Opening up an inclusive, LGBTQIA+-forward fitness studio in an increasingly anti-queer state is, in and of itself, an act of radical defiance.
The COVID-19 health crisis created a riptide in our day-to-day lives, stripping us of understood norms and introducing levels of solitude not seen in modern memory. We were all at the mercy of vaccine rollouts — social distancing practices, mask-wearing etiquette, and inordinate amounts of screentime.
But bright spots emerged from the two years or so defined by the pandemic. (The idea of car-free street corridors finally had its watershed moment; al fresco dining experienced a resurgence — Beyonce, herself, released arguably her most cohesive album yet with RENAISSANCE; notions of community building and starting coalitions gained momentum across the board; the list goes on.) Among those luminous flecks was the opening of the Mission District’s queer-owned-and-operated HAUM yoga studio in 2021, a year after the idea came to be.
“Born in the depths of 2020, HAUM began as my response to a world turned upside down — a safe space for community, yoga, and healing in the heart of San Francisco,” reads an Instagram post by Danni Pomplun, founder of HAUM, before highlighting how HAUM has evolved since its inception; the yoga studio also opened a second location in Haight-Ashbury inside the space that formerly housed Yoga Tree — “over time, more than just a studio, HAUM became a home for anyone wanting to grow, learn, and reconnect.”
Adam Cole, a student who attended one of HAUM’s teacher training programs, stayed in touch with Popmlun after graduating — and, after sharing “big dreams” and “a few laughs” decided to work on opening up a HAUM location that’s over 2,500 miles away in Fort Lauderdale.
“I’m beyond excited and honored to announce Adam as our partner for HAUM Flagler Village,” Popmlun writes. “Together, we’re bringing the same dedication to deep teachings, authentic connection, and inclusive community from the Bay all the way to the beach.”
Cole will carry the SF Bay Area ethos of inclusivity, connection, and openness into the business’s first foray in the Sunshine State. The studio will be allocated inside the Flagler Village neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale. As of publishing, there’s no set opening date for the studio, though it is expected to open soon.
“Fort Lauderdale, get ready,” Pomplun concludes.” We can’t wait to welcome you into the HAUM family—your new place to breathe, move, and thrive.”
Those keen on keeping track of the Florida studio’s updates can follow it on Instagram via [at].haum.fl.
