A Restaurateur Finds Therapeutic Via Meals, Motion, and Group 

For Estelle Bellegy, wellness has more and more develop into about nourishing the physique in other ways — first by meals, then by motion and, extra just lately, by the expertise of confronting her personal well being. 

Bellegy and enterprise companion Benjamin Amsallem constructed Café Bastille round the concept meals, hospitality and group might be a part of an on a regular basis ritual. The pair, who beforehand labored in hospitality, opened the unique Café Bastille in Downtown Miami after recognizing a niche available in the market for a restaurant that celebrates brunch all through the week. 

“We needed to have the ability to get pleasure from an ideal brunch on a Tuesday, not simply on the weekends,” Bellegy says. 

Through the years, Café Bastille has developed alongside its prospects. Its Parisian café tradition menu has developed to supply a Acutely aware Shift menu that brings extra conscious and more healthy choices to the plate. 

The idea has grown as properly. A Fort Lauderdale location opened in November 2023, adopted by cafés in Miami Seashore and Weston. Bellegy and Amsallem hope so as to add two extra South Florida areas subsequent 12 months. 

As Café Bastille expanded, Bellegy discovered herself in search of one other solution to method wellness. 

Maison Yoga started as a ardour venture and inventive outlet following the depth of opening a number of eating places. The Downtown Miami studio would complement Café Bastille with motion and different practices designed to look after the physique and thoughts. 

Then Bellegy was identified with breast most cancers. That analysis reworked what had begun as a wellness enterprise into one thing much more private. 

“I noticed I didn’t simply need to create one other wellness studio,” she says. “I needed to create an area the place everybody might really feel welcome and linked, no matter age, gender, or expertise degree.” 

Maison Yoga incorporates yoga, breathwork, sound and chilly plunge experiences, permitting folks to search out the practices that work for them. However Bellegy’s personal journey has additionally made group a necessary a part of the idea. 

Her expertise confirmed her how essential human connection will be throughout troublesome moments. She now hopes Maison Yoga can develop into a spot the place most cancers survivors discover each other and really feel supported, whereas welcoming anybody searching for motion, wellness, or group. 

“In the end, my analysis gave the house a deeper objective,” Bellegy says. “Maison Yoga is about greater than motion; it’s about connection, wellness, and making a group the place folks really feel supported.” 

For Bellegy, the 2 companies could seem totally different, however are linked to the identical mission: feeding the physique and soul not solely means good meals and day by day motion — it additionally takes a group of caring people that can assist you alongside your journey.