About Our Approach
Hi, I’m Heather P. Smith — Founder of Takeout Yoga. I created Takeout Yoga to bring movement where it’s needed most: workplaces, schools, teams, and community groups. From preschools to senior centers — and everywhere in between — I bring the studio to you with effective sessions that fit real schedules. We specialize in on-site Vinyasa Yoga, Pilates, and functional training designed for people who spend long hours sitting, studying, or traveling.
The goal is simple: restore energy, improve posture, and clear the mind — without adding friction to the day. I meet people where they are on their journey — designing programs that inspire confidence, connection, and lasting wellness.
A Lifelong Passion for Movement
I grew up dancing — from the age of two, I was already wearing pink ballet shoes. Dancing was my outlet; the place where everything else paused and I felt free. As a teen, my dance company often traveled to New York City, where I was first introduced to Pilates (then called Contrology). Those core-strengthening exercises became a foundation I would carry through life.
At fourteen, I began helping teach younger dancers — my first taste of instruction. I’d lead the Saturday-morning class as the “body” the children followed while the main teacher guided from the front. My favorite memory was performing on stage wearing a teacup-style “Chip Pot” costume in a children’s production of Beauty and the Beast. That experience lit a spark in me; teaching movement felt natural, joyful, and purposeful.
At nineteen, a co-worker suggested a yoga class to help manage stress. That first experience was humbling — I felt awkward and out of place — but when class ended, my mind was quiet. I began practicing at home, studying videos, and learning to listen inward. Over time my practice evolved into a personal flow rooted in Vinyasa Yoga — rhythmic movement linked with breath.
From Fitness Professional to Corporate Wellness
In my early twenties, I earned three international Pilates certifications and created Pilasa™, a fusion of Pilates and Vinyasa Yoga. I went on to teach a wide range of group fitness formats — including spinning, aqua fitness, and kickboxing — while also working one-on-one with clients as a personal fitness trainer throughout the Upper Valley.
I began in Exercise Science, then shifted to the human and business side of wellness — studying Business Marketing and Psychology and ultimately earning a BA in Professional Studies, combining movement science, communication, and leadership. After my fourth child was born, I completed a Master’s in Information Technology with a concentration in Web. That blend of pedagogy, people, and platforms is now the backbone of my corporate programs.
Because I understand the demands of both corporate and creative life, I design efficient sessions that fit real workdays — practical, accessible, and results-focused.
Always in Motion — For Every Age
Whether I’m exploring places like Garden of the Gods or rolling out mats in a conference room, movement is my compass. I started by guiding toddlers — literally leading preschool tap lines — and today I design programs that meet people across the lifespan, including the senior community.
My work with seniors began as a teen volunteer activities assistant and later a paid activities coordinator. Those experiences shaped how I teach today: adaptive, joyful, and connection-focused. From gentle Vinyasa and chair-supported flows to breathwork and balance training, each session is built to be safe, dignified, and genuinely fun.
Why I Started Takeout Yoga
Since I was a little girl, I dreamed of owning a studio — first a dance studio, then a fitness studio, and finally a yoga studio. Takeout Yoga is that dream on wheels: I bring the studio to your office, your team, your event. My mission is to make wellness accessible everywhere so professionals and students can move, breathe, and reconnect wherever they are.
Credentials & Quick Facts
Training
- 200-hr Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training (RYT)
- Reiki Master / Instructor (Shinpiden)
- Phase 1, 11, 111 Mat Pilates certifications (AAAI-ISMA)
- Personal training & group exercise (NASM / ASFA)
Education
- MS, Information Technology (Web concentration)
- BA, Professional Studies — Exercise Science, Business Marketing, Psychology
Approach
- Evidence-informed
- Accessible
- Trauma-aware
- Built for desk-bound teams & senior/student groups
- Measurable outcomes
