In April 2018 Julie Afsahi and Sepideh Jafari opened Soul Strong Yoga: a one-room yoga studio on West Main Street in Round Rock. The business was split between two locations before relocating to their current 4,500-square-foot yoga center and meditation space on South Lewis Street in 2023.

What they offer

Soul Strong Yoga has a multitude of classes available. The business offers morning and afternoon yoga classes, prenatal yoga, meditation, pilates, barre, power yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Yin yoga, a monthly free yoga nidra class and more. Monthly memberships range from $119-$159 and drop-in classes are available for $29 each.

A closer look

Yoga teacher Jessica Cross has been a part of the studio’s journey since the very beginning. Cross said in the midst of the daily life obstacles, yoga serves as a space for individuals to learn small ways to support themselves through these struggles.


“It's kind of hard to be a human these days. Life isn't easy, and we find ourselves depleted in terms of not only our physical fitness, but also our emotional and community connection is sometimes diminished and we tend to put ourselves last,” Cross said.

Staying local

In addition to their everyday operations, the business is involved with the community and often hosts events supporting local groups. The studio’s most recent events raised funds for Round Rock Pride and the Williamson County Animal Shelter.

The takeaway


Cross said it’s important to create an inclusive environment for all people interested in taking a course. She said the unique factor reflected in Soul Strong Yoga is the sense of empowerment the business hopes to instill in every participant.

“I think that’s one of the things that’s most empowering about being here is you really get to be yourself. We welcome everybody and want people to know that we’re here to support them no matter their level of practice—they feel fully in control of their experience, and that they also feel even just 1% better when they leave,” Cross said.