Oula found me and I found her at the exact time I needed it most. After battling my body for longer than I can remember, I found something that not only allowed me get a workout, strengthen my body, and hone my mind, but also it opened up a world of remarkable humans who I get to call acquaintance, friend and some, family!
We all know the magic that Oula brings to a life when they are ready and open to it. I have seen timidity grow into strong voices and bodies become loved for the first time. All kinds of voices are so important as Oula continues its journey of inclusivity and growth. I see a future where Oula will continue to grow beyond its current circle, to be a safe place for anyone looking to leave today’s misogynistic society and build something fully inclusive and equal for all. A place where men, women and non-binary individuals get to bring their fully authentic self to our spaces, knowing they can scream their lungs out or move slowly in the back of the space and be fully accepted. A place where moments of self doubt can be honored and worked through if someone wants, not just covered up with a blanket of positivity often seen in the world.
Cholla Foote lives in Cape Elizabeth Maine and has been dancing Oula for about 6 years. She became certified to instruct in 2019 on a whim and has been spreading the Oula love through instructing weekly at various studios, parks, fields, yards and driveways in Southern Maine. She loves that Oula is an active meditation and provides a space to process emotions in a judgement free zone. Although she has always been a thoughtful friend, listening neighbor and problem solver in life, Oula instructing allows her to hold space for a group, while witnessing each individual write their own story.
Cholla’s professional roots are sown in Film production and Montessori education. Although these seem to be fully unrelated on paper they provide her with what she needs to be a busy part time preschool Director, and full time stay at home mom of 2 while building a new market for Oula fitness. She enjoys backpacking with her husband Greg, gardening, baking with her daughter and above all warmth.
Jan found her passion for Oula at a time in her life when things around her were overwhelming. Between having a (more than) full-time job as a CPA, being a wife and a mother to a busy teenager, there seemed to be pieces of the emotional puzzle that were missing for her. While working out in a local fitness facility several years ago, she regularly watched Oula participants exit their class with a look of joy and contentment on their faces, and thought “I want to feel that!” - which is when she decided to embark on the Oula journey herself. Starting with an introductory class, she became fully immersed in what can only be described as her “saving grace”, and decided to become an instructor so she could share the experience with others. Finally, there was an avenue that allowed her to feel as though she could truly be herself without judgment; a carefree, unique community that she can’t imagine being without.
A Montana native living in Seattle, Quincy has loved dancing and letting loose for as long as she can remember. She was first captivated by the Oula spirit in 2012 and has been hooked ever since. A “loud,” “free spirit,” as some would say, she was drawn to the open, laidback nature of Oula. The universe encouraged her to become an instructor back in 2014 and it’s been her most fun adventure yet! It is her greatest honor to dance with Seattleites each and every week and continue building this incredible community.
I am an Oula instructor, former teacher, graduate student, wife, and mother of two from Texas. I discovered Oula on the online studio at the height of the pandemic after a recommendation from my aunt who has been very important in my Oula journey, affectionately known by people at Oula who have met her as “Aunt Vicky.” I thank Oula for helping me through the isolation and depression I and so many others have experienced through
the pandemic. It was the beginning of a life-changing journey for me. Oula was a magical transformation of mind, body and soul. Oula helped me feel like I was a part of a community, unconditionally loved and accepted, even from many miles away. It provided that necessary connection that we all need in this world. I have always been an introspective person, always questioning, what have I been placed on this Earth to do? How can I make a difference? Oula helped me discover that I could share and spread the magic of Oula to others, and in that way, I could bring the same happiness and connection I experienced. I decided to become a certified Oula instructor, and have been teaching online for about six months. I recently started in-person classes and I am so excited to to grow Oula in Texas. I look forward to being a part of the next leg of the journey with Oula as part of the Board of Wisdom.
Oula is my sanity. It keeps my body grounded and sets my soul free. I have been fortunate enough to have an amazing 30+ year career in the marketing industry working at amazing brands, including HP and Twitter and advising a number of others. I am also a published author and active equity and inclusion advocate.
Oula is a space where I figured out how to be uniquely myself, and I am so excited to be a part of the Oula Board of Wisdom where, along with the Community, we open up our wings, so together we soar even higher than we already have!