I started Castle Hill "yoga" today but don't be confused, all of the specialty classes, etc. are still under the umbrella and in the same building as Castle Hill Fitness. To be honest, I was completely confused before I got there and it didn't get much clearer once I arrived.
Castle Hill Fitness is like an exercise city, it is windy and there are rooms, doors and random pieces of equipment everywhere, very Austin. To that point though, the yoga rooms are only 2 out of all that is going on at CH. Now, this can be good and bad. The perk is that you get the full locker room which is older but has all of the goods (hairdryer, towels, soaps, hair products, etc.) which is beneficial for showering after class. The negative is more a personal thing in that I already have a gym, so I'm looking to join a yoga studio.
As I said, I'm still a little confused at how it all works, but I believe with my trial class pass (1st timers get 50% off 10-class pass = $66) I can use the fitness facilities too but cannot attend other specialty classes and just yoga? They also have "community classes" for a drop in $7 where you don't need a membership at all, so I don't know that getting the class pass is really worth it?
As far as the schedule goes, there are options I have on Saturday and Sunday but during the week there are really only 2, the 6:30am Ashtanga Mysore and the 6pm Vinyasa Flow classes, that I can make. I'm disappointed at that...especially after the Mysore class this morning. What Mysore means is that you basically show up and kind of just go through the poses by yourself while the instructor watch/gives you some hints, but doesn't lead the class. The reason I take classes is because the instructors know more than I do!! I can see how some would like the peace and the calm that comes with going at your own pace...but it's not worth the cost and not really my preference.
I'm looking forward to trying the Vinyasa Flow class and possibly some of the Community classes on the weekends. I think moving forward if I were to do CH (again I've only been once) I'd just go on a class by class basis, similar to Black Swan. Who knows though...I could change my mind, I have 9 classes left to go!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Final Rating: Bfree
Well I'm sad to say that my time at Bfree is over for now. I had a great experience there each time I went. The atmosphere is very welcoming for yogis of all levels and there was a great variety of clientele. As I've explained before the studio is only a couple of months old and that makes me even more impressed with Shelby, the new owner. She is constantly meeting members, hosting interesting guests and supporting her staff. The changes she has made even since I began are fantastic; just recently she has decided to go "free" in another way by integrating all green products, energy efficient lighting, and more.
My classes have been a mixed variety at Bfree, which I personally liked but others who are new may find slightly frustrating. Since there are instructors who have come from different backgrounds and teacher training there isn't a ton of consistency between them, however since you never know what to expect with a new instructor it is a lot of fun to try new days and times. I experienced yoga that I never knew existed, with songs, music, unique poses, etc. Therefore, as someone who is using yoga as relaxation, fun and exercise it was great. Because there are so many teachers they have a great schedule. Anytime I wanted to go to yoga I was able to find a class to fit in. This is very nice because I generally don't know until that day or the day before when I'll be free.
Overall, I liked the instructors and the classes. I have to say before coming to Bfree I never really needed a towel during class and I definitely did multiple times over the past month. My favorite instructor was definitely Iva, I really liked her flow, cadence and instruction, I would recommend her class to any of you who are going to try out Bfree. I also loved G'Nell, she was one of my last classes. I had missed her at BBY, but was able to fit her class in at Bfree...she rocks! I was actually SORE the day after her class which is a huge rarity and she was able to talk me through eka-pada kundinyasana pose for the first time ever and now I can do it. She really, really knows her stuff and you can tell she is completely comfortable teaching and enjoys every minute of it. Final note: they do lavender towels on your face after classes which I love.
The facility at Bfree I really liked. Since some of the instructors that I wanted to try were during the work day I was really happy that they had two showers equipped with soap and shampoo. In addition, sorry guys, but Shelby puts out free lady products in the bathroom, I know this is silly but it's such an easy way to make someone's day :) She had the place re-tiled as well. The instruction rooms are very roomy, and not because no one came to classes. The ceiling is very high so even when it was packed it wasn't overwhelming. In addition, there is a LOT of parking in the garage behind the studio as well as a huge blackboard that gives you information on upcoming events, classes and changes.
There are free mats to use and small hand towels. Shelby has water bottles available for $1.00 that you can purchase when you come in. Everything about Bfree is open and inviting...if you want to check it out for yourself they are having the Bfree Yoga Festival this Saturday April 30th with all day FREE yoga!
