Q&A: Shaping a Yoga Studio for the Five Towns

Andrew Kahn brought what he calls a very “unique” yoga studio to Cedarhurst five years ago when he opened Peaceful Presence Yoga & Massage Studio (436 Central Avenue, Unit 1). Patch recently spoke to him about the challenges and advantages of working in the community.

Why did you decide to become a yoga teacher?

I have to give credit to my mother, who was my first yoga teacher. I was around 10 to 12 years old. I saw what yoga and meditation was doing for her and I asked her to teach me. That planted the seeds.

[When I was older,] I wanted to learn more about the mind and what it means to be a human. I got into a clinical PhD program. At that time I was so interested in yoga that … after one year, I made a career change. I ended up moving to Massachusetts and becoming a resident at the country’s biggest yoga center, the Kripalu Center. I spent four years as a resident, walking, talking, learning, practicing, breathing, and eating yoga.

I moved with my wife and opened up in Cedarhurst five years ago. Started in a small place above and needed a bigger place, so I moved to my current space above .

What were those first few years like?

It was a real challenge to teach in this community. Even though I’m Jewish, I wasn’t raised in a religious family. Moving to Cedarhurst was a whole different world and I realized I had to bend over backwards if I was going to be successful.

I was very fortunate that I had a lot of rabbis that came by, and they were very vocal on what I had to do so people would be open to what I’m offering. I’m probably one of the only yoga studios in New York that is orthodox friendly. We have separation for men and woman and we don’t bring in eastern religious concepts.

In this community, yoga was a new thing, which felt like a disadvantage. I hung in there and now I’m in a good situation because it’s tough to open a yoga studio in an orthodox community.

How much of your clientele is orthodox?

Over 90 percent. What I saw when I moved here was a lot of stores closing on Central Avenue. What I realized is that if I’m going to survive, I have to learn to serve the community. If I have any chance of thriving on Central Avenue, I had to learn what their wishes are and not be someone who wants to move in a different direction. I think it was the right decision.

So people started coming in and they told their friends?

Absolutely — especially in this community. If they like something, they think it’s good, they tell others. Word of mouth is really key.

Would you like to add anything else?

The main point I want to drive home is that we want to serve not just Cedarhurst, but the surrounding communities. We’re here to teach yoga. Our business mission is to promote health, vitality and peace.

I just hope people understand that we operate in a way that we can survive and thrive. I want all people to feel welcome.