New yoga studio opens in Wesley Heights

Why it matters: Thrift Road transitioned from an industrial area into a busy food and drink district. Now it’s rounding out with more to do than just eat and drink.

Yes, but: West Charlotte is gentrifying. Studio owner and longtime Charlotte yogi Caitlyn Sheff says she’s hyperaware of that.

• “It was a lot of personal growth for me obviously working to keep that top of mind, not only for [the studio], but for myself,” Sheff told Axios before she opened the studio’s doors for its first class on Thursday.
• A key way The Coterie seeks to address gentrification is through accessibility through pricing, as yoga studios and much of fitness culture is exclusive and notoriously expensive.

Pricing: Your first class at The Coterie is free. They use what’s called a sliding scale price structure for accessibility — think pay what you can. No one is checking to see how much you make — it’s based on an honor code.

• Single class: $8 – $15
• Unlimited monthly membership: $95 – $155
• 5-class pack: $70
• 10-class pack: $130
• 20-class pack: $240

Context: Sheff bought a home in the neighborhood with her husband a few years ago. She chose the location to serve her neighborhood and to be close to home.

Details: The Coterie offers three types of classes:

• Peace: A Yin Yoga practice
• Prana: A vinyasa (flow) practice, which will be heated using infrared panels.
• Power: A practice with weights

There is also a private meditation library, a single studio, two private bathrooms and two private showers.

Location: 2135 Thrift Road, Suite 102