Yoga studio in Charlotte unexpectedly shuts down, leaving employees locked out and in a state of uncertainty
Okra Yoga Studio Closes Amidst Licensing Issues, Instructors Continue Teaching in Public Spaces
In a sudden turn of events, the popular Okra Yoga studio in Plaza Midwood, North Carolina, has closed its doors, leaving staff and clients in disarray. The closure, according to signs on the door, is due to staff shortages. However, it appears that the issues run deeper than that.
Reports suggest that the business allowed massage workers to practice without the required state licenses, which likely contributed to the closure. The N.C. Board of Massage Work and Bodywork Therapy has stated that Okra is not a licensed establishment in North Carolina.
Grace Millsap, a former yoga teacher and massage therapist at Okra, believes the studio is not temporarily closing. Millsap had to cancel appointments with clients directly and is now offering classes in public spaces.
Millsap, along with other former Okra yoga teachers, are hosting classes at various locations across Charlotte. Tanner Droll will host Vinyasa Flow classes at Lucalee Yoga on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Dani Vayo will host heated deep stretch classes at QC Fit on Wednesdays and Fridays, and all levels stretch classes at Sycamore Brewing on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Claire Santos will host an outdoor flow class at Mint Museum Randolph lawn on July 31 and Aug 5, and Sara Ellen Gilstrap will host a yoga class at the same location on July 31. Niche Faulkner will host T.R.A.P. Yoga at QC Fit on Aug 2 and a long, slow, deep class at QC Fit on Aug 4.
Multiple attempts by CharlotteFive to contact the owner of Okra, Hal Smith, for comment were unsuccessful. For more information on upcoming classes, check Grace Millsap's Instagram account, @gracemillsapmagic.
If you are a yoga teacher affected by Okra's closing and want your classes added to the list, email CharlotteFive at [email protected]. The closure of Okra Yoga studio is a setback for the Charlotte yoga community, but the resilient spirit of its instructors ensures that the practice continues to thrive in the city.
- In the midst of the upheaval, the fashion-and-beauty sector might see an opportunity with Grace Millsap, a former Okra yoga teacher, promoting her Instagram account (@gracemillsapmagic) for more information on upcoming classes.
- As the home-and-garden season approaches, it's worth noting that some of the former Okra yoga instructors are hosting classes outdoors, such as Claire Santos at Mint Museum Randolph lawn and Niche Faulkner at QC Fit.
- The food-and-drink enthusiasts in Charlotte might find convenience in attending yoga classes at locations like Sycamore Brewing, where Dani Vayo hosts heated deep stretch classes, or QC Fit, a multi-purpose location hosting classes by Tanner Droll, Dani Vayo, Niche Faulkner, and Sara Ellen Gilstrap.
- For those embarking on travel within Charlotte, keeping up with their pet-care routines could be easier with the range of yoga classes now available in public spaces, as many of the former Okra instructors have adjusted their schedules to accommodate various locations.