Ratings:
Classes: 4/5
Facility: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.25/5
The more carefree, relaxed feel of the studio was a real draw to me! Feel free to leave any comments or thoughts :)
My classes have been a mixed variety at Bfree, which I personally liked but others who are new may find slightly frustrating. Since there are instructors who have come from different backgrounds and teacher training there isn't a ton of consistency between them, however since you never know what to expect with a new instructor it is a lot of fun to try new days and times. I experienced yoga that I never knew existed, with songs, music, unique poses, etc. Therefore, as someone who is using yoga as relaxation, fun and exercise it was great. Because there are so many teachers they have a great schedule. Anytime I wanted to go to yoga I was able to find a class to fit in. This is very nice because I generally don't know until that day or the day before when I'll be free.
Overall, I liked the instructors and the classes. I have to say before coming to Bfree I never really needed a towel during class and I definitely did multiple times over the past month. My favorite instructor was definitely Iva, I really liked her flow, cadence and instruction, I would recommend her class to any of you who are going to try out Bfree. I also loved G'Nell, she was one of my last classes. I had missed her at BBY, but was able to fit her class in at Bfree...she rocks! I was actually SORE the day after her class which is a huge rarity and she was able to talk me through eka-pada kundinyasana pose for the first time ever and now I can do it. She really, really knows her stuff and you can tell she is completely comfortable teaching and enjoys every minute of it. Final note: they do lavender towels on your face after classes which I love.
The facility at Bfree I really liked. Since some of the instructors that I wanted to try were during the work day I was really happy that they had two showers equipped with soap and shampoo. In addition, sorry guys, but Shelby puts out free lady products in the bathroom, I know this is silly but it's such an easy way to make someone's day :) She had the place re-tiled as well. The instruction rooms are very roomy, and not because no one came to classes. The ceiling is very high so even when it was packed it wasn't overwhelming. In addition, there is a LOT of parking in the garage behind the studio as well as a huge blackboard that gives you information on upcoming events, classes and changes.
There are free mats to use and small hand towels. Shelby has water bottles available for $1.00 that you can purchase when you come in. Everything about Bfree is open and inviting...if you want to check it out for yourself they are having the Bfree Yoga Festival this Saturday April 30th with all day FREE yoga!
Ratings:
Classes: 4/5
Facility: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.25/5
The more carefree, relaxed feel of the studio was a real draw to me! Feel free to leave any comments or thoughts :)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
More Bfree Instructors
I am nearing the end of my trial month at Bfree and have had so many fantastic instructors! I really like the variety that I get with each class, I have yet to know what to expect from a new instructor that I haven't had before.
What I have learned as I've gotten further into my Yoga Tour is that many of the instructors teach at multiple studios - so I'm lucky to have a chance to try out G'Nell's class at Bfree tonight because I missed her at BBY!
Rebecca - The class I attended by Rebecca was a BHot class, the first that I've taken at the studio. Although I'm not the biggest fan of bikram that is not the fault of the instructor. She was very thorough and even though I didn't know the pose names (they were slightly different from vinyasa) I didn't feel lost or out of place. The class was also VERY full but I didn't feel a lack of attention or distraction from Rebecca. I walked into her class feeling overwhelmed by life and left with a new attitude. Her manner was very professional!
Gioconda - my friend Sami has been talking about Gio's class since I started at Bfree...and I finally made it. Whew, I didn't know I could sweat that much. The class was challenging and the pattern of the class was unique to her. I really liked the variation options that she gave for each balancing pose, it allowed me to play when I felt strong enough but know what the next best option was since I was really tired (long day)! Her class was packed full and you could tell that she has quite a following of yogis. I was really impressed with her cadence and instruction, she lives and breathes yoga :)
As I explained, Friday is my last day at Bfree. Since I will have one class in me after G'Nell's class tonight I'm going to hit up Shelby's 9:30 on Friday since we have off for the holiday (hopefully they are open). Then I'll be sure to give my final thoughts on Bfree!
What I have learned as I've gotten further into my Yoga Tour is that many of the instructors teach at multiple studios - so I'm lucky to have a chance to try out G'Nell's class at Bfree tonight because I missed her at BBY!
Rebecca - The class I attended by Rebecca was a BHot class, the first that I've taken at the studio. Although I'm not the biggest fan of bikram that is not the fault of the instructor. She was very thorough and even though I didn't know the pose names (they were slightly different from vinyasa) I didn't feel lost or out of place. The class was also VERY full but I didn't feel a lack of attention or distraction from Rebecca. I walked into her class feeling overwhelmed by life and left with a new attitude. Her manner was very professional!
