Solaris Yoga opens in Shoreham with puppy yoga fundraisers

A new wellness studio is set to add infrared hot yoga, Pilates and rescue puppy yoga to Shoreham’s Route 25A business strip. Solaris Yoga, at 99-25 Route 25A, will hold a grand opening and ribbon cutting Friday at 10 a.m. with Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner and owner Ina Visich.

In a village of just 561 people, the opening carries more weight than a routine storefront debut. Shoreham is an incorporated North Shore community where Route 25A functions as a major east-west corridor, and a new business there can quickly become part of the local rhythm, especially when it sits in such a visible location.

Visich has said the studio is meant to be more than a place to work out. The plan is to build connection, support and a sense of belonging through a schedule that includes yoga and Pilates classes for different fitness levels. That mix gives the studio a broader reach than a single-class boutique, particularly in a small community where residents tend to notice whether a business becomes part of daily life or only a novelty.

The programming also reflects where the wellness market is headed. Pilates is widely used because it can be customized for different ages and fitness levels, while hot yoga remains a trend-driven draw even as medical reviews continue to study its benefits. By pairing both with infrared hot yoga, Solaris is positioning itself at the intersection of exercise, lifestyle and the kind of specialized fitness offerings that have spread across Long Island’s North Shore.

The rescue puppy yoga component adds a different economic and civic angle. Solaris plans recurring fundraisers for local animal rescue organizations, giving the studio a role beyond fitness classes and placing it alongside a growing number of Long Island events that mix wellness with charitable outreach. That kind of programming can help a small business build repeat traffic while also giving local rescues another way to raise money and attention.

The opening also fits Brookhaven’s broader small-business strategy. Town economic-development materials say the goal is to build Brookhaven as a home for many businesses, and the town has framed Route 25A planning around smart growth and small business development. Bonner’s presence at the ribbon cutting reflects that approach, since she has been active in northeastern Brookhaven for decades and has been involved in Route 25A corridor development.

For Shoreham, Solaris Yoga is not just another storefront with a ribbon at the door. It is a sign that wellness, neighborhood identity and local fundraising are increasingly being woven into the same small-business economy.