Spectra Credit Union Small Business Spotlight: Rising Sol Yoga School

story by LIESEL SCHMIDT | photography courtesy of  RISING SOL YOGA SCHOOL

Kimberly Sickmen isn’t just the owner of a yoga school; she’s a firm believer in the power of the practice. That belief inspired her to open her own business in 2013. Originally opened as Zweet Sport Hot Yoga, Sickmen rebranded in 2022 as Rising Sol Yoga School, in homage to her daughter's name.

Kimberly Sickmen isn’t just the owner of a yoga school; she’s a firm believer in the power of the practice. That belief inspired her to open her own business in 2013. “Yoga has been a guide through some of the most difficult times in my life,” she says. “It has taught me how to love more fully, to accept my present moment and to be thankful for my life. It is always my hope that I can offer this practice to our students as a way to alleviate pain—both physical and mental. It is far too easy for us to lament, to regret our past and to have a fear of what the future brings.”

"It is far too easy for us to lament, to regret our past and to have a fear of what the future brings." - Kimberly

Originally opened as Zweet Sport Hot Yoga, Sickmen rebranded in 2022 as Rising Sol Yoga School, in homage to her daughter's name. “One of the most important factors of our school is that we are just that: a school,” Sickmen observes. “Our view is that yoga is a practice and a discipline, and we focus our attention on yoga, rather than offering a multitude of options that can distract a student from their practice.”

All classes are heated, which is complementary to the types of yoga taught at Rising Sol, which include Vinyasa, Power Flow, Bishnu Ghosh, Dharma, Nidra and others. The school also holds workshops, national and international retreats and teacher training.

“Alexandria is extremely lucky to be home to a number of incredible, women-owned yoga studios that are small businesses,” Sickmen says.

Supporting businesses like Parker’s through a range of small business loans is one of Spectra Credit Union's greatest points of pride—and one of the ways they help grow the local business community. From first-time business owners, to women- and minority-owned businesses, Spectra believes in the value of local support.