Startup Story
Gloria Sellwane Phala is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of GangaYuj Yoga Studio in South Africa. Drawing on more than 20 years of corporate experience, she established the studio in 2023 after completing a sabbatical year in India, where she deepened her practice and understanding of yoga. This transformative period inspired her shift into entrepreneurship upon her return to the workforce. The business is committed to ensuring clients benefit from the profound, transformative impact of yoga. She is currently the sole employee who arranges contract-based outsourcing of yoga instructors.
LoA spoke to Gloria Sellwane Phala to learn more about her passion-driven entrepreneurial journey, her source of inspiration, and her vision for the future of the business.
What does your company do?
I specialise in teaching Ashtanga Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Pranayama (breathing exercises), as well as Pre-natal Yoga, with all styles incorporating meditation. Additionally, I provide instruction in yoga philosophy, offering in-depth knowledge and clarifying common misconceptions about the true nature of yoga.
“We offer authentic, traditional yoga practices as taught in India, balancing firmness with a gentle approach. Our focus is on cultivating discipline and integrating the lessons learned on the mat into daily life.”
What inspired you to start your company?
My friends served as a significant source of inspiration to me. Upon returning from India in late 2020, I was required to rebuild my financial foundation from the ground up. During this period, I stayed with friends who generously offered their garages as venues for my sessions, and they compensated me for my work. Initially, the income generated was sufficient to cover my essential expenses. I launched the studio in 2023, in a primary school in Soweto, again friends were my biggest supporters.
What makes your business, service or product special?
We offer authentic, traditional yoga practices as taught in India, balancing firmness with a gentle approach. Our focus is on cultivating discipline and integrating the lessons learned on the mat into daily life.
“We provide instruction in yoga philosophy, offering in-depth knowledge and clarifying common misconceptions about the true nature of yoga.”
Tell us a little about your team
I am the founder of the business and also the main yoga practitioner. I have studied and practiced a variety of yoga styles under the guidance of remarkable teachers in India for almost 1 year.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I am Soweto Born, qualified in the field of Civil Engineering: Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Technician, with no entrepreneurial background prior to starting my business. In the early days, when I returned from India in late 2020, my friends served as a significant source of inspiration to me. They generously offered me the use of their garages as venues to host my yoga sessions, allowing me to build my client base. They compensated me for my work and it was this income generated from these sessions that provided sufficient cover for my essential expenses, and allowed me to start growing the business. Additionally, I found working for gyms I gained a cliental who were looking to experience my style of yoga practice outside of the gym.
I experience my highest evolving self through entrepreneurship.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
In the future, I aim to provide a number of additional offerings in the business for my clients, including: Branded yoga clothing, blocks, straps, mats; branded refreshments (water and snacks); and local yoga retreats and international retreats.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
I experience my highest evolving self through entrepreneurship.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
As you respond into your calling, we are giving others permission to start. Remember we are all connected, and this way we get to serve each other at the highest stage of our evolution.
Find out more
Email: gangayuj.studio@gmail.com
Instagram: http://gangayuj.studio
Why LoA loves it…
If you are one of the fortunate ones in this world, you get to follow your passion and turn it into an entrepreneurial life journey too. For Gloria Sellwane Phala, her passion is found in the traditional, life enhancing practice of yoga, and today she is able to share her considerable knowledge, skills, insights and technical practices with her clients. In a world where daily life is stressful for so many people, Gloria is providing access to the significant benefits that can be obtained from traditional yoga practice. A business to watch over the next year so as it grows and thrives, helping others along the way. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa