New wellness business brings like-minded people together
by Sarah Landicho
Weekends might never be the same for Chicago yogis. VIBEUP,a new social event business with a focus on wellness, dreams up and hosts yoga-centered gatherings that are more fun and healthier than a typical night out at the bar.
With just two events under the new organization’s belt, VIBEUP has quickly evolved from a fun yoga night out, to a social group based in yoga but focused on better health, wellness and accessible conscious consumerism for all.
Geared toward urban yogis, VIBEUP’s initial events offered cool spaces for DJ’d yoga as well as space and time to socialize with other like-minded people. The first event in January featured two class options followed by a party, all at The Godfrey Hotel in River North. Sponsors like Kitchfix, GreenSheep, Body Works Health & Wellness and InfiniteUS Rocks & Juice provided food, drink and massage, catapulting the evening from just another yoga class to a full-on social scene.
VIBEUP’s February event expanded to three nights at West Loop’s Brooklyn Boulders with yoga from The Lab’s Carmen Aguilar and Nicole Cavanaugh. Yogis rock climbed before and after, enjoyed food and drink samples from mindful companies like Door to Door Organics, Vita Coco, Freshii, Arize Artisan Kombucha and more, and dipped into holistic and alternative medicine and chiropractic care options. The party carried on after at Old Fifth Restaurant and Bar.
The brainchild of Luke Jensen, a local yogi and entrepreneur, VIBEUP began simply as a plan to bring yoga out of the studio and into unique venues such as Brooklyn Boulders rock climbing gym, The Godfrey Hotel and Headquarters, an arcade and bar. Inspired by similar events in Chicago, as well as a bigger yoga and wellness movement on the East and West coasts, Jensen wanted to tap into the best of those but create something true to Chicago. He took his idea to yoga teachers Ashley Kohler, Dr. Nolan Lee and Dr. Dominika Hertsberg—the latter two also practicing chiropractors.
“The biggest draw is the positive vibes at the events,” says Lee.
Mar Miles, VIBEUP’s director of events, says it’s clear Chicago’s yogis have been craving something like this. “The lifestyle is contagious,” she explains.
While yoga will always be a part of VIBEUP, future plans include expanding into other athletic arenas. “We’re starting with yoga because that’s where we’re all from,” Jensen explains. “Personally and selfishly, a huge drive comes from yoga, and that extends out of what yoga does to infect us with love and light… But we’re looking to incorporate other elements, like cycling and running—all with conscious consumerism and wellness at the core of it.”
Summertime pursuits include an outdoor series so everyone can enjoy Chicago’s best season. VIBEUP has been working with the city for venues such as various rooftops, Navy Pier, Millennium Park and Daley Center. In addition to adding smaller events each month, VIBEUP founders hope to align with charities. Also on the horizon is a VIBEUP app to help people find events, as well as healthier, on-the- go food options, near them.
To learn more or get involved with VIBEUP, visit vibeup.today.
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