On an August morning in Denver, Colorado’s RiNo neighborhood, my sister and I walked into Upswell’s newest studio expecting an everyday yoga class. To our pleasant surprise, the mats and props were already laid out for us, and Jordan Baggot, our teacher, greeted us with warmth that immediately put us at ease. She guided us through a vinyasa flow with thoughtful, creative sequencing and juicy adjustments that left me more grounded than I’d felt in weeks.

The studio is still finding its footing, but there was something refreshing about that quiet, unpolished intimacy of being the only two students in class. Without a packed room or fast pace, I was able to drop into my body and reconnect with the kind of yoga that first drew me to the practice — one that feels deeply personal.

Photos courtesy of Upswell

After class we moved through Upswell’s suite of recovery modalities. The staff were clearly educated on both the benefits of each practice and how to move through them, which made the experience feel seamless and supportive — and everything was spotless, which as a neat-freak I pay close attention to.

We started with compression boots and a PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) mat, which uses low-frequency electromagnetic waves to support circulation and ease the body into stillness. From there, we stepped into the infrared sauna with red light therapy, letting the steady warmth work from the inside out. Next came the cold plunge, a bracing immersion that delivered an instant surge of clarity, followed by the barrel sauna’s deep, dry heat to soften lingering tension. I finished with one last cold plunge, finally making it to just 30 seconds in the water, leaving on an energized note that carried me through the rest of the day.

By the time I left, I felt balanced in a way that no single yoga class, run or massage had ever left me before. It wasn’t just about movement or stillness, effort or ease — it was about how each piece fit together. The layering of modalities turned wellness into a full-spectrum practice, one that reminded me how important it is to step away from daily distractions and actually give my body time to recover.

That’s the vision of Upswell, founded by Heather Holland, former COO of CorePower Yoga. What began as outdoor classes in Denver parks during the pandemic has evolved into a trio of neighborhood wellness clubs — in South Broadway, Central Park and now RiNo — that blend mindful movement, active recovery and community connection. “We’ve reimagined boutique fitness at Upswell to be simple, feel-good wellness without judgment or expectations,” Holland says. “We hope our members find joy in movement, growth in stillness and a sense of belonging.”

In RiNo, the space functions as a kind of “third place” — not home, not work, but somewhere to move, recover and connect. Classes range from restorative yoga and gentle flow to power vinyasa and Pilates-inspired movement. The recovery wing expands the definition of practice, making it easy to pair yoga with contrast therapy, sound baths or time in the sauna. You use an app to book the sessions.

For me, that morning at Upswell was an invitation to approach wellness differently. To realize that balance isn’t something you chase — it’s something you create, one breath, one plunge, one quiet moment at a time.

Lexi Marshall
Managing Editor
@lexi_marsha11 | lexireich.com