Meet this week's guest editor, Ashley Williams, MS, C-IAYT, founder of BareSOUL Yoga & Wellness & curator of The Well Collective! Driven by creating space for community to come together and care for themselves physically, mentally and socially, Ashley is here to deliver her recommendations for finding connection this week in Richmond. As a builder and weaver, Ashley bridges mindfulness, diversity, wellness and inclusion on micro and macro-levels to achieve equitable, socially stable and conscious spaces for individual and collective care.
Take it away, Ashley...
Deconstructing
Karen
Join me tomorrow night at 6:00 pm for the Screening of Deconstructing Karen + Conversation with Saira Rao and Regina Jackson at the historic Byrd Theatre. Over the past month, a collective of Richmond-based women have contributed and planned this event, inviting community into a space of truth-telling, dialogue and radical honesty centering around racism in Richmond, and beyond. It's time to get to the root of our nation's issues and be radical in our collective action; join us.
Over the years, I have become fond of the Richmond Symphony and the Black History Museum through special invitations from friends, curated events, and awe-inspiring exhibits. I am looking forward to the intersection of arts and culture in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood at the Big Tent Fest. Take a moment to check out the newest exhibit Art of Freedom II created by Virginia-based artists that share their concept of Freedom before taking in the soulful, healing sounds of musical talent. Richmond does outdoor concerts well, and this is a perfect opportunity for all ages to explore.
BareSOUL Community Yoga at Hatch Local on Sunday, May 28th at 10:00 am. BareSOUL Yoga is excited for this season of community-based programs and classes at some of our favorite local businesses and partners. Grab your mat and kick off your Sunday with BareSOUL Ambassador Adrienne Samuels at the Hatch Local courtyard for movement, breath, and meditation. BareSOUL hosts classes throughout the Spring/Summer season, supporting the development of school programming, youth camps, and staff well-being.
Ashley is a Mind-Body Therapist and Social Change Agent with experience in the fields of education, behavioral and mental health and community programming in Richmond. She is the founder of BareSOUL Yoga & Wellness, a community-based organization initially created to offer accessible mind-body offerings, and the curator of The Well Collective, a multicultural community space that centers intergenerational well-being, healing modalities, and education located in historic Shockoe Bottom.
Meet this week's guest editor, Shannon Siriano Greenwood, founder of Rebelle! Shannon is here to deliver her recommendations for this week in the River City. Founder, leader, and community builder, Shannon is most passionate about sharing the stories of exceptional people. Eternally curious, Shannon has interviewed thousands of women from celebrities to founders, authors, physicians, creatives, and every day women to understand their perspectives and share their experiences with audiences big and small. She lives in Richmond with her husband, two boys, and a village of friends and family who make life worth living.
Take it away, Shannon ...
Creative Mornings:
Acceptance
One of my favorite monthly events is hosted by Creative Mornings Richmond. A group of volunteers led by my dear friend Michelle Mercurio produces a free speaker breakfast and this month’s theme is Acceptance. The speaker this month is Roscoe Burnems who is the first poet laureate of Richmond, among many other identities.
Bonus: at this month’s event I am giving away copies of the Spring/Summer issue of Rebelle Magazine.
Vitals:
Creative Mornings / Visual Arts Center: 1812 W Main St. / Friday, May 19th at 8:30 am
Buna Kurs
Ethiopian Cafe
A hidden gem of a coffee shop, Buna Kurs, is one of my favorite places to bump into creatives and innovators. If you have never tried Ethiopian breakfast food you are in for a treat. I suggest the Breakfast Combo which includes egg silsi, kinche, firfir served with injera or bread. If you have questions, just ask! The owner, Lilly as well as many of the regular patrons are happy to tell you about their favorites on the menu.
It’s with a heavy heart that I am sharing the store closing of one of my favorite downtown shops, Someday, located on Broad Street. For the last five years, this vintage housewares boutique has been a staple for thoughtful gifts, unique finds and house plants. While I’m sad to see them go, I know how challenging it is to run a small business, and am so proud of Audie and her team for creating such a supportive small business community in her shop. I’ll be stopping by to celebrate their success. Everything is 30% off until Sunday.
