Farmer's Market Complements Philosophy of Haleybird Studios

Tucked among the stands of flowers, fresh fruit and local vegetables at the Tosa Farmer’s Market is another kind of good-for-you product, offered by Haleybird Studios. Its owner, Haley Picotte-Stozek, offers a yoga practice, which, like the nutritious food that shoppers seek, holds promise for a healthful, well-lived life.

Picotte-Stozek owns and teaches at Haleybird Studios at 9207 W. Center St. on the border of Wauwatosa and Milwaukee. Motivated by a philosophy that “yoga is the best medicine,” she opened her studio four years ago.

She believes that health and wellness start with introspection. “It begins with simple questions, such as ‘Are you happy,’ ‘Does your life have purpose?’” says Picotte-Stozek. From there, she says, “we start to make choices about our life and how we would like to live it.”

She notes that many participants begin practicing yoga to achieve physical gains, such as lowering blood pressure, relieving back pain or achieving flexibility or weight loss.

“Even though all of these physical changes occur, people continue to practice yoga because it makes them happy,” says Picotte-Stozek. This continued practice leads to greater well being.

“The introspective time they spend on their mat practicing deep breaths, asanas (yoga postures) and relaxation provides participants with the space, stillness and clarity they need to start to answer some of life’s tough questions,” she says.

Picotte-Stozek believes that the benefits offered by yoga are complemented by the farmer’s market. She cites a basic tenet of yoga, “ahimsa,” which translates to “non-harming kindness.”

“We always begin the practice of ahimsa with ourselves,” she says. “Among other things, (it) includes providing our body healthy, life-giving foods. What better place to do this than our farmer’s market?”

The practice of ahimsa also goes beyond one’s self, to the community. “We extend it to others through kind thoughts, words, and actions,” she emphasizes, noting that supporting local farms and businesses benefits the entire community.

Picotte-Stozek contends that the belief that yoga is only for the fit is slowly changing. “I often hear people say, ‘I can’t do yoga. I’m too old, inflexible, overweight.” She has responded to this impression by offering a variety of classes to meet a wide range of needs, including classes for children and teens. 

“The other gripe people have with yoga is that the cost of it can be prohibitive,” notes Picotte-Stozek. However, she believes that this, too, is changing in Milwaukee, with efforts to teach yoga in public schools, and free and donations-based classes offered throughout the city, including one at her studio.

Setting up a stand at the farmer’s market has been helpful in spreading the message of yoga.

“Shoppers at the farmer’s market are like-minded individuals who choose to support local businesses, have an interest in providing themselves and their families with health and wellness, and want to have fun doing it,” says Picotte-Stozek. “These are the exact types of students we see everyday at Haleybird Studios.”