Honoring the Threshold: A New Chapter for the Redmond Studio

In yogic philosophy, transitions are sacred. They are the kumbhaka (retentions) between breaths, the space between poses, the quiet moments between thoughts. These thresholds - what some traditions call “thin spaces” - are times when the veils between humans and spiritual realms are thinner, and where transformation quietly takes root. They are phases or moments when the past and future briefly meet, and something new begins to stir.

This season, we find ourselves in one of those moments at Namaspa: a powerful threshold between what has been and what is becoming.

After a decade of nurturing our Redmond studio, Suzie Newcome - Namaspa’s founder - will be passing the torch of ownership to long-time student, teacher, and Redmond local, Beth Gatchell, effective September 1st. This evolution is both practical and profound. It reflects Suzie’s long-standing dream of employee-based ownership and equity, and Beth’s heartfelt vision of a yoga studio deeply rooted in Redmond’s unique spirit.

Suzie says: "One of my priorities has been to ensure our dedicated employees can share in the equity they're helping to build. While creating a traditional Employee Stock Option program in Oregon has proved prohibitively expensive, I'm actively working with an attorney on an alternative equity plan that will offer similar benefits to our managers. Redmond, in particular, needs committed, local oversight to help its community flourish, and a way for managers to be rewarded for their efforts."

Suzie continues: "Coincidentally, we have an exceptional teacher and leader, Beth, who has consistently shown the initiative of a studio owner. She has invested her own time and resources into redecorating and organizing much of the Redmond studio, including the retail area, back office, and Lite studio. She even recently gathered construction quotes to replace the canvas curtain with a wall and expand the lobby. With our Redmond lease ending in August, I spoke with Beth about her vision for the community. And after discussing it with the Redmond teaching team, Beth has decided to take over the lease and open her own studio."

Beth’s journey began, like so many, as a student. She stepped into the Redmond studio for classes, later completed her YTT through Namaspa, and grew into a steady, thoughtful instructor and leader. Along the way, she has brought tangible love and labor to the space - organizing, improving, and dreaming. Her next step feels both natural and inspired.

Beth recently shared with the Namaspa team: "I want to thank everyone for the opportunities, support, and friendships since I started at the Redmond studio as a student. My path to then completing YTT and becoming a teacher here has been a path that’s unfolded easily and with great clarity. I’m excited about this next chapter, and I look forward to receiving both everyone’s support and questions. It's important to me and the Redmond team that the studio becomes even more integrated into the community in Redmond - really anchoring it there. Local ownership, local teachers ... and we want to volunteer in the community."

While the studio will have a new name (coming soon!) and an official new owner, so much of what our Redmond community loves will remain: familiar faces, favorite classes, and shared values. Some of Beth's and the Redmond team's ideas for new inspiration include: grounding the studio space in a more nature-based aesthetic and adding a variety of movement, lifestyle, and learning-based classes, book clubs, and Meetups to the schedule. "We plan to keep offering massage, and plan to incorporate a sauna and grounding mats," Beth says, "and we want to utilize parks and other outdoor venues to share community-based offerings such as hikes and outdoor yoga."

Beth plans to honor all Namaspa class passes for a transitional period (length of time TBD), and the two studios will maintain a "favored studio" relationship - sharing subs, uplifting each other’s offerings, and encouraging cross-community connection.

From Suzie’s perspective, this transition is not a goodbye, but an evolution - a way to honor the local heartbeat of Redmond with local leadership. From Beth’s, it’s a continuation of a path that’s unfolded with grace and clarity, now widening to invite even more people in.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating this special passage - a moment of gratitude for all that has been, and joyful anticipation for all that is to come.

Welcome to the threshold. Something beautiful is being born.

Practicalities:

• We will continue to share updates in the coming months as we approach the official transition date on September 1st. This will include the announcement of the new studio name and details about how long Beth and her team will honor existing Namaspa class passes.

• If you are a Redmond student who is nearing the end of your current class pack, we recommend purchasing a smaller Namaspa class pack to carry you through August 31st. After the transition, you will be able to purchase larger class packs directly through Beth’s new studio, once her systems are in place. We will be in direct touch with auto-deduct members to prorate passes to end 8/31.

• Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out:

  • For Bend-related questions: Suzie at suzannenewcome@gmail.com

  • For Redmond-related questions: Beth at gatchellfam@gmail.com

Thank you for your understanding, support, and presence during this meaningful time of transition.