By Angela Blue
1116 Volvo Pkwy., Suite 101, Chesapeake. 757-312-9642
2861 Lynnhaven Dr., Suite 108, Virginia Beach. 757-496-7444
StudioBambooYoga.com
Founded: 2009
Number of Employees: 45 between the two locations
What They Do: Studio Bamboo provides both group and private yoga sessions, events and workshops, teacher training and reiki healing, along with Warrior Yoga classes for veterans, active duty military and first responders and Adaptive Yoga for individuals living with mobility disabilities.
How They Help: Studio Bamboo offers free or by donation classes for Wounded Warriors, adaptive and trauma-related private yoga therapy for disabled veterans, Y12SR meetings for those affected by addiction, Y4C (Yoga for Cancer) and more.
They partner with organizations like Roc Solid Foundation, LIFT Fitness Foundation, J&A Racing, PJ Jams and 4 Another. Once a year they offer a blood drive for the American Red Cross, and they have donated a bike to Preston’s March for Energy (adaptive bikes for children who can’t ride a traditional bike).
The studio supports fundraising events for organizations like Alzheimer’s Foundation, March of Dimes and White House 2 White House. The studio is a drop-off point for PJ Jams, Veteran’s Christmas and more.
In addition to helping the local community, some of their staff travel to Haiti, Northeast Africa, Europe and Puerto Rico to teach health and wellness and to volunteer in underserved areas, as part of the Give Back Yoga Foundation.
Within Studio Bamboo’s teacher training facility there is a 15-hour course titled, “How Can I Serve” where students help locally by offering free yoga, cleaning the bay, volunteering with the Foodbank or helping the elderly. Guest instructors facilitate trainings for underserved and special populations so that the Studio Bamboo team can offer more to these communities.
To our company, community impact looks like: A wounded warrior getting out of a wheelchair onto a mat, someone suffering from PTSD reconnecting with themselves and those around them, a homeless woman or man smiling, a kid getting pajamas for Christmas, a disabled child riding a bike with friends, a kid going through cancer having a peaceful place to retreat, a person with more ease and joy from less pain, someone was able to be hugged because a loved one received blood, simply bringing a smile and a sense of community/family to one person at a time. We do this humbly with no expectation of return.