The Aux Wellness Collective

11/20/2025

Meet L’Oreal Thompson Payton — our certified yoga & meditation instructor whose work is an invitation back to yourself.

L’Oreal believes wellness isn’t just what happens on the mat — it’s a sacred practice of returning home to your body, your breath, and your inner wisdom. Her classes blend mindful movement, intentional breathwork, and gentle self-inquiry to create a space where rest is honored, reflection is encouraged, and radical self-compassion is always the assignment.

Her wellness philosophy?
🧘🏾‍♀️ Rest is resistance.
💗 Softness is strength.
🌱 Healing is a lifelong journey — especially for Black women and femmes.

Whether she’s guiding a slow, soulful R&B Yoga flow or holding space in a restorative session, L’Oreal’s goal is simple: to remind you that you are already whole. No fixing. No performing. Just being.

And when she’s not leading grounding practices at The Aux Wellness Collective, she’s pouring love into community as the owner of bookstore — a cozy, intentional space rooted in joy, storytelling, and care.

Come breathe, move, and grow with L’Oreal every Thursday at 7:30p for R&B yoga. Your body will thank you.

11/19/2025

Meet Jocelyn Davis — dancer, fitness powerhouse, and a true embodiment of resilience, strength, and determination.

A Virginia native turned Evanston entrepreneur, Jocelyn made her mark when she founded the Akemi Fitness Method, a vibrant downtown studio that energized the North Shore for eight incredible years. Her passion and grit opened doors far and wide — from teaching fitness to the talented staff at The Oprah Show–Harpo Studios for over five seasons, to being featured in Time Out Chicago, Yoga Journal, and sharing her love of movement on NBC5 and WGN.

With 20+ years of dance and fitness expertise, Jocelyn continues to evolve. She recently completed her MBA at National Louis University and is stepping into a new chapter rooted in purpose, community, and wellness.
And now… she’s bringing all that brilliance to The Aux Wellness Collective.

Get ready for high-energy movement, motivation you can feel, and classes that empower you from the inside out.
We’re so excited to shine with you! Join Jocelyn:
Wednesdays at 6:30p - Chair Dance
Saturdays at 9:00a - HIIT It & Quit It
Saturdays at 10a - Affirmations & Extensions

11/18/2025

Meet Destini Brown, E-RYT 200 — the peaceful, grounded, joy-filled soul behind .

As a Yoga & Meditation Instructor, Destini creates spaces that feel inclusive, intentional, and deeply supportive. Her classes invite you to slow down, reconnect, and return to yourself with compassion.

Her wellness philosophy is that it’s all about cultivating a life rooted in peace, emotional resilience, and intentional simplicity. She embraces movement, creativity, and gratitude as pathways to a serene and vibrant existence — and she brings that same energy to every class she leads.

And another thing, she is through and through. While she wasn’t born here, her roots run deep in this community. And when she’s not guiding you through grounding breathwork or adaptable yoga flows, she’s creating art. Find her work on IG: .destini

Join Destini for a practice that welcomes every body, honors every journey, and leaves you feeling held, centered, and connected every Tuesday at 7:30pm. 💛🧘🏾‍♀️

11/17/2025

Meet Shanequa Taylor, aka — the energy, intention, and empowerment behind one of your favorite classes at The Aux Wellness Collective, BeatBody.

As a Group Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer, Shanequa brings more than workouts… she brings transformation.
Her philosophy? Movement should shape your mind just as much as your body. Fitness isn’t just reps and routines — it’s confidence, self-discovery, and a path to true self-empowerment.

With a B.S. in Exercise Science and an M.S. in Kinesiology, she blends science, experience, and heart. She’s lived through both her healthiest and her hardest seasons, and she knows what it feels like to fall out of rhythm — and how powerful it is to find your way back.

Shay’s mission is simple:
- help you stay engaged
- find your rhythm
- and build a stronger mindset that leads to lasting change

If you’re ready for fun, upbeat classes that challenge you and lift you up from the inside out, Shay’s your girl. Tap in and let the journey shape you. Shay’s BeatBody class is Monday and Wednesday at 5pm!

10/31/2025

New class alert!

Get ready to flip your hair, feel yourself, and have so much fun while breaking a sweat! Chair Dance is coming to The Aux Wellness Collective beginning Nov. 5th!🔥

No dance experience needed—just bring your confidence (or come find it here 🥰) so grab your spot and let’s move!

🗓 Wednesdays | 6:30PM
📍 The Aux Wellness Collective

10/28/2025

New in November at The Aux Wellness Collective!

Find your flow and balance with our beginner Tai Chi & Qi Gong class, starting Tuesday, November 4th at 5PM.
Learn from Sifu Stephen, a 6th Dan instructor with over 25 years of experience in Traditional Chinese Martial Arts.

Drop in for $20 or grab a 5-class pack for $75!
Join us as we move, breathe, and restore together.

📍The Aux Wellness Collective
2223 Washington St
Evanston

10/02/2025

✨ Black Girl Day Off ✨
Sis, this one’s for YOU. Take a pause, breathe deep, and pour back into yourself with gentle stretches + powerful affirmations in a safe and affirming space.

🗓 Saturday, Oct 11th @ 9:30am
📍 2223 Washington St, Evanston
💫 FREE! Light bites, raffles, gift bags & more.

Led by Jocelyn Davis, this morning is all about affirmations, full body extensions, and replenishing your spirit.

Tag your girls, we’ll bring the mats, and come take the break you deserve!

09/05/2025

Tomorrow morning!

09/02/2025

September at The Aux Wellness Collective is packed with movement, music, books, family, and community!

We are kicking off the festivities this Friday, September 5th, by bringing back the Roots & Rhythm Line Dance Classes – select Fridays, 6–8PM.

Then, Saturday, September 6th, we will be celebrating the soft opening of bookstore from 11a-5p.

If that’s not enough, Sunday, September 7th, is hosting a Community Drum Circle – at 1PM. All ages welcome, no experience needed. Let’s make music together!

But wait; there’s more! On Friday, September 12th AWC is holding our first family yoga session at 6p. Grab your kiddo(s) and join us.

Then, are you a poet or enjoy poetry? Join for their 3rd annual Birth and….Monologues at 1p.

Finally, now that summer is winding down and schedules are getting back to normal, keep (or start) your wellness journey going with weekly fitness + yoga classes all month long – from Beat Body to Afrobeat Fusion to R&B Yoga Flow.

📍 All events are at The Aux, 2223 Washington St, Evanston in The Aux Wellness Collective.

📲 Scan the QR codes on the flyers or DM the tagged pages to sign up. Let’s move, connect, and grow this September at AWC!

08/25/2025

Come out this Wednesday, August 27th at 10am!

Free wellness programs for those 55+!