Flowing on the river

Leland yoga and pilates studio celebrates one year

By Shelley Smith

Sun contributor

It’s all flowing on the Leland River this season: beauty, fitness, community, and a deep appreciation for the natural environment that surrounds and supports Leelanau County.

This August marked the one-year anniversary of Leland River Studio, a boutique yoga and pilates center nestled into charming downtown Leland. The tranquil space, formerly home to an art gallery, still embodies beauty and art with its striking design. Clean white walls and a simple, modern aesthetic cultivate a deep sense of calm, while abundant windows showcase the colorful and ever-changing scenic views surrounding the studio. M22 passes in the front, the Leland River flows in the back, and skylights bring in the blue skies floating above. Natural light floods the space and comfortable seating on front porch and back deck invite lingering connections before and after class.

I spoke with Pete Wilson, River Studio founder, about his inspiration to create a fitness studio in Leelanau County. “When I retired in 2022, after a 30 year career as a manufacturing company owner, I desired to devote more time focusing on wellness and functional fitness. I spoke with talented wellness instructors in the area, and their feedback was clear: there needed to be dedicated space, a ‘home’ in sense, where they could share their practice with others.”

He goes on to describe the vision for the studio: “We aim to provide a welcoming place for members of our community to develop their mind, body and spirit through the practices of yoga, pilates and other forms of fitness, and to give back to the greater Leelanau County community in meaningful ways.”

The local resident and tourist communities have responded warmly, supporting the new venture by filling classes and events year-round. Beloved Leelanau yoga teachers and new and old practitioners express gratitude for the studio providing a dedicated place to come together for yoga, pilates and wellness activities, something that was notably missing from the area in recent years. All comment on the sense of peace, ease and community they feel within this new gathering space.

Classes on the River Studio schedule include reformer and mat pilates, and a variety of yoga practices to meet the needs of beginner yogis to experienced teachers, including gentle yoga, vinyasa flow, ashtanga yoga, yin, fitness-focused yoga specialties fitonic and yoga sculpt, and more. In addition to yoga and pilates you can also find qigong, adult ballet class, group reiki, monthly yoga nidra sessions, sound therapy, and seasonal special events and workshops. Many of Leelanau’s favorite instructors have joined River Studio to share their expertise and create a diverse and welcoming wellness team.

As they celebrate 1 year of serving the community, Leland River Studio is also doing its part to preserve the peace and beauty of the natural environment which draws so many of us here to Northern Michigan. This summer they stepped outside the studio to offer an “Open Air Series,” a selection of donation-based classes and events at various locations throughout the county. The studio partnered with local businesses: Suttons Bay Bikes, The Hive, Inland Seas, French Valley Vineyards, The Find North, Circles & Cycles, 9 Bean Rows, and Trish’s Dishes, to curate outdoor wellness experiences guided by River Studio instructors who donated their time and services for the cause. All proceeds from the summer Open Air Series were donated to The Leelanau Conservancy, with River Studio matching the class funds raised.

The Open Air Series culminated in an Anniversary Flow + Community Gathering on Saturday, August 9th at River Studio. Christen Landry, local E-RYT teacher and former owner of Yoga4, led an all-levels yoga flow followed by refreshments and celebration. Owner Pete Wilson shared an announcement on the proceeds from the summer Open Air Series: $2600 was raised through class donations and a match of $2600 would be donated from River Studio, for a total contribution of $5200 to the Leelanau Conservancy, whose mission is “To conserve the land, water and scenic character of Leelanau County.”

Kat Palms, yoga teacher and studio director at Leland River Studio and creator of Leelanau Wellness Collective, shares the inspiration for the fundraiser and expresses gratitude for both the conservancy and the studio: “I volunteered for eight years, offering a Leelanau Conservancy summer series on Van’s beach. Over that time, we raised between $500 and $700 per summer. To see the growth in support this year is phenomenal.” She adds, “I couldn’t think of a better way to pass the torch and partner with River Studio, local businesses, and our local wellness teachers. It is a passion of mine to help support the conservation of our land, water, and scenic character in Leelanau County. I am forever grateful for the team’s hard work at the Leelanau Conservancy.”

As River Studio flows into its second year serving the community, it will continue to expand its yoga, pilates and wellness offerings and explore creative ways to give back. “We are just beginning to develop plans for the coming year to offer additional workshops in the fall and winter,” says Wilson, “and we’ll continue to offer class programming year round.” This welcoming wellness space is poised to become the County’s favorite yoga and community gathering spot with its highly experienced teachers, classes for all levels of practitioners, and a perfect, peaceful environment to put your mat.

Leland River Studio is located at 307 S. Main Street in Leland. They offer a wide variety of yoga, pilates and wellness classes and events, including specialty practices of Face Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Beginners Yoga, Reformer Pilates, Reiki, and Qigong. Learn more and register for classes at lelandriverstudio.com.