Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Joy Schoeller.
Hi Melissa Joy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely. I’ve always been passionate about movement, travel, and building meaningful connection—and over the years, that passion naturally evolved into two businesses: Hola Yoga and Ritual Union Yoga Retreats.
Ritual Union began over a decade ago with just a few yoga retreats shared among friends. It’s since grown into a global wellness brand that’s hosted 75+ retreats around the world—from Costa Rica to Mallorca to Ireland. These experiences are about more than yoga—they’re about community, self-discovery, and stepping into something expansive.
Hola Yoga came later, born from the desire to bring that same retreat energy into everyday life. I opened our first studio in Minnetonka with the goal of creating a warm, inclusive space where people could move, connect, and feel at home. It’s grown into a vibrant local community—and now, I’m deep in the process of opening a second location in Uptown Minneapolis.
The new studio is a big project: a full buildout from the ground up, complete with city planning and health department approvals. It will feature a wellness bar serving superfood lattes, matchas, smoothies, and other nourishing options—designed to make it easy for people to care for themselves in body and spirit.
In late 2024, I rebranded both businesses after a very difficult (and very clarifying) business partner breakup. That chapter pushed me to create with full integrity—and to build something truly aligned with my values.
It’s been a wild ride, but every step has been worth it. Hola and Ritual Union continue to evolve, grounded in wellness and driven by community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges was navigating a very painful business partner breakup in 2024. It was unexpected, emotional, and forced a full rebrand of both Hola Yoga and Ritual Union. At the time, it felt like everything was unraveling—but in hindsight, it gave me a chance to rebuild from a place of clarity and full ownership. Both businesses are now stronger and more aligned with my vision.
Other challenges have included the realities of bootstrapping two businesses, managing tight budgets during buildouts, and figuring out how to grow while still protecting my energy and personal life. Right now, I’m in the thick of a major construction project for our second Hola Yoga location in Uptown Minneapolis, which includes a full wellness bar and requires navigating layers of permits, health codes, and city approvals.
Entrepreneurship isn’t linear. There have been setbacks, late nights, and moments of doubt—but also incredible breakthroughs, community wins, and deep purpose. I wouldn’t trade it.
We’ve been impressed with Hola Yoga + Ritual Union Retreats, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Hola Yoga and Ritual Union Retreats are sister brands rooted in movement, community, and meaningful connection.
Hola Yoga is a boutique studio in Minnetonka, MN (with a new location opening soon in Uptown Minneapolis). We offer yoga, Pilates, and functional strength classes in a welcoming space with a retreat-like vibe. We believe in less ego, more amigos—making wellness feel approachable, inclusive, and fun. Our studio is known for its strong sense of community, thoughtful class programming, and infrared-heated space that supports both sweat and soul.
Ritual Union is our global retreat brand—offering unforgettable wellness retreats in places like Costa Rica, Maui, Mallorca, Ireland, and more. Our experiences combine movement, adventure, deep rest, and connection. You don’t need to be a seasoned yogi or show up with a group—you are the ritual. These retreats are about showing up for yourself, just as you are, and leaving with more clarity, confidence, and community.
What sets us apart is our heart. We’re not here to perform or preach—we’re here to hold space, foster connection, and make people feel good in their bodies and their lives. Every class, every retreat, every offering is built around that intention.
After a full rebrand in 2024, both Hola and Ritual Union reflect exactly what I stand for: authenticity, adventure, inclusivity, and joy.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is dancing around the house while my dad played records from his epic collection. He raised me from a very young age, and music was always playing—those moments of drawing, moving, and just being immersed in the sound are etched into me. He passed away in January 2023 from Parkinson’s, and with the recent loss of Ozzy, I’ve been thinking about him a lot. They had a similar energy at the end—rockstar hair, all black everything, the tremors, and a deep, soulful love of music.
My grandpa was also a huge influence. We shared the same birthday and he gave me my middle name. He used to send handwritten notes from Florida and hide money in my pockets when he visited. One time I told him I wanted a pelican, and he made a little sign that said “Melissa Pelican,” propped it up next to real pelicans on the pier, took a photo, and mailed it to me. That kind of love and creativity left a mark.
And honestly—I was an entrepreneur from the start. I had my pink banana seat Huffy bike and a little “rock people” business where I’d create characters out of stones and sell them around the neighborhood. I didn’t know it then, but the seeds of Ritual Union and Hola Yoga were already being planted—creativity, connection, and the courage to do things differently.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ruyogaretreats.com/ & https://holayogamn.com/
- Instagram: @ruyogaretreats & @holayogamn
- Facebook: @ruyogaretreats & @holayoga
