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Join us for Säg Hej Day on March 2 from 10AM-3PM. Thank you to our incredible partner The Care Plan and Event Sponsor All One Chicago.
Check out the full schedule of events below, including yoga, hands-on workshops, and opportunities to connect with local wellness practitioners. The schedule is subject to change, so be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest updates. Please help us by spreading the word to friends and family.
A little bit about our providers, sponsors, and vendors:
*The 2pm Sound Bath Experience has been cancelled
Jarais Musgrove (they/them): Jarais Musgrove is a non-binary/genderfluid performer, writer, artist, and teacher from Joliet, IL. Participants in Jarais' movement class can expect an exploratory movement workshop utilizing somatic techniques to investigate the relationship between mind, body, and spirit. Unlike many other somatic programs that aim solely to calm the nervous system, this workshop invites participants to examine what is yearning to be expressed internally nonjudgmentally. My hope is that everyone leaves with a newfound connection to their psyches and a few practices they can adopt to manage the ways in which the many institutions imposed upon us may inhibit our wholeness. Come with an open mind, in comfortable clothing, and a yoga mat!"
Tune.In.With.Tristen is a dedicated bodyworker, Black-centered community healer, and self-care activist committed to helping others restore balance through sound, vibration, and intentional energy work. As a master manifestor and facilitator, Tristen believes that energy is our first language and focuses on influencing it in the most positive and transformative ways. Through holistic healing practices, they create spaces for deep self-care, empowerment, and connection.
All One Chicago (Lead Event Sponsor) welcomes all people. They advocate for inclusivity, dedicated to valuing diverse backgrounds and fostering environments where everyone feels welcome and respected. Committed to uplifting marginalized voices, All One promotes collaboration and understanding to enrich communities and contribute to a more equitable society. Through these efforts, All One aims to empower individuals and inspire positive change. You can visit All One at their Andersonville location at 5051 N Clark.
The Care Plan was inspired by years of personal and professional caregiving, in 2015 Jacqueline Boyd founded The Care Plan. The goal was to provide 1-on-1 services to individuals and families in need of trustworthy and compassionate care navigation. Jacqueline had gained intimate knowledge of how to best advocate through her experiences as a Certified Nursing Assistant, a social worker, and a home care administrator. She also had observed that while aging is challenging for most people, historically marginalized communities experienced invisibility and a lack of resources that needed to be addressed. As a long-time advocate for LGBTQ+ and black and brown communities, Jacqueline knew The Care Plan had to be grounded in intersectionality and inclusivity. Pairing her knowledge of aging with her years of LGBTQ+ activism, Jacqueline created The Care Plan vision of health and aging on your terms.
INBA Home is a full service home styling and design studio based in Chicago. They focus on curating modern organic spaces with a story. Their design approach prioritizes healthy lifestyle and well-being by integrating intuitive calming design elements and inspiring experiences found in modern hospitality spaces.
The Collective Yoga Co-op is a group of teachers who believe that the yoga world needs to change. No investment groups. No equity firms. No corporate backing. This is a yoga studio built by community, for community. As a Cooperative, we commit to supporting our city by hosting accessible yoga classes at our brick and mortar studio, throughout the city Chicago, as well as in partnership with local charities. Our regular schedule consists of both in-person and virtual class options, so you can flow from home or join us at the studio. Lastly, we believe diversity is important. That is why we are centering LGBTQ+ voices and voices of color in our teachers and in our community.
Early to Bed located at 5138 N Clark in Andersonville has been helping all kinds of folks have great sex since 2001. Early to Bed is committed to offering a safe, welcoming space to shop for erotic delights. Owner Searah Deysach fell in love with Andersonville’s inclusivity back in high school. That love of the neighborhood inspired her store, and Early to Bed’s goal is to make a first-time sex shop experience comfortable, fun, and not scary. With a focus on education, safety, and inclusion, no other Chicago establishment can compare. All toys are hand-selected and meet the store’s fussy standards of safety, usability, and value.
