It can be difficult to transition from the craziness of the work week to the quiet of the weekend, but the Saturday morning Refresh class at Sarah Tomkins' new Fort Smith business should make the switch a little easier.
"The intention of that class is basically to let go of the week and start the weekends with an intention to refresh the body and the mind," said Tomkins, whose new movement and wellness studio, The Den, opened on Nov. 4.
In addition to its Refresh class, which takes place every Saturday at 9:00 a.m., The Den offers a number of other programs, which incorporate activities like yoga and meditation to strengthen customers' bodies and minds. Several classes on the schedule focus on developing joint strength SA国际影视传媒� an area of particular interest for Tomkins.
"Each of the classes are quite unique," she said. "I really genuinely am excited about all of them.
Personally, I have a, a strong passion about joint health, joint mobility, so that is infused in all of the classes to varying extent," she added. "But the [10:00 am] Tuesday morning Joint Love class, it's really just a deep dive into a different major joint each week."
Tomkins has been practicing yoga and meditation for about 20 years, and has been instructing the two practices for about eight. She had been thinking about opening a business in the wellness space for many years, and finally began planning in earnest with her husband, Gordon Rothnie, shortly after she moved to Fort Smith several years back.
While the plans were delayed by the chaos of last year's wildfire evacuations, she is thrilled that The Den is finally open, particularly after a successful grand opening celebration.
"We had a great turnout," she said. "I was really moved by the enthusiasm of the community. It's really humbling."
Tomkins was not surprised to receive so much support from her fellow residents. In fact, it's just what she's come to expect from the community of roughly 2,200 people.
"It's a very special community," she said. "This is a very tight-knit place. Everyone is really out for each other and cares about the community, and honestly, it's been through times of hardship and tragedy where I've really seen the heart of thi community and the way people show up for each other.
"Now I have that incredible privilege of receiving this incredible support from the community," she added. "It's very, very special."
Tomkins hopes her business will help people in her fellow Fort Smith residents live healthier, happier lives. She is also open to collaborating with other businesses and organizations, including local Indigenous groups who might have use for her expertise and her space.
"I've intentionally called it a movement and wellness studio to keep it more open to possibility," she said. "I love to collaborate with other organizations and practitioners of different fields. We are already talking about bringing in self-defense classes. I also have a whole maternal pelvic health specialty, so I've been speaking with some of the midwives in the community to create some collaborative events and programs here. I've also been reaching out to local organizations, and the bands and the Metis Nation as well to see how this place and my services can be of benefit.
"I'm excited to see all the ways that this place is gonna grow and evolve and be of service in the community."
The Den is located at 101 King Street, sharing space with NSIXTY Trading Company and the Javapunks cafe.
