South Side yoga studio fosters wellness and community

This Black History Month, we’re spotlighting a small business owner who is making a difference on Chicago’s South Side. As the Obama Presidential Center takes shape, it will bring new opportunities for health and wellness to the community. Julia Perkins, founder of Studio Yogi (Opens in a new tab), is already leading the way.

Julia discovered yoga in her fifties after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis, a condition that causes joint pain and stiffness. She found that many studios didn’t accommodate people with physical limitations, so she set out to create a space that did. In 2023, she opened Studio Yogi in South Shore, the neighborhood she’s called home for nearly 30 years. Her mission was clear: to make yoga accessible and inclusive for all, regardless of age, body type, or ability.

"For Studio Yogi, it was really important to me that we uplift everybody’s special anatomical uniqueness and provide them with the customizations and modifications needed so they can continue to engage in their practice on their own terms," she shared. “I wanted a place where all identities are welcome – men, women, and non-binary members of the community – to feel that this is a safe place for them. This is a safe haven to engage in practice in a non-judgmental environment.”

South Shore has long been a hub for Black entrepreneurship, a legacy that continues today. Black-owned businesses contribute significantly to local economies, yet they often face barriers to funding and investment. According to Pew Research Center (Opens in a new tab), only 3% of U.S. businesses are Black-owned, and many operate with less capital than their counterparts.

Julia says she knows these challenges firsthand—securing loans and contractors was difficult, especially during the pandemic.

"Being a Black woman, being in a neighborhood that some investors or lenders feel is not financially feasible, trying to get a loan, trying to get contractors—it was a myriad of challenges, but we overcame them," she explained. "I had great people by my side, people who heard me cry, shout—the whole spectrum of emotions—but supported me and said, ‘Yes, you can.’ And yes, I did."

Studio Yogi has since become more than a yoga studio; it’s a gathering place where neighbors connect and friendships are made. Outside of the studio, Julia extends her impact by teaching yoga at local senior centers and public parks.

“We’re building a community—it’s a place where people come together," she said. “Two people came here, looked at each other, and said, ‘I know you.’ They had lived on the same block for years, but it took Studio Yogi for them to really meet. That’s what this space is about—deepening relationships."

With the Obama Presidential Center opening in 2026, Cook County is projected to see an economic impact boost of $3.1 billion  in the Center’s first decade of operations, creating jobs and opportunities for local businesses.

Julia hopes this momentum will drive investment into South Shore, ensuring that longtime residents benefit alongside new businesses. 

“We need to bring new investments and resources,” she says. “But with that, you have to balance it out. You cannot leave behind the people who have been South Shore residents for 30 and 40 years. It has to be a collaborative effort. That is what I believe the Center can do. It's a heavy lift, but I believe it's possible.”

For Julia, this work is personal. Her family’s artistic legacy is embedded in South Shore’s history—her grandfather, sculptor Marion Perkins, is honored in a local mural. "I drive to work, and on the left, I see my grandfather’s image. On the right, I see my father, Useni Eugene Perkins, and his poem, “Hey Black Child.” Then I turn, and I’m at Studio Yogi. Our family’s legacy is part of this neighborhood’s fabric," she reflects.

Now, through Studio Yogi, she’s shaping the neighborhood’s history, ensuring that wellness, connection, and opportunity thrive for generations to come. Join us in shaping a future of opportunity—explore careers at the Obama Presidential Center.