#MBWShoutOuts Week 26: Veda Yoga of Bracebridge & Huntsville
In response to the challenging times that we are experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to give props to some stellar local businesses who are stepping up to serve our great community.
Featured this Week:
Veda Yoga, Bracebridge & Huntsville
Website: www.vedayoga.com
Located in the heart of downtown Bracebridge, Veda Yoga was first opened in 2018 by Sarah Shaw. This was followed by their sister hot yoga studio in Huntsville in the summer of 2019. Sarah tells us that her vision was to create a place to foster community and healing through yoga, ayurveda and vedic astrology. The dream was for this space to be inviting, welcoming and a place to feel loved and energized. Prior to Covid-19, Veda Yoga offered a wide array of yoga practices and classes including: Healing Light Yoga, Restorative, Barre Classes, Power Yoga and more.
From Sarah: “By March 2020 between both studios, there were over 500 visits a week, 94 monthly recurring members, 37 Winter Warmer members and many more on class passes. When the doors closed on March 16th, the Veda Yoga teachers quickly responded by offering multiple daily free classes on Facebook Live. Two weeks later teachers were equipped with webcams and ethernet cables and classes resumed on Zoom. The online classes were so popular that the Veda Yoga website was completely recreated and divided into two; Veda Yoga in person classes and Veda Yoga Online. As the weather turned warmer, Veda Yoga took to the parks slowly increasing class sizes as restrictions lifted.“
“But it wasn’t all a bed of roses, and many members were not ready to return to their mats when the doors opened on July 20th or even come to the classes in the park, making it unsure whether the studios would make it or not. Understanding the dilemma, the students rallied together and created a Veda Yoga Festival – a day filled with yoga classes, a silent auction, market place and BBQ – with all proceeds going towards keeping the studios open, staffed and heated. The story didn’t quite end there as yet another mandated restriction made the original location for the festival non compliant just a week before the event. However the Bracebridge Agricultural Society Exhibition Hall came to the rescue and donated their huge space to allow the festival to proceed!“
We are thrilled to hear that the Veda Yoga Festival will be able to proceed this weekend – Sunday, September 27th – and hope that all involved have an enjoyable, fun, enlightening experience! We want to thank Sarah and all of the amazing people behind Veda Yoga for doing everything possible to continue serving our wonderful community through these crazy, uncertain times. There has probably never been a time where healing and connecting with an inner peace has been more needed than through this pandemic. Thank you for all you do and keep up the great work. We can’t wait to hear how the Festival goes on Sunday.
Find more information about the Veda Yoga Festival here.
Be sure to follow Veda Yoga on Facebook and Instagram
If you know a local business who deserves a shout out, send us a direct message with a photo and why they should be featured.
#StayComfy #StayCozy #MuskokaBearWear
