Coastal Conversations
With a passion for wellness, mindfulness and building strong connections, Allie Nunzi has created a space where individuals can slow down, recharge and reconnect. Through Grace & Glory Yoga, located in Northfield, she brings a thoughtful and welcoming approach to health and well-being. Her work goes beyond the mat, fostering a sense of community and balance in everyday life.
AS: What inspired you to start Grace & Glory Yoga, and how did your personal journey with yoga begin?
AN: Grace & Glory Yoga was founded on the belief that yoga can help us live more connected, resilient and meaningful lives. Since 2012, we’ve worked to create a space where people feel seen, supported and part of something larger than themselves. I wanted a place to practice where everybody (regardless of shape, size or history) was not only welcome but truly belonged. We are the yoga studio for everyone — not just people who consider themselves a “yoga person”… you need only to be a person, period.
Like many people, I found yoga during a season of searching, and what began as a physical practice quickly became a framework for navigating life’s challenges with greater awareness, resilience and self-understanding. Over time, and now as a 40-year-old woman, I’ve become uninterested in perfecting poses and more interested in how yoga helps us live with greater emotional intelligence, presence, courage and authenticity.
AS: What does “Grace & Glory” mean to you, and how does it shape your approach?
AN: To me, “grace” is our ability to meet ourselves and others with compassion. “Glory” is what emerges when we fully express who we are and how we’re called to serve. Life asks both of us: strong and soft, kind and accountable — and here, that balance shapes everything we do.
AS: How do you build community, and what benefits does that connection bring to students’ lives?
AN: Community doesn’t happen by accident. From the beginning, we’ve tried to create opportunities for people to connect beyond the yoga mat. Through service projects, leadership programs, workshops, recovery initiatives, outdoor gatherings and simple conversations before and after class, we’ve cultivated spaces where relationships can grow. One of our core values is service. When people come together around something bigger than themselves, meaningful connections naturally follow.
One of the greatest gifts of yoga is that it teaches us how to pay attention on purpose. In a world that constantly pulls us outward, yoga invites us inward. It helps us become more aware of our habits, our reactions, and our patterns. That awareness creates choice.
AS: What challenges did you face when starting your business, and how did you overcome them?
AN: Like any small business owner, I’ve faced uncertainty, financial challenges, growing pains and moments of self-doubt. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that resilience isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to stay curious, adapt, keep showing up, and keep caring for others. I’ve also learned that success is never a solo endeavor. Grace & Glory exists because of an incredible team, supportive family, dedicated students and a community that continues to believe in what we’re building together.
AS: Can you tell us about The Leadership Studio and how it connects to your work at Grace & Glory?
AN: Located in Atlantic City, The Leadership Studio is a 501(c)3 nonprofit yoga studio that operates as a civic incubator and community hub. We support and empower people to gather with intention, listen deeply and live better together. We provide programs that address recovery, healing from violence and grief, and foster generational connection while we grow the next generation of community stewards.
AS: What advice would you give to someone who is new to yoga or hesitant to begin?
AN: I’m often quoted as saying “If you can move, breathe and pay attention — that’s yoga” — and it is. You don’t have to be flexible to start yoga. You don’t have to be calm, spiritual, fit, coordinated or know anything about yoga philosophy. You simply have to begin exactly as you are. Yoga meets us where we are. In fact, some of the people who benefit most from the practice are the ones who feel like they’re not “the yoga type.”
AS: What are your goals for the future of Grace & Glory Yoga?
AN: My hope is that Grace & Glory (and our sister organization The Leadership Studio of Atlantic City) continues to be a place where people find connection to themselves, to one another and to something larger than their individual experience. We’re continuing to expand our programs and educational offerings as Grace & Glory School of Yoga. More than anything, I want us to remain a place of belonging. In a culture that often feels increasingly disconnected, creating spaces where people can gather, grow, serve and thrive together feels more important to the future of humankind than ever. If the next chapter allows us to deepen our impact while staying true to our values, I’ll consider that a tremendous success.
As our conversation comes to a close, we extend our sincere thanks to Allie Nunzi for sharing her journey and passion for wellness. Through Grace and Glory Yoga, she continues to inspire others to find balance, connection and strength in their everyday lives.
Coastal Conversations highlights people in our community who are making a meaningful impact. If you know someone who would be a great fit for a future column, please contact me at ShoreCoastalConversations@gmail.com.
From the shore to your door, let’s keep the conversation going.
