My home away from home recently reopened up in Bloomfield: ZURA Blooms!! Right next to the parking garage by Foodtown.
I used to attend hot/warm/non hot yoga & cardio sculpt classes with co-owner Rebecca Frezza and many other talented instructors pre-Covid.. Like so many, the community was heartbroken when they had to close up back in 2020, BUT:
Rebecca, Ilene, Sabratha & Beth have teamed up to do the incredible: pivot and begin again. I cannot imagine the strength of character and creativity it takes to rebuild such a unique community, but these fantastic people are doing it!
Alas after enduring incredibly, Zura Bloom reopened right by the Food Town near 6 Points. Their new space is a haven from the outside world: walk up the stairs to the 2nd floor to see that the walls are decorated with John Atura's original paintings, vaulted ceilings and bar studio mirrors and large windows that allow for streaming morning sunlight while maintaining the privacy of those in class. When I step inside the studio.. my mind is put at ease, and I feel welcome. I almost wish I could just hang out at the studio when working remotely just to enJoy the atmosphere some more. There are showers, bathrooms & lovely lavender oil infused towels in the mini fridge to cool down post class. The instructors genuinely care about the people that come to classes, and this is not the kind of place where you will accidentally get hurt doing something that's not right for your body, i.e. classes or "brands" that push you to the point of improper form.
Zura welcomes all students of all ages and ability levels, and the instructors are knowledgeable about body mechanics, music and dance, teaching pedagogies and the various philosophies associated with different styles of yoga. I highly recommend any person in search of exercise, health or a bit of peace to attend.
Some of my favorite classes are for mindfulness, building strength & excellent instrumental *music curation/choreography* are:
- Rebecca's 2:30pm Sat. (Rhthym & Fire*)
- Dante's anytime / any day ! (Fusion*)
- John's 5pm Friday
- Cassie's Hot 26
- Tabitha's* Hot 26
* Many classes (mainly Hot 26) are silent to help students focus, meditate & connect with their breathing, but a few classes use instrumental/percussion & light Sanskrit vocal based playlists that are extremely well paired to movements. I'm talking about musical selections that flow and transition through genres like tribal hand drums from around the world, classical & New Age Indian rāga, electronica from music producers like trip hop L.A. based DJ Bonobo, and the hauntingly beautiful melodies of double bassist and composer Garth Stevenson.*
Favorite classes for soothing the body & developing better posture:
- Ilene Sunday PM
- Beth's early morning
- BobbiJo's early morning
Favorite classes for vigorous movement:
- Rebecca A's Vinyasa
- Jeffrey's Power Hour
There are still a bunch of instructors that are new to me, and I haven't had the chance to take their classes yet, but I hope to soon!!
So happy this studio has reopened in my own backyard.
info@zurablooms.com
Call: 973-531-6912
71 Washington Street Bloomfield, NJ 07003
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