Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaysee Collins.
Kaysee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began my yoga studio in 2021 — a year after COVID and a year and a half after the most difficult experience of my life. I was suddenly widowed after a car accident took my son’s father from us. At the time, I was working at National Fitness Center because I couldn’t return to my career in sales — the grief was simply too heavy.
Teaching yoga at the fitness center helped me find myself again. I began teaching at four different locations, but the Maryville community was something special — so much warmth, heart, and connection that I felt called to plant roots there. Honestly, one of my students believed in me before I believed in myself. My students loved my classes, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I had finally embraced my true calling.
Yoga had been part of my life since college — first helping me through depression, stress, and the process of figuring out who I was. It returned to me after I had my son, grounding me as a new mother. And then, when my world fell apart, yoga found me once again — a lifeline through loss.
The idea for the studio came together in the most unexpected way. That same day my student encouraged me to open a studio, I happened to drive past a space that once held a yoga studio before COVID. Out of curiosity, I stopped, looked inside, and saw a phone number for the landlord. I called — not really expecting anything — but somehow, it all started falling into place.
It was tax return season, and I had just enough for new floors, yoga blocks, the first month’s deposit, and, most importantly, heat! My dad helped me fix up the space, and soon after, my five-year-old son and I were there morning and evening for classes. I started with two other instructors, and together, we made it work.
For the last four years, I’ve been working out the kinks of running a business and building this studio from the ground up. Now, I finally feel confident to share it as a masterpiece — something that’s grown from love, loss, and community support. It wouldn’t exist without the incredible people who have poured their hearts into it.
My dear friend and the first person I called, Amy Logan, still teaches at Alchemy today. She calls it her home away from home. I’m sure many students think of Amy when they think of Alchemy — she truly embodies the love within our walls.
I built the studio for broken and healing hearts, open minds, and wanderers listening to their higher calling. For people who need to sweat and breathe out the stresses of life. I built it to nurture hearts and find my people. And boy, did they come.
Whenever I’ve felt heavy or overwhelmed, someone has walked through the door with a story of gratitude — sharing how Alchemy has been a safe haven on their healing journey. That’s what my business is: a place to be reborn, to escape, unravel, and ground deeper into the wholeness of self.
This community is the heart.
Today, I’m so grateful for our team of ten amazing teachers — each with their own style and presence, yet all embodying the essence of Alchemy. We’re here to model self-love, compassion, endurance, and peace. We teach the techniques, but also leave room for each person to find their own way.
This creation has been organic and sometimes messy, but when you walk into the studio, you’re stepping into a living work of art — the result of love, resilience, and community.
Now, we have a full schedule of morning and evening classes, with offerings for all levels. We’re grateful to continue introducing yoga to so many in the Maryville area. We’ve also built wonderful partnerships, including Amplify Physio for clients on physical healing journeys, Terre Madre for those seeking community healing, and collaborations with Seven Springs and The Yoga Mix for our upcoming Yoga Teacher Training in Spring 2026.
At the heart of it all, Alchemy Flow is about connection — the union of mind, body, energy, and community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Where do I begin?
For one, I started with nothing. I had just enough to get us going — and I was lucky that the studio has paid for itself since day one. But being a single mom, working to rebuild our life in Maryville, returning to sales to support us, and running a new studio all at once… it was a lot to carry.
Building this on my own was hard. Figuring out social media, branding, and how to present Alchemy in a way that truly embodied what it was — that weighed on me for a long time. I love yoga and the deep spiritual embodiment it brings, but I never wanted to make people feel alienated or intimidated by it. Yoga has such a powerful healing essence, yet sometimes it gets misunderstood. The name Alchemy itself can even be misconstrued, and I’d like to avoid any drama, so finding our voice and look was really important to me. I wanted everyone to feel welcome, safe, and curious enough to walk through our doors.
And of course, there were the unexpected challenges — like two winters in a row when the pipes burst in our building. The first year, I was lucky enough to come out of it with better floors, thanks to insurance. The second year, it was caught just in time before it damaged my unit. Still, getting a call from your landlord at 5 a.m. thinking your studio is ruined is traumatic to say the least.
Through it all, I’ve learned how to relax my nervous system, remind myself that I’ve survived far worse, and repeat my personal mantra: “It’s all working out for me. I am exactly where I need to be.”
My mindset has truly been my driving force. Challenges are inevitable — but because I’ve stayed committed through every storm, I’ve come to see them as opportunities for growth. Each obstacle has helped me master another level of this journey, both as a business owner and as a human being.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Alchemy Flow is a place to sweat, breathe, and reconnect with yourself. We offer yoga classes designed to bring you into your senses — helping the mind quiet down so the body can flow.
Most of our classes are held at 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 5:45 PM, and 7:00 PM, making it easy to fit your practice into your day.
Our Breath n Stretch class is perfect for beginners, focusing on slow movement, mindful breathing, and relaxation. Mindful Flow is the next step up — great for those ready to build endurance while still keeping it accessible. For those craving a stronger, sweatier practice, Fierce Flow and Flow & Grow offer a faster pace and endurance challenge. We also offer a Hot Series inspired by the original hot yoga practice and a playful Kick Your Asana class that adds weights to the flow for an extra burn.
Beyond regular classes, we love creating experiences. We often host yoga and astrology workshops, sound baths, and other special events that support holistic healing and self-discovery. You can also book private sessions for yoga, Reiki, and Thai massage with our qualified practitioners for a more personalized approach.
What truly sets Alchemy Flow apart is our atmosphere. The moment you step through the door, it just feels good — warm, welcoming, and full of heart. Our community is vibrant and connected. Everyone smiles, greets each other by name, and creates a sense of belonging.
We’re not a sterile or corporate studio — we have soul.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
When I first started practicing yoga in college, the studio had this amazing Zebra flooring, and since starting the studio, I’ve always dreamed of having that in my own space — but it was way too expensive.
But the universe conspires in my favor…
Three years into the business, a friend told me her friend in Knoxville had closed her studio and was selling her Zebra flooring at a fraction of the cost. I couldn’t believe it! Still, it was out of my budget — but I decided to take a chance and put down a payment, trusting the rest would come. And then… like magic, several students bought yearly memberships upfront at the same time, and just like that, I had the extra funds for the floors of my dreams. The moment they were installed, my insecurities vanished — I felt like I had finally made it. The studio was the real deal!
Creating a space that met my standards became a bit of a hyper-fixation, but the true role that luck has played in my life is that it took utter tragedy and loss to move me to the place I needed to be. I am so blessed to have the community and friends who have come into my life through this business journey. To be able to give my son an amazing life surrounded by loving and kind souls — and to have created a space where people can experience the union of movement and breath, learning that everything they need is already inside of them — that is the greatest gift of all.
There’s a Chinese parable I often think of when I reflect on the highs and lows of my life. It’s about a farmer whose horse runs away. The town says, “Oh, what bad luck.” The farmer replies, “Maybe so.” Days later, the horse returns with several wild horses. The town then says, “Oh, what good luck!” The farmer says, “Maybe so.” While breaking one of the wild horses, the farmer’s son is kicked and breaks his leg. The town exclaims, “Oh, what terrible luck!” The farmer again says, “Maybe so.” Later, the Emperor’s army comes to recruit young men for war but spares the son because of his injury.
That story reminds me that no matter the circumstance, luck is always on my side.
Pricing:
- Drop ins $20
- Monthly Unlimited $98
- 10 Class pass $160
- Reiki $60
- Thai $120
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alchemyflow.yoga/
- Instagram: alchemyflow.yoga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alchemyflowyoga/
