About Us
What is a Soul Tree
A Soul Tree is one that penetrates its roots into the earth for a grounded and deeper knowing of truth. It entwines its roots with all the others to both add strength & support the collective. The Soul Tree draws nutrients from the Earth to heal, then expands out into its’ greatest potential and ultimately reaches upward in graceful inspiration.
Our Team
Sarah Woods, owner, Melissa Ulev, studio manager & Kat Olmsted, Event Promoter
Our teachers are all professional, knowledgeable, embodied and full of kindness.
Our Vision
Simpson
Meghan Stockdale found yoga as a young adult after an injury. Like many of life’s downfalls, the challenge of an injury became a blessing, yoga became a lifestyle. Yoga taught Meg to love herself in wholeness, the practice made her stronger than ever and teaching taught her that she really did have a voice and that mattered.
In November of 2009, Meg and her family moved to Lafayette. There was not a Yoga studio, and everything fell into place for Soul Tree to land here.
Simpson (the first location), was opened on January 31, 2010. Time was spent remodeling, interviewing teachers, making a schedule, designing a logo and website, ordering props and retail items, and integrating all the other details of running a studio. All this was done with the help of Meg’s 2-1/2-year-old son, Bodhi.
This was accomplished, not through invincibility, but from a passion and love to create, play, and grow. On January 31, 2010, the dream of an affordable and welcoming Yoga studio came to life—a true community. Thanks to the community of Lafayette, and all of our teachers, this dream has manifested beyond my wildest imagination.
Our logo came to Meg before the name! It is original and full of heart and SOUL.
The Mural
The mural at Simpson (what is now the past East Simpson Coffee patio location) is an incredible honor in collaboration with Alley Art Amazin’. The vision of this mural is a representation of what happens within the walls at Soul Tree, as well as within each of us! We are each a mini universe made up of the elements; earth, water, fire, air and space. The earth is our structure/foundation, the water keeps us flowing, the fire is our passion which ultimately becomes the air of pure love in the heart.
The word Empowered means to make someone stronger and more confident in claiming who they truly are.
Yoga teaches us to love and to trust ourself. In turn, our love of yoga is what empowers us to have the courage to open our hearts and follow our passions like Soul Tree.
We are Empowered by Love!
South
5 years later, the South location (the current location) was opening, on 1/15/15 (Sarah, the current owners Birthday!!). With the help of our friends, our Soul family, we turned a concrete box into that beautiful space in a month. It was the love infused in building that space that made it what it is today. It could have a bit to do with that fact it used to be a Dairy Queen too!
New Ownership
May 1st, 2021 Meghan passed the torch and ownership on to her friend and fellow Soul Tree teacher, Sarah Woods. Sarah has taught at Soul Tree for 10 years and has called it her home since.
Home is where the heart is and from the time she stepped foot into Soul Tree’s doors, she knew that she would never leave. The community opened its doors to Sarah and in returned she opened her heart to the Soul Community. Her intention stays true to the heart of Soul Tree. It is a gift and honor to carry on Soul Tree’s love and life!
“I am committed to supporting this community and sharing the Soul Tree vibe with you!” I trust that we are right where we need to be…full of love and soul.
Sarah Woods E-RYT 500, YACEP
Owner, Soul Tree Yoga