Experiencing a Day in the Life of CorePower Yoga's CEO

As the leader of CorePower Yoga, Niki Leondakis guides the company from its headquarters in San Francisco while often traveling to various studio locations. Her journey to this role came after decades in the hospitality sector and a tenure as CEO of Equinox. Life's challenges, including the loss of her home to wildfires and the sudden death of her husband, profoundly shaped her path. Turning to yoga helped her navigate these turbulences, which prepared her for her dream role at CorePower Yoga.

Morning Rituals: Connecting Mind and Body

Niki begins her day between 5:30 and 6 a.m. with a comprehensive body evaluation. This practice helps her identify and release stress stored physically, as a calm body leads to a peaceful mind. A short meditation session follows, where she reflects on a guiding word like 'patience' to set the tone for the day ahead.

Embracing Wellness: Mushroom Tea and Nutritional Habits

Her mornings typically start with a mindful cup of adaptogenic mushroom tea, known for its benefits in enhancing mental clarity and reducing stress. With a tendency toward anxiety, Niki strategically incorporates supplements into her morning, including a multivitamin to ensure a well-rounded start.

Stepping outdoors is another cornerstone of her routine. The vastness of nature helps her maintain perspective, reminding her of the insignificance of some worries.

Daily Yoga: A Commitment to Practice

Prior to diving into her yoga session, Niki handles priority emails, clearing urgent tasks from her mind. Her yoga routine then unfolds with options to practice at home with her long-time instructor, at a CorePower studio, or via an online class. Even amidst a hectic schedule, Niki ensures she fits in a minimum practice of 15 minutes, focusing on essential movements and breathing exercises.

Only when hunger arrives, typically after a vigorous yoga session, does she indulge in a light breakfast of Greek yogurt and fruit, accompanied by another round of her mushroom brew.

Professional Engagement: Meetings and Consultations

By 8:30 a.m., Niki is ready for her professional engagements, connecting with teams via Zoom or holding discussions at the company headquarters. Her schedule often includes visits to multiple studios and discussions with managerial staff or yoga instructors.

Balancing Introversion with Leadership

Recognizing her introverted nature, Niki spaces out her meetings to allow for necessary downtime, whether it’s stepping outdoors or engaging in solitary reflection. For crucial presentations, she allocates preparatory time to ground herself.

She likens her personal energy to a smartphone battery, requiring quiet moments to recharge, thus enabling her to engage fully in social or group settings without depletion.

Evenings of Relaxation and Rest

As her workday concludes, especially in warmer months, Niki often partakes in a brief outdoor activity like cycling or hiking. Even a short stint outdoors helps unwind. Her evening routine involves dimming lights, brewing Ayurvedic tea, and participating in calm activities like reading, setting the stage for a restful sleep.

Despite a lifelong struggle with maintaining consistent sleep, these rituals have vastly improved her rest quality. Mindfulness of her bedtime helps her maintain productivity the following day, although she occasionally succumbs to late-night habits.