Founding
Meditation Bar opened in the Fall of 2015 after it’s founders, Cathy Bonner, Lauren Foreman, Joene Grissom, and Leslie Strickler, had all experienced the many positive effects of meditation in their own lives. Cathy Bonner says “We started Meditation Bar because we believe meditation is for everyone who needs it and we believe everyone needs it.”
Meditation Bar Founders Lauren Foreman, Cathy Bonner, Leslie Strickler, and Joene Grissom
Change
Josh Walpole entered Meditation Bar as a student, where he developed a consistent mindfulness practice, and “transformed his life.” Josh soon trained to lead meditation himself and taught classes and managed the studio before taking over as owner/operator in 2018. He committed to carry on the vision of the Meditation Bar’s founders, and to continued to share the gifts given to him with his family, friends, and his community.
Now
It was a big surprise to everyone when Josh Walpole announced that he and his family were moving to California in the Spring of 2019. Josh was sad to leave the Meditation Bar community, but exciting opportunities opened up in San Francisco for the Walpole family, and Josh handed the reins over to Tracy Sage King, who had been a member of the Meditation Bar team since 2018.
Tracy is as committed to sharing meditation as all of the previous owners and has the background to lead the business through change and growth. She has taught adults for more than twenty years and has been leading meditation and inner inquiry for more than six. Tracy has an extensive business background in the industry. She is the former owner of The Rhythm Studio, a yoga and dance studio in Cedar Park, former marketing director and a dance teacher in Rice University’s dance department, and has worked in accounting and management in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Tracy holds a BA in English from University of Texas at San Antonio and an MBA from University of Houston.
It is Tracy’s goal to continue to develop Meditation Bar’s programs and offerings so that Meditation Bar can be here for the long-term, helping the most people. She knows she builds on the solid foundation of Meditation Bar’s lineage and is forever grateful to Lauren Foreman, Cathy Bonner, Leslie Strickler, Joene Grissom, and Josh Walpole for their expertise and heart-centered management.