Gioconda - my friend Sami has been talking about Gio's class since I started at Bfree...and I finally made it. Whew, I didn't know I could sweat that much. The class was challenging and the pattern of the class was unique to her. I really liked the variation options that she gave for each balancing pose, it allowed me to play when I felt strong enough but know what the next best option was since I was really tired (long day)! Her class was packed full and you could tell that she has quite a following of yogis. I was really impressed with her cadence and instruction, she lives and breathes yoga :)
As I explained, Friday is my last day at Bfree. Since I will have one class in me after G'Nell's class tonight I'm going to hit up Shelby's 9:30 on Friday since we have off for the holiday (hopefully they are open). Then I'll be sure to give my final thoughts on Bfree!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Bfree Yoga Instructors
I've been with Bfree yoga now for about 2 weeks and have experienced a variety of yoga styles and teaching! It's very interesting because each of the teachers has a different background so I never knew what to expect. I'll give some highlights...
Brienne - Her style was very confident, she has a lot of knowledge and you can tell. I liked her class because it felt nurturing and there was a lot of motivational speak and "good jobs". In addition, it was a different spin on vinyasa in that the flows were in unique patterns.
Zoe - I walked in a little late and was a little surprised to hear singing...but when we did the same pattern of song at the end of class it was surreal, kind of taking you outside yourself! She is definitely more earthy and "free" in her practice.
Victoria - She was young but knows a lot of details. I did feel like she needed to be more confident, her class was great but I could tell she was a little nervous. I would suggest picking one or two poses on which to inflect and show more emotion.
Iva - Great! She had a fantastic voice and the flow was very natural. The hour went by quickly and I was sweating like crazy...very challenging and strong class. She had a good balance of each body part so we hit on arms, hips, etc.
I look forward to trying more instructors. There are so many at Bfree that I will definitely have more updates :)
Brienne - Her style was very confident, she has a lot of knowledge and you can tell. I liked her class because it felt nurturing and there was a lot of motivational speak and "good jobs". In addition, it was a different spin on vinyasa in that the flows were in unique patterns.
Zoe - I walked in a little late and was a little surprised to hear singing...but when we did the same pattern of song at the end of class it was surreal, kind of taking you outside yourself! She is definitely more earthy and "free" in her practice.
Victoria - She was young but knows a lot of details. I did feel like she needed to be more confident, her class was great but I could tell she was a little nervous. I would suggest picking one or two poses on which to inflect and show more emotion.
Iva - Great! She had a fantastic voice and the flow was very natural. The hour went by quickly and I was sweating like crazy...very challenging and strong class. She had a good balance of each body part so we hit on arms, hips, etc.
I look forward to trying more instructors. There are so many at Bfree that I will definitely have more updates :)
Monday, March 28, 2011
First Impression: Bfree Yoga
My second official studio trial began at Bfree Yoga on Friday. I'm doing a one-month trial for $60 and have friends who are excited to do the $20 10-day trials throughout my month, so we should have some guest bloggers!
My first class was Friday during lunch, I knew this would extend my lunch hour but since everyone else at work was out having drinks and watching the NCAA tournament I was still ahead! The classes are organized very well and are very clear, they offer BFlow, BHot, BGroove and some others. I have to admit I LOVE her branding strategy. It is easy to remember and allows for a lot of play on words, for example, she could add BAge-less for an older crowd or BMommy for pre-natal yoga..you see where I'm going with this. Anyway, I think it's genius and the marketer in me went to town :)
The class schedule is very flexible which I really like. There are 6-7am classes everyday which is great for early risers like me, but also multiple evening classes to choose from, including a new 9:30pm class on Thursdays. There seem to be many instructors, some of which teach only at BFree and others who I've seen on the schedule at various yoga studios around the city. Shelby, the owner, just purchased BFree a couple of weeks ago (it used to be Bodhi Yoga).
Because the name has recently changed I had a little trouble finding the place. I had the address and all but the sign isn't on the building yet so I wasn't sure how to find the studio...I would suggest putting a quick blurb on the location portion of the website that explains it is "on the San Gabriel side, on the first floor by the stairs." Just for us who are easily confused :)
So, on to the studio. My first impression was a good one. It has a lot of space which I like and is very open. There is a small locker room with two showers (which was perfect for going back to work Friday). It is clean and has an earthy feel, very yoga. The hot studio is huge, so when practicing there is enough room not to be on top of each other, I personally enjoy the space. There is another studio but I'm not sure yet if it's used...Shelby has a huge blackboard right when you walk in with announcements and information which is fun to read while you are waiting for class to start. April is bring a friend free month!
