Anna Eshoo, a first-generation Stanislaus State alumna, embodies the spirit of a Warrior by demonstrating strength of mind, body and spirit. With a mission to educate and give back to her community, Eshoo has shared her expertise in entrepreneurship and wellness in both Turlock and the Napa Valley.
“I taught for Turlock Unified School District, starting at my high school alma mater, Turlock High School, and later moving to Pitman High School, focusing on career technical education in business. During this period, I pursued the Executive MBA at Stanislaus State to strengthen my business skills,” Eshoo said. “Being part of the inaugural cohort was transformative. I appreciated the variety of interactions within our cohort.”
Eshoo graduated from Stan State in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, focusing on child development. During her undergraduate studies, she was an active member of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority as the scribe (secretary), vice archon (vice president) and archon (president). Her sorority experiences, the friendships she made and opportunities gained were a big part of her college years.
“I met Dr. Luo, in a backpacking course offered at Stan State. He introduced me to yoga, and I fell in love with the practice instantly,” she said.
Lou encouraged her to pursue yoga and enroll in the teacher training program. Eshoo obtained both her 200- and 500-hour yoga teacher certifications through his program and she expressed her gratitude for Luo starting her on this journey.
It didn't end there.
During her EMBA program, Eshoo envisioned I AM YOGA Wellness Studio as her thesis, turning her dream into reality.
“It felt like magic,” she recalled. “My thesis on ‘How to Start a Business’ laid the foundation for I AM YOGA Wellness Studio.”
Randall Brown was her faculty mentor throughout the program and provided her encouragement and guidance. “I remember when I AM YOGA Wellness Studio opened. He showed up to my classes to support my journey,” Eshoo said.
The studio opened in 2008 and has become recognized as a premier yoga studio in the Central Valley. Offering more than 28 classes a week with a variety of instructors teaching yoga, pilates and specialty classes. The studio also houses in-house massage therapists and an esthetician along with other services.
Her brother, Isaac Eshoo, joined as an instructor and is currently taking on an administrative role.
“She wears a lot of hats and does it well,” he said. “Anna’s ability to stay focused is inspiring; besides overseeing the studio, teaching and being a Realtor, she published her first book in 2022, which focused on back health.”
Eshoo’s journey exemplifies resilience, determination and the transformative power of education and passion. As she continues to inspire and uplift others, her impact flows beyond her local community. Currently, Eshoo continues to empower students on and off the mat with more than two decades serving as a business instructor at the Napa County Office of Education and Napa Valley College.
- Anna Eshoo (’01, ’09), Liberal Studies, EMBA
Her dedication to fostering growth and excellence in others has enriched the lives of her students and has set a precedent for aspiring instructors.
Dianna Romo, a 2016 Stan State alumna, graduated from Eshoo’s yoga teacher training program and decided to stay at I AM YOGA to teach other aspiring instructors. She currently teaches Vinyasa, which is the synchronizing of breath and movement to cultivate a flowing, meditative practice.
“In 2020, I saw the studio had the yoga teacher training available, and I wanted to join just to
deepen my practice,” Romo said. “My goal was not to be a teacher, but Anna had other ideas.
“She offered me the Tuesday class after I finished the course. That was a Saturday, and I was teaching the following Tuesday,” Romo added.
She gravitated to Eshoo because of the business owner’s passion to serve.
“Anna is so giving, she is in the business of service, and she delivers that to her community. Her goal is to uplift through education and health.”
Eshoo’s mother, Blandina Wilson, is a regular at the studio and like others, she’s one of many whose life has been touched by the health benefits offered at the yoga studio. Seeing people thrive and enjoy the classes really brings home the impact of Eshoo’s work.
Her commitment to health and well-being has further deepened her family's connection to the Central Valley.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have attended college in my hometown and am proud to be a Warrior.
“I continue to teach because I know if I can inspire students to take a hold of their lives, then they can do what they want to do. I want them to feel empowered. That sensation of seeing students realize, ‘I can do what I want, if I put my mind to it,’ is important to me as an educator. It fuels me to keep going.”
