On the Johnson family farm, history isn’t just buried in the soil; it’s built into the rafters. Since 1905, this land has seen generations of growth, but its newest harvest isn’t corn or soybeans—it’s wellness, community, and restoration.
Lisa Johnson, a longtime hairstylist turned fitness expert, is preparing to open the doors to The BIN Movement Studio, which serves as the culmination of a life-changing personal journey and a massive architectural project.
For Johnson, the path to opening her own studio began with a personal transformation. After embarking on a health journey that saw her shed over 120 pounds, that experience shifted her entire perspective on physical activity. “Exercise is not meant to be a punishment,” Johnson says, reflecting on her path from running marathons to graduating in 2010 with a degree in Exercise Science and Gerontology.
Following a decade owning the St. Clair Fitness Center and serving as a wellness coordinator at the YMCA and Vine, the Summer of 2025 brought a turning point. As she transitioned from full-time employment, friends suggested she finally create a space of her own. The inspiration was closer than she realized. On the farm she shares with her husband, Mike, sat an old granary that had once been a chicken coop before relegated to a storage unit of rusting machinery and family heirlooms. It was the perfect size for a studio, but the project soon expanded to include materials from the farm’s original 125-year-old barn.
The reconstruction of the space became a labor of love, starting with a conversation around the Thanksgiving table. With the help of Tony Tarjeson—a local contractor—, the Johnsons set out to honor the heritage of the land while creating a safe, modern space.
The process was not without its hurdles. The original barn, dating back to the early 1900s, had a failing foundation that posed a safety risk to the Johnson grandchildren. “It was hard to see the barn be torn down; it carries so much history,” Johnson shared. However, the “bones” of that history now live on in the studio. The red barn boards were salvaged to create a stunning reclaimed ceiling, and the original beams remain visible, maintaining a rustic, sturdy aesthetic. Even the discarded elements tell a story: during the teardown, the family discovered the signatures of Bert and Paul, the original painters who worked on the family barn back in 1956.
Today, the studio features limestone from the original foundation used in landscaping, stained glass windows, and vintage touches like a church pew and a repurposed mechanics rack for storage.
The name “The BIN” is a nod to the building’s agricultural roots, but Johnson sees it as a metaphor for personal growth. “We want this to be a grounding practice,” she explained. “Being able to grow and flourish as crops would. We want people to harvest their own strength.”
The studio will offer a diverse range of classes designed to be accessible and adaptable. From 45-minute Vinyasa flows and strength training to slow-paced restorative sessions intended to provide an “hour of peace in a stressful world,” there is something for every body. Johnson is also collaborating with other local instructors, such as Laurie Thorstad, who teaches “Pound Fit” as potential classes at The Bin.
While the studio is currently working on adding a ramp for full accessibility, and layer upon layer of gravel to create a smoother parking lot of patrons, Johnson is already looking toward the future, with plans for nature walks and outdoor yoga to take advantage of the farm’s breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
The community is invited to explore the new space, meet Johnson, and enjoy refreshments during a two-part Grand Opening weekend:
- Friday, March 27: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday, March 28: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Following the celebration, a schedule of free introductory classes will be posted on the studio’s website and Facebook page.
For Johnson, The Bin Movement Studio is more than a business—it’s a blessing supported by her family and her husband, Mike. “It’s been fun to watch him get excited as the building changed from what it was to what it is now,” she says.
As the music begins to play through the newly installed speakers and the sun hits the stained glass, a century-old farm begins its most restorative chapter yet.
