{ Photo credit: Strala Yoga via Flickr }

Happy Tuesday! This is a slightly different post than usual and is lengthier and more personal than usual. But it’s meaningful and has to do with my love of movement, yoga and dance.  

So, as you guys know, I grew up dancing, but as of late haven’t been able to really afford a gym and yoga membership, while taking dance classes on the side. It just gets to be too expensive, so I’ve had to pick and choose.

For a while I was just going to the gym, then quickly became bored and needed more. Then I joined a great yoga studio, loved it and started going all the time. My body felt healthier and I am a happier person when in “the flow” of movement.

Because yoga reminds me of dance, and taking classes in the city can be extremely expensive, I quit the gym and just practiced yoga.  I eventually had to leave my studio and went back to the gym. So far it’s been fine, and the gym can serve many great purposes, but I think I need another outlet.  I’ve noticed that I’ve become edgier when in crowds, I don’t have any patience for strangers on the street and just feel tense in general. I don’t like that part of me when it rears it’s ugly head every so often, and realized that I am not grounded. I realized that I needed to “feed my soul” so to speak.

{ Middle: Jenn and Tara }

This is where my friend Jennifer (check out her blog!) comes in. A little while ago, she emailed me and asked if I wanted to try one of her classes at Strala Yoga, owned by the lovely Tara Stiles . Tara not only teaches frequently but contributes to Women’s Health magazine, and was a personal yoga instructor to Deepak Chopra! She founded Strala to “provide an authentic form of yoga that clears the body and mind, and brings you back to your self. ” And on top of all of that, she used to be a dancer. { Sigh. }

Needless to say,  I checked it out and was intrigued, especially because at this point, I had not done yoga in a few months and was starting to crave it, plus the studio seemed really promising. Around that same time, I was contacted by a company called SwimSpot who wanted to send me some cute yoga pants from Next by Athena. I usually work out in boring black leggings, but then these turquoise pants arrived in the mail, complete with cute little polka dot on the waistband. So now, I not only had cute yoga pants that I felt comfortable and cut in, but an offer to practice yoga again. I think it was fate telling me to get off my behind and get back on the horse, or on the mat in this case.

{ Wearing a cute tee made by Purusha, made especially for Strala Yoga. }

Anyway, after a long day, I headed home, ate dinner and trekked back out into the rain up to Strala to take my first yoga class in what must have been three or four months. I was sort nervous to be honest. I mean I used to go 3-4 times a week for over a year. What if I forgot the poses? What if my body wouldn’t bend the way it used to? But, to my relief, when I arrived, the studio was quiet, calm and serene as a yoga studio should be, and I was greeted by my sweet friend who instantly made me feel at ease.

Her class was a mix of what the studio calls “relax” and “strong” which was the perfect mix for me. Jenn, regardless that she is my friend, did an excellent job and left me feeling like a new person. For me, yoga is like riding a bike. It all came back to me and it was really empowering.

I swear I gained an inch between my neck and shoulders, and my center felt grounded once again. I walked out relaxed and calm, which always is the case when I take yoga, but the point is, I hadn’t felt that serenity in quite some time.

The moral to this story is, I have decided that I need to start practicing yoga again. That’s all there is to it, and so I plan on joining Strala. And, the best part is that if you join with a buddy, it’s only $80 a month, unlimited. Believe me, that is an excellent deal for what you get, and in Manhattan no less. So…, does anyone want to be my buddy and join with me? You know you want to…

Regardless of your skill level, I urge those of you that are looking to try yoga, or have already been practicing, to at least check out this pretty and serene studio. You won’t regret it! A huge thank you to Jenn, Strala and SwimSpot for bringing me back to the mat. xoxo

P.S. Check out this awesome deal listed on Daily Candy! Who’s with me?!