My Asana got kicked once again, today!

Residents of South Charlotte, Weddington, & Waxhaw! Newsflash! For those of you who don't believe there is a decent yoga studio in our area, think again, and read on.

I rocked out this morning at Yoga Flex in the Power I class.

Yoga Flex is one of the only yoga studios in South Charlotte, sadly. However, they have done themselves proud. The studio practically advertises itself in its convenient and visible location in Blakeney shopping center, right near Target and....err..well yes, McDonalds.

Yoga Flex is in the second story of the building, and is a spacious and serene studio with just the right amount of the "yoga feel" without being overdone.

The incense was burning and Krishna Das was chanting from the stereo as I walked through the door. Two good signs. Love it. Tranquil yet lively, the studio quickly filled with enthusiastic & friendly yogis.

Our instructor, Brooke, led us through the class reminding us to envision our intention. In yoga, an intention is not a goal. It is something you can embody in the moment. My intention today was to be both physically and mentally present in my yoga practice in order to get the most satisfying class possible. The hour flew by, and by the end of the class, I was ready for more....and drenched with sweat...AGAIN. Although this class had less Vinyasa Flow than I prefer, it was a great class & a challenging workout.

Brooke was a great instructor. She broke down each pose beautifully while also assisting those who needed help. She was very nurturing, genuine, & kind.

I'm thrilled to report that there is a studio out in my area that is of such high quality as Yoga Flex.

If you are a South Charlottean, try Yoga Flex. Although it may not be in the "hippest" part of town, it is a yoga studio that sticks to the pure nature of true yoga, rather than trying to turn yoga into some "yogalates" or aerobics fitness routine. Don't let the name of the studio deceive you.

So, if you're just now joining us, here's a summary of my Yoga journey through 4 amazing studios all around Charlotte. I will give each studio a superlative or two in order to briefly sum them up. Maybe this will help you all plant your practice.

Day 1: Yoga One- "Hippest Yoga Studio", "Best Instructor Award" (Johnna Smith), "Best Vinyasa Flow class"

Day 2: Yoga for Life- "Up & Coming", "A Kundalini practitioners dream", "Most Diverse in both age & physical ability/disability"

Day 3: Charlotte Yoga- "Most Energetic Environment", "Classiest Practice Space", "The Hot 26 class- most likely to kick your asana!"

Day 4: Yoga Flex- "Best Mood setting studio", "Biggest practice space", "Bravest studio to venture out as far as Blakeney"

That, my friends, is a lame attempt by me to create superlatives for each studio. Really, each one is beautiful, and they all seem to have good intentions of staying true to the real purpose of yoga.

So my final words to you all will be, GET OUT THERE AND ROCK YOUR ASANA!

Om shanti, shanti, shanti!

Peace, love, & blogging

Three down, one to go

It's official.

I'm addicted to yoga.

In the past two days I have taken two yoga classes. Saturday, Mom & I ventured to West Morehead Street to Yoga for Life for a gentle & spiritual class that focused primarily on breathing and stretching. Today, we sweated like pigs at Charlotte Yoga in the Hot Power Level 1 class. Whew! My hamstrings are talking to me.

Here's my take on these two studios:

1. Yoga for Life- Newly located right off of 77, Yoga For Life is easy to get to & find. It's location has good visibility & lots of space. The only downfall to this brand new studio is that it is still very bare & lacks style and atmosphere...it was so bare in fact that it felt almost institutional. Give it time, though. It seems that this studio has a good energy & lots of space. As it grows, so will it's style, most likely.

The new owner, Karen (didn't catch her last name), was our instructor for the level 1 class. She was very welcoming & had thoughtful tidbits and words of wisdom throughout the class. Yoga for Life prides itself on offering classes to yoga practitioners of all ages, from "tweens" to 65+. They also have special chair classes that allow those with physical pain/issues to continue their yoga practice. As Karen best put it, Yoga For Life makes "yoga come to you". Despite age and physical ability/disability, Yoga For Life has something for everyone. The Level 1 class, to me, was very gentle and focused on stretching & breathing. Although I did not feel like I got a true hardcore "workout", it felt great to stretch & breathe, especially after the hard Vinyasa class at Yoga One the day before. Yoga For Life would be a great place to plant your yoga practice, especially if you are looking for a slow-paced yoga practice.

2. Charlotte Yoga- Located only minutes from South Park Mall, Charlotte Yoga boasts a beautiful studio. Upon walking through the door you feel like you are in "Yoga land" much like at Yoga One. The energy is great there. The actual practice room is fabulous- it's a long, rectangular room with one of the short walls completely made of windows, looking out into a garden patio with beautiful flowers & vegetation. Complete with chandeliers and lots of space, the practice space has the perfect balance and feel. It was about 80-85 degrees in the room, but our instructor, Lee Anne, turned on the fans a couple of times during the class. This was nice after sweating buckets in the first 30 minutes of the one hour class. This class reminded me of the vinyasa class at Yoga One. Lee Anne seemed happy to be there and was nice to talk to even after class. She was very accomodating and thorough in her explanation of each posture.

