Our Story
2021-2023
Welcome Back to Yoga, Rogue Valley
Like many small businesses, we began with just three teachers navigating the challenges of the pandemic. After losing our studio spaces, a few of us met outdoors to consider the future of yoga in Southern Oregon. Our big questions were: Is there still a need for yoga here? Are our students ready to reconnect? Is there value in gathering in person?
After months of thoughtful discussions, Abby Hatfield, Janet Langley, and Sarah Sol decided to join forces. Sarah formed an LLC, and soon, we were thrilled to welcome friends and colleagues eager for a new platform to share their teachings.
Many of our classes and private sessions had been online, so returning to in-person felt both exciting and refreshing. TheDome, our unique space with its cozy fireplace, became a gathering place where our students and instructors could reconnect and grow together. That’s how Rogue Valley Yoga came to life!
After a time of isolation, we rediscovered the joy of working in camaraderie and were energized to rebuild our community.
2023
If You Build It…
On a shoestring budget, TheDome became our primary location in February 2023 as a home studio. We knew early on we’d eventually outgrow this model but wanted to keep things simple while reintroducing the full spectrum of an 8-limbed yoga practice. Through steady growth, shaped by trial and error, we've stayed committed to our vision.
Our love for yoga and dedication to personal practice have filled this space with warmth and respect. We trusted that the quality of our classes, the integrity of our seasoned instructors, and our commitment to authentic yoga teachings would naturally attract students. Relying mainly on word of mouth and our pre-pandemic email list, we avoided big marketing campaigns and flashy signs.
Our first year brought reunion tears and trust that only time can foster. Many of us carried the weight of lost time and self-doubt, myself included. Just after opening, I faced a series of personal challenges, including the sudden loss of my dad and an emergency surgery. Returning to the mat felt daunting, and I resonated with those who came to class saying, “This is my first class since the pandemic, so I’m a little...X.” In those moments, I felt a quiet affirmation, thinking, “You’re not alone in this. The yoga is still in there.”
Our classes embody acknowledgment, perseverance, and compassion. We welcome people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds and foster community through music events, potlucks, free educational meet-ups, and workshops, building connections without relying on traditional marketing.
2024
A Year of Growth & New Beginnings
What a journey 2024 has been! We experienced growth that genuinely took us all by surprise.
We welcomed new faces and talents into our community, with an expanded faculty of skilled teachers and our gifted massage therapist, New Leaf. By the end of 2024, our schedule will include around 25 regular weekly classes, workshops, special events, and massage therapy.
In addition, our Rogue Valley Yoga Teacher Training and Mentorship Program begins each February, offering a unique opportunity for aspiring teachers.
We’re also proud to host local wellness professionals who bring services like youth support groups, creative outlets, couples therapy, and energy work, creating a vibrant, holistic community. We look forward to sharing all the incredible things to come!
2025
When We Root, We Rise.
With a heavy heart and deep gratitude, we say goodbye to our beloved Dome—a place filled with warmth, beautiful gatherings, and the cozy charm of a hobbit house. As we transition to our new location in Ashland, we look forward to reaching more people and expanding our community through local outreach and advertising.
Our commitment remains the same: to offer a rich variety of classes throughout the week with dedicated, experienced teachers who pour their passion and expertise into each session. Throughout our search for a new home, our priority has always been you—our cherished students. We’ve carefully chosen a space that will support every part of your experience, from the moment you arrive to when you leave.
This step is bittersweet. We hold so many fond memories and are deeply thankful for the Dome’s nurturing presence, especially as it supported us in reconnecting post-pandemic. Let’s honor our time there as we welcome new possibilities ahead. Thank you for being part of our journey—your support means everything.