Rachel Groschke and Steven Villanueva Skees have lived in Cy-Fair for most of their lives and attended a Cy-Fair ISD elementary school together. They said their bond between one another and their family has helped them bring their passion for yoga to the community in which they grew up.
After spending years in the corporate world, Skees sought fulfillment and found it in yoga. He pursued this passion across the world, learning from practitioners in Malaysia, Sweden and Belgium.
“I was looking for a more fulfilling career that I was passionate about,” he said. “So I found myself really passionate about yoga, really interested in the philosophy. As I started to dive deeper into my own practice, I just had this desire to share, to teach, so I got some training.”
Upon completing his studies, Skees returned home to teach at Sunset Yoga and stayed there until the owner of the studio asked him to take over the practice.
“I stepped in, me and my wife, and we renovated,” Skees said. “We got my little brother [to do] the floor in [the yoga studio] so it’s been a very DIY. My cousins did the paint and the carpet; her sister did the mural and all of our artwork and candles.”
Inside the studio, a mural covers all the walls except a mirror wall, allowing yoga students to be surrounded by the calming view and check their form as they change poses. The sense of calm is not only produced by the sights but the smells as well. Groschke said they walk through the studio and lobby with incense to ensure the rooms stay fragrant after sessions and cleanings.
In addition to classes, Yoga Dragon also holds instructor training for those who share the couple’s passion for yoga and want to introduce more people to the practice. Skees and Groschke said they attribute their success to the strength of their team of instructors, who help keep their doors open.
19708 Hwy. 290, Houston, 12603 Louetta Road, Cypress. 832-688-8349. www.yogadragonhtx.com
Hours: vary based on class schedules