Overall, I loved both studios, but I am a bit biased. I prefer Vinyasa flow over the Kripalu style, so Charlotte Yoga and Yoga One are more ME. However, I think Yoga For Life has a lot to offer to those more tuned in to the Kripalu style.

Tomorrow, I take a break from yoga. Tomorrow night I will go to a power pilates mat class at Iron Butterfly taught by Heather Obleada. I am a regular (when I'm home from college) at Iron Butterfly, and so I am excited for a change in my workout routine.

Yoga Flex is my final yoga studio in my yoga journey. Tuesday morning I am going to the Power level 1 class there, so look forward to my final yoga studio review!

Also to come later this week, a blog about Iron Butterfly Pilates, Diva Mama Chicken Pies, and moving back to college. In these blogs, I will uncover the mystery behind pilates, shed light on my mom's own private business, and let you all inside my head as I make the transition back to college life! (So excited!)

Until Tuesday!

Peace, love, & blogging

And Another...

Another post to be postponed tonight. Sorry!

Too tired/lazy to write tonight, but tomorrow I will do a post on both my yoga class today at Yoga For Life, and about the one I am taking tomorrow at Charlotte Yoga.

I'm sore. But I must find the strength to continue onward in my yoga journey!

Until tomorrow.

Peace, love, & blogging

Detoxified, Cleansed, & Inspired!

My butt has officially been kicked.

Today's yoga class at Yoga One was awesome! I feel like I may have sweated about two pounds off just in the one hour class. Let me fill you in on my whole experience from square one...

Butterflies filled my stomach on the long thirty five minute drive from Weddington to Central Avenue in Charlotte. Although I had heard all good things about Yoga One, and about Johnna Smith, our instructor, I was still nervous. Why? A. I'm no yoga-pro. B. I knew it was "hot" yoga...so I was worried I would pass out. C. I feared the sneers of regular yogis who can stand on their heads in a skinny minute.

After parking out in the big, gravel overflow lot, Mom & I both walked up the stairs and into the building, nervously anticipating the hard workout ahead of us. We were led downstairs by signs pointing us in the direction of the basement studio. The studio was in a the basement big, beautiful industrial brick building. Who knew industrial & serene could go together?

As we took off our shoes and entered the studio door, I thought...Here it comes...the awkward glances and the rude up-downs......

Nothing.

The smell of insense filled the air, as did the quiet chatter of the previous class being dismissed.

I felt the warmth coming out of the classroom door, and looked at my mom to see her reaction. Wide-eyed and nervous, we were prepared to take it on.

We were greeted by Tonya, a friendly face at the front desk of the bright orange studio. She immediately eased our nerves. We quickly explained that we were new & nervous about the class, and she assured us we would have fun. She also assured us that we could leave the class quietly at any time to get air.

Thank goodness for Tonya. We quickly thanked her and threw our belongings in a cubby.

We were a little late, so we quickly scurried into the 85 degree room and laid out our mats. I laid mine down beside a guy who looked about my dad's age (sigh of relief), and a ripped girl who looked about my age. (Gulp!)

The class was taught by Johnna Smith. What a fabulous teacher! She had beautiful and thoughtful things to say throughout the entire practice that were both gentle and encouraging, and full of wisdom. She reminded us that we are all beautiful beings with great intentions, and that there's no shame in dropping to child's pose when we felt we could do no more.

Her voice became our rhythm. Her words were the melody. The breathing of the students became the background noise. As the class went on, her voice and our breath helped our bodies flow through the postures as we slowly became more centered and flexible as the warm air loosened our muscles.

Although a challenge, the class was the perfect balance between the spiritual side of yoga, and the physical part of yoga. Afterwards, I felt as if I had worked out in church! Cleansed in both body and mind!

I would recommend Yoga One to anyone and everyone, whether you are a newbie or an old pro. It is a beautiful studio that takes pride in it's balance of spirituality and physical strength. It had a nice and "hip" changing area, and a little boutique with adorable yoga wear and accessories.

Go to Yoga One to be detoxified, cleansed, and inspired. Go to explore your breath and strengthen your body. Go to quiet your mind and gain confidence.

You're sure to enjoy the experience, even if you choose not to take up yoga as a regular part of your workout routine.

Tomorrow, I continue my yoga journey. Mom and I are taking a class at Yoga for Life, one of the original yoga studios in Charlotte, newly situated on East Morehead Street. Check back for the details of tomorrows yoga experience!

Until then.....Om shanti, shanti, shanti!

Peace, love, & blogging

YOGA YOGA YOGA

Ohhhhmmmmmmm.......

Before I head back up to Elon next week, Mom & I are trying a bunch of different yoga studios in Charlotte.

Today, we are headed to Yoga One for the All Levels Vinyasa class from 12:00-1:00pm.

