Two sisters, one soul tie.

After most yoga classes, participants roll up their mats and quietly carry on with their day. But two sisters are changing that for Tampa Bay. Co-founders Molly and Madeleine Cutcliff have built Soul Ties around a simple idea: yoga as the anchor, community as the destination. From DJ flow sets to farm retreats to sunrise vinyasa on the beach, every event is designed around good energy and great company. 

We talked with the sisters of Soul Ties, about what drew them to this idea, how they design their events to feel immersive and intentional, and what’s next for their growing community.

Q & A with Molly & Madeleine Cutcliff, Co-founders of Soul Ties 

Co-founders and sisters Molly & Madeleine Cutcliff

1. Take us back to the beginning. What drove you to create this community, and why did you name it “Soul Ties”?

We’re sisters and have always been best friends, and we’ve always felt most like ourselves when we’re together. That bond is the foundation of everything.

We found ourselves constantly searching for local events, wanting to meet new people and make real connections, and realizing how hard that can be in a world that’s so digitally connected. We were craving unique, creative experiences that felt good to be part of, where you could actually meet people IRL and spend your time in a way that felt meaningful.

That’s what led us to create something of our own. 

Experiences that feel intentional from start to finish, from the flow to the space to the overall energy, and that people want to keep coming back to. That experience really shaped what we built, because we were creating something we were looking for ourselves.

The name Soul Ties just felt like exactly what we were trying to create. It put a name to a kind of connection that goes beyond surface level and that we hope people can find in our community!

2. You’ve held a range of events, from DJ flow sets to vision board parties to a morning of arts and crafts on a farm. What have been some of your favorite events you’ve hosted, and were there any moments that stood out to you?

Ahhh it’s SO hard to choose!

Our mini retreat at Flora Groves Farm was one of the events that really stayed with us. It was a smaller group, and somehow everyone just opened up so naturally – we were journaling, sharing, laughing, and by the end it didn’t feel like strangers at all. It felt like community. 

That was one of our first events, and those same girls still show up for us, which means everything. It was the moment we realized this is something really special, and why we’re so drawn to creating more retreats in the future!

Honorable mention to our sunset beach flows!! There’s nothing like flowing while the sky changes colors. We always end by running into the ocean together, and it’s one of those moments where you step back and see people laughing, talking to someone new, and just letting go. That’s when we look at each other and know this is why we do this.

Retreat at Floral Groves Farm 

3. What do you want someone to feel walking away from a Soul Ties event that they might not find at a traditional yoga studio?

We’ve noticed that a lot of the time after a class ends, people naturally just scurry out and go back to their day. We wanted to create something that gives people a reason to stay, connect, and actually be present with each other. 

We put a lot of thought into every event, from the concept to the space to the flow itself. Everything is intentionally designed to feel immersive, unique, and to build community. The class acts as the anchor that brings everyone together.

Honoring the lineage and roots of yoga is deeply important to us, and so is making it feel approachable. A lot of our community is newer to yoga, so we are intentional about creating an environment where people can step into the practice, understand what they are doing, and not feel intimidated.

We want people to leave feeling like they came for the class but stayed for everything else, the energy in the room, the people around them, and the overall experience.

4. What goes into curating your gift bags, and how does your community interact with them at events?

We love being able to provide our guests with products we genuinely use and love. Our gift bags are a mix of gifted brand products that we thoughtfully select. They add to the overall experience and value of the ticket, while also serving as an organic touchpoint for brands to get their products into the hands of our community – a win-win! Our favorite extra to include is our red tie bracelet. It represents connection and acts as a small reminder of the community we’re building.

5. What’s on the horizon for Soul Ties that you’re most excited about – any events, collaborations, or directions you’re looking to grow into?

Our long-term goal has always been to open our own brick-and-mortar studio. We dream of creating a space we truly feel is missing in Tampa, something we’ve always wished existed, and a place for the community we’ve built to have a home. At the same time, we’ve seen how much our community values unique, experience-led events outside of a traditional studio setting, and we love having the creative freedom to bring those to life in unexpected spaces. That balance between creating a physical space and continuing to build immersive, one-of-a-kind experiences is something we’re really excited to evolve. We’re also looking forward to expanding into new cities and bringing that same energy and sense of community to new places as we grow!

Follow @soultiesyoga on Instagram for updates on their upcoming events in Tampa, such as their Earth Day Vinyasa + Vibrations event on April 22nd.