Two Years of Yoga Studio 90 St. Francisville: More Than a Yoga Studio

If you had told me two years ago what Yoga Studio 90 would add to the St. Francisville community—and what it would add to me personally—I’m not sure I would have believed you.

What started as a desire and a dream to add something different to my real estate days, a career that is obviously very sales-driven, ironically became a new branch of sales in my world. Except this time, I wasn’t selling anything tangible. I had nothing to “show.”

For the first time in my career, I was called to sell a feeling: endorphins, a mood change, a discipline challenge, the benefits of movement and heat, and a community of like-minded people who keep showing up, over and over and over.

And notice—I didn’t say similar people. I said like-minded people. That distinction is one of the things I love most about Yoga Studio 90 St. Francisville.

Finding Common Ground on the Mat

Our members range in age from 15 to their mid-70s. We are women and men, parents and non-parents, and we come in different shapes, sizes, backgrounds and stages of life. Every person walks through the doors of our St. Francisville yoga studio carrying a different story and a different reason for being there. And yet, somehow, we find common ground on the mat.

Our studio is surrounded by huge old oak trees and filled with calming touches, mirrors and plenty of personality. We’re just a jog—or a golf cart ride—from downtown St. Francisville, Louisiana. But what makes this place special has very little to do with what it looks like. It’s the people.

In real estate, a transaction is usually a 30- to 45-day process. There’s a beginning, a series of checkpoints and eventually a closing date. YS90 is completely different.

When someone becomes part of our studio, our hope is that they aren't simply signing up for a membership. They’re committing to a lifestyle. There is no closing date. Or maybe the “closing date” is when the habit is formed.

It’s when you know exactly which faces you’ll see before the sun comes up and who will scoot in right after work. It’s when someone notices when you aren’t there. It becomes repetitive and expected—in the very best way. It starts to feel like coming home to family.

And what an honor it has been to feel like family for two full years.

The Culture Is the Magic

The culture at YS90 St. Francisville is special. Honestly, it’s difficult to fully put into words. Whether we have a packed class or a smaller session, it usually takes us a few minutes to quiet the chatting because everyone is genuinely happy to see one another. People check in. They ask about life outside the studio walls.

And then we work. We sweat, get uncomfortable and challenge ourselves. But we also giggle, cheer each other on, celebrate little victories and learn the names and stories of the people on the mats beside us. We truly know our neighbors.

Watching members encourage one another is magic, and one of my favorite things has been watching our members become genuinely proud of themselves.

Our 5:15 a.m. crew will tell you they feel completely “off” when they miss a morning. That early workout has become part of their routine and sets the rhythm for their day. We’ve watched members increase their weights in Hot Pilates and Sculpt & Flow when, two years ago, simply picking up weights felt like a huge challenge.

Those moments may seem small from the outside, but to us, they are everything.

Progress isn't always about a number on a scale or a perfect yoga pose. Sometimes progress is realizing that something that once felt impossible has become part of your normal. Sometimes it’s getting stronger or making it to a 5:15 a.m. class when you really didn't want to get out of bed. And sometimes it’s simply realizing, I feel better when I move.

That is the kind of progress we get to witness every day, and it is one of the greatest gifts of owning this studio.

In a Small Town, Connections Keep Connecting

In a small town like St. Francisville, one of our favorite things is watching the YS90 puzzle pieces connect. A member brings her sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law brings her neighbor. The neighbor brings her cousin. Suddenly, there is another little thread connecting people throughout our community.

It goes on and on, and that’s how a yoga and fitness studio becomes more than simply a place to work out. It becomes woven into the community itself.

We've watched friendships form, family members begin exercising together, neighbors become workout partners and complete strangers become familiar faces you look forward to seeing every week. There is something really special about that.

Taking Yoga Studio 90 Into St. Francisville

Over the last two years, we've also had so much fun taking YS90 beyond the four walls of our studio and into the town we love.

We've hosted pop-up yoga and fitness events throughout St. Francisville—from The Oyster Bar on the mighty Mississippi River to Afton Villa, Goat Yoga at The Myrtles, Kids Yoga at Parker Park with Away Down South treats, Bayou Sara Brewing and Valentine's-themed yoga. We've hosted the Journey Challenge, bachelorette parties, West Feliciana Athletic Teams and, of course, our Turkey Burner.

And now we're getting ready for another first: our first in-studio birthday party this October!

There has been so much more—events, collaborations, laughs, sweaty moments and memories—that have helped make these first two years what they have been. YS90 was meant to be part of St. Francisville, and getting to bring movement, wellness and community into different corners of the town we love has been one of my favorite parts of this journey.

What Our St. Francisville Members Say

Of course, I can talk about what Yoga Studio 90 means to me all day long, but some of the words that mean the most come directly from our members.

Pam Smith shared:

“The studio has been such a wonderful addition to the town, and to my life. I love that it’s a quick drive for me, and that I’m able to schedule in a workout before the day even begins in my house. It’s always a positive welcoming experience and really brings so much joy to myself and other members.”

And Emma Cockrum said it perfectly:

“The community! Everyone is so kind and encouraging. It makes coming back so easy!!”

Those words capture exactly what we hoped YS90 St. Francisville would become: a place that fits into your life, makes you feel better, welcomes you and surrounds you with people who encourage you to keep coming back.

I Couldn't Do This Without Our Instructors

Over the last two years, so many people have asked me some version of the same question: “How do you keep up with everything you have going on and this studio?”

The truth? I can't. Not alone, anyway.

One of the greatest blessings of these two years has, hands down, been our instructors. I could not keep the schedule, momentum or heart of this studio moving without the incredible women who show up on the mat and behind the scenes.

Our instructors are mothers, teachers, business owners, board members, mental health advocates, committee leaders, grandmothers—and, honestly, rockstars. They bring their own experiences, energy and compassion into every class. They challenge our members, encourage them, laugh with them and remind them that showing up matters.

Our growth over these last two years is a gift, and our instructors have a direct impact on every person who walks through our doors. I couldn't be prouder to work alongside these women and meet them on the mat.

Two Years In

Two years ago, I thought I was simply adding something new to my professional life. What I didn't realize was that I was creating a place where people would build habits, friendships, confidence and consistency.

A place where someone could walk in after the worst day and walk out feeling completely different. A place where the goal isn't perfection—it’s showing up. A place where the person next to you may be completely different from you on paper, but somehow understands exactly why you came.

Two years later, I am still learning what Yoga Studio 90 means. I know it means movement, heat, discipline and strength. But more than anything, I think it means people.

It’s the people who show up before sunrise and the people who squeeze in after work. It’s those who have been here since day one and those who joined last week. It’s the person who encourages someone she barely knows, the instructors who pour themselves into every class, the members who have become friends and the community that has somehow become family.

So, on our two-year anniversary, I simply want to say thank you.

Thank you for trusting us with your time, for continuing to show up and for cheering each other on. Thank you for bringing your sisters-in-law, neighbors, cousins—and the people you meet at the ballpark on a random Tuesday night. You keep us going!

Thank you for making this little studio in St. Francisville so much more than a yoga studio. I am incredibly grateful that I get to be part of it.

Happy 2nd Anniversary, Yoga Studio 90 St. Francisville.

Here’s to many more years of showing up, sweating together, laughing together, getting stronger together—and coming home to our family on the mat.

Ready to Meet Us on the Mat?

If you’re looking for yoga in St. Francisville, hot yoga, Hot Pilates, Sculpt & Flow or heated fitness classes near St. Francisville, Louisiana, we would love to welcome you to Yoga Studio 90.

Come experience YS90 St. Francisville and discover what can happen when movement, heat, discipline and community come together.

Caitlin Daniel, 

Owner and instructor, YS90 St. Francisville