On Chicago’s South Side, a grassroots wellness movement is quietly gaining momentum, led by yoga trainer Jasmine Fleming. With a strong emphasis on stretching and mobility, Fleming is redefining how yoga shows up in the community—making it practical, accessible, and rooted in everyday life rather than exclusive wellness spaces.
Fleming’s approach centers on movement that supports longevity. Instead of pushing extreme poses or performance-based yoga, she focuses on flexibility, joint health, and mobility—key elements often overlooked in traditional fitness routines. Her classes attract a wide range of participants, from active gym-goers to people simply looking to move better and feel less tension in their bodies.
A major anchor for this growing movement is The Bodi Shop, a Black woman–owned gym on the South Side. Jasmine’s group yoga class there has become a consistent monthly offering and has been running for several months. That consistency has helped build trust and routine, turning yoga into a regular wellness practice rather than a one-time experience. By hosting her sessions in a gym setting, she reinforces the connection between strength, recovery, and mobility.
Beyond the gym, Fleming has also partnered with local South Side restaurants such as Park Manor 75, bringing yoga directly into neighborhood businesses. These pop-up classes transform familiar spaces into environments for restoration and connection, while also supporting local establishments. The partnerships reflect a broader vision—wellness that circulates within the community and strengthens it economically and culturally.
What makes Jasmine Fleming’s work feel revolutionary is not just the yoga itself, but where and how it’s delivered. By integrating movement into trusted community spaces, she challenges the idea that wellness must be separate, expensive, or exclusive. Her work positions yoga as a communal practice—one that supports the body while reinforcing local networks.
Jasmine Fleming isn’t just teaching people how to stretch. She’s helping shape a South Side wellness culture built on consistency, accessibility, and community care—one class at a time.
