What are the opening hours?

Monday 6pm - 8:30pm Tuesday 9am - 8:30pm Wednesday 6pm - 8:30pm Thursday 6pm - 8:30pm Saturday 8am - 1pm

Embody YOGA

At Embody YOGA, we customize the yoga experience to meet the needs and preferences of people of color. We aim to bring diversity to the world of yoga.
(526)

Embody YOGA specializes in providing unique and high quality yoga classes. We aim to bring cultural diversity to the world of yoga. From the classes we offer to the music we play, Embody YOGA reflects the richness and depth of people of color. Not able to make a class? Check out our virtual studio and have the Embody YOGA experience-anytime, anywhere.

02/20/2026

Intensity…

Context: When prepping for a marathon, most people start training 12-14 weeks out. My marathon is in October. While I’m not officially training for it yet-this is pre-season. I’m getting in shape for training. Part of that process is strength training. It keeps me healthy with the increase in running I’m doing.

Every Thursday I take a “real” strength training class. We use barbells and stuff. I’ve been going for about 6 weeks now. Periodically, my instructor (who I really like and trust), has been gently encouraging me to lift heavier. This past Thursday she said, “You’re stronger than you think you are”.

Today, I was in another workout class that’s a mix of running and strength training. That instructor has been checking in with me for the past couple of weeks and suggesting heavier weights. She’ll actually bring them to me and take the lighter weights away 😂 (in a very sweet way). As she was talking to me about this today and how it looked like I was lifting feathers, I just flat out told her, “I don’t like to work hard” 🤦🏾‍♀️. But I took the 20 lb weights she gave me in place of my 12.5s and knocked out the 15 reps with ease.

Thinking back on this, what I think I meant is I don’t like…INTENSITY. Sustained intensity. I can run but I prefer slower paces. I can lift but I prefer lighter weights. I don’t like to be physically uncomfortable for too long.

And if I feel that way right now, I might as well drop out of this marathon because what is it other than sustained intensity????

I’m NOT dropping out but I’ve realized that I have to start pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I ask this of y’all ALL the time. It’s time for me to take my own advice.

I was telling one of my other teachers/coaches that I feel like I’m stuck running at the same pace. He said, “this is going to sound crazy but to run faster you have to run faster”.

It might have taken SEVERAL deliveries but-MESSAGE RECEIVED.

I am destined for greatness. I am the daughter of Garry & Carol Brooks. Mediocrity is not for me.

Here’s to (safely) lifting heavier and running faster 💪🏾🏃🏾‍♀️

Thanks for listening/reading.

02/12/2026

I feel like the world needs to know that today is my mother’s birthday.

Her name is Carol. She passed away about 18 years ago (I can’t believe it’s been that long).

She was a dedicated mother.

She was afraid to drive on the freeway. I remember one time, when we were little, we were going to look at furniture without my dad. She accidentally got on the freeway and panicked. We got off at the next exit. We were fine. But I think she cried a little bit.

She was the oldest girl amongst her siblings.

She was an excellent cook.

For most of our early childhood, she stayed at home. My strongest memories of my mother are of me sitting between her legs on the kitchen floor on school days mornings getting my hair combed. And sometimes, after she finished my hair, she would put my earrings in and I’d be really cute that day.

I don’t know much about her life and experience as a woman (outside of her mothering). There are many things I would like to ask her about now. But she also didn’t really like to talk about the past.

One day, when I first started traveling, I asked if I could borrow her luggage. She primarily used it to hold her important documents. She said yes, and then, “that luggage has seen more places than I ever will”. If she were alive today, I hope she would have let me take her on many trips by now.

She loved Pepsi sodas.

She smoked Newports.

She talked to my aunties every day, often multiple times a day.

Easter had to have been her favorite holiday because she always cooked and set up the plate with the jelly beans and our decorated Easter eggs. Oh-and she always watched The Ten Commandments that day too.

She was strong. Opinionated. Of good character.

I miss her real bad. I hope she is proud.

Thank you for reading 🤗

01/27/2026

“True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; yoga is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied”—Aadil Palkhivala

Embody Yoga

P.S. This video is from a couple of Saturdays back. I didn’t realize until watching it back that most of the back row was comprised of Black men ❤️

01/21/2026

Accountability post…

I signed up for a marathon.

