Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Sweat.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Bottoms Up Yoga Studio was founded in 2016 by Trish Gavin, whose path to yoga began during a season of profound personal loss. What started as a search for healing gradually became a calling. As her practice deepened, Trish experienced firsthand the transformative power of yoga—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually—and felt compelled to share that healing with others.
Early on, however, she noticed something troubling. In many studios, she felt out of place as a self-described “plus-size” yogi. Rather than walking away, Trish made a quiet but radical decision: she would create a space where everyone felt welcome, regardless of body size, experience, age, or ability. She began teaching yoga in her basement to a small, dedicated group, holding fast to the belief that yoga is truly for everybody. Within two years, that community outgrew the basement, and Bottoms Up Yoga Studio found its home on Main Street in Spanish Fork.
Over time, the studio expanded its class offerings and evolved through a few ownership transitions, with each steward bringing new ideas while preserving the studio’s inclusive foundation.
The current owner, Heidi Sweat, first walked through the doors of Bottoms Up Yoga Studio in 2019. A stay-at-home mom of nine, she was navigating a particularly difficult chapter of life and was searching for both physical movement and a sense of peace. “I was incredibly nervous to go,” she remembers. “I’ve never been especially athletic or coordinated, and I worried about what people might think.” What she found instead was a warm, welcoming community where she felt accepted immediately.
Through her practice, Heidi discovered more than exercise. She found grounding, self-compassion, and a deeper connection to her body—along with a sense of belonging that would quietly reshape her life.
“I never imagined I’d own a yoga studio,” Heidi says. “I’m a student, not a teacher.”
But when Bottoms Up Yoga faced possible closure in 2024, she couldn’t let the space that had given her so much simply disappear. With the support of her husband’s business expertise, Heidi stepped in to preserve the studio and its mission.
Today, Heidi is deeply committed to honoring the studio’s roots while continuing to nurture a space where people feel safe, supported, and seen. She believes yoga offers a powerful connection between body, mind, and soul—and that its greatest gift is meeting people exactly where they are.
“Yoga meets you where you are,” she says. “And if you let it, it can transform your life.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most small businesses, there have been financial challenges, growing pains, and a lot of learning as we went. I stepped into ownership at a time when the studio really needed steady care, which meant navigating uncertainty while also trying to protect what made the space special.
What’s carried us through hasn’t been perfection or flashy growth—it’s been community. From the beginning, this studio has been about creating a down-to-earth, welcoming place where people feel comfortable showing up exactly as they are. Building that kind of environment takes time, trust, and consistency, and it doesn’t always follow a straight line.
There have been hard moments, but each challenge has reinforced why this work matters. The support, loyalty, and genuine connections within our community are what make this studio stand out—and they’re the reason we’ve been able to keep moving forward together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At its heart, my work is about creating a space where people can reconnect with their bodies in a way that feels safe, supportive, and accessible. At Bottoms Up Yoga Studio, we offer a variety of classes—yoga, Pilates, and restorative practices—designed to meet people where they are, whether they’re brand new or have been practicing for years.
We’re especially known for being approachable and inclusive. You don’t need to look a certain way, be flexible, or “know what you’re doing” to walk through our doors. Our teachers emphasize options, alignment, and self-trust, so students feel empowered to listen to their own bodies rather than push past them.
What I’m most proud of is the sense of belonging that’s grown here. People don’t just come to move—they come to breathe, to feel supported, and to be part of a genuine community. What sets us apart is that down-to-earth, welcoming atmosphere. We focus less on performance and more on connection, making this a place where everyone truly belongs.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I feel lucky to have found Bottoms Up Yoga Studio when I did. It has seen me through some challenging times over the past few years. And I feel blessed that I was in a position to be able to purchase it when it faced closure a year and a half ago.
Pricing:
- We offer memberships, multi-class packs, and single session drop ins. All are a great value and reasonably priced. We also offer a free community yoga class on Sunday mornings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bottomsupyogastudio.com
- Instagram: @bottomsupsf
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/BottomsUpYoga/
- Other: info@bottomsupyogastudio.com