It seemed as if there were mats that one could use for free if you forgot and hand towels for during class. The one thing missing was a water cooler or a small refrigerator to buy a bottled water. I am not one who likes water typically so I tend to forget and be the person who buys a bottle or finds an empty something in my car...so maybe just having a small fridge and water for purchase would be simple improvement.
The classes I've taken so far were both taught by Shelby. She was substituting because a few of the other instructors are traveling. Both were great, and very hot! I sweat more in her classes than I ever have before, so I walked out feeling like I lost 5 lbs. Her classes seemed more focused on strength than some other Flow classes I've taken, which I liked. There were quite a few holds, various versions of plank, and a lot of back bends. The music was great, especially in the Sunday class...she played songs like "Like A Prayer" and "Handstands" which were very fitting.
Overall, I'm excited to really get started and try out the different instructors at Bfree, as well as classes other than just BFlow. I'll hopefully get some friends to check it out with me and give their thoughts over the next couple of weeks!
My first class was Friday during lunch, I knew this would extend my lunch hour but since everyone else at work was out having drinks and watching the NCAA tournament I was still ahead! The classes are organized very well and are very clear, they offer BFlow, BHot, BGroove and some others. I have to admit I LOVE her branding strategy. It is easy to remember and allows for a lot of play on words, for example, she could add BAge-less for an older crowd or BMommy for pre-natal yoga..you see where I'm going with this. Anyway, I think it's genius and the marketer in me went to town :)
The class schedule is very flexible which I really like. There are 6-7am classes everyday which is great for early risers like me, but also multiple evening classes to choose from, including a new 9:30pm class on Thursdays. There seem to be many instructors, some of which teach only at BFree and others who I've seen on the schedule at various yoga studios around the city. Shelby, the owner, just purchased BFree a couple of weeks ago (it used to be Bodhi Yoga).
Because the name has recently changed I had a little trouble finding the place. I had the address and all but the sign isn't on the building yet so I wasn't sure how to find the studio...I would suggest putting a quick blurb on the location portion of the website that explains it is "on the San Gabriel side, on the first floor by the stairs." Just for us who are easily confused :)
So, on to the studio. My first impression was a good one. It has a lot of space which I like and is very open. There is a small locker room with two showers (which was perfect for going back to work Friday). It is clean and has an earthy feel, very yoga. The hot studio is huge, so when practicing there is enough room not to be on top of each other, I personally enjoy the space. There is another studio but I'm not sure yet if it's used...Shelby has a huge blackboard right when you walk in with announcements and information which is fun to read while you are waiting for class to start. April is bring a friend free month!
It seemed as if there were mats that one could use for free if you forgot and hand towels for during class. The one thing missing was a water cooler or a small refrigerator to buy a bottled water. I am not one who likes water typically so I tend to forget and be the person who buys a bottle or finds an empty something in my car...so maybe just having a small fridge and water for purchase would be simple improvement.
The classes I've taken so far were both taught by Shelby. She was substituting because a few of the other instructors are traveling. Both were great, and very hot! I sweat more in her classes than I ever have before, so I walked out feeling like I lost 5 lbs. Her classes seemed more focused on strength than some other Flow classes I've taken, which I liked. There were quite a few holds, various versions of plank, and a lot of back bends. The music was great, especially in the Sunday class...she played songs like "Like A Prayer" and "Handstands" which were very fitting.
Overall, I'm excited to really get started and try out the different instructors at Bfree, as well as classes other than just BFlow. I'll hopefully get some friends to check it out with me and give their thoughts over the next couple of weeks!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Breath & Body Yoga: Final Rating
I have officially completed my month-long trial period at BBY. I have to say that it was an enjoyable month that sped by. My experience was with various instructors which I think was absolutely necessary to get a good grasp on the studio, their teaching methods and their techniques.
My initial positive reaction to the classes at BBY only got stronger as I continued. Each and every teacher was intelligent, attentive and well-trained. The classes were very challenging and I never left feeling as if I didn't get a good power yoga workout, and although I was scared of 1.5 hours to begin with, not I don't know how they cram any yoga into an hour...must be very challenging for the teachers. I'm not sure how to explain it but the classes had a great flow...we started out slowly with stretching and warm-up, moved into very intense poses (inversions, etc.) then ended with floor work including hips, back, etc.
