I also carried a deep fear of getting it wrong. As a Latina, I’ve always known that I had to be exceptional just to be seen as capable. This has been true my whole life, and I brought that pressure with me into this space. The stakes felt even higher in the world of yoga, a place of healing, of trust, of holding space for people in their most vulnerable moments. I asked myself constantly—what if I couldn’t live up to the responsibility? I wanted Hola to succeed, but I was afraid that my own imperfections would somehow hold it back. I wanted Hola to be something pure, something that could exist beyond my own uncertainties. So from the start, I focused on building the foundation rather than being the face of the brand, wanting Hola to grow without getting in the way.
But what I’ve come to realize is that Hola was never meant to be about perfection—just like yoga itself. Yoga teaches us to embrace the practice as it is, to meet ourselves where we are, and to find presence in both the effort and the ease. Hola has always been about the people—the ones who show up, breathe together, move through challenge and ease, and hold space for each other with open hearts. And that includes me, too.
These past five years, I have watched this community grow into something greater than I ever imagined. I have seen friendships form, resilience deepen, and the simple yet profound practice of coming back—back to the mat, back to the breath, back to ourselves. And I have felt every bit of it. I’m still a little bewildered that this space, once just a vision in my mind, has taken shape in the world. But Hola wasn’t just something I thought up; it was something I felt deeply in my heart before I ever put it into words.
Thank you for making Hola what it is. Thank you for showing up, for trusting in this space, and for allowing it to be an imperfect, evolving, and deeply human place—just like all of us. Here’s to five years of movement, connection, and growth—and to many more ahead. I look forward to see you on Sunday for our celebration!
Con Amor,
Khrys
Five Years of Hola
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Five Years of Hola 〰️
Love & Legacy: A Yoga Nidra Celebration
Celebrate five transformative years of Hola Yoga with an afternoon of deep rest, reflection, and connection.
Sunday, February 16th 3:30PM