PurposeFlow Wellness Opens in Homewood, Creating a Space for Movement, Mindfulness, and Community
PurposeFlow Wellness owner Larissa Shipps celebrates with Homewood village officials, supporters and community members during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new wellness studio in Homewood. (Jon Bannister/H-F Chronicle)
A new wellness studio offering yoga, Pilates and other fitness and mindfulness activities is taking root in Homewood, and its owner is hoping to create a space where beginners and experienced participants alike feel welcome.
PurposeFlow Wellness, 2139 W. 183rd St., held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Aug. 27, as owner Larissa Shipps prepares for the studio’s official grand opening in September.
Shipps, who has lived in Homewood for about six years, said her own experience with yoga, Pilates and wellness led her to recognize a need for more options in the area.
“I just saw a need for it,” Shipps said. “So I just kind of stepped out on faith and trusted God, and here I am.”
PurposeFlow Wellness owner Larissa Shields celebrates with Homewood village officials, supporters and community members during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new wellness studio in Homewood.
Shipps said she began researching wellness options in Homewood and surrounding communities and found relatively few studios, particularly those offering Pilates.
“I just thought it would be a great opportunity,” she said. “I know a lot of people have reached out, and they’re so excited about it, and just bringing something new and fresh to the area and to the community.”
Shipps is a registered yoga instructor with a 200-hour certification she earned through Breathe For Change, a program she completed over six months. She also is working toward a Pilates certification.
PurposeFlow offers yoga, Pilates, stretching and mobility exercises, meditation and other wellness experiences. Shipps said she wants the business to be more than simply a place to attend an exercise class.
“For me, it’s bigger than the classes,” Shipps said. “I wanted to create a space where people could walk in, regardless of their experience level, and feel like wellness was for them.”
The studio plans to offer a variety of programs beyond traditional yoga and Pilates, including sound bowl classes every other Friday, women’s martial arts or self-defense classes, chair yoga and stretching and mobility programs for older adults. Shipps also plans to introduce activities for children and “mommy-and-me” movement sessions.
PurposeFlow had a soft launch in July with a limited class schedule. Shipps said business has been steady, with about 25 to 30 people purchasing memberships so far.
PurposeFlow Wellness owner Larissa Shields, right, shares a laugh with Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld during a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the new wellness studio in Homewood. (Jon Bannister/H-F Chronicle)
The studio also offers drop-in classes for people who do not want a membership, as well as packages allowing customers to purchase multiple classes.
PurposeFlow’s schedule is expected to expand in September, when Shipps plans to hold a grand opening event for the broader community. She also plans to host free community days where residents can try activities such as yoga, Pilates and meditation.
Although the studio is based in Homewood, Shipps said she hopes to draw people from throughout the South Suburbs, including Flossmoor, Hazel Crest, Chicago Heights, Glenwood, Richton Park, Matteson and Olympia Fields.
“All are welcome,” Shipps said. “We’re open to a variety of ages, ethnicities, body types. If you like to move, whether it’s fast or slow, we are the place for you.”
She emphasized that people do not need previous yoga or Pilates experience to participate.
“If you don’t have a lot of experience, that’s perfectly fine,” Shipps said. “We welcome all beginners.”
Her message for the community also reflects the name of the new studio.
“We want you to know your purpose and find your flow,” Shipps said.
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