Influential Woman · Health & Wellness coaching
Shilpa Bhavsar
Founder, Peace Yoga
Seattle, WA 98033
Her Story
About Shilpa
Shilpa Bhavsar is a yoga teacher, wellness entrepreneur, and founder of Peace Yoga in Kirkland, Washington. With a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and an MBA in Marketing earned in India, she moved to the United States and built a successful career in technology, including roles at Microsoft and Meta. As she balanced a demanding career with the responsibilities of work, family, and motherhood, she felt increasingly drawn to her lifelong passion for yoga.
After completing a 500-hour yoga teacher certification and a six-month apprenticeship, Shilpa began teaching at the YMCA in Bellevue. Her teaching journey eventually led her to establish Peace Yoga, a private home studio in Kirkland, in 2013. She offers small-group, private, and semi-private sessions, tailoring her approach to each student’s needs and goals. Her strength-based classes emphasize alignment and mindful movement, while meditation and restorative classes encourage relaxation, help calm the mind and nervous system, and promote an overall sense of well-being.
Beyond her studio, Shilpa leads wellness events and workshops, offers community yoga programs, and serves as a health and wellness speaker at libraries, schools, corporate workplaces, and community gatherings.
Through her work, she is committed to making yoga and wellness more accessible and helping others build greater strength and balance, find calm and relaxation, and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
In her free time, Shilpa enjoys painting, reading, hiking, and spending time in nature.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shilpa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to staying true to my passion, continuously learning, and genuinely caring about the people I work with. Transitioning from a career in technology to yoga taught me the importance of having the courage to follow a path that feels meaningful and fulfilling. Over the years, consistency and discipline have helped me grow, while listening to my students and understanding their individual needs has allowed me to create a supportive and positive experience for them.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to never stop learning. In yoga, there is always more to learn and explore, no matter how much experience you have.
On the business side, I’ve learned to embrace change and recognize that each day may bring a new challenge or problem to solve. Facing those challenges, finding solutions, and continuing to move forward are all part of learning and growing.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the yoga and wellness industry is to build a strong foundation, stay authentic, and never stop learning. Yoga is a lifelong journey, and becoming a good teacher takes more than certification—it requires consistent practice, continued education, and experience.
Be patient as you build your career, develop your own teaching style, and genuinely care about the people you serve. As your business grows, delegate tasks outside your core expertise so you can focus your time and energy on your strengths.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the challenges in the yoga and wellness field today is that while there is growing awareness and interest in yoga, it does not always translate into regular class attendance. With so many online classes and digital platforms available, people now have the flexibility to practice yoga at home, making it more difficult to attract and retain students for in-person classes.
At the same time, digital platforms create opportunities for yoga teachers to reach a broader audience and make their classes and programs more accessible beyond their local communities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect and kindness are the values that matter most to me, both in my work and personal life. I believe in treating people with understanding and consideration and creating an environment where they feel comfortable and supported. I carry these values into the way I teach, work with others, and build relationships in my everyday life.
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