Safe Harbor Yoga: An Origin Story

By Kayla Reetz

The Beginning of Safe Harbor Yoga

As I continue to embark on this new small business owner life, I am continually reminded how important it is to tell my story- the story of Safe Harbor Yoga- and why I choose this path. What I am also finding is this story ebbs and flows as life continues and changes- one of the beautiful and terrifying things that come with changes and progression.  But, there are things that stay the same and that’s what I hope to share in this blog post.

So, here we go.

Safe Harbor Yoga logo, originally crafted by a former student, Angel Antonio

Owning and operating a yoga studio is not a dream I have had since childhood, but teaching has always been present. I have known since second grade at South Elementary (currently apartments) I wanted to be a teacher- can even remember the first pivotal moments of enacting that passion while teaching a younger student how to tie their shoes and another how to use their legs to swing. Truthfully, I can’t tell you the names, ethnicity, or even their gender. Because it didn’t matter. Teaching did.

Discovering My Path

Fast forward about 10 years to my junior year of high school. My grandmother asked THE question: What do you want to be when you grow up? Well, I knew it was to teach in some capacity, but which one?

At that time, I excelled in music. Honestly, it was one of the few things I felt accomplished at. Naturally, I gravitated toward that and majored and graduated from Simpson College with a degree in Music Education, teaching in the public education system for almost a decade. But something was always missing. As I reflect, it felt like I was fulfilling some societal norm or expectation instead of tuning in to what I should have… me.

A Life-Changing Experience

Yoga for Teachers was taught by the founder and CEO, Molly Schreiber of Challenge to Change, Inc.. In the class, Molly provided examples of how to incorporate yoga and mindfulness into classroom curriculums and instruction. Now, I’ll be honest—I was only there for the credit and the fitness. It felt like a win-win to gain both at the same time because I always struggled with body image and capabilities. Most PE classes and sports growing up highlighted what my body couldn’t do instead of praising and strengthening what it could do. Granted, those new-found capabilities weren’t going to win trophies or other high accolades, but knowing that it could do things I hadn’t discovered yet meant the world to me. And I knew if it affected me that way, it could also impact others struggling with the same feelings.

Still a class offered today online. A root in Safe Harbor's creation.

I incorporated what I learned into my music classroom with something I thought could have the biggest initial impact- mudras, or “yoga for the fingers,” as Challenge to Change teaches. It allowed my students to share feelings nonverbally without taking too much class time to do so- and as an elementary special teacher, time is one of the hardest things to manage. This small addition to class gave me insight into how each student arrived and gave another opportunity for them to reach out for help or simply process what they needed to.

The Pandemic Shift

In 2020, “The world turned upside down”, to quote a favorite musical. On March 13th of that year- a date that lives in my brain similar to 9/11-, we were told we wouldn’t be returning to school and would have to transition everything online. At home, amidst the confusion surrounding the city, state, and country—the world-, some were paralyzed by that weight. I was motivated. 

As I reflect, this seems to be a trend for me. When life seems to tumble me around like a load of laundry, I turn to something I can control- learning. Ever that teacher, eh?

Challenge to Change announced they could now offer trainings online and the 95-hour RYCT training beckoned. It was two hours a day on Zoom with people across the state- yay! People! We had a space to share, collaborate, commiserate, and console each other while learning how to teach yoga and mindfulness to children, teens, and toddlers. It was my saving grace, although I didn’t recognize it in the moment.

A New Opportunity

At the end of that training, an opportunity to join the Challenge to Change ranks was presented. I seriously pondered it. Was it the right time? Was it the right thing to do? It meant leaving the safety and security of a very good job at a wonderful school.

A good reminder when facing a decision. Like to stay in public school teaching or to teach in a whole new way.

I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t leave a system that took care of me at the time, but was it what I wanted for the long term? So, I stayed for another year and resolved to pay more attention- to be more mindful. Was this feeling just “in the moment”, or was it more?

Finding Clarity

By February of 2021, I had my answer. It was time to move on. While I still loved teaching music, it no longer felt like my life’s purpose. It felt like fulfilling someone else’s expectation, and that wasn’t enough to keep the joy of my work alive.

I was fortunate. I reached out to Challenge to Change and asked for the position I wanted. After a couple of Zoom interviews, I was hired! It felt kismet! I put in my resignation that year and began part-time as a Yoga in the Schools Instructor (now called Mindful Education in the Schools Instructor), and I loved it. I still taught without the pressure of politics, budgets, and scheduling. More importantly, I had time to focus on what I needed. I had time to heal what I didn’t realize was broken.

Personal Challenges and Growth

Fast forward to 2022. My then-husband and I faced difficult personal challenges involving grief, loss, and uncertainty. However, during this time, what did I do? I turned to continued growth and learning. I aimed to attain my 200-hour training to teach adults and did so at Gray Lane Yoga, Challenge to Change’s sister studio. Once again, a Challenge to Change training kept me steady.

Kelsey, the training instructor, was from my hometown. We even went to high school together, though we weren’t in the same class. She shared her journey to opening her studio, and I was inspired. Her journey opened the door to the possibility of mine.

This is also when I journaled heavily, which was new for me. In the moments of silence at the start of my day or during sleepless nights, Safe Harbor was formed. Journaling allowed my inner knowing to spill onto the page, making it clearer for me to see.

Like Kelsey, shining your light unconsciously gives others permission to do the same.

The Vision for Safe Harbor Yoga

I wanted to build a place that was safe and welcoming for all. I envisioned a space where age, gender, ethnicity, and spirituality didn’t matter—similar to those teaching moments at South Elementary. I aimed to create an environment focused on inner healing, on finding the harbor of peace—even if it was just for a moment. Sometimes, that’s all we need to get through a day, a week, or a tough time.

I knew I wanted the location to be in Storm Lake. It felt perfect due to its diversity and need for positive change and growth. My then-husband and I agreed and moved back to our roots.

Official Launch of Safe Harbor Yoga

In September 2023, I filed my paperwork with the state, officially opening Safe Harbor Yoga, LLC, without an actual studio space. I continued working with Challenge to Change as an instructor and the Trauma Supports Director, offering free sessions to children of the community at the Storm Lake Public Library—something I continue to this day—and private sessions.

In the fall of 2024, I met a group of people in Storm Lake who dreamed of opening a wellness center. Their visions for the community aligned with mine, and I rented a space from them, opening a physical studio in January 2025. In March, I became a Licensed Affiliate for Challenge to Change, allowing me to continue work in schools alongside work at the studio. However, the wellness center opportunity proved too big for us, and I moved locations in April 2025 to my current studio on North Lake Avenue.

The story is not done. It's just beginning.

The Present and Future of Safe Harbor Yoga

Today, we offer a variety of services at Safe Harbor Yoga. There are weekly classes available, ranging from beginner yoga to intense muscle engagement and deep relaxation.

Through the affiliate program, we provide Mindful Education in the Schools programming, 95-hour training, and even 200-hour trainings. We offer workshops, kids camps, yoga retreats, and more.

And now, you know. If this story calls to you as it does me, I hope to see you in a class or at one of our events. Please know our aim to provide a safe place for all to find their harbor of peace through yoga, education, and wellness.

May you find peace in your mind, your heart and each day moving forward.