In October, I’ll be running the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon.

My only goals for this marathon are to be healthy leading up to and during the marathon itself and to feel good while running it. No time goals.

I am a bit nervous about it. I know it won’t be easy. I also know that I can do it if I put my mind to it.

So when you see me at the studio, ask me how training is going, give me words of encouragement (and tips if you’ve ever run a marathon).

I’ll be sharing my running journey here periodically ❤️❤️

01/17/2026

Embody Yoga in 2016…

1. EY used to only have 2 classes 😂
2. Yoga classes with the African Harp
3. & 4. Yoga classes at The Juice Kitchen
5. The creation of the EY logo .designs
6. Our first merch drop
7. Yoga Thick: our yoga/cardio workout class
8. 1st news spot (Fox 6 with Brian Kramp)
9. Filming first EY yoga video in Miami (still on YouTube)
10. 2nd merch drop-the yoga thick definition tee
11. & 12. Photoshoot for what would become the cover of M Magazine
13-17. Lots of pictures of my yoga practice cuz that what the yogis were doing on here in 2016

It was a good year 😉 #2016

01/12/2026

MONDAY MOTIVATION:

Every workout is an opportunity to get better.

And, as long as you show up, you WILL get better.

Even on the days it feels really hard.

Even on the days where you don’t feel like doing it

Even on the days where you only have 50% to give.

So-what you gone get better at this week? 👀

Video: Our student Emily in one of our Semi-Private: Classical Pilates classes. The “contraption” that she’s on is called a Cadillac. This exercise came at the very end of her practice. She’s getting better with each practice 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

01/09/2026

For almost a year now, I’ve dived DEEP into my cardio fitness.

I started running in May. It was hard. It is hard. But what I’m learning is hard is where the growth happens.

Sometimes, when I’m doing my Peloton runs, I get MAD at the instructor when they make me add incline or increase my speed. It’s uncomfortable. I can feel my legs and lungs working harder. Sometimes I think about quitting but I almost always push through.

Lately I’ve noticed that the speeds that I run at comfortably NOW, used to feel really hard a few months ago. And I can run at faster speeds for longer periods of time. And the funny thing is, for a while there it felt like nothing was changing. And then, one day, everything was different.

I guess what I’m trying to share with y’all is this-growth comes from discomfort and with consistency. There is no way around it.

If you want to change something or improve your life in ANY way, it will require some discomfort and discipline. But it’s SO worth it when you can look back and see how far you’ve come.

Tying this to our practices of yoga and Pilates (and any other movement you might be doing)-is it time for you to level up? That could mean being more consistent, moving from a beginner level class to the next level class or trying a new style of class altogether. And, for the folks who’ve been watching from the sidelines, is it finally time for you to begin?

Anyways, just wanted to share my thoughts and hopefully inspire those who may need it.

With Love,
Joanna

01/07/2026

BEGINNER PROGRAMS…

We know at the top of the year we need to offer something special for those who have been looking for a safe, non-intimidating way to begin a practice. We’re starting out with TWO special Pilates offerings.

INTRO TO PILATES MAT:
A 4 week program to get you started on your Pilates mat journey. If you’ve been wanting to try our Hot Pilates Mat classes but want the INTRO experience first, this is the class to sign up for. Class will meet for 4 consecutive Saturdays starting Saturday, January 17th at 11:45am. Truly a beginner experience that will lead to results.
Class length: 45-50 minutes
Cost: $60 (includes 4 classes in the program). Use 🔗 in bio to register.
Missing Class Policy: You will be allowed to make up at least one missed class.

INTRO TO REFORMER PILATES:
A 4 week program to get you started on your Reformer Pilates journey. You will learn a variety of beginner level Reformer Pilates exercises that target the arms, abs, glutes and legs. These classes are fun, challenging (at the beginner level) and a great way to build strength. Class will meet for 4 consecutive Saturdays starting Saturday, January 17th at 9:30am.
Class length: 50 minutes
Cost: $100 (includes 4 classes in the program). Use 🔗 in bio to register.
Missing Class Policy: You will be allowed to make up at least one missed class.

P.S. Want to try both but not sure where to start? Start with the one you’re most curious about. We’ll offer both again in February so you’ll have a chance to sign up for the other one then. Questions? Call us at 414-810-6150.

