Thursday, May 10, 2012

Awaken to Yoga

There is a new studio in town. & this place is oh so nice.  & listen - I am not saying this because I teach there. But I requested to teach there because the space is oh so nice.

This may seem like a contradiction from my earlier post  rant about yoga studios. But,  follow the links in that post & you will find that 2 of those take you places owned by the 2 yogis who joined together to create Awaken Yoga - Jennifer Langlands & Lisa Fleming.

Lisa is the spirit behind One Tree Yoga in Euclid. One Tree is a cool little place in the Shore Cultural Center in Euclid. A sweet studio in an old classroom, The space has great windows that welcome the sun and fresh air, old wood floors and charming decorations.

Jennifer began Awaken Yoga School in the parks system. Very clever. Jenn is a teacher of teachers. Awaken Yoga was first a teacher training space & she held trainings at various metro parks around the area (again with the trees), then eventually opened a space next door to One Tree. Another sweet sunny classroom with old wood floors and a big ol' chalkboard.

Then - DaTaDa! then came this awesome space on Center St. in Mentor OH. Awaken is located in an older style house. The space was once a florist and, way back in the day, housed the Mentor Public Library - just for a little bit of history.

So, the space itself is awesome - a big red house that sits back a bit from the busy street. Pulling into the parking feels kind of like going to visit a friend. There is patio furniture in the "back yard" - a nice spot to sit beside the trees and enjoy a cup of tea before or after a class or workshop, or during a break in a yogic studies weekend or a teacher training session.

Then entering the studio, your feet hit hardwood floor. And your eyes will take in color. Yes, you heard me - color. There is a green studio, a brown studio...... the stairwell is purple. Yes, you heard me - purple - a nice stately warm purple. Why is this so cool? Because life is colorful people!!! Life is not all beige and off white. Institutions are beige and off white. But the world is beautiful in its bounty of hues. & a good yoga practice will help you to balance between the beautiful and the ugliness of the world.  So, it's o.k ..... no ... Good to allow a little color into your practice space - yes?

There is a cozy retail section with a great selection of books, music, candles, a great new product called Asana Kisser to help ease soreness in your muscles that you may experience after a vinyasa or yoga strong class.

But the appearance of a place is really just that - appearance. A dish of food can look amazing but taste like crap. What really makes this studio is its spirit. Jenn & Lisa wanted to create a comfortable space for all levels of practitioners & all personalities. Awaken offers a nice variety of classess - from restorative, chair, deep stretch, slow flow - to challenging vinyasa and core based classes. Other healing modalities are offered as well - massage, thai massage, reiki.

And all are welcome. Please come in your baggiest of t-shirts or your tightest of tank tops. Big people, small people, in betweens. Newbies, oldies .... whatever. We are all on this planet at this time to heal,  to re- balance, to stretch strengthen and quiet not only our bodies, but our minds, spirits. We are all on a journey of Awakening.

Come enjoy the ride.

P.s - Like I said, there are many wonderful classes with experienced non-judgemental teachers ....... like me. Come practice with me on Mondays - Slow Flow & Wednesdays - Deep Stretch.






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