Business Manager Lisa Hillary Johnson, left, and Owner Jamel Randall hit yoga poses.
What do you get when you combine Detroit, rap beats and yogi poses? The Trap Yoga & Massage Studio, will soon be moving to Detroit, and bringing health to the inner city with the help of trap music.
As an increasing number of millennials are learning and practicing the ancient art of yoga, studios are appearing across the city. Combining the love of music and the desire to lead the Black community on a healthy journey, The Trap Yoga & Massage Studio will soon open its doors in the city, and is welcoming the community to come support and learn more about the studio.
Currently located in Southfield, The Trap Yoga & Massage Studio was launched in October 2016 by owner Jamel Randall with the goal of practicing and teaching yoga with his individual style. From humble beginnings with just a few clients, the owner began practicing the skill with a personal soundtrack, later proving to be the foundation of a growing brand.
“It started with me just wanting to play the music that I enjoy with my personal practice and the few massage clients that I had. Eventually, more and more people wanted to join in the class and so a friend of mine said ‘man, you already play the music, you might as well call it The Trap’ but I didn’t want to tie it down to trap yoga,” says Randall.
One year after starting business, the owner would come across a student who would become a teacher, business partner and trainer in the studio. During a special event, the first Trap Sundays, another growing moment for the studio presented itself.
“This was a pop up. This was an opportunity to reach more people than I could at the small space I had. The first event brought on 50 people. That was the largest class I had taught at that time,” says Randall. “Lisa reached out and asked if I needed helped with anything and from there, it was a match made in heaven. We took off from there. She added the feminine vibe to the studio and we began to get more eccentric with the sage and different vibes like soulful flow and different vibrations instead of the hardcore trap.”
Bringing a feminine touch to the studio, Lisa Hillary Johnson, known as the Jack of All Trades, underwent yoga teacher trainings twice. In 2012, the first set of 200-hour training courses commenced. Going back for a second time in 2014 for an additional 200 hours, the studio’s manager balanced her love of yoga with raising a family.
“We had three months and honestly it was hard because I’m a mom and I was raising five kids at the time,” says Hillary Johnson. “I just did it. I found the time. I knew it was something I really, really wanted to do. It was determination.”
Now, the duo is taking over downtown Detroit. Finding a location through personal connections, the pair is looking to plant its roots in the city and bring its residents in on the action.
“If you really want to reach people, you have to come out of the suburbs and into the city,” says Randall. “You have to be in the city because it connects with people in a way saying we’re in Detroit and we really care and we’re really about what we’re teaching.”
COVID has been a factor for many businesses, with the Trap Yoga & Massage Studio no different. However, with the help of the pandemic, the owners were able to center their focus and look towards Detroit for inspiration.
“We were able to reset and look at it. I knew going back to the old way wouldn’t be an option. I knew we were going to take our chance and go into the city and a space became available and we jumped on it. Ready or not.”
The partners also hope to show the city’s residents the importance of breath work. With the effects of COVID impacting the respiratory systems, yoga is a way to strengthen the lungs and practice breathing.
“Yoga is a breathing practice first. With many of us, our breathing is what hinders us. Especially coming out of COVID, your breath is the thing that’s going to be important. Our lungs are going to be affected for generations.”
Launching the downtown location on Juneteenth 2021 shows the intentionality of helping the Black community. Offering three live classes for new members, the opening will give Detroiters a first-hand view of what they can look forward to. There will also be overviews of class training.
“The grand opening will have three classes and give a taste of each style of class and we’re going to make it into an event-style vibration. It won’t be serious, just giving people a taste of what we have to offer,” says Randall.
The Trap Yoga & Massage Studio will officially open June 19 from 9am until 4pm at 3179 Franklin.
