SHOW US ONE YOGA STUDIO THAT’S MAKING HISTORY- AND SPACE FOR INCLUSIVITY. WHEN THE LIGHTS TURN ON AT ELXR LOUNGE YOGA… “It’s time to boss up and flow.” IT’S SIGNALS MORE THAN JUST THE START OF A SESSION. “if you’re somebody who you don’t feel like you normally see in a yoga class, like a person of color, or you’re a man or you’re somebody from the LGBTQ plus community. it can be an isolating experience.what I wanted to do was create a place where nobody felt isolated.” IT’S THE BEGINNING OF AN EXPERIENCE ROOTED IN CULTURE- COMMUNITY – AND HISTORY. “When we opened the doors, we opened as the very first black owned yoga studio in Arkansas.”
Black business expo highlights Black-owned business across Northwest Arkansas
This weekend, Black-owned businesses are taking center stage at the Black-Owned Business Expo, highlighting the importance of culture, diversity, and entrepreneurship.
This weekend, Black-owned businesses are taking center stage at the Black-Owned Business Expo, highlighting the importance of culture, diversity, and entrepreneurship. Among them is ELXR Lounge Yoga, a studio that is making history and redefining inclusivity in wellness.Nicole Calhoun, the owner of ELXR Lounge Yoga, founded the studio in 2018 with a mission to create a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds.”If you’re somebody who you don’t feel like you normally see in a yoga class — like a person of color, a man, or someone from the LGBTQ+ community, it can be an isolating experience,” Calhoun said. “I wanted to do was create a place where nobody felt isolated.”Calhoun said ELXR is Arkansas’ first Black-owned yoga studio. “I saw a hole in the yoga space for something that was fun, modern, new and relaxing all wrapped up in one,” she said.ELXR combines traditional yoga with hip-hop music. “We are hip-hop focused,” she said. “We play a lot of modern hip-hop in classes, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Drake. People hadn’t seen that in this area or in the state of Arkansas. So, at first, it was really slow because people weren’t used to that. Once it caught fire, it just exploded.” As a Black business owner, Calhoun understands the importance of representation in the wellness space. She said community supports make all the difference. “I think a lot of people are excited to try our business simply because they want to support the Black community in Northwest Arkansas,” she said.This Saturday, Black-Owned NWA is hosting the Black Business Expo, showcasing Black entrepreneurs from across the region. The event will be held at the Fayetteville Town Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $5 per person.
This weekend, Black-owned businesses are taking center stage at the Black-Owned Business Expo, highlighting the importance of culture, diversity, and entrepreneurship. Among them is ELXR Lounge Yoga, a studio that is making history and redefining inclusivity in wellness.
Nicole Calhoun, the owner of ELXR Lounge Yoga, founded the studio in 2018 with a mission to create a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds.
“If you’re somebody who you don’t feel like you normally see in a yoga class — like a person of color, a man, or someone from the LGBTQ+ community, it can be an isolating experience,” Calhoun said. “I wanted to do was create a place where nobody felt isolated.”
Calhoun said ELXR is Arkansas’ first Black-owned yoga studio.
“I saw a hole in the yoga space for something that was fun, modern, new and relaxing all wrapped up in one,” she said.
ELXR combines traditional yoga with hip-hop music.
“We are hip-hop focused,” she said. “We play a lot of modern hip-hop in classes, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Drake. People hadn’t seen that in this area or in the state of Arkansas. So, at first, it was really slow because people weren’t used to that. Once it caught fire, it just exploded.”
As a Black business owner, Calhoun understands the importance of representation in the wellness space. She said community supports make all the difference.
“I think a lot of people are excited to try our business simply because they want to support the Black community in Northwest Arkansas,” she said.
This Saturday, Black-Owned NWA is hosting the Black Business Expo, showcasing Black entrepreneurs from across the region. The event will be held at the Fayetteville Town Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $5 per person.
