New breathwork studio, Barre3 Middletown opens in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Wellness is being revolutionized in Middletown thanks to two businesses that recently celebrated grand openings.

CIELO Breathwork is the first studio of its kind in Louisville. It offers transformative breathwork experiences, focusing on healing, stress reduction and self-empowerment.

Cielo Stein was introduced to breathwork several years ago, but she couldn't find any offerings locally. She drove to Nashville for her first session.

Inside studio of CIELO Breathwork in Louisville, Ky. on May 21, 2024.

"This can change so many people's lives," said Stein, who took classes and read books about breathwork after her introduction to the wellness activity. "What I really love about it is that anyone can do it, and you can feel the benefits of the session through the first session. You don't have to wait months or weeks, you come out of the first session, you feel like you let go of so many things that are holding you down."

The studio offers group, 1-on-1, and couples sessions for people suffering from anxiety, depression, stress and other mental health conditions. Stations are set up with blankets and people receive eye masks to create a safe and comfortable space.

"This is an inward journey," Stein said. "A lot of people say breath work is like years of therapy without saying a word. And I get that a lot, you just release so much during a session, and you don't even know what is coming out of it."

Right next door to CIELO Breathwork, Barre3 Middletown also held a ribbon cutting last week.

Heather Thomas was the owner and instructor of The Barre Code, which operated for nine years in the space that is now Barre3 Middletown. Thomas now owns the Barre3 studio, which is a place for full-body balanced workouts that combine strength conditioning, cardio and mindfulness.

The Barre Code was acquired by Barre3 last August and has been transitioning ever since.

Thomas said it's a change for the better at the fitness studio.

"I like to think Barre3 found us because we were happy as The Barre Code, but the fact we were acquired by Barre3, we share so many things in common," Thomas said. "We value community, we focus on a balanced body."

The fitness studio has around a dozen employees including instructors, front-desk staff and child care workers, according to Thomas. The instructors had to get certified to lead the Barre3 classes.

"My current community is loving them, so we're excited to invite more people into our doors," Thomas said.

Barre3 Middletown is offering free first classes.

The two businesses are located at 12442 Shelbyville Road. While the female-owned businesses are separate, both offer support in people's wellness journeys.

"The component of mindfulness is pretty new to us," Thomas said. "We do end all of our classes with breath works, which is why it's super exciting to have a breath works studio open up right next door to us, where that's their main focus."