Aaron Vega

Written by: Devon Farrell and Julia Accorsini

State Representative Aaron Vega is a Holyoke native playing a crucial part in the
revitalization of the city. He attended Holyoke Community College and transferred to Keene State where he graduated with dual bachelor degrees in film and psychology. It was during his final year of school that he began doing Yoga – a passion that he has continued his whole life. After interning for a summer with Ken Burns he took a full time position in New York City doing video editing work for the iconic filmmaker. While living in the city he met his wife, Debra, and after a number of years returned to Holyoke to escape the craziness of the Big Apple.

After returning to the city and working as substitute teacher and yoga instructor Aaron and Debra decided to open their own studio – Vega Yoga & Movement Arts. The couple knew that there was a demand for such a business in the growing artistic community with an increasingly young and progressive population. The studio “offers a variety of yoga, dance, meditation & movement arts classes for any age group and any skill level.”  Their strong rooted philosophy of “Yoga for the People” is testament to the community focus that Vega Yoga embodies as was Aaron’s assertion that “Making money is not our main goal.”

Vega Yoga is situated at 4 Open Square Way, a location that also emphasizes the businesses’ community focus. “Open Square is a living, growing, economically self sustaining mixed-use urban center.” The complex offers free heating, parking, and bathrooms to the 50+ businesses it houses and is the “largest zero net energy mixed-use development” in the country.

Moving forward Vega hopes in incorporate more technology into the operation. He hopes to update the company website and increase social media presence to promote the studio as well as to create online class options. He also continues to strive for a strong branding as a part of Holyoke, hoping to create new events and connections with other local businesses.

Outside of Vega Yoga Aaron is busy advocating for his city as a State Representative for the fifth Hampden district. He began his political career after seeing no significant action being taken to “change the conversation” of the once bustling town. As a State Representative Aaron places strong emphasis on small businesses and education, serving on the Joint Committees for Higher Education, and Economic Development in his first term. In his current term Rep. Vega is hoping to expand upon his work to promote small business as well as supporting the continued revitalization of the community. He is looking to improve healthcare in the city and work towards a solution to growing student debt.

Even while owning a business and serving as an elected official Aaron still finds time to volunteer and improve the community he cares so deeply for. He has served on various boards in the city including the Holyoke Health Center as well as the Homework House and the Connections Afterschool Program. His work has not gone unnoticed and in 2010 he was named one of the “40 under 40” by Business West magazine, an award to recognize “young business and civic leaders in Western Mass.”