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Conversations with Monica Magee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Magee.

Hi Monica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Starting at age 9, I’ve been inspired by entrepreneurship, wellness and the idea of carving your own path. In 1996, my parents opened a business called Busy Bodies fitness center. Leading with my dad’s passion for karate and teaching and complimented by my mom’s love of health and fitness, they brought something new to our little hill country community. Since those early days, the business has shifted through many iterations, expansions, and personalities.

At the beginning of 2020, it was my 10th year of managing “the gym”. I had been teaching yoga there for 7 years and helped grow Family Fitness its own little Yoga Sanctuary. But our family business was facing a big question mark. The model we had operated within for over 20 years was no longer sustainable. We wondered if it had run its course.

That is when the initial quarantine came in. Time slows down when your business is closed by the government and all citizens are mandated to stay home for 2 months. I happened to be in the beginning of Life Coach training and was in the midst of a journey that had me pause to ask some pretty deep questions about who I am, Who I am not, what I have to offer, what I don’t have to offer, how I best honor myself in this world, how I put myself in a cage of this world, etc. you know, the easy stuff. 😉 I am grateful to the nourishing soil, the saturating waters, and the time I got to spend sprouting, budding, growing, blooming. Little did I know, a whole new plant was just waiting to emerge.

Things were looking very grim about the conditions to reopen the fitness center amidst COVID-19. The capacity restrictions were the most concerning, and the numbers started to look like it wouldn’t even be worth it to try. I had started seeing posts from other small business owners about “learning to pivot” and how to “reengineer your operation” and come “back with a bang”. My Dad’s words from a meeting back in February echoed in my head: “it doesn’t have to be what it’s always been. It’s time to think outside the box.” SO how would I do all of that? Now, knowing who I am, what I have to offer, and how to best honor myself. Knowing now is the perfect time to learn to pivot, reengineer the operation, think outside the box and come back with a bang! Just how would I do all of that?

At this point I was having a meltdown moment. Everything was being said in one big breath, all the feelings. Somehow in the midst of this darkness, a spark was created. This burden that had felt so heavy and hard suddenly had lightness and flexibility. A permission slip emerged as I sat down with graph paper and a pencil. A spark quickly turned into a flame as this potentially great idea emerged…one that would both maximize capacity limits and focus our operation towards a new frontier.

I called an emergency family business meeting and trailblazed over to the Bonugli headquarters to surprise the hell out of the CEOs: “Hey Mom and Dad, are you ready for an outside the box idea?” One of the reasons I love my folks is that the answer to that question has always been yes. We reopened 2 months later as a completely new facility. After 6 months of strained effort to keep “the gym” portion afloat, we stumbled into an extremely mutually beneficial arrangement that was able to expand another entrepreneur’s dream(and keep “the gym” alive!). With that off my plate since April of 2021, I’ve been able to focus on how to best share and expand my happy place: Hand Craft Yoga.

A completely homegrown yoga studio that specializes in breathing, moving, and loving what is, Hand Craft Yoga offers a regular class schedule, specialty workshops, private sessions, energy coaching & mini-retreats. A safe space for seekers to wonder for ourselves, without judgment, without expectation, without comparison. A place for self-study, to contemplate those deep dive questions like…who am I? who am I not? What do I have to offer? What do I not want to offer? How do I best honor myself in this world?

After all it has been through, sometimes I still can’t believe that I made it outside the box. I am truly living my dream, and it gets better every day.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In any pursuit of greatness, there are struggles. There are no exceptions. However, I am a firm believer that with faith, ye can move mountains. Prepare yeself!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Through creativity and humor, I am able to connect with students from all over the world. My mission as a teacher is to share tools with people in a foundational, supportive, and lighthearted way. Some of these tools help people touch their toes, and some of the tools help people accept not touching their toes.

I am proud of the space we have created. For the hard work, dedication & love that was poured into it. For the honesty it took to bring it to fruition, and for its ability to grow into itself more and more each day.

That is the whole idea behind the name Hand Craft Yoga. When we hand craft something, it is unique to us. It is not the same as the one next to it. Not mass produced, not from a factory mold. It is hand crafted by honest hands, specifically for you/by you. This is what sets us apart. With practice, we give ourselves permission to grow into ourselves more and more each day.

To remind ourselves that we can teach old dogs new tricks, my 11 year old poodle, Winnie, is with me most of the time. She considers herself a “freelance therapy” dog and is always open to a downward facing dog demonstration. Winnie the poodle is ready to greet you at Hand Craft Yoga!

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Be still and know.
Let go and let God.
What we resist, persists.
Each moment is a lesson.

Contact Info:

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5 Comments

  1. Annette Burns

    February 18, 2022 at 8:31 pm

    Moni..you are a true inspiration imbued with bulldog tenacity. And a spirit
    That is contagious. Love you always..momannette

  2. Jeff bonugli

    February 18, 2022 at 10:04 pm

    Outstanding proud of you,,,, awesome read Love you bigggggggg hugsssssss

  3. Kimber Gardner

    February 23, 2022 at 10:41 am

    Monica I’ve known you more than half your life and you have always been such a sweetheart and your passion has always been to help people! You are living out your purpose that God created you for and you are a huge blessing!
    I’m so proud of you!♥️ Love you big baby girl! ♥️

  4. Lisa Spaar

    February 23, 2022 at 6:58 pm

    I adore Monica. I have been a yoga student of hers for many years. Her humor and spirituality is infectious! I not only enjoy her classes but bask in the community she has developed. Its rare to find such a knowledgeable and selfless coach/guide/mentor and friend to all. I sing her praises to anyone interested in yoga or a fun and enlightened life. She is loved!

  5. Don R Varney

    February 25, 2022 at 7:00 pm

    I love the article. I have known your dad since the 80s, and he truly is one of the good guys. Please keep thinking outside the box,
    Don Varney

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