The Heart Is Building Something Deeper Than a Yoga Studio in Flagler Village
- Evan Snow
- Jan 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 12
In a city full of wellness spaces, The Heart in Flagler Village stands out not by being louder, trendier, or more extreme, but by being more intentional.
This is not a studio chasing performance, aesthetics, or “new year, new you” energy. It is a space built around belonging, nervous system care, and the belief that healing happens when people feel safe enough to show up exactly as they are.
From the moment you step inside, that philosophy is unmistakable.
Warm, adaptive lighting replaces harsh overheads. Murals and art feel personal, not polished. There is no rush to roll out a mat or prove you belong. People arrive carrying stress, self-doubt, and exhaustion, and within minutes, shoulders soften and breath deepens.
That shift is the work.
A Philosophy Rooted in Safety, Not Perfection
At the heart of the studio’s approach is a simple truth.
“Yoga only works if people feel safe enough to be real,” says Lesley Carney, teacher and studio leader at The Heart. “If someone walks in feeling intimidated, anxious, or unsure, the practice can’t land. Our job is to create an environment where people can soften first.”
That commitment shows up everywhere.
Teachers lead with inclusive, invitational language. Options are offered constantly. Rest is normalized rather than subtly discouraged. Breath is treated as the foundation, not an afterthought.
“We’re always reminding people that this is not about the pose,” Carney explains. “It’s about relationship. Relationship with your breath, your body, your rhythm, and ultimately yourself.”
For many students, especially those who have felt alienated by traditional yoga spaces, that approach is quietly transformative.
Classes That Feel Like Experiences
The Heart offers a thoughtfully curated weekly schedule that balances movement, stillness, and sound. Rather than overwhelming people with options, the focus is on experiences that meet different emotional and physical needs throughout the week.
Signature offerings include:
Heart Beats Flow
A rhythmic, music-driven flow that feels more like embodied movement than a traditional yoga class. Breath and beat guide the practice, helping students release self-judgment and move intuitively.
Journey to the Heart
A deeply restorative yin and sound experience layered with live instruments, vibration, and stillness. Designed to calm the nervous system and invite deep rest.
In addition to these anchor classes, The Heart hosts a rotating schedule of flows, restorative practices, sound journeys, and special experiences, often integrating live music and unique instruments.
Founder Adam Cole is intentional about how sound is used.
“Sound is a bridge,” Cole says. “It helps people drop out of the mind and back into the body. Our bodies are literally designed to receive vibration. When sound is used with care, it can bring people back into harmony in a very real way.”
The studio’s diverse collection of instruments is part of that intention. Many students experience these sounds for the first time at The Heart, and the effect is often immediate.
An Environment That Feels Alive
The Heart does not feel like a polished wellness showroom. It feels lived in.
Plants, figurines, personal objects, and small details throughout the space reflect the personalities of the founders and teachers. A tea bar with dozens of mismatched mugs encourages people to linger before and after class, creating space for real connection.
There is even a Mario Kart setup tucked into the studio.
“Joy matters,” Cole says. “Play matters. This work doesn’t have to feel heavy all the time.”
One of the most striking elements in the space is the mural of Naruto, the anime character admired for perseverance, humility, compassion, and inner strength.
“He’s the embodiment of living the practice,” Cole explains. “Not giving up, relying on community, growing through pain, and inspiring others to do the same. That’s what we want this space to reflect.”
A New Year’s Day That Captured the Spirit of the Studio
The Heart’s New Year’s Day experience, combining Heart Beats Flow and Journey to the Heart, offered a powerful snapshot of what the studio is cultivating.
Rather than leaning into pressure-filled resolutions, the experience invited people to begin the year by tuning inward. Moving instead of fixing. Breathing instead of pushing.
For Choose954 Co-Founder Evan Snow, it was his first experience at The Heart.
“I’ve been an avid yogi for years, and as a Creative Placemaker I’m always paying attention to how spaces make people feel,” Snow shared afterward.
“What The Heart is building feels genuine. It’s thoughtful, inclusive, and rooted in care. Flagler Village and Broward County needed a space like this, and it’s exciting to see it becoming part of the neighborhood’s rhythm.”
After class, people lingered. Tea was poured. Conversations unfolded authentically. No one rushed out.
That may be the clearest sign of all.
A Studio That Meets People Where They Are
The Heart is not trying to define what yoga should be. It is creating space for people to explore presence, movement, sound, and connection in ways that feel honest and accessible.
For longtime yogis, it offers depth, intention, and a return to the heart of the practice.
For those who have never felt like yoga was for them, it offers an open door without pressure or pretense.
As the studio simply puts it, your heart belongs here.
And in Flagler Village, that message is already taking root.
And if you’d like to experience The Heart vibes in person, join us for our upcoming Valentine’s Day Singles Meet-Up, a Choose954 x The Heart collaboration blending gentle yoga, guided connection practices, and meaningful conversation in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
Learn more and RSVP here: https://choose954-valentines-day-singles-meetup.eventbrite.com
About The Heart
The Heart Yoga Studio
Address: 735 NE 2nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (located in Flagler Village next to Wells Coffee)
Website: https://www.theheartyoga.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheart.fl
About Choose954
Choose954 is a hyper-local cultural platform spotlighting the people, places, and experiences shaping Broward County. Follow along and submit story tips at Choose954.com.
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