the idea
alright so boom..
Tiny Tapas began after seeing the aftermath of the 2020 pandemic that forced studios to have smaller class sizes. ​​I loved it! Practicing with small groups & feeling more connected won me over. Gone were the days of being squished in a room with a sea of other yogis & invisible to the teacher. A light bulb moment happened when I wondered if class capacity never had to go back to "normal."
​
I wanted to create a space that was different from typical studio culture that felt cliquey and disconnected from the roots of yoga. Where were all the BIPOC teachers? The diversity in body shapes? The guidance to explore more than just the poses?
​
What if there was a place people could come often, feel seen, feel welcome, and know their practice is being taught without being watered down...
the start
took the leap & support followed
Tiny Tapas first started in 2022 in Indianapolis, IN as a minimalist yoga studio. Minimalist was my way of disrupting the idea that a studio had to have locker rooms, racks of retail items, and a big space with mirrors on the wall to be considered real.
Spoiler alert: it was a hit! People found their new favorite place to be.
Our original space was a cozy & cute box with just enough room for 6 yogis on the floor, super high ceilings for all the good vibes to circulate, & big open windows for the sun to shine on our practice. Simplicity for the win!
​
It was a literally a tiny space where people came regularly to build their relationship with yoga. There was no worry about what brand of leggings they have or have a strain on their wallet. Hundreds of yogis found their own way to practice more within our first year.
Eventually, life brought me to my hometown in Bardstown, KY and it became more clear of how to keep the essence of everything Tiny Tapas has become even while in a little bitty town.
the growth
the plot thickens..
As Tiny Tapas grew and my teaching deepened, I've realized that this beautiful space so many have enjoyed is evolving beyond session counts, packages, and the traditional studio model.
​
At the heart of it all, this space is built around practice, service, and community. Tiny Tapas flows to a rhythm of offerings designed to guide you towards growth slowly and consistently overtime without pressure to be performative or perfect.
​
We honor the origins of these ancient & sacred practices, while leaving the hustle culture behind to welcome you to something new.
Swapping class passes for practice makes...practice! Your practice isn't something you complete, or use passes to get your money's worth.
​
You're invited to be here now to build a relationship with the art of practicing and to begin as many times as you need to.
meet the founder
I'm just a girl with a lot of ideas & yoga mats.
See you in the studio soon!
chara
(say it with me now..shar-uh)
Hi, I'm Chara!
I've been practicing yoga since I was about 9 years old. I'd roll out my hot pink Giam yoga mat & pop in a15 minute yoga DVD in my mom's living room. After leaving the nest, I dove into every fitness class I could while always keeping yoga dear to my heart. Before I even had put a name to it all, Tiny Tapas shaped the way I navigated my ups, downs, and uncertainties. I fully believe that these practices can change the way we live our lives on a personal and big picture level.
Now, I am here as a guide to hold a special place for you to visit & discover how yoga, mindfulness, and meditation can help you find your own inner passion for life.
still a student
Here are some of my credentials. I am always learning and growing alongside you my friend!
​
-
RYT-200 HR & Prenatal Yoga Certified (502PY & City Yoga)
-
Certified Mindfulness Facilitator (Brown University)
-
National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach
-
MBTI Certified Practicioner
-
MHS in Health Promotion and Social Change (Bellarmine University)
-
BA Exercise Science (Bellarmine University)
​
If I am not doing a training, I am probably meditating on retreat somewhere. Or, my favorite, I'm learning the BEST lessons in life from being a mom to my sweet baby girl!
