Basalt Welcomes Old Town Yoga Studio on May 4

On a sunny Monday morning, the Basalt Riverwalk is bustling with activity, the sound of the Roaring Fork River flowing gently in the background. Locals are out and about, grabbing coffee or chatting with friends. In a few days, a new addition will join this vibrant scene: Old Town Yoga, a studio set to open on May 4, bringing a unique sound-based approach to the community.

Carlie Urell, the owner of Old Town Yoga, has a vision that combines music, community-building, and yoga. Her background is diverse, having started as a teacher, then transitioning to the business world for 20 years, and now coming full circle to open her own yoga studio. Urell's primary style will focus on Bhakti yoga, or "yoga of devotion," which incorporates chanting and music. For context, this approach is rooted in the idea that music has the power to bring people together, and Urell believes this will be particularly effective in a valley that already celebrates music through various events and talent.

Let's do the math: with a variety of themed classes, partnerships with local entities, and affordable options, Old Town Yoga aims to be inclusive. The studio will offer a complimentary class for seniors, with a suggested $5 donation, as well as a non-senior donation-based class and online video classes. On paper, this sounds like a solid plan to make yoga accessible to a broad range of people in the community. In practice, it will be interesting to see how the studio navigates the balance between providing affordable options and maintaining a sustainable business model.

The partnership with Craft Wellness to extend classes to children is also noteworthy. "Kids Music and Movement" will introduce children to various instruments and music theory alongside mobility and breathwork. This represents a return to Urell's roots as an elementary school teacher, and her passion for education is evident. Urell's background is impressive, having taught in several cities and earned her Master's in Education from John Hopkins University. Her pivot to yoga was inspired by her 200-hour yoga teacher training with Bel Carpenter, the owner of White Horse Yoga in Carbondale.

Urell expressed gratitude for the wellness community in Basalt, acknowledging the unique growth of the wellness hub in the area. She noted that it isn't driven by large luxury developments but by locals building smaller, intentional spaces. This sentiment is echoed in the way the new studio is being received by the community, with a sense of excitement and support.

The studio's location on the Basalt Riverwalk is also significant. For locals, this area is already a hub of activity, with shops, restaurants, and community events. The addition of this new yoga studio will only add to the vibrancy of the scene. In terms of the financials, Urell received an SBA loan to fund the studio, which she described as a full circle moment, having previously given out similar loans to women-owned businesses through the Economic Community and Development Institute.

As the studio prepares to open, it's clear that Urell's vision is not just about offering yoga classes but about creating a community-driven space that celebrates music and sound. The practical impact of this will be seen in the coming weeks and months as the studio becomes a part of the fabric of Basalt's wellness scene. For folks around here, the arrival of Old Town Yoga means a new option for wellness and community-building, and it will be interesting to see how the studio evolves and grows over time. The bottom line is that this studio is likely to resonate with the community, given its unique sound-based approach and commitment to accessibility.