First Look: A Tulum-Inspired Yoga Studio is Coming to Little River

Little River will soon add a new wellness destination to its growing list of tenants. AJ Capital Partners, the developers behind two of the area's culinary hotspots, Sunny's Steakhouse and Ogawa, have announced the forthcoming opening of Wild Thing, a jungle-inspired yoga studio which will open in the neighborhood this spring.

Named after a gravity-defying yoga pose, Wild Thing's offerings will include hot yoga, breathwork, sound healing, and other niche movement classes. The 2,500-square-foot studio will be located at 162 NW 73rd St., in the old Rosie's space, and will feature outdoor showers, front and back gardens, and a cold plunge.

"We all know Miami is big on fitness," says Alejandra Barraza, co-founder of Wild Thing. "People here love to go hard, do more, push limits, and look amazing in the process. But people often forget about the importance of stillness. I wanted to create a space that wasn't just another [place to] work out, but a place where people can unplug, reset, and actually breathe. They can come in, take a class, hang out for a bit after, meet new people, and really just exist without rushing to the next thing."

Barraza, who was born in Mexico, says she was drawn to the neighborhood because it is both accessible to locals and also tucked away enough to feel like a retreat from the city. The interiors will include a mix of earthy textures and plants as a nod to the all-natural design popular around Tulum, where she spent several years teaching yoga.
"One of the big things that fascinates me about Tulum is that it's this hub of wellness right in the middle of a huge party scene, and Miami is the same way," she says. "There are tons of talented instructors, an incredible wellness community, but also a city that never stops."

Over the last year, Little River has received increasing national attention for its growing number of creative, lifestyle, and culinary options, with some outlets calling it the city's next "up-and-coming" neighborhood and even one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world. Some locals have pushed back, warning the recent attention on Little River — once mainly a residential and industrial complex (there is still a functioning dairy plant within its boundaries) — echoes the same rapid gentrification trend Wynwood experienced in the early aughts. In fact, several art galleries and studios fled to Little River after Wynwood became too expensive.

Wild Thing has not yet announced an exact opening date, but the studio expects to open this spring. The space will celebrate its launch with a series of pre-opening events with sustainability-focused partners. Wild Thing will also offer discounts to founding members and special perks for early adopters.

Wild Thing. 162 NW 73rd St., Miami. wildthingyoga.com.