Nashville may be known as Music City, but there is more here in the city than the melodious sounds we are accustomed to. It also includes the sounds of relaxing and breathing that only yoga can bring. Rachel Kirsch talks to some Yoga Center owners.
“Namaste. Technically it means “I bow to you” and is sometimes translated as “The light in me sees the light in you.” When students leave the studio I hope they have seen a glimpse of their own amazing light, are a little more willing to notice the light in others and go out in the world willing to shine bright.” So says Linda Fenelon owner of NuPower Yoga, based here in Nashville. She says for her, yoga has been a place of both healing and connection. “My mat is a place to connect with my breath. From there anything is possible.”
For Shakti Power Yoga, they are located right on Music Row, the heart of Nashville, in a large white house that is 110 years old. One of the owners, Lauren Farina, says their studio and community strives to be a place where people feel welcome, seen, and heard no matter what day you are having, they are always happy you are there. They also provide different styles of yoga at Shakti. Their main focus is Heated Power Yoga based on the Baptiste Methodology but they also have an unheated studio where they provide restorative classes, vinyasa classes and ashtanga. Their intention is to create a place where all are welcome and practice what they love.
Just as each yoga studio is unique, so are the stories behind the creation of them. Leanne Woehlke, owner of EPIC Yoga tells her story about how she founded hers.
“Years ago I had a high stress corporate job. I noticed on the days I practiced yoga in the morning I didn’t feel nauseous on my way to work. Shortly thereafter I quit my “good” corporate job and went to India. I came back and almost purchased an existing yoga studio, but I didn’t want to give up my lifestyle at the time, which was living in Philadelphia. Buying the studio would have meant moving out of the city, getting a roommate and selling my car. I decided I could make a bigger impact returning to the corporate world, but this time bringing my yoga with me. I taught classes after work and had a more mindful approach to work. I had several people come into my office and tell me the benefits that they were experiencing from the practice and I realized the potential for yoga making a huge impact on the lives and well-being of individuals. Ten years later my dream of a yoga studio became a reality.”
The benefits of yoga almost seem to be endless and can affect people of many ages. Some of these benefits include:
- Reduces stress and tension
- Improves focus, concentration and memory
- Improves flexibility, strength, range of motion, and posture
- Improves depression
- Increases circulation and bone strength
- Decreases risk of heart attacks and strokes
- Decreases blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Lowers blood cholesterol
At EPIC Yoga, a person has the ability to reap the benefits listed above, but the yoga studio also has other unique qualities. They are a Baptiste Affiliate Studio, the only one in Tennessee. Baptiste Yoga uses the tools of meditation, asana and inquiry. They use meditation as an access to getting present and awakening. It’s about letting go of the day to day noise and background chatter of the mind and becoming still.
Steadfast and True Yoga is another Nashville yoga studio. They offer over 40 classes a week at a variety of styles, levels, and times. All of their teaching is based on sound movement and breath work with a specific focus on alignment to keep you safe and practicing for years to come. They strive to be friendly and easygoing, but will also challenge you when you need it.
Nashville may be considered the hub for music, but don’t count out the Nashville yoga studios that have the ability to help a person relax, focus and improve their overall lifestyle. Namaste, as they say.
For more information about any of the studios mentioned above, please visit their websites.
https://www.steadfastandtrueyoga.com/
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