Originally published in the Winter + Spring 2019-2020 issue.
A Fort Collins couple is bringing meditation to the masses via a meditation studio on wheels.
Sarah and Tate McTate are the owners of the Meditation Station, a 192-square-foot, solar-powered mobile meditation studio meant to be a safe place for people to disconnect from the stresses of the world. The studio got rolling in May with a simple mission: help make meditation and mindfulness a part of everyday life in Fort Collins and beyond.
Drawn to Colorado’s laid-back vibe and proximity to nature, the McTates moved with their two young daughters from North Carolina to Fort Collins in 2017. They didn’t know a soul. Sarah credits meditation with calming her anxieties and lowering her stress level.
“It’s all still a practice. I’ll learn from it for the rest of my life, but the insights I gained in such a short time made me want to share this with others,” she says.
Likewise, Tate relies on meditation to reduce his stress and help him to be more present. He’s a Wim Hoff practitioner, which includes breath work, focus/meditation techniques and gradual exposure to the cold.
So far the response to the studio has been overwhelmingly positive, Sarah says.
“People love the idea; people are anxious to learn that you can have the meditation without all the mysticism. A lot of people want to take the first step and try it, but they’re intimidated. We’re hoping this can be that bridge between the first step and something that can change them for the better.”
Working with a local custom tiny home-builder, construction on the studio started in February and finished up in May.
“We really tried to work with all Colorado vendors,” Sarah says.
A Fort Collins business handmade the malas; Denver-based Olive & Oldes crafted the beautiful meditation cushions visitors sit upon; a Greeley-based company developed the battery-powered solar panel system; a Boulder branding company created the color scheme for the studio as well as the logo.
“We wanted a sustainable studio that was calm and inviting where people could feel comfortable spending time with themselves,” shares Sarah.
Mission accomplished. Double doors on one end of the studio swing open wide, revealing a calm, welcoming entry space where visitors exchange their shoes and cellphone for a centering crystal. The main area can be divided into six separate meditation pods or opened into one area.
For now the studio is business-to-business focused, targeting businesses that want to rent the Meditation Station for employees to unwind in, or for benefits or events. Additionally, they envision setting up at large regional music events where organizers could use the Meditation Station as an extension of their green room for artists, Sarah says. Recently, Arise Music Festival expressed interest in having the Meditation Station at the festival for artists to relax and meditate in throughout the festival.
“Events can be overwhelming. We want to be that space to retreat and recharge so [people] can fully enjoy and maximize their time at the event,” Sarah explains.
Meditation has proved to be a powerful force in the McTates’ lives and they’re excited to share it with others.
“Stripping aside any religious aspect or mysticism, we look at meditation as techniques, tools and methods to help you relieve stress and feel better in your own skin,” Tate says. “We’re not trying to be gurus; we’re just trying to create space and share how this helps us and continues to help us each day.”
Photos courtesy of Meditation Station.
As the owner of SkyWrite Communications & Content, CARAMIE PETROWSKY crafts messages that resonate. She spent 12 years working as a journalist, including eight as the Vail Daily A&E Editor, before starting her own company, which focuses on strategic content creation and public relations. 
