I was delighted with my first class this morning at Yoga is Served. The studio is spacious, inviting, clean and gleamed of possibility. I'll get to that part later.
Susie was my instructor, and she provided instruction in addition to prompts - something I find very helpful in a yoga teacher. She incorporated an emphasis on alignment and breath along with knowledge of modifications and was perceptively aware of her students, giving individual guidance where needed. She brought the students back to an awareness of why they are personally here today, which I found powerfully affirming.
After class I got to know Susie a little better and hear about a vision to have the space serve as a dual yoga studio and art gallery. What a creative idea. A few works of art are already evident through the studio.
I also really appreciate and honor the 'pay what you can' model, as well as the inherent trust that this structure reflects. Yoga should be accessible to everyone, and I really hope that this model will be sustainable and this beautiful practice will flourish in West Allis. Susie also mentioned a program that started today, forgot the name, but it is a giving back to the community endeavor supporting local organizations through yoga, but is free if participants choose.
As an aside, an uncharacteristic 'comedy of errors' unfolded for me this morning before class, and it's a bit of a miracle that I made it there. In addition, I misread the start time and as a result arrived to class late. As I was turning around to go home, Susie welcomed me warmly, and another unnamed student turned around mid-pose and smiled at me in a way that said it was okay, despite the fact that I had unwittingly disrupted her class. Sometimes the things that don't come easy end up being treasures. I feel as if I found a studio that could be a new yoga home.
I plan to return Thursday to meet the other instructor, Crystal, and look forward to future classes with Susie! read more