How to go
What: Haven
Where: 1131 Central Ave., Middletown, inside Torchlight Pass
When: Class offerings and class schedules vary.
More info: www.havenmiddletown.com and on Facebook at
Haven is a destination for for yoga, wellness and a children’s play place, at 1131 Central Ave., inside Torchlight Pass.
The downtown Middletown destination is meant to be one place, a haven, for everyone to get what they need, said owner Ami Vitori Kimener. There are three separate areas inside — the yoga area, the wellness space and a children’s play area
“When I moved back to Middletown a year ago, none of those things were here,” she said. “I’ve created all of the things I was missing in my own life – a place to do yoga and obtain other wellness services, and a place for my kids to go with an indoor play place, or to have a birthday party.”
The yoga studio opened on Nov. 3, and began offering a full schedule of classes in November, she said. Hundreds of local participants have already experienced the health and wellness benefits from the classes.
“People literally come in and thank us every day, because they are so happy to have a place to come and do yoga,” Vitori Kimener said.
There are four, full-time teachers on staff, offering about seven different types of yoga, catering to all ages, youth through senior adults.
The studio’s director, Heather Gielda, previously ran a similar program in Michigan for about 12 years, Vitori Kimener said.
Geared toward pre-schoolers and children ages 6 and under, the play place opened at the beginning of December.
“It’s a great place to come. Moms’ can sit and have a cup of coffee and hang out. A lot of grandparents have also stopped by, who watch their grandchildren during the week,” Vitori Kimener said.
Vitori Kimener said the idea is for children to be happy, engaged and having fun, while their parents, or caregivers are getting what they need.
The wellness area includes services such as massage, acupuncture, to name a few.
Vitori Kimener, 42, graduated from Middletown High School in 1991. She and her husband, Kevin Kimener, and their three sons live in Middletown.
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