I can't believe I'm the first one to Yelp this place. I'm afraid I won't do it justice!
Previous to entering the Yoga Ah studio, I had taken 1.5 yoga classes in my life. Yoga was too -- still for me. I ran x-country and swam in high school, went to Nationals twice with the ultimate frisbee team in college, gave a girl a bloody nose in a white-collar boxing match, played tennis, snowboarded, surfed, etc. but could never get into yoga.
Then I started my OB/Gyn residency.
I started getting white hairs, my blood pressure rose exponentially, I was exhausted but couldn't sleep and my weight yo-yo'd like never before in my life.
The choice came down to finding a shrink or trying some yoga. Thank God I did the latter first. Not that there is anything wrong with shrinks. I may still need one of those. But for now, I have re-gained some control of myself through my practice of yoga.
Now, more about the studio. It's on the second floor of the building that use to house Slim's. It's a small and modest studio which can feel luxurious when there's only five of us or cozy when there's 15 of us. Any more than 15 feels slightly cramped, but still doable. There are orchids in bloom all over the studio and the sweet but never overpowering smell of incense. And it's warm, so warm -- especially nice during those harsh winter days. In the corner there are yoga mats to share in case you don't have one or forgot yours. And there are little cubbies and hooks for your shoes, bags and jackets. Very cute.
The teachers. Amber is the one who originally started the studio and her and D probably teach most of the classes. They are very different teachers but both are very good. One caveat -- I've never seriously taken yoga any where else so I just may not know any better but I can't imagine better yoga instructors than the two of them. And Amber is so great about making sure every new comer feels welcomed. I was nervous my first few times but I totally melted under her smile.
They also apparently have this great teacher training program but I'll let some one else who has more experience with that talk about it!
I also love the other people in the class. Everyone is very friendly and so welcoming. It's unbelievable. And the same people keep coming back week after week so it's fun to see them again. And it's also fun to watch them progress and work with their energy. It truly is a community.
Rocket yoga. Developed by Larry Schultz in the 1980's. But again, I've never known any other so I'll let someone more knowledgeable expand upon it. But I think it's amazing. The changes I've seen in my body over the last few months have truly made me appreciate my yoga mat. But even more importantly, some of my attitudes and my perspectives have also softened and relaxed which have made my life much more manageable.
All in all, Yoga Ah has been a much-needed addition to my life. I am grateful for having stumbled upon it. Practice, all is coming. Namaste. read more