Teaching Clients to Be YogaFit

This Q&A feature helps readers learn more about Mount Vernon area residents working in our business community. This week’s Q&A profiles Susan Doyle, Founder and Instructor, Zenergy Yoga, LLC.

Susan, a YogaFit certified instructor, is a longtime fitness enthusiast, runner and former Stroller Strides instructor and has lived in the Mount Vernon community for six years. 

Prior to working in the fitness field, Susan was an event planner for several non-profit organizations. She graduated in 1995 from Tulane University, where she studied business and Spanish. Originally from New Jersey, Susan moved to the Northern Virginia area 14 years ago.

Susan and her husband have a son, age 9, and a daughter, age 7. The family lives in the Waynewood community.

How did you become interested in your line of work?

When my daughter was in preschool, another mom friend was teaching a yoga class at the school right after drop off. I had taken other yoga classes before, but after I began taking her class, it seemed to be more my style … it just clicked. It was a more active kind of yoga than I had previously been exposed to, and I just I fell in love with it. My kids were starting to get a little older, and with my experience teaching other fitness classes, I realized this could really turn into something.

What do you enjoy most about your line of work?

I enjoy teaching people about yoga. Some people are skeptical at the start, but then they take a couple of classes and end up becoming regulars. It’s really gratifying to see them get hooked.

What’s an interesting aspect of your job?

I love meeting new people. When I first started teaching, a lot of the students were friends, teachers, neighbors and people I had met through my children’s’ schools. But now there are so many new people coming to my classes. We live in such a transient area, which always brings new people who are looking for yoga classes.

Where is your favorite place to go in the Mount Vernon area?

As a runner, I absolutely love having the trail [George Washington Memorial Parkway] right there along the river. The morning sunrises are amazing, and there are such stunning river views.

Favorite area restaurant?

One of my favorite restaurants is Overwood in Old Town. I also really like the new Red Rocks pizza place in Old Town.

Favorite local place to take the kids?

I love taking the kids to go ice skating at the Mount Vernon Rec Center.

What are your hobbies?

I am an avid reader. I also like to cook, and try new recipes when I have the time.

What’s the last book you read?

Right now I am reading The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and a Forty-Year Friendship by Jeffrey Zaslow.

What’s on your iPod?

I love and appreciate so many types of music, it’s really a wide musical range. I enjoy making my own playlists for my yoga classes. I am drawn to singer/songwriter, acoustic–style music, but also like to listen to what my kids like. It’s a huge range.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I used to dance, it’s something I really love, especially ballet, tap and jazz. It’s amazing how many similarities there are in ballet and yoga.

If you weren’t in this business, what would you be doing?

I would probably be some sort of therapist or counselor. I love listening to people and helping them when I can.