By Lisa Carolin
(Chelsea Update is running a series on businesses in Chelsea beginning with businesses that belong to the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce. This week it’s Breathe Yoga.)
Breathe Yoga opened at 104 E. Middle St. in July of 2015 and has grown into a business that offers more than 23 studio classes a week as well as workshops and events.
“We love seeing our yoga community grow,” said Sue Whitmarsh, an instructor, who co-owns Breathe Yoga with Marie Brooks. “We have also expanded our team of fabulous teachers to 15 and are forever grateful for their nurturing, giving natures and dedication to their art.”
Patrons range in age from 2 to 84 and both women and men are welcome. Whitmarsh says that in the last couple of months there has been an increase in the number of men attending classes.
“The types of yoga we offer range from Ashtanga to Yin, including Vinyasa, Slowflow, Restorative, Nidra, Lunar, Sivananda and Chair Yoga,” said Whitmarsh. “We also teach kids classes from 2-12 years, and offer Yoga Storytime and kids’ summer camps.”
Breathe Yoga also offers private yoga instruction and private Thai Yoga Massage appointments. There are also group classes for birthdays, baby showers, sports team, and more for special rates.
There is a retail selection that includes yoga mats from Manduka, lotions water bottles, greeting cards, jewelry and yoga accessories.
Breathe Yoga also offers a Breathe Gives Karma Yoga Program.
“Karma is the yoga of service, and it has always been part of our mission here to give back to our community as much as we can, and we do so through free community classes and by donating 100 percent of our mat rental fees to help raise funds and awareness for selected non-profits and charities in the area and further afield,” Whitmarsh said.
Currently, Breathe Yoga is collecting for two organizations delivering aid to Houston and Puerto Rico to help with hurricane damage.
Whitmarsh says they are thrilled to be located where they are downtown.
“We’re proud to be part of a whole row of women-owned businesses along Middle Street, both East and West, and really enjoy the energy and connectivity of being right downtown,” she said. “We’re grateful for all the Chamber does for our town and its business community.”
