PROSPECT HEIGHTS — In the face of a 34 percent rent increase, a 15-year-old yoga and dance studio in the neighborhood is asking residents to help keep its doors open on St. Marks Avenue.
The Shambhala Yoga & Dance Center has operated in Prospect Heights and Crown Heights since the opening of its first location on Washington Avenue in 2001. The studio moved to its current location at 367 St. Marks Ave. at the corner of Grand Avenue in 2010, where its landlord has bumped up rent by more than a third, according to owner Sarah Schumann.
Though she declined to say exactly how much money the rent will go up, the studio is trying to raise $1,500 by next week — the deadline to sign a new lease for March, she said. But, for now, Schumann is keeping things positive.
“There’s a way to say yes to all of us,” she said. “There’s a way to say yes to the new developers who are coming in, to the landlords who want more money, to people who just want to exist and not pay $25 for a yoga class … and the way for us to exist is to all come together.”
As part of an effort to raise money for the rent increase, Shambhala is offering a 77-square-foot office space above its yoga studio to someone looking for a low-key work space for $55 per day — complete with Wi-Fi and a shared bathroom, Schumann said.
“It’s the front room on the corner of Grand Avenue. It’s got a window; it’s bright and sunny. It’s small … but it’d be nice for the right person,” she said.
To raise capital quickly, the studio is offering automatically renewing, three-month-minimum unlimited class memberships for $130 a month, which includes mat storage and 20 percent off workshops.
And for those wanting to support the studio directly, Shambhala is asking for monthly donations starting at $10, which will get you free yoga mat storage.
“For the price of three cappuccinos a month, you could keep a community going,” read an email to supporters sent out by the studio this week.
Schumann says the studio sees between 350 and 400 people every week at their St. Marks Avenue space, which offers 80 classes dance and yoga classes in a regular seven-day schedule.
But even before the rent increase, she noticed the rise of yoga and gym apps have pulled people away from local fitness spots like Shambhala. To combat that, she encouraged residents in Prospect Heights and Crown Heights — especially newcomers — to support local businesses instead.
“Everybody can do yoga in their living rooms by themselves. Totally. You can do a down dog anywhere. But there’s something special that happens when you come together in a community,” she said.
The Shambhala Yoga & Dance Center is located at 367 St. Marks Ave. For more information, visit their website at shambhalayogadance.com.
