Revolution 9/5/14

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On my way to my habitual Friday noon yoga class, I remembered that I had a free pass to Revolution cycling studio. Lucky for me, they just so happened to be introducing a new 12:15 class slot. I called the studio to make sure that my yoga attire was cycle friendly and find out about parking. I was told not to worry, that my yoga capris were perfect for cycling and to park next door at the BiLo parking lot on Meeting. I parked and ran into BiLo to grab a banana to keep me fueled for the workout, but forgot a water… a choice I would later regret!

As I walked towards the door, I notice a larger than life size mural/photo of these long and lanky model types posing with attitude. This is when I become a bit intimidated and wonder what I am getting myself into, because I am NOT tall, lanky nor do I have “the look”  down. YIKES! As I enter the studio, I am greeted by friendly faces that ask me to fill out paperwork (emergency contacts, laibility, etc.)  then size me for clip on shoes.  An awesome employee leads me to my bike, helps me adjust the settings, and even clips the shoes on the bike…I obviously had NO clue what I was doing!

This studio is awesome! There are rows of bikes at ground level facing mirrors and instructor is on a high platform facing the class. The loud music starts bumpin’ and the already dimly lit studio becomes dark expect for glowing blue lights. The instructor, SJ, warms us up and  then challenges each person to their max. I loved it! It was a rough workout and I was drenched, but so great! SJ is very genuine, sweet and just plain awesome! She did a great job of keeping everyone motivated and moving forward when all you wanted  to do was quit pedaling. She kept reminding the class to push and to stay present in the moment.  The music played was also very fast paced to keep us moving to the beat.

I left Revolution feeling accomplished and hungry! The next day I was a little sore but not as bad I thought I would be. Definitely going to make this a regular spot from now on!

Thanks SJ and everyone else at Revolution! #findyourgreatness

Pure Barre Charleston 9/2/14

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As the this week was approaching, I was considering which studio I should try next when I came across an awesome Amazon Local coupon for Pure Barre. Five classes for $35 verses the $23 drop in rate or $15 for students, lets not forget I am a broke college student and an expert at ballin’ on a budget (another blog idea!).  I bought the pass and found time after classes today to ride my bike up the road and take a barre class. 

The studio is so conveniently close to CofC on the corner of Market and Archdale with a small parking lot, rare for downtown, and even a cute Pure Barre bike post! I walked in and ladies in the front greeted me with enthusiastic glowing white smiles. I quickly changed and realized I needed socks so I purchased an overpriced pair of grippy socks with the PB logo, but they are really cute. I found a spot and went back to collect props and waited for class to begin. Two ladies were very sweet and reassured me after knowing that I haven’t tried a barre class in a long time and that I didn’t know what to expect. Another teacher who was taking the class, sweetly introduced herself and hooked me up with a good spot. So far so good! Then the blaring pop hits dance remixes started playing over the surround sound and the instructor, Lindsay, came in with her mic headset. It was business time. For the next hour, she monotonously talked us through very wordy and muffled instructions reminiscent of a flight attendant, but very hard to hear over the booming jams. I had to look and mimic others in order to keep up. That’s not to say that I was not sweating, because boy, I was drenched! The workout combines small movements with high repetitions focusing on the arms, legs and abs. At the end, I was definitely confused as to if I just completed the same workout as the ladies in the studio because I was the only noticeably sweating, everyone else was glistening and glowing. Lucky gals!

This was not the best barre class I have taken. Lindsay knew her stuff and lead a good class, but I didn’t feel a sense of community and the mind/body connection that PB claims to deliver. If you enjoying wearing makeup and wearing expensive clothes to exercise than this might be your studio. The work out itself was great and I will be trying other classes in downtown along with the Mt. P studio. 

Jivamukti Chalreston 8/29/14

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Its 12:10 on a Friday afternoon and I can’t decide where to sweat. Should I start with my regular spots or hit up some less familiar studios? What do I feel like doing? Most importantly, where can I make it to in time?

12:30 Jivamukti with Stacey. I creep into the building at 12:27, with my fingers crossed, hoping that class hasn’t started. Made it! Just in the knick of time. As soon as I lay out my mat I am already “glistening” from the A/C being off, not bikram or power yoga hot, but a perfect temperature that my joints and muscles have come to love. Stacey begins the class with a call and response chant to bring intention and center/calm the class. She has a very sweet voice and bright smile. She leads us through a 75 minute flow with sun salutations, balancing, twisting and finally a sweet, sweet savasana.  

The studio is on St. Philip St. in downtown Chalreston. They offer parking with a $1 donation across the street and the cost of the class was $12 with a student ID. The studio is what I would expect being dowtown in such an old building. The beautfully aged hardwoord floors and extra large windows to look out at the graffiti art that is in the courtyard.

She lead the class into various postures each with intention and building up for the next and not at all rushed. Her assists were AMAZING! She gently supported and guided my body deeper into a few poses and it felt great! I left Stacey’s class feeling light as a feather yet grounded. Going to a Jivamukti studio is truly a religious experience for me and this was not any different.

Namaste.  

About the blog.

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Hey world! 

I was assigned to create a blog for a computer science class, so…here I am. 

After a few days of unsucessfully trying to come up with something to blog about a fellow classmate simply asked, “So what are you into?”  I responded with, “I’m into yoga.”  Then SHE came up with, “Why don’t you review yoga studios in the area?” 

Brilliant! 

I figured I will take it a step further and review various fitness studios in the area; from yoga to crossfit! I am a yogi, completed my YTT (yoga teacher training) a few years back at a local studio and practice asana at least four to five times a week which leaves me little time to expand my horizon on different ways to sweat. I look forward to finding new physical limits, meeting new faces and helping you choose local studios that you have been to timid to try! What fun project!