We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jamie Jo Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jamie Jo below.
Hi Jamie Jo, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.
The Peacemaker Studio houses a non-profit called The Peacemaker Project. Through this non-profit, it is our mission to bring yoga, movement, and other healing modalities to communities that are in need. In order to carry out this mission, we build relationships with other local non-profits to see where we can help. We’ve found that many organizations that offer services to the community often don’t have access to a large space where they can gather for special events and classes, and many of these organizations don’t yet offer meditation, breathwork, energy healing, and yoga, which are all proven to improve quality of life and mindset for people in difficult circumstances. At the Peacemaker, we not only have the space, but also a roster of talented teachers and healers that can help to make a massive difference in the lives of the people we reach.
In addition to providing our space for direct access to classes that support building a healthy body and mind, we also often donate our space to raise money for other charities and special causes. We have hosted classes to raise funds for local charities such as the Trauma Resolution Center, Lotus House, the Children’s Bereavement Fund, and have held fundraisers for cancer treatment and spinal cord injury survivors. We are always looking for more ways to build on whats already being offered and to connect with other non-profits in oder to have the greatest impact possible!
In support of this mission, all YOGA classes at The Peacemaker are offered by donation. Students can feel great about doing yoga while contributing to the betterment of the community.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
The Peacemaker Studio has been meeting the needs of the community since 2020. Our unique space serves as a community center, where we have classes for everyone, from adults to children. Our studio is a safe space for people to experience yoga, women’s circles, dance classes, music classes, breathwork, reiki healing, soundbaths, family constellations, tantric study, birth classes, children’s literacy groups, art classes, mother & baby support circles, crafting, classes for homeschoolers, spiritual experiences and ceremonies, song circles, wellness retreats, charity classes, special events and workshops, and so much more!
As Foundress of the Peacemaker, it is my pleasure to curate offerings for our community. I feel very fortunate to be able to cultivate relationships and build community that feels inclusive and authentic. Our goal is not to have a global reach or duplicate efforts, but rather to meet the needs of the community existing around us. The work we do at the studio is where the rubber meets the road when it comes to making real life, in person connections that provide consistent respite from the chaos of the world around us and foster relationships that thrive beyond our studio doors.
In addition to our beautiful large studio space, we also have 2 healing rooms, where private services are offered and where small groups and classes meet. Our space is for rent by the hour or the day, in an effort to encourage members of our community to bet on themselves and bring their talents to the table. We also host workshops and retreats with presenters from around the world, bringing interesting modalities to our local community, amplifying consciousness, and enhancing awareness.
I wear many hats, and “yoga teacher” is one of them. Currently I teach a flow sequenced stretch class that offers a deeper connection with the body, paired with relaxation of the mind. My class is a journey though sensual movement, combining over 10 years of yoga instruction with what I have learned in other arenas, in order to help to bring the body and mind back into harmony. Offered on select evenings, it is an accessible class and a delicious source of gentle movement before bed.
It is also important to know that we are a family operated space (our 5 year old daughter often helps out!), a black owned business, and we house a non-profit called “The Peacemaker Project.” Our space also has 3 mascots, our rescue dogs Lucy, Maverick, and Coco.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
When we decided to open our doors, we were raising a flag, sending out a beacon of light or a “bat signal” and we had a lot of trust that the people that needed us, would find us. Faith and word of mouth is what has brought us this far. I always say, without the beautiful souls that come into our space, we’d be sitting in a very large empty room with a lot of plants! We truly owe our success to the word of mouth within our beautiful community, and we are grateful for that support every day!
A big part of our dedication to our mission stems from our desire to give our 5 year old daughter a lifestyle and community that is supportive, conscious, and encourages her to expand her mind and move her body. We believe these are building blocks which are sure to serve her throughout her life. Because of our dedication to her, we are able to build a reputation of a supportive, trustworthy, family friendly atmosphere and this is what keeps people spreading the word!
Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?
As with many other industries in Miami, our studio experiences a slow season in the summer months. In order to help cover costs and keep our doors open, we turned our daughter’s interest in fairy hair (also known as flair hair, angel hair, or hair tinsel) into a supplemental source of funding for the studio. On select dates throughout the year, and especially in the summer, we offer “Fairy Hair Pop-Ups.” It’s a really fun way to add some color and sparkle to the hair of adults and children, and many people say it feels like jewelry for the hair!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thepeacemakerstudio.com
- Instagram: @thepeacemakerstudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepeacemakerstudio
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-peacemaker-no-title
Image Credits
Photographer Alejandra Libertad Cadenas @alejachains on instagram