I just love today’s featured business: Zen Yoga Garage. I like to work out, but don’t do classes super frequently, but when I do, Zen Yoga Garage is one of my favorite places to get my stretch on. I loved that it had the look and feel of a corporate chain studio but it is a small, local gem with a very “everyone’s family” feel to it. I also appreciated and had taken advantage of their in-person classes on a variety of topics that are yoga and mindfulness-related. I was also always curious about how they got started as well as the pivot to offering classes in a vacant lot last summer, so I was thrilled with Melissa Talleda, the current managing partner of Zen Yoga Garage agreed to jump on a call with me!  They’re currently offering classes in person at 1845 N Milwaukee Ave in Bucktown as well as online, so be sure to check out their schedule at zenyogagarage.com and get your zen on.

In Melissa Talleda’s Interview we discuss:

  • The history of Zen Yoga Garage and why it’s called a ‘garage’
  • A bit about the founders, Piper Lori Parker and William (Bill) Senne
  • Expanding to multiple studios and an outdoor space
  • Melissa taking over as managing partner in early 2020
  • Adapting to the pandemic – Zen Yoga Yard, live streaming yoga, decreased number of classes and students
  • Why Melissa is encouraging stepping into a yoga practice now rather than stepping away from it

Melissa’s nominations:

Zen Yoga Garage
1845 North Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 606047
773.227.7748
info@zenyogagarage.com