Ahimsa Yoga Studio

What Ahimsa Yoga Studio does

Ahimsa Yoga Studio is a privately-held, founder-owned yoga studio chain founded in 2011 by Kelly Merydith, headquartered in Oak Park, Illinois, with additional studios in Berwyn, Elmhurst, Evanston, and Chicago (Wicker Park). The studio offers in-person group classes across multiple disciplines — including Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Mysore, Yin, Restorative, Prenatal, and Children's yoga — supplemented by live-streamed virtual classes delivered via Zoom. The platform is supported by the MindBody booking and membership management system, which underpins class scheduling, recurring memberships, and payment processing.

The business operates a multi-revenue-stream model: introductory offers ($65 for two weeks), recurring memberships ($750 for six months and $1,400 annually for unlimited access), drop-in and class-card purchases, specialized Mysore/Ashtanga programs ranging from $16 to $180, teacher-training certifications (including a Children's Yoga Teacher Training launched in Fall 2024), international retreats ($3,187–$6,600 per person), corporate yoga contracts, private lessons, gift cards, and on-site retail. Customer segments span individual consumers, families, expectant mothers, children, and corporate clients, with a values-driven community positioning emphasized through workstudy programs, buddy passes, and community partnerships.

The company has no disclosed external funding, reports a headcount of 1–10 employees augmented by a contractor teaching roster, and is operated directly by its founder. Expansion has been organic and incremental, with the most recent addition — a Chicago Wicker Park location launched in 2025 — bringing the footprint to five physical studios alongside the virtual channel.

Name

Ahimsa Yoga Studio

Legal name

Ahimsa Yoga Studio

Website

https://ahimsayogastudios.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ahimsa Yoga Studio is a founder-owned yoga chain operating five studios across Chicago's western and northern suburbs plus live-streamed virtual classes, serving individual consumers, families, and corporate clients with memberships, teacher training, retreats, and specialty programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Yoga and Wellness Studio Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

General Yoga Instruction (Hatha/Vinyasa/Flow) (HSADACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Yoga & Meditation Experiences (Studio Classes, Guided Meditation, Mindfulness) (THAJAHAA), Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga & Yoga Nidra (HSADACAF), Guided Meditation Instruction (1:1 & Group) (HSADAJAA), Meditation Retreats, Workshops & Immersive Programs (HSADAJAF), Power Yoga & Athletic Yoga Conditioning (HSADACAG)

Keywords

• Yoga studio memberships
• Group yoga classes
• Yoga teacher training
• International yoga retreats
• Virtual yoga classes

Headquarters

HQ city

Oak Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Class Packages and Memberships: Recurring membership revenue plus one-time class package purchases. Offerings include unlimited monthly memberships, multi-month commitments, and class packs (5, 10, or 30 classes). New student intro offer provides 2 weeks unlimited access.
2. Retreats and Events: International yoga retreats (Belize, Italy, Greece, El Salvador) with all-inclusive pricing including accommodation, meals, yoga, and activities. Single and double occupancy options available.
3. Teacher Training Programs: 95-hour children's yoga teacher training and other professional development offerings with course fees.
4. Corporate Yoga: Yoga instruction services for businesses, organizations, and private groups.
5. Private Yoga Lessons: One-on-one yoga instruction sessions.
6. Gift Cards: Gift card sales for classes, packages, and memberships.
7. Retail Products: Sale of yoga products, mats, clothing, and accessories from studio lobbies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ahimsa Yoga Studio operates a multi-location yoga studio network delivering in-person and virtual yoga classes, sound healing workshops, teacher training programs, and international retreats across five Chicago-area locations plus a virtual studio. The core service is unlimited-access group yoga memberships that grant entry to diverse class styles (Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, Yin, Power, Yoga Sculpt, Mysore Ashtanga, prenatal, kids/teens) at any physical studio or via live stream.

