Tara Gardner and Nicole Crudele are an aunt and niece duo who are South Jersey natives.  It is their love for healthy eating and exercise that has brought them to this stage in their lives and the creation of Luna Soul & Bowls. 

 

Nicole Crudele found yoga in 2013 and it has changed her life and health tremendously. “I didn’t know that yoga and taking care of myself could help me heal in such a profound way.”   In 2016-2017 Nicole became a 250hr Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) but that is not her only certification.  Nicole also has a 200hr Iyengar Yoga certification, 50hr Aerial Yoga certification, 300 hr LYT yoga certification and is a member of the RYT-Yoga Alliance.  She teaches a variety of different styles of yoga, specializing in Aerial Yoga, all of which are offered at Luna Soul & Bowls.

 

Tara Gardner, a Teacher of the Deaf for 29 years in Vineland, always wanted to open a business in Upper Township but wasn’t sure what kind.  Her answer came while vacationing in North Carolina with her family. She tried an açaí bowl for the first time and that sparked her obsession.  

 

After doing the research, Tara realized that she not only enjoyed making and eating the different bowl creations for her family at home but that the açaí berry is full of 16 different antioxidants, making it an obvious healthier choice for a meal.  And it was that kind of healthy eating that she wanted to bring to the area. “When my 7-year-old starting asking for an açaí smoothie, I knew I had found something. There are a few places that offer bowls in Upper, but not one store that specializes in JUST the açaí bowl creation. We are that store.” 

 

Knowing that it was Nicole’s dream to one day open her own yoga studio, Tara approached her in May with the idea.  “I wasn’t sure if I was ready to take that leap, but knew in my heart this was a chance for us to build and offer something extremely special to the cOMmUNITY here and decided I couldn’t say no.”

 

Hence our mission statement:

 

Here at Luna Souls & Bowls, we offer something for every phase of your life.  We exist to bring the cOMmUNITY peace, love, and nourishment through movement of the body and providing wholesome foods. We provide a safe place for you to be your most creative, authentic self.  At Luna Soul & Bowls, everyone and everyBODY are welcomed and encouraged to join! 

Tara and Nicole are very particular about the vibe they want for the studio.  So they, along with some friends and family members, have put endless hours into rehabbing the two store-fronts in between  Guiseppe's restaurant and Moonlight Tattoo on Route 50. “Many people have stopped in only to find us covered in paint, insulation, and sweat,” said Nicole.  “It’s a labor of love, and we couldn’t be more grateful for all the support and excitement the community is showing us.”

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Tara Gardner lives in Upper with her husband Joe and two beautiful children, Sara and Gavin.  She is very involved in numerous activities and clubs. She is passionate about eating healthy, wholesome foods in everyday life, and it shows through the way she takes care of herself and her family and now she wants to offer that to the community.

 

Nicole Crudele just completed aroma therapy school and is now a certified aromatherapist. She not only is conscious about what she puts in her body but what she puts ON her body.  Natural Creations by Nicole is her other passion.  Nicole makes organic, non-toxic, chemical-free, natural aromatherapy and skincare. These products are a healthy alternative to healing your body naturally and will also be available at Luna Soul & Bowls.

 

We hope you will give yoga and our products a chance.  Some people may be nervous about trying something new. “In the past, I have been referred to as a reluctant yogi," said Tara.  I have always enjoyed exercise but never quite fell in love with yoga...until I took a class with Nicole.  She has a very special way of making you feel totally comfortable with your movement, your body, and your mind.  It’s nice to escape the realities of life and focus on myself for those 45 minutes.”

 

Tara and Nicole came up with the name Luna Soul & Bowls with the hope of connecting our dreams with every person who enters our studio.  Just like the moon, our souls go through different phases. “Our studio doesn’t fit just one type of person, said Nicole. We are here to support every “phase” of your life physically, spiritually and mentally.”

 

Come on in and give us a try.  You have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain!