Innovation

• Meeting the health and wellness needs of the community
• Co-location of several small businesses that share overhead and space, thus maximizing utilization of the space
• Multiple revenue streams within the business including yoga classes; retail; rented space for practitioners who provide wellness services; monthly membership for yoga classes and individual passes; special workshops; and education via a Registered Yoga Teacher Training program
• Promoting other local businesses to improve the community of Chagrin Falls

Inspiration

Robin mentioned that she was at a cross-road in her life and was looking for an opportunity to start a business. She took a yoga class from Darcy Providente, RYT, and co-owner of Chagrin Yoga, at the Solon Recreation Center and was struck by a contrast between yoga's "relaxed" approach to exercise. "Make no mistakes, an exercise this was. I was so sore all over my body the next day," Robin said while laughing. And this is how the idea of a yoga studio set its roots. Robin began following Darcy as a teacher, and the two teamed up to open a studio in Chagrin Falls.

Overall impact

When people are healthier, happier, and balanced, it enhances their ability to grow as individuals, families, and communities. Over the past nine years, Chagrin Yoga has delivered services to enhance these aspects of health, wellness, and balance in a model that is economical and sustainable. Chagrin Yoga has also fostered the development of its local community by providing space to connect on a yoga mat, over a cup of coffee, avocado toast or smoothie at nearby Cultivate, through self-expression in its retail component and by training the next generation of yoga teachers. Those who know Chagrin Yoga know a business that enhances health and wellness while elevating the community in and around it.

Business benefit

Because Chagrin Yoga adopted a model of co-located services to enhance health and wellness in the community, they have experienced the following:

• They have maximized the utilization of space
• They have multiple revenue streams to support the bottom line of the business
• They build clientele and community by promoting a variety of services that attract different segments of the market, i.e., those looking for yoga classes, those looking to see a chiropractor, those looking for a workshop, those looking to purchase yoga supplies and gear, those stopping for a healthy meal at Cultivate next door
• They continue to support the growing yoga community with newly trained Yoga teachers

Social and environmental benefit

Yoga emphasizes mind-body connection strongly. One of the most famous yogic references, the “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” describes the foundation of yogic sustainability platform, “We are not going to change the whole world, but we can change ourselves and feel free as birds. We can be serene even in the midst of calamities and, by our serenity, make others more tranquil." Chagrin Yoga has not only developed a yoga studio, but it has improved the health and wellness of the community through its co-location of services.

Interview

Robin Pastor, Owner

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