CHICO – Nikki Goldsberry’s words flow in an unabashed torrent of excitement when she speaks about yoga, her business and the upcoming community wellness event she’s hosting.
“Yoga changed my life, literally changed my life” said Goldsberry. “I love what I do.”
The impetus for the change was also life-altering. Goldsberry “lost a child” in 2010 and found herself struggling with not only heart-breaking anguish but also a deep negative self-image of her body.
“I was in a bad head space, not well, and I had body dysmorphia,” she recalled. “I was 75 pounds heavier than I am now and not comfortable going to the gym. I was struggling mentally and physically. Then someone recommended I do more than just a physical practice; they recommended spiritual inner work, too.”
That’s when she and her husband, Josh Goldsberry, began spending their weekly date night taking a yoga class together. It wasn’t long before one class a week led to two classes and then three.
“It helped. It brought me out of my mental state,” said Goldsberry. “I met new friends. I started letting myself out of my comfort zone. Soon I was showing up at class to meet friends instead of to fix myself.”
Fast forward to Dec. 1, 2023 when, after years of yoga practice and then teaching at Hot Yoga Club, Goldsberry, in partnership with her husband, opened her own wellness studio, Empower Hot Yoga.
“I just really felt like I had more to give to the community. We opened the studio to bring more of the community together and to offer something different with all the other studios,” said Goldsberry. “We want everybody to work together and provide more space for people to practice.”
At Empower, where different types of yoga are taught — from non-heated to hot — as well as barre and Pilates, they have a slogan: “Come as you are.”
“You don’t have to be flexible or a certain color or size,” said Goldsberry. “This is a gossip-free zone where we foster authenticity, promote inclusivity, growth and connection. Our commitment is to help individuals accept themselves fully. There’s nothing you need to change about yourself. We’re about accepting and connecting as people.”
While the Goldsberrys do teach and their two children — Scarlett, 7, and Jason, 16, who is training to be a teacher — help out, most of the classes are led by Empower’s staff of 10 professionals. And, the couple are as committed to their staff as they are to their clients.
“We wanted to create a workspace where all employees feel valued and respected, where their well-being is prioritized,” said Goldsberry. “They are the heart of the company.”
Goldsberry’s dedication to others’ well-being stretches beyond the doors of her studio to other movement, health, wellness, beauty and like-minded businesses so she, in partnership with Nickie Peacher, owner of Odyssey Winery and Vineyards, has created Wellness of Chico, to “bring everyone together and to celebrate our vibrant community’s commitment to health and happiness,” said Goldberry.
The event is slated for April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Odyssey, 6237 Cohasset Road and will feature 40 local health, wellness and beauty vendors offering “unique and special products” and “transformational services” all focusing on “health and happiness,” said Goldsberry.
“Our hope is that the community and vendors build a connection and that vendors build connections with each other,” said Goldsberry. “These are small businesses like ours who put their heart and souls into caring about the over-all well-being of the community. We all work in the same realm. Working and celebrating together we can support each other and the community.
“Business owners supporting business owners is a magical thing we can do and let the community see what’s out there, what we all have to offer.”
Josh Goldsberry said each of the vendors “fill a different niche.” Even though some may offer similar services, such as yoga classes or facials, all are different and bringing them together in one place is a boon for the public.
“It’s hard for people to find something that fits their needs if they don’t know what to look for,” he said. “We hope that the people who come leave knowing more, finding something that will work for them and feeling better than when they came.”
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Wellness of Chico is a free event, but a limited number of tickets that provide access to specials are available for $75. Included in the ticket price is access to a morning vineyard yoga class, early access to the event, complimentary services from four of the more than 16 service vendors, entry into the raffle and a “sound bath experience” at Empower at the end of the day or another day.
“We want people to come and dive into a day of wellness and connect and support local businesses,” said Goldsberry. “It’s all about creating a healthier, happier Chico together.”
For more information about Empower Hot Yoga classes, special events and offerings as well as the Wellness of Chico event including VIP ticket information and event vendors, visit the studio’s website at empowerhy.com, connect on Facebook at facebook.com/empowerhy and follow on Instagram at instagram.com/empowerhy (@empowerhy).
Reach Kyra Gottesman at [email protected].
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