Behind the Scenes: Creating a Space That Nurtures

A glimpse into the love, care, and intention that goes into making Nurture Studios feel like home

There's something magical about spaces that feel like they were made just for you. You know the feeling when you walk into a room and your shoulders drop, your breathing slows, and something inside you whispers "I'm safe here." That's exactly what we've been working toward at Nurture Studios, one thoughtful detail at a time.

Over the past month, we've been pouring our hearts (and quite a bit of sweat) into creating a space that truly reflects our mission: welcoming every body, honoring every story, and nurturing growth in all its beautiful forms. Today, I want to pull back the curtain and share some of the behind-the-scenes moments that are transforming our studio into an even more healing space.

The Foundation: New Floors That Ground Us

If you've been to the studio recently, you might have noticed something different beneath your feet. After weeks of planning, we finally refinished our floors - and the transformation has been beautiful!

The original flooring had served us well, but it needed some tender loving care. What you see now maintains its original charm while embodying a rich, warm finish that creates a gentle glow throughout the space.

Luke spent countless hours methodically sanding every inch of our floors. This was detailed, patient work that most people would hire out, but Luke insisted on doing it himself. "I want to know that every board has been cared for," he told me one evening as I found him still working, filling in gaps and smoothing rough spots with the kind of attention you'd give to something truly precious.

Halfway through sanding the floor.

Then Bri stepped in to handle the staining and polyurethane. She'd arrive early (or stay late!), applying each coat with careful precision, then waiting patiently for every layer to cure properly before adding the next.

Smoother and shinier!

The result creates a softer surface underfoot and a warmer atmosphere that feels genuinely nurturing. What I love most is seeing how the refinished floors have already shifted the energy in our classes. Students seem to settle in more easily, and there's something about that smooth, warm surface that helps even nervous newcomers feel welcome to take their place.

Sometimes the foundation really does make all the difference.

Outdoor Work: Tending Our Garden

With the floors beautifully finished, Bri, Luke, and some dedicated Nurture members turned their attention to our outdoor gated garden.

While Bri and Luke take turns mowing and weeding to maintain a beautiful outdoor ambiance, our community has stepped in to help make it truly special. One member donated native plants and helped plant them alongside petunias that another person contributed. It's these moments of shared care that remind us how community grows organically - just like the garden itself.

Photo by Adrienne Cooley Photography

A Tree of Life: Choosing Our Stained Glass Window

This has been one of our favorite projects to work on! We've been planning to add a stained glass window to the studio: something that would catch the light beautifully and add another layer of meaning to our space. Choosing the right design took time, but we found exactly what we were looking for thanks to Kim, the stained glass artist.

Kim came to our studio with glass samples and sketches to show us what she had in mind, and to take measurements for the space. When she showed us her tree of life design in beautiful blues and greens, with branches that seemed to dance even on paper, we knew immediately it was perfect.

Kim showing us her sketches and some glass samples.

"That's it," we both said at exactly the same time.

The tree of life felt like a perfect fit for what happens at Nurture Studios. Every person who walks through our doors is on their own growth journey - sometimes putting down roots, sometimes reaching toward new possibilities, sometimes weathering storms, and sometimes simply learning to trust in their own strength.

The blues and greens harmonize with the calming energy we cultivate here, while the intricate branches speak to the complexity of every person's healing journey. After we approved the design, Kim and Bri went together to a local glass shop to select the actual pieces. Now Kim is creating her masterpiece in her workshop, and we're planning for installation later this 2025! We will be holding an art reception to debut the installation and so you can meet the artist! Be on the lookout for an event later this year.

The sketch and the glass we picked! :)

The Heart Behind the Changes

As I share these updates, I keep thinking about why these details matter so much to us. It would be easy to say "it's just a floor" or "it's just landscaping," but that wouldn't be true. Every choice we make about this space comes back to one central question: How can we create an environment where every person feels seen, safe, and supported?

The refinished floors are more beautiful and they're softer for bodies that need extra cushioning. The outdoor garden is about creating a welcoming first impression for someone who might be nervous about trying yoga for the first time. The stained glass window is a decoration and a daily reminder that growth is both an art and a natural process.

You're Part of This Story Too

As we continue to nurture our physical space, I'm reminded that the most important element of Nurture Studios will always be the people who fill it. Every laugh shared after Puppy Yoga, every tear shed in a gentle flow class, every conversation before or after class: that's what truly makes this space special.

Nurture is a space for movement in all its forms, whether that's flowing through a yoga sequence, celebrating life's precious moments through event rentals, or capturing beautiful memories with photography sessions. We've designed this space to hold whatever brings you joy and connection.