01/04/2026

I was away from Embody Yoga this weekend but somehow still right at home….

I took my very first yoga class of year. It was an R&B Stretch class. The most important part- it was with Bry, founder of Vinyasa Vibes Yoga Studio in Chicago .

Beyond the class itself, this was a special experience for me because Bry started her yoga journey as a student at Embody Yoga. And although she has since moved to Chicago and launched a SUCCESSFUL studio doing important work on the southside of Chicago-we haven’t lost touch.

I hesitate to call myself her mentor only because that suggests to me that I know it all and have all of the answers. But we talk. And I share what I know and what I am learning. And I learn from her as well.

Now let’s talk about the class for a moment. From the lighting to the R & B music to the practice itself-it was everything I needed. We focused on front body opening and rotation-low lunges, twists…etc. Gentle and effective with lots of opportunities to rest and go deeper. Bry’s instruction is confident, clear, inspiring. I was able to take myself out of teacher mode and just be a student. It was the perfect class to start the new year.

Bry- for the millionth time-I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. From the way you care for and cultivate your community, for the seriousness with which you manage your business and for your professionalism in situations that would make anyone want to be anything but professional-I am so proud and grateful to call you my colleague.

Keep serving. Keep creating. Keep growing. Always cheering you on.

And for any and all Embody Yoga friends in the Chicago area or planning to visit-please do yourself a favor and add Vinyasa Vibes Studio to your list.

This ain’t an ad. It’s the truth.

01/01/2026

New Year’s Day Practice 2026….

108 Sun Salutations.

Between in person and virtual, there was close to 70 of us moving and breathing together.

We did that 💪🏾

No matter what 2026 has in store, today we were reminded of our strength and our capacity to persevere.

From our hearts to yours-HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

12/31/2025

TOP 5 OF 2025 (in order of occurrence):

1. This year we launched our Hot Pilates Mat class. This was a smart move. It is now our most popular class. In 2024 we had 577 sign ups for unheated Pilates Mat. In 2025 we had 974 sign ups for Hot Pilates Mat.
2. We hosted a pink book club brunch to discuss the book, “The S*x Lives of African Women”. This was a random idea that came together beautifully. I enjoyed hosting and prompting discussion. I most enjoyed watching Black women, of all different ages and stages of life, sharing and interacting.
3. This year we added Reformer Pilates to our schedule and added 10 new reformers to our space!!! EXPANSION.
4. Yoga at the Domes: Because this was just BANANAS!!! Probably the biggest class that I’ve taught-ever.
5. Retreat: Top EY experience of 2025, hands down. I got to share a place that I love dearly with some of you all.

Honorable mention-the EY staff holiday party. We had a GOOD time. I love them so much.

All in all, it was a great year. I’m guessing that 2026 will be even better ❤️ Thank you for being a part of our family. Happy New Year!

12/26/2025

Christmas Recap:

I finally got into the Christmas spirit-on Christmas Eve! Y’all I was running around most of the day to get things in order (grocery shopping, finishing my gift shopping, putting up a tree, wrapping gifts…etc.) 🥵 But it was so well worth it.

Christmas Day-After opening gifts at 5am, we made Christmas brunch, watched movies and took naps. Somewhere around 1pm I put together a light Christmas dinner (dressing, macaroni & cheese, cabbage and a ham). We ate, took more naps and watched Christmas movies (I finally watched It’s A Wonderful Life).

It was a perfect Christmas.

I hope you spend today resting, hydrating and getting some light movement in. We got class tomorrow! Let’s prep our bodies to get back to it. See y’all on the mat and/or reformer this weekend ❤️

P.S. My summertime nephew, who is from the south, walked to the mall by himself in the cold to get me those house shoes. It was one of my favorite gifts. ❤️

Address

4650 N. Port Washington Road, Suite 160
Milwaukee, WI
53205

Opening Hours

Monday	6pm - 8:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 8:30pm
Wednesday	6pm - 8:30pm
Thursday	6pm - 8:30pm
Saturday	8am - 1pm

Telephone

+14148106150

Website

http://www.embodyyogamke.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Embody YOGA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Embody YOGA:

Shortcuts

Address
Telephone
Opening Hours
Alerts
Contact The Practice
Claim ownership or report listing

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Milwaukee?