Deirdre Colgan Jones helps busy people use mindfulness to connect with their creative flow. A professional studio artist and experienced educator, Deirdre has developed and taught creative curricula within universities and community art centers for over twenty years. After experiencing burnout professionally before motherhood and personally after, Deirdre developed a meditation practice to alleviate stress and to attempt to integrate her art and life. Understanding that creative expression is a balm to burnout - she dedicated herself to finding calm within the storm to nurture deep creative work. She realizes now that making time and space for creativity is crucial to her survival, and not optional. She coaches clients who want to design their practice of mindful creative expression in a similar way - to alleviate the stress and anxiety that lead to burnout. If you’re interested in designing a custom structure for your own creative work - find out more about the program she developed to begin this process: Art & Play.
The Dinner Belle led by classically trained chef Jacquelyn Lord, offers personalized catering and personal chef services throughout Chicago and its suburbs. With over a decade of culinary experience, Jacquelyn specializes in creating custom menus that transform everyday meals into extraordinary experiences, emphasizing the philosophy that "food is love." Her expertise spans various cuisines, including French, Mediterranean, Italian, and classic American fare. Whether it's an intimate dinner for two or a large gathering, The Dinner Belle ensures a positive and stress-free dining experience. Clients can expect high-quality ingredients, exceptional service, and memorable meals tailored to their unique needs
Floriography Fellows (Event Supporter) are Ben and Jesse, partners both in life and business! They started Wonderland Flower Company, LLC, in June 2023 after years of dreaming up a whimsical, sustainable floral experience. They use Floriography, the language of flowers, to give bespoke meanings to their bouquets and arrangements. This language spans the entirety of human history with countless traditions and cultural significance, many sadly lost to time. During the Victorian Era, this language spread fervently across Europe as a means to express oneself without using words or breaking societal constructs. While they research the histories and use many of the more traditional meanings of the flowers, they gravitate towards the Victorian extravagance and elegance in our aesthetic.
Viking Muay Thai located at 5645 N Ashland is now open! Kru Kale and his team have over 15 years of experience instructing and competing in Muay Thai, kickboxing, and boxing. Kale was 2011 WKA North American Muay Thai Champion, and Bronze Medalist at the 2011 WKA World Championships in Karlsruhe, Germany. He has trained and competed in the US, Europe, Australia, and Thailand. Each of the VKMT Coaches and Kru are current or former fighters, bringing a wealth of knowledge to each class and ensuring that every student gets the highest level of instruction. A functional and non-intimidating approach to training that allows anyone to participate, whether it be those only interested in the fitness and stress relief aspects of training, or those interested in the self-defense and competitive aspects of the sport. All are welcome.
Fortuna Wealth Management | As a Certified Financial Planner™, Thomas Tran brings expert financial experience, working with families, business owners, and nonprofit entities through comprehensive financial planning and asset management alongside an emphasis on sustainable investing & philanthropy. Thomas received his Masters of Science in Personal Financial Planning from the College for Financial Planning in 2020 and his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2018. During his undergraduate program, he studied at Linnéuniversitetet in Växjö, Sweden, proudly labeled as the “Greenest City in Europe.”
Everyday Legal | Gregory Berlowitz, owner of Everyday Legal, is dedicated to helping people understand estate planning as a way to keep their families out of court and free from conflict. Based in Andersonville, he serves clients across Chicago’s north side. Contact him today to learn how to protect both your assets and the people you love.
Kitchen Witch Tyromancy | The Cheese Professor explores the ancient art of tyromancy, a form of divination using cheese. Contributor Jennifer Billock delves into this practice, which dates back to the 2nd century, and shares insights into how cheese has been used for fortune-telling and magical purposes throughout history. Billock, a kitchen witch and editor of Chicago's Kitchen Witch, discusses her personal journey with tyromancy and offers guidance on how to interpret the textures and patterns in cheese to uncover hidden meanings. This article provides a unique perspective on the mystical aspects of cheese and its role in various cultural practices.
