February's Neely Media newsletter highlights two stories rooted in Virginia Beach—one recognizing the people who shaped this land long before the city existed, and another exploring a local space built around movement, mindfulness, and community.
From Virginia Beach's Land Acknowledgement Ceremony to Studio Bamboo Institute of Yoga, this issue looks at how history, culture, wellness, and community continue to shape Hampton Roads.
In This Issue
• Feature Story: Honoring the First People of This Land
• Community Feature: Studio Bamboo Institute of Yoga — Strength, Balance & Growth
Honoring the First People of This Land
Virginia Beach Land Acknowledgement Ceremony | February 5, 2026
For centuries before the English landed at Cape Henry, the Chesepians lived along the coast of what is now Virginia Beach, hunting and fishing in the region's waterways and interacting with neighboring Indigenous communities.
Their history was recognized during a Land Acknowledgement Ceremony at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, where city officials, community members, and tribal leaders gathered as a plaque acknowledging the region's Indigenous peoples was unveiled.
The ceremony marked the culmination of a two-year effort involving the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission, city leaders, and representatives of Virginia tribes to research Indigenous history, build relationships, and bring greater recognition to a story that has often been overlooked.
Studio Bamboo: Strength, Balance & Growth
Studio Bamboo Institute of Yoga has created a welcoming Virginia Beach space where movement, mindfulness, and community come together.
Founded by Ann Stevens in 2009, Studio Bamboo offers programs ranging from beginner and restorative yoga to adaptive, prenatal, and youth classes. Its approach emphasizes more than physical exercise—creating opportunities for healing, longevity, connection, and personal growth.
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