Inside Om: A Sense of Community

Gail Grossman opened Om Sweet Om Yoga in The Terrace section of Port Washington back in 2004. But a move to Irma Avenue, just off Port’s busy Main Street nearly four years ago, has helped the business grow. Patch caught up with Grossman to learn more.

On Being Near Main Street: The move gave Om Sweet Om more exposure, making the studio “more a part of the community,” Grossman said. The close proximity to the train station means people can take an early morning class and head to work, or step off the train and take an evening class after a day at the office, Grossman said. People also take the train from the city to attend workshops and special events.

Biggest Challenge: When a former student recently opened a new studio, several Om Sweet Om teachers moved there too. Grossman said that when challenged it’s important to “keep doing what you do” and that she focused on having “the heart-based connection to people.” Staying true to her mission has paid off. “People left, but others came back,” she said. “They liked it here."

Upcoming Special Events: On Sunday, Om Sweet Om will host a donation class to raise money for survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan. Om Sweet Om will lead the warm-up stretches for the Community Chest of Port Washington's Thanksgiving Day Run at  Manorhaven Beach Park, and later, at 9:30 a.m. at the studio, there is a donation class where students bring non-perishable food or new or gently worn clothes, which will be donated to Our Lady of Fatima Church in Port Washington. New teacher training classes begin in January. And in February, Grossman will run a February retreat to Puerto Rico.

How She’ll Celebrate 10 Years in Business:  Plans are in the works, Grossman said, adding that previous anniversaries have included a class followed by a pot-luck meal.

Biggest Source of Entrepreneurial Pride: For Grossman, it’s the sense of community at Om Sweet Om. Sure, yoga is about stretching, and a self-focus. But Grossman pointed out that “when you connect with the self, you feel like there’s something bigger.” Helping people find that place has turned out to be one of Grossman’s greatest rewards.