I will use this blog to do a review of each yoga studio as I venture out into the yoga world. A pilates girl at heart, I am stepping outside of my comfort zone to try this. But, I'M PREPARED TO SWEAT.

Tomorrow, I will head to Yoga For Life for the Yoga Level 1 class at their new location on Morehead street!

As I unite my body and mind, I will keep you all updated and informed! Namaste!

Peace, love, & blogging

500 Days of Summer is just like Summer...you will want it to last forever!

Really. I was blown away by 500 Days of Summer, which could arguably be the BEST independent film of the Summer. (Pardon the pun.)

The film, starring Zooey Deschanel & Joseph Gordan-Levitt, captures the essence of the "boy-meets-girl" love story but in an unconventional way. This offbeat film is more of a falling-out-of love story, and is told from the male perspective rather than female. This, ladies, is what we have all been waiting for!

Getting to be inside Gordon-Levitt's head for an hour and thirty-five minutes felt like pure bliss. By the end of the film, though, your heart will ache for Gordon-Levitt. That boy could just melt in your mouth. His sensitive nature and "artsy boy" character will have any sucker's heart throbbing. His acting is so natural and pure, which is just as impressive as his good looks.

Zooey Deschanel, playing Summer, is fabulous as the confused hipster girl who hardly knows what she wants, other than her knowing she does not want love...at least, not with Gordon-Levitt's character, Tom. Deschanel charms Tom & audiences with her offbeat look and attitude, one that compliments her blunt bangs and her red lipstick. At the end of the movie, if you're anything like me, you will hate her. Or at least think she's crazy. I shall say no more as to spoil the twist.

I will say this: BUY THE SOUNDTRACK. The quirky indie pop/rock soundtrack perfectly compliments the movie. As a matter of fact, I'm listening to it right now and I can't get enough. Even if you're not an "indie" music listener (I'm not really much of one), you will love this soundtrack.

What makes this film so touching and alluring is that it's easy to relate to...especially if you've ever been in an unofficial relationship or in a relationship where you like/love the other person more than they like/love you. If you ever have been or are in this situation, take your significant other so see this film. It has a lot of insight and wisdom to offer.

Despite its failure to comply to the "happily-ever-after" ending, 500 Days of Summer is surprisingly satisfying. It makes you realize that love is complicated and hard. It also makes you realize you will get through it.

Between the great acting and the fabulous music, this film is sure to be a hit. You really won't want it to end. At least, I didn't. Prepare to laugh, cry, and enjoy.

Peace, love, & blogging

A post to be postponed

Blogging is so exciting, but I think I will save my blogging energy for tomorrow night. I have had one too many burritos tonight to make any sense!

Tomorrow night, look forward to a review of 500 Days of Summer, one of the best and most relative films I've seen in a while.

Peace, love, and blogging

Citizen Journalism...to write or not to write?

It's funny. Julie made blogging seem so easy...lucky for her, she had brilliant Hollywood screen writers to sharpen & clean up her words. They surely made her seem like an eloquent writer. I clearly don't have the same advantage as she.

For those of you who are lost, perhaps I should clarify. When I say Julie, I am referring to the Julie in Julie & Julia, the uplifting & reflective film about a common girl, Julie, blogging as she cooked her way through Julia Child's cookbook. Julie's blog inspired me. Here goes nothing!

I would love to know just how many people started a blog after seeing Julie & Julia. It seems only natural to want to be a part of the "citizen journalism" generation after seeing the joy & job opportunities that came from blogging in Julie's particular case.

It scares me a little though...this whole blog crazy world. My parents are graciously paying my way through Elon so I can earn my B.A. in Journalism. So, strangely enough, here I sit propped up in bed blogging, only to realize that I may be taking my own job that I might have some day. I wonder how many journalists and writers have flushed their dreams down the toilet because of blogs like these. Who knows? Hmm...just another thing to google.

So, to write or not to write? To blog or not to blog? (Should I include an "in-text citation" for Shakespeare here?...Can't you tell I'm a well-trained college student?) ...NO. No, I don't have to, because it's MY blog. It's MY way, not MLA. That's the beauty of blogging!

No wonder people love blogging. Writing feels good. It makes me feel like I'm having a conversation with myself, but I'm writing it out rather than just letting thoughts pass me by. This IS the modern day form of journaling...hence, JOURNALISM. Journalism is journaling. It doesn't have to be war coverage or politician bashing. Just write. Even if the job market for professional journalists and writers is shrinking, there is beauty in the interchange of thoughts via blogging.

Frankly, blogging is almost therapeutic. It's the one time you can write about you. Blogging can be narcissistic. But to be able to blog and be at peace with the narcissism is cool. It's a way to put narcissism to good use. I'm not condoning narcissism in the least...it just feels good to write about what I want to write about.

More to come tomorrow...my eyes are fluttering closed. Sweet dreams.

Peace, love, & blogging,