Blue Ridge Yoga gives back to community
Using yoga classes and other fundraisers, owner Jessica Mishu and her staff have raised funds for such organizations as Girls on the Run, American Cancer Society, Hoops for Hearing for Tennessee School for the Deaf, Shangri-La Therapeutic Riding Academy, The Muse and many more since it opened in 2015.
When Blue Ridge Yoga opened, owner Jessica Mishu “had a vision that extended beyond teaching yoga,” Blue Ridge Yoga events coordinator Sierra Schrieber said.
“From the start, the studio was rooted in the idea that a small business could play an active role in strengthening the community it serves,” she said.
“Now, 10 years later, Blue Ridge Yoga has donated more than $200,000 to local nonprofits throughout the Knoxville and Farragut areas raised through donation-based classes, benefit workshops and community-centered events that allow students to support meaningful causes simply by showing up to practice,” she said.
Blue Ridge Yoga, 623 N. Campbell Station Road, has “become known not only as a place for physical and mental wellness but also as a hub for service,” Schrieber said. Over the years, the studio has supported a wide range of organizations, including Young Williams Animal Center, Girls on the Run, American Cancer Society, Empty Stocking Fund, The Tennessee School for the Deaf, Shangri-La Therapeutic Riding Academy, Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, Bridge Refugee Center and numerous other local programs.
In 2021, Schrieber said the studio’s commitment to giving back was publicly recognized when Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce surprised Mishu with a ribbon-cutting celebration marking $100,000 raised for the community. Farragut Mayor Ron Williams presented a proclamation on behalf of the Town, recognizing Blue Ridge Yoga’s generosity and naming the business “a model of servant leadership within a small business.”
“The proclamation noted since opening its doors, Mishu and her staff have consistently demonstrated a passion for supporting other local organizations and embodying the yogic principle of seva, or selfless service, in the way they do business,” Schrieber said.
Julie Blaylock, Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce president/CEO, praised the studio for its consistency — particularly during challenging periods. She noted, “Blue Ridge Yoga continued its charitable efforts even through the COVID-19 pandemic, never stepping away from its commitment to service.”
Mishu, who has lived and traveled in many parts of the world, said the generosity of East Tennessee is what made this approach possible.
“I picked the perfect place in the world,” she said. “The way this community comes together to support one another is unmatched. I’m so grateful for our students, our staff and every organization we’ve partnered with over the years.”
As Blue Ridge Yoga reaches its 10-year milestone, Schrieber said the studio’s impact continues to be felt beyond the mat.
“For many in the Farragut and Knoxville communities, it represents what a locally owned business can be when wellness, connection and service intersect — creating a space where personal gronwth and community support go hand in hand,” she said.
To learn more about upcoming donation-based classes and community fundraisers, visit www.yogaknoxvilletn.com/events
