They say that the way that you spend New Year’s Day is the way that you’ll spend they year. Well, if that’s true, 2012 is going to be the year that I learn to breathe with yoga!
This morning (ok, it was noon, but on New Year’s Day, noon is still morning, right?) I went with Kim, her husband, and my sister to Kim’s yoga studio, aptly named Breathe. They were having a New Year’s Day/1st Anniversary special – free yoga all day. I hadn’t been to the studio before, and I have to say, I really loved it there. It’s not as large as the studio I normally go to, but there’s something very comforting and peaceful about this space.
The front desk area - very warm & welcoming
A blurry photo of the tea house sign. I love that they have this option for a pre or post session cup of tea.
A shot of the store and decor. If you look to the left, you can see a class.
The wall of buddhas.
My favorite thing - by far - was this waterfall wall with the word "breathe" in all the different languages of the world. From Sanskrit to Italian and everything in between.
The best part of the day, though, was the Yoga Basics class taught by Su Wong. Su was an amazing teacher – very knowledgeable, but also very lighthearted and playful in her teaching style. She was excellent about demonstrating the poses and then walking around and slightly adjusting the students as she saw we needed it. She kept reminding us to be grateful for the way that our bodies could move, and she kept reminding us not to take it all so seriously. She repeated “let go” throughout the class, which was an excellent way for me to begin the new year living my mantra of release. Sometimes things work out so perfectly that you know they just can’t be an accident – they’re absolutely meant to be.
I left the class feeling uplifted, refreshed, and so energetic. All the little kinks from the week’s workouts had been worked out, and I was ready to tackle the rest of the day, which consisted of a light lunch, a long walk with Sofi, and now some quiet time writing and listening to Buddha Bar Rebirth & Rejoice. I bought these CDs back in 2004 and used to listen to them all the time, and then sort of forgot about them, so it’s been nice to rediscover them today. They definitely have the calm, world music, electronic vibe. Later tonight I plan on taking a long, luxurious bath, because I want to make that a weekly habit on Sunday evenings as a way of ending the weekend and beginning the new week.
To continue this yoga practice, one of my friends saw my post about going to Breathe today and let me know that next weekend my favorite studio, YogaSource, is offering free classes both days. The studio is moving to new, 10,000 square foot space, and I can’t wait to check it out. I’ve signed up for yin yoga on Saturday (after Zumba, I figured a little peace and spirtuality would be nice) and then Bikram on Sunday. I’m so glad I’m able to take advantage of another weekend of free yoga classes.
I also plan to take advantage of the fact that my local Lululemon store offers free yoga on Sunday mornings at 9:30am. I think that sounds like a great new habit for 2012. In the summer they take the yoga outside, which sounds fantastic.
I wish yoga wasn’t so expensive. In my area, a monthly membership is well over $80 (limited sessions) and closer to $115/mo for unlimited. That’s just not in my budget. But with as many yoga studios as I have in my vicinity, I could probably spend the next year paying very little by just taking part in these intro deals every month or so. That way, I can check out all of the studios I’m likely to go to and figure out which one I like the best. Once I do that, I plan to buy some class packages, which helps me save a bit on the drop-in cost, and allows me to take my favorite class – Bikram – more often.
I think that 2012 is going to be the year that I explore my inner yogini even more! And by doing so, it will also be the year that I’m finally able to fit into some Lululemon yoga clothes. Namaste!!
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