Looks like October strikes again. For anyone that knows me, it appears I like to make big decisions in October. It must have something to do with the fact that I love FALL. I moved back to Melbourne, Fl six years ago in October, I opened an aerial studio in EGAD in October 3 years ago, I signed a lease on my beautiful yoga studio in Midtown Melbourne 2 years ago, was proposed to my now husband in October last year and NOW signed a lease on an additional ROOM (really it is a space) 7 doors down this October!!

I have been teaching yoga in the Space Coast for the last 6 years and I am very fortunate for a community that allows me to hold a space that I feel is extremely welcoming, encouraging and fun. I hold my personal practice seriously but it doesn't mean I can't smile, laugh and connect along the way.

Now to answer a few questions that may come to your mind:

Why didn't you open a space right next door? -Trust me...that was the goal, the universe wasn't having it.

Where exactly is it? -The current studio is 281 N Babcock St. When facing the studio, it is in the adjacent plaza to the left literally seven doors down.

Why not open up another location further away from your current space? -My goal is to offer more of a balance of classes at staggering times to give individuals more choices to practice and the ability to practice based on their schedules. I also do not like to cancel classes when we have teacher trainings, so by having two spaces we can simply walk down to the other if class is in session. I also want to create a space where I can help new yoga teachers who complete their training an opportunity to practice teach more and help mentor if they want. You become a better teacher by TEACHING and to never stop learning. I am very fortunate that when I completed my initial training, I was able to teach a large amount of classes. I taught at many studios, gyms, workforces, hotels, parks, STILL & ALWAYS WILL at Intracoastal, but I started at Downtown Yoga and I still have much respect for them. I want to be a studio that helps teachers grow and helps students grow.

Won't people get confused with the new space being in the adjacent plaza? -Probably. I will try to minimize that confusion as much as possible. Change is not comfortable...but the only thing that is constant is change itself. During our busy classes, you are most likely parking seven doors down already. Look at it as the glass is half full as opposed to half empty.

When will you open the second space? -I have a much more relaxed attitude with this space. I burned myself out when building out 281 Babcock. I fail to mention, I was also starting a home renovation that went on pause because of me opening 281 Babcock. I'm focusing on one thing at a time, painting is done, electrical is almost done and the CORK floors are next. I have four walls, a soon to be installed floor, and then slowly introduce the addition/change of classes. I can say without a doubt the doors will be open by December 1, which is our 2nd year anniversary. Is my goal sooner?...have you met me? Yes. Ideally, I would like to be open by November 1.

How will we know which class is where? -We try to encourage everyone to sign in online already. When signing in online or via the Mindbody App you will will see the time and the class name with the location. For example: 5:45 Power UP Vinyasa Flow (281 Babcock) or 4:30pm Gentle Flow (323 Babcock) The location will be listed in paranthesesis.

I am beyond excited as we continue to grow thanks to you all!

323 Babcock Seven Doors down in the making

This month we decided to do a social media challenge #Buttdownbeatben. Now a few things may pop into your head like...Who is Ben? Ben has been practicing yoga with us for quite some time and is always encouraging others that he comes into contact with. When we first started with Endurance Conditioning at the studio, we would occasionally have plank off competitions. I would lose and give the excuse that Ben's butt was up and not in an even plank...which in my defense IT WAS UP.😂 This is where the idea of #buttdownbeatben came into play.

We want everyone to work on our planks. Planks are a great way to improve core strength, glute strength, helps improve our posture and is accessible to do anywhere. Now it may be fun to beat Ben in our plank challenge but the real challenge is to beat your initial time in your plank.

Record/time how long you can hold a plank on your forearms or hands and tag The Yogi Perogi, a friend and with the hashtags #getcorkedup and #buttdownbeatben on Instagram or Facebook. We figured to add a little more flavor to this social media challenge we would offer a drawing. For every five posts you make you will be entered for a drawing for a chance to win one month of unlimited aerial/yoga.

So get to planking and share your progress. Follow the hashtags and cheer each other on!

Here is to a loaded question. As I sit back and reflect on the answer to that question, the answer has shifted so many times throughout my practice. I could say the cookie-cutter responses:

• To touch my toes
• Calm the mind
• I heard it was good for you

These cookie-cutter responses have also been why I have or sometimes still practice yoga. If we are being completely honest, I hated yoga when I first went into a class. In fact, I do not know how my bestfriend and I did not get kicked out of that class. We were a complete distraction as we were cracking up at every little thing.

I would dabble in classes here and there and still did not understand what all the fuss was about. I have always considered myself athletic and kept myself busy with soccer, kickboxing and weightlifting. Yoga just didn't keep my attention.

A friend of mine convinced me to take a power flow class with their favorite instructor. The person beside me was 9 months pregnant doing a headstand while I can't hold a downdog because my shoulders and hamstrings were yelling at me.

SIDE NOTE Yes, you can invert if you are pregnant if you had a consistent practice prior to being pregnant END NOTE

I blame my athletic background and my EGO, but the fact this woman beside me is able to do a headstand while pregnant sparked my competitive nature. Little did I know that after a few more classes that my friend dragged me too, my intention would shift.

Savasana...Corpse Pose...Final Relaxation

After at least a 50 minute flow, and really I looked like a creaky tin man with my stiff body, we were instructed to lie on our backs for our final relaxation. We could have been there for 30 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, I have no idea how long we were there. Bottom line, for my busy brain, I thought of nothing, me...NOTHING. I didn't think about what I had to do for work, I didn't think about what I had to eat, I didn't think about that woman beside me and if she had her baby, I didn't think when is class going to end. I was simply there. That moment, I felt light, high even, in a time that I considered myself stressed and overworked. That momement was the reason I continued to come to yoga.

I am very competitive by nature and I am finally able to check out on my yoga mat. Anytime my ego seems to push through is when I find myself getting hurt with anything. Between breaking my collarbone, hernia surgery repair, and breaking my wrist, I have constantly learned the importance of slowing down and finding balance.

SIDE NOTE These injuries were all NON-YOGA injuries END NOTE

Yoga is also more than just getting on your mat. For me, getting lost in my garden bed, planting vegetables, sitting outside drinking my coffee.

So why yoga? It is an evolving practice and believe it has helped make me a stronger, more patient and compassionate person because of it.

So why do YOU practice yoga?