BLACKFOOT — One Beat Wellness Studio, also known as the A to Z Pawn Shop building, is located at 30 West Bridge Street in Blackfoot. It is expanding its offerings and adding aerial yoga to its list of wellness classes. Its grand re-opening will be held on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30. The aerial yoga open house is a chance for anyone curious about aerial yoga to come explore the hammocks and get a taste of the experience in a welcoming, low-pressure environment.

“This expansion has allowed us to create a more elevated and welcoming experience for our members while also bringing something unique and exciting to the Blackfoot wellness community,” said owner Keshia Polatis. “We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received over the last two and a half years that made this growth possible. The studio has continued to grow because of the incredible instructors and community members who have helped create such a welcoming and supportive environment.”

One Beat is taking a short pause during Memorial Day week to prepare for the expansion and officially re-opening with a brand-new lobby area and dedicated aerial yoga studio.

The aerial yoga experience is a chance to move the body in a whole new way, combining the deep stretches and relaxation of yoga with the playfulness and novelty of being supported by a silk hammock suspended in the air. Sometimes the most healing thing people can do is let go, play and laugh.

“Many people leave class saying they haven’t felt this free since they were children on the playground,” said Keshia. “Aerial yoga creates space to reconnect with your body in a joyful, supportive environment.”

In the aerial yoga foundations class, members are guided through every step by instructors Keshia Polatis and Sherise Allen. Regardless of someone’s fitness level, they can safely experience the joy of aerial yoga while experiencing lower back relief, spinal decompression, improved circulation and an incredible mood boost. Aerial yoga is accessible to many different ages and experience levels. To some, it appears new and complex, but the hammock is just a supportive apparatus that makes yoga poses easier in some cases. Participants ranging from ages 10 to 75 attended One Beats pre-open house classes.

One Beat offers a low-hammock restorative aerial yoga class, where the silk fabric stays close to the ground and supports the body through deep stretches and relaxation. This class focuses more on nervous system regulation and restoration.

Aerial yoga offers both physical and mental wellness benefits. Some of the most common benefits people experience include improved flexibility and mobility, increased core and upper body strength, decompression and tension relief, better balance and body awareness, nervous system regulation and stress relief, low-impact, joint-friendly movement, improved posture and alignment, increased confidence while trying something new, a fun, playful form of movement that doesn’t feel like a traditional workout and a sense of calm and relaxation while still strengthening the body.

“Many people are surprised by how empowering and accessible aerial yoga feels once they try it,” said Keshia. “It is also a great activity for connecting with friends and family. You can attend any of our scheduled classes, or you can book private parties for birthdays, girls’ nights, family events, wellness parties and bachelorette parties.”

One Beat will be offering exclusive open-house discounts on aerial memberships and class packs that will only be available during the event. Complimentary pre- and post-workout snacks are available throughout the weekend of May 29.

There will be several group fitness classes taking place on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, and participants can bring a friend to class for free. Everyone is welcome to stay after class, or come early, to enjoy the open house festivities. Students from the College of Massage Therapy will be offering complimentary chair massages during the event. All attendees will be entered into a raffle for a variety of prizes, including yoga mats and props, LMNT electrolytes, apparel, aerial yoga class packs and other prizes from local businesses.

One Beat is also looking forward to offering kids’ aerial classes later this summer for children ages 7-13. The classes will focus on mindfulness, emotional regulation, confidence-building and movement through play in the hammock.

“Kids naturally know how to play, and aerial yoga gives them a healthy outlet for movement and self-expression,” said Keshia. “Aerial yoga creates space for that joy and freedom at any age.”