A yoga studio where themes of healing, love and compassion complement the meditative form of exercise has found a home in Pueblo — and it’s not what you would expect.
Melanie Chavez started her Ren Yoga Flow business at 110 W. Fifth St. last October and has managed to set herself apart from other yoga studios with some unusual offerings. She has classes that incorporate sound healing and others that are geared toward specific students like pregnant moms, those experiencing grief, or older students, like her mom, Teri Dolphin, who urged her to start a chair yoga class.
There’s even a 45-minute lunchtime yoga for busy workers or a strong yoga that incorporates Pilates for those who want to focus more on exercise. Perhaps the most cutting-edge feature is the Mermaid Drag & Sunset Yoga class featuring drag performer Mx Cosmic Zoki. The next Mermaid Drag & Sunset Yoga class is set for 8 p.m. July 8.
“Nobody else is doing this, so I want to bring a fresh and unique vibe for this community whether it is through the LGBTQ community, energy healers, creators or artists,” Chavez said. “What sets me apart is that I want people to feel love and compassion when they walk into the studio.
“Everybody is welcome, and it is all inclusive no matter your age, color or who you love. It’s a safe space for people to come here and be themselves,” Chavez said.
Chavez grew up in Pueblo and graduated from East High School. She moved away when she was 21 and, like many kids who grew up here, vowed she'd never be back.
She returned 17 years ago and now is thankful her own children are growing up with family like she did.
Chavez has been teaching yoga for the past eight years and was working at Nova Stella yoga studio on Union up until it was forced to close last spring. At that point, Chavez said she was left “trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grow up.”
“I never thought I wanted to own a yoga studio, but I had a following and wanted to continue,” she explained.
Last summer, she offered summer yoga classes in the garden at the Abriendo Inn, 300 W. Abriendo Ave., a tradition that will continue this summer when the weather is nice.
The Ren Yoga studio gets a permanent home
Chavez opened her brick-and-mortar yoga studio Oct. 1 when Phoenix Massage owners Jaimie and Shaun Weakley offered her the space next door to their business at 108 W. Fifth St. It’s a small studio with just enough room for about 16 students.
“It’s nice to do yoga and then go next door and get a massage,” Chavez said.
Although Chavez offers traditional yoga classes featuring meditation and breath work, the sound healing classes are particularly popular. Held at 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday, the classes are accompanied by sound bowl players Jesse and Chuck Jaquez.