Today we’d like to introduce you to Cagla Giray.
Hi Cagla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey to creating Su + Soul began from a very personal place. For over a decade, I’ve balanced demanding two jobs, leadership roles, and life transitions. Along the way, so many of us, especially high performers and busy professionals, were moving through life on autopilot, disconnected from our own inner rhythm and sense of community.
Yes, there are a plethora of spas, gyms, and clubs in the city. Yet, wellness often felt rushed,
transactional, or like another item on the checklist.
Su + Soul was born from this belief that wellness should feel like your soul is in motion. That fitness should not feel like a to-do list. And consistency grows when movement and community are in harmony.
I call the U.S. home, but I was born and raised in Turkey and shaped by experiences living across Europe, Jamaica, and South Africa. Everywhere I go, I’ve always been fascinated by how people adapt, adjust, and align. That curiosity led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Health and Human Development and build a career in global health communications and strategy, where I have seen the power of intentionality-how strategic shifts transform the way we communicate.
At the same time, movement became my own grounding force. Through yoga, Pilates, strength training, and mindfulness practices, I experienced firsthand how intentional movement could shift not only physical health, but also social and emotional well-being, creativity, and confidence.
Over time, I became deeply interested in the concept of “flow” — those moments when you feel fully present, aligned, energized, and connected to yourself. I realized that flow isn’t just something athletes or artists experience. It’s something we can intentionally cultivate through a magical combination of movement, mindset, and community. And in today’s fast-paced world, many people rush through that feeling.
That realization became the foundation of Su + Soul Studio. The word “Su” means water in Turkish, symbolizing the ability to move with life instead of constantly against it. I created Su + Soul to help people find their flow again, physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. My exclusive offerings blend the science of human development and nervous system regulation with intentional and functional movement.
Today, I lead private movement coaching, immersive wellness experiences, corporate wellness sessions and seminars, and community pop-ups that help people reconnect with themselves and others. Whether someone joins me for a rooftop flow, a sound bath, a movement coaching session, or a creative wellness experience, my goal is always the same: to help them step out of autopilot, feel more aligned in their bodies and lives, and create the conditions to reach their own version of flow state — both on and off the mat.
Learn more: https://www.susoulstudio.com/about
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a completely smooth road, but those challenges ultimately helped me and Su + Soul grow and glow!
One of the biggest struggles was learning how to merge different parts of my identity and career. I come from a Ph.D. and global health communications background, while also building a career in movement and wellness. For a long time, I felt pressure to choose between being “academic” or “creative,” “strategic” or “wellness-focused.” Building a brand that authentically blended science, movement, mindset, and community took time and confidence.
Like many entrepreneurs, I also experienced burnout, self-doubt, financial uncertainty, and the challenge of building a business while balancing a demanding full-time career. There were moments where I questioned whether people would understand the vision behind creating wellness experiences focused on connection, intentionality, and helping people truly slow down and reconnect with themselves.
At the same time, those struggles became the inspiration behind my work. They pushed me to study flow state, nervous system regulation, and sustainable wellness more deeply. I realized that finding your flow doesn’t mean life is always easy. It means learning how to move through challenges with more alignment, resilience, and self-awareness. That philosophy became the foundation of Su + Soul and the work I do today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Su + Soul Studio?
Su + Soul is a modern flow collective rooted in intentional movement, wellness, and human connection. We help people move with intention, build community, and find their flow through private movement coaching, curated wellness experiences, and corporate wellness seminars.
What sets Su + Soul apart is the blend of science and soul. My background includes a Ph.D. in Human Development alongside years of teaching movement and wellness, so every offering is designed to support not just physical strength, but also mindset, nervous system regulation, consistency, and connection.
We’re especially known for creating elevated and intentional wellness experiences that feel multidimensional and community-driven. From rooftop flows and sound baths to wellness socials and creative collaborations with luxury hotels, cafés, and lifestyle brands, our experiences are designed to help people step out of autopilot and reconnect with themselves and others.
What I’m most proud of is our exclusive wellness offerings for the local community and luxury partners. In a relatively short time, Su + Soul has partnered with organizations including The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Hotel Hive, Hotel AKA Alexandria, URBY, and many other wellness and lifestyle brands across the DMV area.
At its core, Su + Soul is about helping people create sustainable wellness rhythms that support real life. Whether someone joins us for coaching, a wellness event, or a workplace session, the goal is always the same: helping people feel stronger, more aligned, and more connected, on and off the mat.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Su + Soul is continuing to grow through intentional partnerships, wellness experiences, and movement coaching across the DMV area. We’re especially excited about our upcoming summer wellness experiences and collaborations designed to help people move, connect, and find their flow in community. Readers can explore upcoming experiences, coaching offerings, and events at our website and instagram page: https://www.susoulstudio.com/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.susoulstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susoulstudio/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/susoulstudio