EBikeCityZen was founded by Joe Borrelli. Joe has a lifelong passion for biking and automobiles, with a 25-year career in the automobile service industry before transitioning to e-bikes. Observing the rising costs and frustrations of car ownership, he recognized the potential of e-bikes as a sustainable, practical alternative for short trips. Committed to promoting a "Car-Lite" lifestyle, Joe uses his e-bike for errands, commuting, and leisure, advocating for its environmental and health benefits. Through EbikeCityZen.com, he educates others on mindful transportation choices, supports cycling infrastructure, and donates a portion of sales to charities, ensuring e-bikes are accessible to more people.
Bloom & Belong was founded by Hina Pitroda. Hina is a holistic health coach and certified mindfulness meditation teacher dedicated to helping mothers build stress resilience. Her personal journey began with a sudden hearing loss in one ear, which she discovered was stress-induced. This experience led her to explore the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and spiritual health. Hina pursued a master's degree in health and wellness coaching and trained under renowned teachers Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. She now integrates mindfulness practices and self-compassion techniques to guide mothers toward greater self-awareness, confidence, and well-being.
Inclusive Funeral Care is a boutique cremation and funeral center located at the convergence of Ravenswood, Uptown, and Andersonville in Chicago. Unlike traditional funeral homes, they offer a range of services from simple cremations to personalized celebrations of life, ensuring that each family's unique wishes are met with compassion and professionalism. Committed to transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity, Inclusive Funeral Care provides green options, pre-planning assistance, and can help meet Medicaid spend-down requirements through licensed Funeral Trusts. They accept Public Aid and most life insurance policies, operating 24 hours a day to support families during their times of need. Their approach emphasizes treating clients as human beings first, offering an end-of-life concierge service that combines professional expertise with heartfelt care.
Flourish Research's Chicago (Andersonville) location, formerly known as Great Lakes Clinical Trials, is a nationally recognized clinical trial site dedicated to developing life-changing therapeutics. Established in 2013, this flagship research center employs over 30 full-time staff, including more than four investigators and twelve research coordinators. The team offers a range of clinical trials, providing participants with access to new treatments and medications at no cost, along with potential compensation for their time. Conveniently located at 5149 North Ashland Avenue in Chicago, IL 60640, the facility offers on-site parking for visitors. For more information or to explore current studies, visit their website or contact the main office at 773-275-3500.
ADHD Embraced, founded by Chicago-based ADHD coach and licensed architect Keltie McLaren, offers coaching services for adults (18+) facing attention and focus challenges. With over a decade of architectural experience, Keltie specializes in assisting individuals in creative professions to find balance, energy, and renewed inspiration. Her coaching approach emphasizes embracing one's unique ADHD traits, focusing on strengths to foster self-acceptance and meaningful change. Keltie is a professional ADHD coach trained at the ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA) and a licensed architect with a Master of Architecture from the University of Toronto. She provides free 30-minute discovery sessions to explore personalized coaching strategies.
WINGS Program, the largest domestic violence service provider in Illinois, offers comprehensive support to individuals and families escaping abuse. Their services include emergency safe housing, counseling, and mentoring to empower survivors toward independence. WINGS also provides transitional and permanent housing options, allowing survivors to rebuild their lives in a secure environment. With a mission to end domestic violence, WINGS emphasizes education, advocacy, and community involvement. For immediate assistance, their 24-hour hotline is available at (847) 221-5680.
A little bit about Sag Hej: Originally started in the Swedish city of Lulea, Säg Hej (Say hi) encourages interaction between you and your community with a simple “hi, hey, hello” to your neighbor, your mail carrier, that one person you see on the bus every day but have never spoken to, even just a total stranger you pass on the sidewalk.
As we’ve become more isolated over the years, we’ve lost track of how positively an impact something as simple as the kind act of saying hey to others can have on our health, both individually and as a community. The idea that having “tunna band” or “thin connections” with others is more important to our mental health than we realize. Founder of the campaign, Asa Koski, says “These connections, she said, made people feel more acknowledged and secure in their communities, reduced the problem of involuntary loneliness, and made conflict with neighbors less likely. “