Now what?

As many of you know, I closed my yoga studio, The New Studio, about a month ago. It was sad but it has been a huge blessing and many doors have opened since that one closed. Funny how when we're in the thick of it, mired in our own darkness, we rarely trust or believe that will actually happen.  Silly, humans. "Do the yoga, all is coming". "Be still and know that I am God". Whoever you believe is flying this plane, it's all the same. Lose your faith, either in God, the Universe or yourself, and you're bound to be lost. 

After closing the studio, panic set in about the economy (more clues my faith was weakening) and I thought maybe the universe was trying to tell me to "get a real job" and get some steady income, just suck it up and go back to PR or some corporate job.  So, I scrounged up some "work clothes", squeezed my now flat feet into some respectable heels and took a shitty job at a boutique ad agency, making less than I did in my first job out of college as a lowly copy editor. I lasted about a month before I got fired  (yes, fired!) for "rolling my eyes".  I was summarily ejected back into the world, ever more certain of my calling: bring yoga to the people. 

I've since I picked myself up, dusted myself off, bought some yellow tights (there's no time for self-doubt wearing those things) and I'm full speed ahead, onto the next adventure, with a lot less baggage in tow. 

I'm busy launching a corporate yoga program wherein I plan to shake things up in corporations across the country.  I'm telling you: I mean business. See?

Coming soon to a cubicle farm or board room near you.... 

Meantime, you can join me on the mat on Tuesday nights at the 

CHI Movement Arts Center (www.kunyanglin.org) 

6:30-7:30. I'm taking a bit of a hiatus from teaching to get this down-dog and pony show up and running. 

Love to you all. Keep shining bright. 

New kid in town.

I don't even think I know how to write a blog entry any more, it's been so long. I guess I've been using all my creative juicy juice to jumpstart a new yoga studio, called, quite simply (perhaps too simply?) The New Studio. I left "yoga" out of the name because this beautiful place will soon hatch into a gallery/multi-purpose community space where all sorts of fun things will happen. Perhaps hula hooping (good for the soul). Maybe spoken word. But definitely music, meditation, and a mishmash of other marvelous ways to move...beyond tree pose.

Come check out the space at 1241 Carpenter Street on the 3rd floor. Better yet, stay for yoga. Your first class is FREE and after that its still pretty darn cheap at $10 a class. It's $9 if you buy a 10-class card. We're keeping yoga affordable for the masses, my friends.

For a while I was searching for a no-frills yoga studio with a down-home vibe, a place where people don't take themselves or yoga too seriously. I mean, it's a serious endeavor, but honestly, the yoga scene and it's accompanying accoutrement and egos can get a little ridiculous: $150 yoga pants that promise eternal samadhi ("bliss" for those not yet versed in Sanskrit speak) along with a sweat-free crotch, a $80 vegan eco-friendly 150% hemp yoga mat-- it's durable, washable, and most importantly, edible, and tasty! Comes in handy during that 90 minute vinyasa class on a Saturday morning when that bowl of Cheerios just isn't cutting it.

I was searching for a studio where people wouldn't be afraid to laugh in class or talk to each other or talk to the teacher, where egos are checked at the door and flexibility is truly optional. A place where I could hear interesting music in a yoga class, beyond bamboo flutes and Tibetan singing bowls....a place where Krishna Das ,Widespread Panic, Nina Simone and David Byrne make it on the same playlist. I couldn't find this place, so I am creating it. On cynical mornings (yoga instructors are allowed to have them, thank you very little) I stare at this magnet on my fridge: Be the change you wish to see in the world and think, ya-dah, ya-dah, Ghandi, whatever. But deep down inside I know and believe it's the only way.

So I hope you come out and play. For you yoga skeptics out there, yoga is not what you think it is. It's better. It's hard. And fun. And beautiful. (But still manly, you macho men, you). And interesting. And good for your head. And abs. And buttox. And pinky toes.

You'll meet people who will surprise you. And you will most likely find a few moments when you'll surprise yourself. And if you're one of those neurotic people who doesn't like surprises, then I don't know what to tell you. Talk it over with a good shrink. Or pop a Valium before class or something. I'm kidding. You know I'm kidding, right?

See you all very soon. Oh, and the website is on its way. Meantime, the full schedule is to the right of this here post.

Lots of love to you,

Holly