Today we’d like to introduce you to Lana Reed
Hi Lana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hello! I’m Lana. You might know me as the founder of Wild Thing School of Yoga, a passionate photographer through Wild Thing Photography, and a gemstone jewelry designer at Wild Thing Malas. But here’s a little more about my journey.
I was born into a big family in South Carolina, but our frequent moves gave me a nomadic spirit early on. Growing up in the Chicago area, I found a love for photography that has only grown over the years. Capturing that perfect, elusive moment behind the lens has always been magic for me. Later, a yoga class at a community center unlocked a new passion—movement. This simple joy quickly became a lifelong journey, evolving through personal practice, teaching, advanced study, and even overcoming injuries. Though my practice looks different today, the delight I feel is as strong as ever.
Adventure has always been a guiding force for me. At 15, I took my first trip to Europe with just a backpack. Soon after, I explored Asia, returned to Europe, and ultimately followed a call to live abroad in Cholula, Mexico, where I immersed myself in the culture to learn Spanish. From there, a twist of fate led me to San Antonio. Graduating in 2012 from Esther Vexler School of Yoga opened doors to teaching and studio management, and when wanderlust called again, I hopped on a 125cc Honda named Lyra and rode all the way from Santiago, Chile back to Texas. It was unforgettable!
Soon after returning, I met my husband, Alex, who brought more love and a new passion into my life: Acroyoga. This exciting practice introduced me to circus arts like trapeze, contortion, and hand-balancing, inspiring a whole new way of exploring movement. I later expanded my training through an advanced teacher program in Austin, completing my E-RYT 500 certification. With this experience and countless teaching hours, I launched Wild Thing Photography and School of Yoga, LLC, here in San Antonio—a leap that’s been a joy.
I share a home with my husband, Alex, and our little family of four cats, an adorable pup, and seven fluffy hens. Together, we seek beauty in travel and in conscientious living.
These days professionally, I offer yoga privates, mentorship for those wanting to build their yoga careers with purpose and yoga teacher trainings. My photography focuses mostly on yoga, portraiture, and supporting small business with beautiful images that represent their brand. And all the while I feed my creative side by making unique gemstone jewlery that I sell at pop-ups around town and on my website.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
From the start, my heart was set on focusing purely on my art and teaching. I initially avoided anything related to business, but soon realized that if I wanted to reach people, I had to learn marketing, build a website, and handle all the behind-the-scenes work. It was a steep learning curve, but I’m so grateful I took the plunge.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://LanaReed.com
- Instagram: @wildthing_photo | @wildthingmalas
