‘People like us DO get to do things like this’

As a single mom who has always found her salvation in dance, Lauren Drinkhall brought her son, Caden, now 15, with her to every movement class she ever took or taught.

In the 20 years since moving to Sonoma, she has dreamed of opening her own dance and fitness studio on the west side.

When Noble Yoga gave up its lease on Highway 12 mid-COVID, Drinkhall and her son walked the three blocks from their Springs house to Vailetti Plaza to tour the space.

“He said, ‘Mom, people like us don’t get things like this,” she said. “I was determined to show him, to prove to him that people like us DO get things like this.”

On her 49th birthday, Drinkhall signed the lease and this month opened what she describes as “Sonoma’s first and only dance, fitness and wellness studio for adults, teens and youth.”

Lauren D Studios is hosting an open house this weekend and fully opens seven days a week on Aug. 1.

Drinkhall and 10 “Dream Team” instructors will offer a gamut of dance, fitness and strength classes including Piloxing Booty, PiYo, Turnup, Power 30, Latin Flow, Salsa Tone, Tae Kwon Do fitness, jazz and tap classes for adults, as well as yoga, movement, tap, jazz classes for youth.

She expects more classes to be added in the weeks ahead. Personal training, wellness consulting and macro coaching are also available.

The studio is offering introductory monthly memberships ranging from $129-$139, as well as drop-in classes for $20. Class sign ups are via an app.

A small store onsite offers logo merchandise as well as supplements and some gear. Caden designed the studio logo, which was then fully developed by Sofia Ziemienki Design.

The Lauren D Studios open house showcase on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. includes free 30-minute classes, drinks, snacks and a raffle.

“Dance saved my life at age 22,” said Drinkhall. “No matter what I went through, it kept me going. I have always wanted to have my own space and help people tap into the restorative power of dance.”

Lauren D Studios is located at 209 Nino Marco Square on Highway 12, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. laurendstudios.com or 343-7111.

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.