I will definitely give credit to Desirae for not only being a fantastic teacher but also constantly parlaying her knowledge on to the other instructors that work for her. You can tell they are well aware of the human muscular and skeletal systems and have a good knowledge of how to do proper adjustments and corrections. In addition, the mental awareness came very easily in each of the classes. The message and intent for each of my sessions was well guided and spot on. For example, one morning there was construction right out the window and Desirae used it as our "music" and as a way for us to re-focus our practice on the poses instead of the environment around us.
As you know from past posts I rate the classes, the facility and my overall opinion of the studio. BBY has a small facility and that was a bit disappointing at times, for example, because there was only one bathroom and the shower was back inside the studio, so I didn't know if it was for students...I knew I'd have to go home after class instead of right to work in the morning. This can definitely be a negative for some, I luckily could balance around that since I live close, but others may not have that luxury. However, the studio was always very clean and tidy, with water available for purchase and through a cooler, in addition to small towels that were complimentary to use.
What I did notice is that if you forgot a mat or towel (the good yoga kind) you did have to pay to rent them. I think the prices are high enough at BBY that they could lend them to people. The type of individuals that I witnessed practicing there were fairly seasoned so I think everyone owned a mat...and if they forgot one it should be easy to borrow once in awhile. The prices for rental were $2 for each.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience at BBY. They are knowledgeable and I completely trusted their judgment. The teachers seem to be learning and improving all of the time through workshops, traveling, etc. and it's good to know they aren't working with old material. I definitely think that the option of having a one month or one week unlimited as a new student is ideal. Some/most studios offer just a week or 10 days and I found that I did get somewhat "attached" to the teachers I met and the style...there is definitely an emotional tie to yoga!
Ratings:
Classes: 5/5
Facility 3/5
Overall: 4.25/5 - classes hold a little more weight for me
It'll be hard to get a perfect score out of me, but here I go...the next stop BFree Yoga Downtown.
My initial positive reaction to the classes at BBY only got stronger as I continued. Each and every teacher was intelligent, attentive and well-trained. The classes were very challenging and I never left feeling as if I didn't get a good power yoga workout, and although I was scared of 1.5 hours to begin with, not I don't know how they cram any yoga into an hour...must be very challenging for the teachers. I'm not sure how to explain it but the classes had a great flow...we started out slowly with stretching and warm-up, moved into very intense poses (inversions, etc.) then ended with floor work including hips, back, etc.
I will definitely give credit to Desirae for not only being a fantastic teacher but also constantly parlaying her knowledge on to the other instructors that work for her. You can tell they are well aware of the human muscular and skeletal systems and have a good knowledge of how to do proper adjustments and corrections. In addition, the mental awareness came very easily in each of the classes. The message and intent for each of my sessions was well guided and spot on. For example, one morning there was construction right out the window and Desirae used it as our "music" and as a way for us to re-focus our practice on the poses instead of the environment around us.
As you know from past posts I rate the classes, the facility and my overall opinion of the studio. BBY has a small facility and that was a bit disappointing at times, for example, because there was only one bathroom and the shower was back inside the studio, so I didn't know if it was for students...I knew I'd have to go home after class instead of right to work in the morning. This can definitely be a negative for some, I luckily could balance around that since I live close, but others may not have that luxury. However, the studio was always very clean and tidy, with water available for purchase and through a cooler, in addition to small towels that were complimentary to use.
What I did notice is that if you forgot a mat or towel (the good yoga kind) you did have to pay to rent them. I think the prices are high enough at BBY that they could lend them to people. The type of individuals that I witnessed practicing there were fairly seasoned so I think everyone owned a mat...and if they forgot one it should be easy to borrow once in awhile. The prices for rental were $2 for each.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience at BBY. They are knowledgeable and I completely trusted their judgment. The teachers seem to be learning and improving all of the time through workshops, traveling, etc. and it's good to know they aren't working with old material. I definitely think that the option of having a one month or one week unlimited as a new student is ideal. Some/most studios offer just a week or 10 days and I found that I did get somewhat "attached" to the teachers I met and the style...there is definitely an emotional tie to yoga!
Ratings:
Classes: 5/5
Facility 3/5
Overall: 4.25/5 - classes hold a little more weight for me
It'll be hard to get a perfect score out of me, but here I go...the next stop BFree Yoga Downtown.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Breath & Body Instructors: Sami and Desirae
As you may have noticed I've chosen to try out the different instructors and classes at BBY. Writing about each one individually would cause me to get behind in my blogging so I'll continue to review two at a time. The two following instructors were both amazing. There was a similarity between Sami, Kaley and Desirae, which I'm sure is attributed to the fact that Sami and Kaley went through training at BBY, and Desirae is the owner!
