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Having built a successful customer base as a hairstylist, Michelle Jordan decided that it was time to launch her own venture.

“I wanted to open my own hair salon,” Jordan said, “but I also wanted to offer yoga classes.”

Jordan had developed an interest in yoga, having taken a class earlier. She found the activity to be physically, mentally and emotionally beneficial, leading her to enter instructor training.

“It’s a holistic experience,” she said, adding that the discipline enables participants to achieve balance in their lives, have better focus and a sense of well-being.

The result of Jordan’s decision was the 2021 opening of The Color Barre, a hair and yoga studio on Main Street in Norwood, at which she combines her passion and talents in both areas.

“The ‘hair side’ of the business is always super busy,” Jordan said, as she and fellow stylists Brandie Curlee and Jenny Bowers all provided cuts and colors for customers on a Thursday morning.

“The salon is doing well, and it’s a great environment … we all work well together,” she added.

Jordan credits her team of instructors as being key to building her yoga clientele. Both she and Curlee serve as instructors, and she has recruited a team of five other experienced teachers from the area.

“We offer all levels of instruction,” added Jordan, who seeks to dispel common misconceptions about yoga.

“Lots of people think that yoga is only for the young, or only for people who are already physically fit, but that’s not the case at all,” she said. “We have lots of participants who are 55 and older, and of all levels of fitness … it’s good for anyone.”

Jordan touts yoga’s benefits beyond the physical realm.

“It (yoga) helps participants physically, mentally and emotionally,” she said, adding that it is a particularly effective means of reducing anxiety.

On this morning, a yoga class conducted by instructor Frankie Schooley is just finishing up and class participants offer praise for the activity, the instructor and the owner.

“It’s wonderful for the Norwood community to have a place like this,” said Cheryl Edwards, a retired teacher.

Beverly Little, who has been a participant for “around a year and a half,” praised the variety of instruction and instructors.

“There’s a class for everyone and for all levels,” said Little.
Schooley was complimentary of Jordan’s efforts to grow the activity in the Norwood area.

“We love Michelle,” she said. “She has made this a great place to be and a fun work environment. The community should really take advantage of this opportunity.”

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.

The Color Barre is at 129 N. Main St. in Norwood. Call 704-459-0140 for a styling appointment. Yoga class schedule is listed thecolorbarre.com.