New Yoga Studio Opens In Malden Center

MALDEN, MA — A boutique yoga studio is the newest addition to Malden Center's business community. Mayor Gary Christenson recently attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at Soul City Yoga, which opened at 210 Pleasant St.

The business was founded in Lynn in 2016 by Shanel Anderson, who wanted to address the lack of diversity in the boutique fitness community.

"My mission is to dissolve and dismantle the westernized image of who yoga is ‘for’ by creating an all-inclusive environment that welcomes and sees the value in all people," Anderson said in a statement. "I believe strongly that community is strengthened by celebrating the beauty of diversity and the value of representation."

Soul City's mission is centered around the idea that yoga and wellness should be accessible to all and is a safe space for practitioners of all levels and abilities. Partner Sara Bailey joined the businesses last year, and together, the pair expanded into Malden.

"We are so excited to be a part of the Malden community," Bailey said in a statement. "The rich cultural composition of this city makes it a perfect fit for our studio."

Soul City offers vinyasa style yoga, yoga sculpt, barre, prenatal and restorative yoga as well as high intensity interval training (HIIT) classes. They are open seven days a week and offer classes indoors, outdoors (weather permitting) and live-streaming from both locations.

The studio will eventually offer more than 50 classes per week led by over 20 instructors once COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed.