SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Syracuse native turned yoga and juice business owner, Shakela Freeman, is working to bring wellness to all communities in Syracuse by way of her business Blend Theory.
“I saw how much other people needed that calmness from yoga, and they came out, and it started to become a thing,” Freeman said. “So, I wanted to learn the ins and outs of yoga and how to teach people safely.”
Freeman was able to raise over $1,600 for yoga certification with the help of her community. One of her supporters, local yoga instructor Marcelle Haddix, cites the need to support diverse voices in yoga and wellness practices for backing Freeman’s ambitions.
“To increase the diversity and opportunities for people of color to engage with yoga and wellness and mindfulness,” Haddix said.
Freeman traveled to Peru and received her certification in just a few weeks. Once she returned to New York she got to work bringing yoga to her community.
“To share what I’ve learned back home. I’ve always wanted to come back home and do it here first,” said Freeman.
Blend Theory is not just a yoga venture, but also incorporates Freeman’s smoothie and juice business out of Southside’s Cafe Sankofa.
“I’ve been making smoothies since I was a kid since I was a little girl,” Freeman said. “I saw how great you can make changes with your body by juicing. So I always wanted to have some type of offering where people could create juices and smoothies, to eat healthier, and just live a happier life.”
Freeman eventually merged yoga into the Blend Theory business. Since the merger, she has seen positive reinforcements from her customers and community.
“One of the things I most love about her yoga classes is the inclusivity,” yoga and juice customer Junko Takeda said.
One of the ways that Freeman has been able to increase inclusivity is by offering her yoga online where anyone can easily access her classes.
“I can teach people in California if I want to, I can teach yoga to people in Africa if I wanted to,” Freeman said.
Freeman’s new goal is to continue making her services affordable and available.
“My main goal for Blend Theory is to continue to offer yoga services to everyone at an affordable rate,” Freeman said .