Sami -
Sami is fairly new to teaching yoga (she got her certification in December) but she teaches like a seasoned professional. Her class was at 6:30am which I loved!! It was a new class that was recently added and I'm a big fan. Sami took this into consideration and made sure that we got the most out of our hour. She led the class so that it would prepare us for the week ahead. The opening and twisting poses really woke me up. I was surprised that an hour went by so quickly since most of the classes I've been taking lately have been an hour and a half.
Sami is very consistent with her instruction, which is helpful for those of us who aren't as familiar with the poses and flow patterns. She always speaks through each pose and makes sure to notice if anyone isn't doing it properly...she doesn't call them out but reiterates to the entire class how to make corrections. She talks through corrections and adjustments the entire time which improves my practice and technique. Even those who feel confident in their poses benefit from the reminders! Her music choices were fun and upbeat and went with the speed of the class. I saw similarities between our corporate class with Sami and the studio class - but the studio class was definitely more challenging...she was in her element and it was fantastic! Added bonus: we got lavender towels on our foreheads!
Desirae -
I learned a new yoga word today in Desirae's class, and it is "cadence". As I explained to Sami how I enjoyed the way that Desirae spoke throughout the class and how I was impressed by her points of inflection and the ease of her instruction, she informed me that it's known as cadence and it's a skill that all yoga teachers strive to perfect. It was motivating! As I explained in the intro, Desirae is the owner of BBY and I was told ahead of time that she had just gotten back from a bootcamp in Hawaii...so she was ready to kick our butts!
The class was definitely a challenge, whew. I really liked the integration of ab work into the class as it set the tone for the core work that comes from the flow portion of the class. She seemed to stay one step ahead of us as far as the next pose or adjustment was concerned, which I liked because it allowed us to go through the vinyasas and keep breathing at our own pace. Desirae knows her stuff, and it was obvious that others feel the same...she had many of the other instructors in her class as well as the most people I've seen attend a BBY class since I started!
I know I have yet to experience every instructor at BBY, but I am confident that I will enjoy and feel challenged by each and every class to come based on what I've seen so far :)
Sami -
Sami is fairly new to teaching yoga (she got her certification in December) but she teaches like a seasoned professional. Her class was at 6:30am which I loved!! It was a new class that was recently added and I'm a big fan. Sami took this into consideration and made sure that we got the most out of our hour. She led the class so that it would prepare us for the week ahead. The opening and twisting poses really woke me up. I was surprised that an hour went by so quickly since most of the classes I've been taking lately have been an hour and a half.
Sami is very consistent with her instruction, which is helpful for those of us who aren't as familiar with the poses and flow patterns. She always speaks through each pose and makes sure to notice if anyone isn't doing it properly...she doesn't call them out but reiterates to the entire class how to make corrections. She talks through corrections and adjustments the entire time which improves my practice and technique. Even those who feel confident in their poses benefit from the reminders! Her music choices were fun and upbeat and went with the speed of the class. I saw similarities between our corporate class with Sami and the studio class - but the studio class was definitely more challenging...she was in her element and it was fantastic! Added bonus: we got lavender towels on our foreheads!
Desirae -
I learned a new yoga word today in Desirae's class, and it is "cadence". As I explained to Sami how I enjoyed the way that Desirae spoke throughout the class and how I was impressed by her points of inflection and the ease of her instruction, she informed me that it's known as cadence and it's a skill that all yoga teachers strive to perfect. It was motivating! As I explained in the intro, Desirae is the owner of BBY and I was told ahead of time that she had just gotten back from a bootcamp in Hawaii...so she was ready to kick our butts!
The class was definitely a challenge, whew. I really liked the integration of ab work into the class as it set the tone for the core work that comes from the flow portion of the class. She seemed to stay one step ahead of us as far as the next pose or adjustment was concerned, which I liked because it allowed us to go through the vinyasas and keep breathing at our own pace. Desirae knows her stuff, and it was obvious that others feel the same...she had many of the other instructors in her class as well as the most people I've seen attend a BBY class since I started!
I know I have yet to experience every instructor at BBY, but I am confident that I will enjoy and feel challenged by each and every class to come based on what I've seen so far :)
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