Crystal Kage

Balance is the practice. Hot yoga is having a big moment, and I get why. Infrared rooms. Sweat-dripping selfies. “Burn it out” energy. The idea that a class has to leave you drenched, depleted, and questioning your life choices to “count.” I get it. Heat can feel amazing. A warm room can help the body feel more open. A sweaty class can feel cathartic. Heated yoga can absolutely have a place in someone’s movement routine. I also enjoy it from time to time, it can feel great! But I opened a...

If you’re reading this with a cup of coffee in your hand… perfect. That’s exactly how this story should be enjoyed. Because today we’re talking about a piece of St. Pete history and the very unexpected place The Velvet Mat is about to call home. Right in the heart of downtown. Underground. Literally. Kress Building Welcome to 475 Central Ave , inside the historic S. H. Kress and Co. Building. And yes… there’s a basement in Florida . Which, if you know anything about Florida, is basically...

Hi. I’ve been a little MIA. Not because I disappeared.Because I’ve been building something really, really special. The Velvet Mat officially has a home in the heart of downtown. I’m not dropping the exact location yet (dramatic pause! ), but I will tell you this, From mobile mats… to The Underground! And if you’ve been here since the Mahaffey Theater lawn and brewery days, you deserve the full story. This whole thing really started when Jesse and I moved to Atlanta. I had been working at...