Product overview

Ahimsa Yoga Studio is a multi-location yoga studio network offering in-person and virtual yoga classes across five Chicago-area locations (Oak Park, Berwyn, Elmhurst, Evanston, and Chicago/Wicker Park). The core offering includes diverse yoga class styles (Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, Yin, Power, Yoga Sculpt) at all physical studios plus live stream classes via Zoom. The studio network also operates specialized programs including the Ahimsa School of Sound Healing, Mysore Ashtanga Program (at Wicker Park), Reiki Training, Kids and Teen Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Corporate Yoga, and Private Lessons. Ahimsa extends its offering with international yoga retreats (Belize, Greece, Italy, El Salvador) and a Workstudy program for free membership. The company uses MindBody for booking and membership management and offers various membership tiers and class packages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ahimsa School of Sound Healing: Sound healing education and certification programs offered in the lobbies of Ahimsa Oak Park, Evanston, and Chicago locations with events at all locations.

Products and services

• Ahimsa Oak Park Yoga Studio The original and largest Ahimsa Yoga Studio at 441 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302, opened in May 2011. Features a larger lobby stocked with clothing, mats, and yoga products, and serves as the original hub of the network's community programming.
• Ahimsa Berwyn Yoga Studio Studio located at 3120 S. Oak Park Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402, in the Depot District one block north of MacNeal Hospital and the Metra train station. Provides group yoga classes, beginner-friendly programming, and community events.
• Ahimsa Elmhurst Yoga Studio Studio at 506 Spring Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126, offering therapeutic yoga, hatha, vinyasa, restorative, yin, classes with singing bowls, prenatal yoga, and hosting the 95-hour Children's Yoga Teacher Training.
• Ahimsa Evanston Yoga Studio Studio located at 614 Dempster St., Evanston, IL 60202, part of the Ahimsa studio network with the Sound School located in its lobby.
• Ahimsa Chicago Wicker Park Yoga Studio Studio at 2046 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622, offering warm yoga (80-85°F) and housing the Mysore Ashtanga program. Features include Manduka ProLite mats, cork blocks, straps, blankets, and bolsters, with classes including Vinyasa Flow, Yoga Sculpt, Power Yoga, Slow Flow, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Ashtanga Yoga.
• Virtual Live Stream Studio Live stream yoga classes delivered via Zoom, accessible to remote members. Bookings must be made at least 5 minutes before class start, and class recordings are available for 48 hours after each session. Included with the new student 2-week unlimited offer.
• Ahimsa School of Sound Healing Sound healing education and certification programs with the school located in the lobbies of Ahimsa Oak Park, Evanston, and Chicago studios, with events held at all locations.
• Mysore Ashtanga Yoga Program Traditional Mysore-style Ashtanga program at the Wicker Park studio, authorized under Paramaguru R. Sharath Jois. Includes drop-in Mysore Practice (Mon-Fri, 7:00-9:00 AM), Led Primary Series on Saturdays (7:00-8:30 AM), and the first Saturday free. Drop-in rates of $16 for current Ahimsa members and $35 for non-members.
• 95-Hour Children's Yoga Teacher Training Hybrid children's yoga teacher training program at Ahimsa Elmhurst. Includes 4 live training weekends plus online self-paced study. Leads to CYT and RCYT certification through Challenge to Change and Yoga Alliance. Base tuition is $1,999 and includes a manual, resource access, and certificate.
• Corporate Yoga Program On-site yoga instruction services delivered at corporate locations for businesses and organizations seeking employee wellness, stress reduction, and team-building programs.
• Private Yoga Lessons One-on-one private yoga instruction sessions booked by appointment for individuals seeking personalized practice.
• Belize Yoga Retreat (February 2027) Multi-day all-inclusive yoga retreat at Naia Resort & Spa, Placencia Peninsula, Belize, from February 13-20, 2027. Includes 7 nights accommodation, twice daily yoga, breakfast and dinner on 5 nights, activities, and access to resort amenities. Led by Kelly Merydith and Kim Wade. Beach Front from $3,812 double/$6,102 single; Beach View from $3,395 double/$5,269 single; Studio Beach House $3,187 double. $600 non-refundable deposit required.
• Italy 2025 Yoga Retreat Multi-day all-inclusive yoga retreat in Italy featuring 5-star accommodations, all meals, yoga, transfers from Naples port, and activities. Single occupancy from $6,600; double occupancy from $4,450 per person.
• Gift Cards Gift cards redeemable across Ahimsa's classes, class packages, and memberships, available for purchase online.
• Retail Yoga Products Sale of yoga products, mats, clothing, and accessories from studio lobbies, with 15% retail discount available to members on the unlimited membership tiers.

