02/01/2026
It’s 2026, and I’m taking a moment to reflect - on where we are - and where we hope to go with you, our community, by our side.
There are so many of you who walk through these doors that I haven’t yet had the chance to know on a more personal level. I truly hope this year brings more of that.
I’ve been teaching at The Pad since 2012—the same year my life changed forever. I lost my fiancé, Solomon, in a car accident, broke my back, and spent time in a wheelchair. Today, January 31st, is the anniversary of Solomon’s passing, and it feels especially meaningful to pause and reflect. Long before that, I began practicing yoga here when The Pad opened in 2009. This space has been a well of goodness and light for me, holding me through loss, healing and birth
As a teacher, owner, operator, program director—and the hands and heart striving to keep it all humming—I do my best to keep things running smoothly amidst rising costs and more wellness and fitness studios arriving in our neighborhood. Through it all, my highest priority is keeping the soul of The Pad alive and thriving. It’s a calling.
Lately, I’ve found myself saying, “Thank you for coming—and now I release you into the wild.” It arrived one day and stuck. Inspired in part by Kimberly Ann Johnson’s book, Call of the Wild and her work around nervous system regulation, my understanding of yoga continues to evolve. We all need tools—and safe places—to regulate.
Outside these walls, the world can feel loud, chaotic and heavy. The practice isn’t about turning away from that, but about creating space to move stuck energy, feel rather than numb, and re-center around what’s possible. When we tend to our inner world, we build the capacity to meet life with steadiness, compassion, and kind & clear action.
Running a small business isn’t easy. For every handful of new members who join, an equal handful moves or heads in a new direction. Still, this sanctuary feels as important as ever.
If The Pad has supported you, I invite you to spread the word. Bring a friend. Tell a neighbor. Invite someone curious. The ripple effect matters, and we’re deeply grateful to share it with you.
With love and gratitude,
Nicole Cronin