The behind-the-scenes work matters because it creates the container, but you - our students, our community, our extended family - you're what makes it sacred.

So the next time you're here, take a moment to notice the details. Feel the warmth of the floor beneath your feet. Take a walk in the outdoor garden. and when that stained glass window is installed, let yourself be reminded that you're part of something bigger - a community that believes in gentle growth, inclusive healing, and the radical act of caring for one another.

Ready to experience our refreshed space for yourself? Come as you are and sign up for the class that resonates with you!

The Gift of Not Knowing: Why Your Past Self Did the Best They Could

Last night, I found myself with a rare moment of quiet - no emails demanding attention, no one needing my care or guidance, no deadlines looming, no endless task list running through my mind. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or busy professional (or all three), you know how precious these uninterrupted moments are. In that stillness, I began reflecting on different aspects of my life: my work, my relationships, my personal growth, and the constant juggling act of tending to others while managing professional responsibilities.

In the quiet of that moment, a familiar thought crept in, one that visits me more often than I'd like to admit: "If only I knew then what I know now." It's that persistent voice that whispers about all the ways I could have handled that stressful project better, responded to caregiving challenges with more patience, or navigated difficult career transitions with greater wisdom.

But then something shifted. I realized this thought pattern, which I'd always accepted as normal self-reflection, was actually harmful.

The Myth of Perfect Hindsight

Introspection is a gift if used wisely. When we examine our past experiences with curiosity and compassion, we can extract valuable lessons that guide future decisions. But there's a dark side to looking backward - the trap of believing we could have or should have known better. This form of reflection assumes that our past selves had access to the same knowledge, emotional maturity, and life experience we possess today. It's like expecting a first-grader to solve calculus problems simply because they'll understand calculus if they go to college one day.

Here's what that critical inner voice conveniently forgets: growth requires making mistakes. Learning demands trial and error. Resilience is built through weathering storms, not avoiding them. Even if we had read every professional development book before starting our first job, or absorbed every piece of caregiving advice before taking on that responsibility, we would still need hands-on experience to truly understand. Knowledge becomes wisdom only when it's tested in the real world, shaped by our unique circumstances, and refined through our personal journey.

When Too Much Knowledge Becomes Paralysis

Here's the paradox we rarely talk about: sometimes seeking too much knowledge actually makes things worse. I have fallen into this before, when at first my intention of trying to learn and be a better (insert all the hats I wear, such as caregiver, professional, the list goes on!) For me, it could be asking a question with a social media post, and 100 comments later, there’s conflicting advice that leaves me more confused than when I first started. My mind is swirling with more indecision than before. Talk about Information overwhelm!? 

The quest for certainty can rob us of the confidence to trust ourselves. Sometimes the best thing we can do is step away from the books, stop polling our friends, and listen to what our own experience is telling us.

The Courage to Try Despite Fear

Fear of failure keeps so many of us from trying new things, taking risks, or stepping into growth opportunities. We become paralyzed by the possibility of making mistakes, forgetting that mistakes are not evidence of inadequacy - they're proof that we're learning.

You are more capable than you think. That voice telling you you're not ready, not experienced enough, not wise enough? It's lying. You have an inner wisdom that deserves your trust, even when - especially when - you're navigating uncharted territory.

Reconnecting with Your Inner Wisdom

As busy professionals, parents, and caregivers, we often live so much in our heads - analyzing, planning, worrying- that we lose connection with our bodies and intuitive wisdom. When caught in cycles of overthinking, our nervous system stays activated, making it harder to access that quiet inner voice. This is where gentle movement practices like restorative or slow flow yoga become invaluable - not for perfect poses, but for creating space to breathe and reconnect with yourself. Consider taking a class this week and notice how moving mindfully mirrors the self-compassion we're cultivating in our thoughts.

You're Doing Better Than You Think

As you move through your days - working, caregiving, creating, building relationships, pursuing goals, navigating challenges - remember that you don't need to have it all figured out. Stay open to feedback from people you trust and respect, but don't feel obligated to seek everyone's opinion. Sometimes the best book to read is the one written by your own experience.

Listen to your intuition, even when it whispers instead of shouts. Trust that you can handle whatever comes your way, even if you don't have a manual for it.

You are so loved, and you are doing a better job than you're giving yourself credit for. The person you were yesterday brought you to who you are today. Honor that journey, embrace the learning, and trust yourself to keep growing.

After all, the gift of not knowing everything is that it leaves room for discovery, growth, and the beautiful messiness of being human.