Rebelle brings together women who are craving deep connections in formats including an annual conference, panel conversations, influencer interviews, hands-on workshops, and meetups with mentors.
We offer:
A boutique conference experience (Rebelle Con)
A year-long program for professional women to connect (SWELL by Rebelle)
A quarterly magazine addressing lifestyle and career (Rebelle Magazine)
I want every woman to have a Wolf Pack, as defined by Abby Wambach, “a crew of brave and honest women to support you.”
Meet this week's guest editor, Suzanne Burns, owner of Humble Haven Yoga! Suzanne is here to deliver her recommendations for celebrating community in the River City. In addition to being a mom of three (or four if you count her adorable pup), Suzanne founded Humble Haven Yoga in 2013 and opened its first brick and mortar location in Shockoe Bottom in January 2016. Suzanne lives her purpose through creating equitable opportunities in education, employment, wellness, and beyond for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Take it away, Suzanne ...
A Tablespoonfull
of Sugar
I’ve been working with the special needs and diverse ability community since I was in high school. Fast forward to the present and I’m lucky to be a mom to my four-year-old daughter, June, who has Down syndrome. I’m a strong believer in building and supporting local businesses and organizations that prioritize equitable employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
One of my favorite weekend activities is to visit Tablespoons Bakery with my family. You can grab some cookies, muffins, and coffee and sit on their patio or venture into their enclosed playground. If you’re a cookie dough fan, try their cookie dough cone!
I’m a strong believer that movement and community are two very important ingredients to the recipe for feeling well and joyful in your day-to-day life. One of my favorite places to visit outside of Humble Haven is The Well Collective located at 13 S 13th Street in the heart of Shockoe Bottom.
The Well Collective is a space for conscious community that offers intergenerational wellness, equitable healing modalities, educational workshops and an apothecary. Check out Heated Power Yoga with Charles on 5/11, Asana Pranayama and Meditation, or Heated Move + Breathe on 5/13. Can’t make one of those? Check out their schedule and hours for another time to visit.
Vitals:
Heated Power Yoga with Charles / The Well Collective / 13 S. 13th Street / Thursday, May 11 at 6:15 pm
RVA
Big Market
My family and I live in the Northside of the city and venture often to the RVA Big Market at Bryan Park on Saturdays. If you’re traveling in from other parts of Richmond, Bryan Park offers lots of parking within the park or even in the surrounding neighborhoods where you can take a short walk in.
Two of our favorite vendors to visit are Ryba’s Pierogis and JAMs Cakery. You won’t be disappointed with anything you order, but when visiting our friends at Rybas, try the pastrami and swiss pierogis and one of their made-to-order breakfast sandwiches. When visiting JAMs, the chocolate chip cookies are our go-to faves.
Vitals:
RVA Big Market / Bryan Park - 4308 Hermitage Road, Richmond / Saturdays, 8 am - 12 pm
More About Humble Haven Yoga
Humble Haven aims to bring together diverse groups of people to experience something outside of routine life — offering flexibility and expression as a way of living through versatile daily classes and community events. Located just west of the city in the Reynolds Crossing shopping center (corner of Glenside Dr. and Forest Ave.), Humble Haven offers a combination of yoga and strength-based classes that compliment one another in style of movement and strive to meet each individual where they are on any given day and at any phase or stage of life.
Next month, Humble Haven is expanding to add an additional room where they'll hold daily Bootcamp classes to build strength, weekly Yin classes to slow it down, and they'll be launching a program specifically for children and young adults with special needs - the first of its kind in Richmond. Class offerings for individuals with developmental disabilities will range from one-on-one instruction to small group. These offerings will be available late summer and early fall. Visit the studio and follow along on their social accounts (@humblehavenyoga) for the latest!
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