Crowdfunding Helps Launch New Yoga Studio In Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, MI —When a popular local yoga studio announced it was moving out of the area, local yogis encouraged two teachers to fill the gap left in the market. With the help of crowd sourcing platform GoFundMe, the new Community Yoga Studio raised $100,000 in less than two weeks and will have its public debut on Jan. 13.

Community Yoga is the brainchild of co-founders Jacquie Ciavaglia and Missy Rush who have been practicing and teaching for more than 20 years combined, most recently at Center for Yoga, which will close its doors on Jan. 12, 2020. At the urging of many former students, local residents and practitioners from around the country, they decided to create a new place for the Birmingham community to practice yoga.

In late-December, a call to action was shared through a grassroots email and social media campaign to local and out-of-state yoga lovers with the aim of raising the necessary capital to open the studio. By Jan. 2, 2020, Jacquie and Missy had raised $100,000 from over 160 dedicated practitioners in Birmingham and beyond, making Community Yoga Studio one of the first mostly crowd sourced yoga studios to open in the US.

“Since the announcement of Community Yoga Studio we have received an incredible amount of support from our students and the yoga community,” said Co-Founder Jacquie Ciavaglia. “We never imagined that the generosity of our practitioners would allow this dream to become a reality in such a short time. We feel truly inspired and grateful to the community who is supporting us on this journey.”

Community Yoga Studio is rooted in the principles of Ashtanga Yoga and will be using a state-of-the-art infrared heating system. This style of yoga comes with all the benefits of a regular yoga practice--strength, flexibility, stress management, and inner peace.

There is no part of the body (or mind) that doesn't work hard in this practice. Infrared radiant heat offers a variety of health benefits over traditional heating systems.

• Reduces dust/emissions – Unlike forced air heating systems, our infrared radiant heating panels do not blow dust or allergens. They do not release any emissions, chemicals or pollutants and help keep the air in your home clean and clear.
• Therapeutic relief – Odds are you have experienced the soothing feeling of warm summer sun on your skin. Our heaters, like the sun, produce radiant heat waves which work to heat up water. Because the human body is made up of mostly water, this infrared heat transfers extremely effectively and can help gently increase blood circulation, rid the body of toxins and even provide pain relief.

When Community Yoga opens in doors on Jan. 13, 2020 there will be a full schedule of classes available seven days a week and 365 days a year. In addition to Jacquie and Missy, there will be seven other yoga teachers at the studio.

Community Yoga Studio will offer various types of classes with roots coming from Ashtanga yoga for yogis of all skill levels, from beginners to those that have been practicing for a lifetime.

The following classes will be offered:

• Vinyasa – Vinyasa is a beautiful connection between breath and movement; athleticism and grace; effort and ease. Flows are uniquely crafted from Ashtanga foundations, set to loud and upbeat music. This class provides the framework to go at your own pace. Bring a towel and be prepared to sweat. If you are newer to yoga, you may need to follow along for the first few classes.
• Slow Burn - Simple flows, mostly teacher guided and longer holding postures. Emphasis is given to aligning breath and movement, slowing down and paying attention. This practice awakens all of your senses, especially the sense of touch as you are encouraged to practice with your eyes closed. Excellent starting point if you are new to yoga. Also, a great challenge for the experienced practitioner.
• Yinyasa – Hybrid class combining the best of both the yang (vinyasa) and the yin. Start with ½ hour of vinyasa followed by a ½ hour of yin. Class begins with sun salutations and flows followed by longer holding seated poses to finish creating flexibility, mindfulness and softness.
• Yin - Mostly seated postures designed to get into your connective tissue for a deep stretch. Each pose is held for 3-5 minutes to allow for decompression of your connective tissues. This practice is incredibly healing and promotes an increase in circulation, deeper sleep and better digestion. Yin yoga also helps to create space and integrity in your joints.
• (Yoga) Sculpt (Being introduced in March) – similar to Vinyasa flow, but with the added excitement of small weights to take your practice to the next level!

“This is the most exciting moment of my life,” said Co-Founder Missy Rush. “It has been an incredible three weeks of hard work and little sleep to get Community Yoga Studio open, but it has also been the most rewarding work of my life. I am so happy to allow for continuity of the practice in Birmingham for all of our dedicated yogis, and for all the new yogis that will walk through our doors soon!”

Class packages and memberships available to purchase online. Childcare will also be available for select classes allowing everyone to find a suitable time for practicing.

All information on teachers, class schedule, class packages and childcare is available at www.communityyoga.studio