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Meet Meryl Arnett and Octavia Raheem of Sacred Chill {West} in West Midtown and Riverside

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Meryl Arnett and Octavia Raheem.

Meryl and Octavia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
We (Meryl & Octavia) have both been teaching yoga in Atlanta for about 10 years. As we taught, we began to see the need and desire for more “chill” classes – meditation, yin, restorative… and there just weren’t a lot of those classes being offered at the time. As colleagues and friends, we started dreaming up a small studio space where we could focus on the chill aspects of a yoga practice. Flash forward a little bit and we had both bec]ome mamas. Now, these chill practices didn’t just feel luxurious; they felt vital to us as practitioners.

Sacred Chill {West} was created to fulfill this very real, very deep need for ourselves and our students. The very nature of our friendship allowed us to put attention and intention behind the studio – creating a space not just of chill but also of inclusivity. We believe meditation and yoga are for everyone regardless of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, body type and ability. We strive to reflect that in our teaching staff, our offerings, and our actions.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha! I can’t imagine a business owner ever saying there hasn’t been struggles, but overall it has been a smooth road. The clearer we have gotten on our intentions as business owners, the easier the work has been. Now we try to do an “intention check” before every major decision. Why are we doing this? How do we expect it to support our vision? We do a lot of gut checks and a lot of meditation!

Sacred Chill {West} – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Sacred Chill {West} is a refuge in the bustling city of Atlanta. It is a place to come and practice moving slower, being more mindful, and cultivate stillness. It is a place to unplug in order to connect. It is a place to restore and recharge.

Co-owned by Octavia Raheem and Meryl Arnett, SCW offers decidedly chill yoga & meditation classes. We also support organizations that make yoga & meditation available to marginalized and otherwise underserved groups in our local community as part of our individual and collective seva or service. Our focus as a business is providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all beings interested in exploring these deeper practices.

Our group of dynamic and experienced teachers reflects the diversity of our city. Each encouraged to connect the knowledge learned from their extensive yoga trainings with the wisdom gained from their lived experience in order to lead and inspire you in an accessible and authentic manner.

Located on the Upper Westside of Atlanta in the Riverside area at 2030 Bolton Rd Atlanta, Georgia 30318, we are less than two minutes from I-285. Our studio is easily accessible from the four corners of our city including Buckhead, West Midtown, Smyrna, Vinings, and Southwest Atlanta. Our studio is a bridge, connecting the Westside of Atlanta.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Every time we get an email, message or call from a new student telling us that they feel comfortable and welcome in our space, it is a deeply affirming moment for us. If people who might otherwise not feel comfortable at a yoga studio take the time to visit us and have a good experience, we couldn’t ask for more. The wide-reaching diversity of our students and staff is our proudest accomplishment.

Pricing:

  • New Student Special: Two Weeks Unlimited Classes for $25
  • Unlimited Membership: $99 per month
  • Class Packages: $19 – $150

Contact Info:

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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