Named customers3 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles9 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Naia Resort & SpacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2027Host venue for annual Belize yoga retreats (February 2027). Named Hotel of the Year 2023 by Belize Tourism Board. Provides all-inclusive accommodations, meeting spaces, saltwater pool, fitness center, bicycles, kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear for retreat guests.
• Paramaguru R. Sharath JoisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2025Authorization lineage for Mysore Ashtanga program at Wicker Park. Ariel Forcier is an authorized Ashtanga teacher under Paramaguru R. Sharath Jois with practice and trips to Mysore, India.
• Challenge to ChangeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Partner organization for 95-hour Children's Yoga Teacher Training program. Ahimsa hosts training at Elmhurst location; Challenge to Change provides curriculum, certification (CYT and RCYT through Yoga Alliance), instructor (Kristen Mimlitz), and ongoing resource access.
• ZoomcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020Virtual class platform for live stream yoga classes and events (Yoga Sutra Study). Provides recording storage and email notifications for class access.
• MindBodycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2011Primary booking, scheduling, and payment platform for all Ahimsa locations. Handles class registration, membership management, event booking, gift card sales, and account credit. MindBody app and website integration required for all bookings.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YogaWorks: Multi-location yoga studio brand offering diverse class styles, teacher training, and retreats. Highly comparable to Ahimsa's breadth of offerings, multi-location presence, and teacher training programs (YogaWorks itself trained Ahimsa's founder).
• YogaSix: Growing yoga franchise offering six signature class styles with a membership and class-pack model. Directly comparable to Ahimsa's class-pack and subscription revenue structure, with a stronger franchise/expansion backbone.
• CorePower Yoga: Largest U.S. yoga studio chain with heated, signature-style classes and a membership model. Directly comparable to Ahimsa's multi-location studio, subscription, and class-pack model, though at substantially larger scale and with heated (vs. Ahimsa's warm) rooms.
• Y7 Studio: Boutique yoga studio chain with a distinctive branded format (heated, candlelit, hip-hop soundtrack) and urban locations. Comparable to Ahimsa in membership-driven boutique positioning, though more brand-driven and concentrated in major metro cores.
• Modo Yoga: Multi-location hot yoga franchise with community and values-driven branding, including retreats and teacher training. Directly comparable to Ahimsa's community ethos, retreat business, and studio format.

Broad incumbents

• Life Time Fitness: National premium fitness club operator that includes yoga, group fitness, and wellness programming as part of a broader portfolio. Comparable to Ahimsa via overlapping yoga/wellness offerings but at vastly larger scale and as one amenity among many.
• Equinox: Premium fitness and wellness club chain offering yoga, meditation, and recovery services alongside broader athletic facilities. Comparable in premium positioning and wellness programming, but with much larger real estate footprints and diversified services.

Others

• ClassPass: Subscription aggregator that distributes access to boutique fitness and yoga studios including Ahimsa's Chicago-area peers. Relevant as a channel partner and competitive pressure on direct membership economics.
• MindBody: Booking, scheduling, and payment platform used by Ahimsa and most independent yoga studios. Comparable as the operating backbone of the same studio business model rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Sky Ting Yoga: Independent New York-based yoga studio with a strong brand identity, online classes, and teacher training. Comparable to Ahimsa in boutique positioning, digital offerings, and specialty programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ahimsafamily
• Instagraminstagram.com/ahimsayogastudio
• Xx.com/AhimsaOakPark
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ahimsa-yoga-studio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ahimsa Yoga Studio