Finding My Flow
10 years ago when I walked into a yoga studio I had no idea what to expect. At the time I was grieving a major loss, navigating a new (terrible) job and wanted to improve my flexibility for weight lifting. There was no expectation that yoga would be a long term practice or that these classes would be a new grounding space for me. At the time, yoga was popular but not mainstream. The studio had two rooms and people always seemed relieved and very sweaty after class.
The first class I tried was specifically for newbies and they offered Lululemon mats as loaners. The yoga teacher shared that we could stop whenever we wanted and take a child’s pose if we needed a break (there was nothing comfortable about this posture for me at the time), there were lots of modifications offered throughout the class which made me interested in coming back. For the next 6 months I continued to go back 1-2 times a week (due to my budget) and even started to feel my body releasing tension it was holding. The heat of the room made it easier to get deeper into some of the poses that were too unfamiliar for me, at the time a simple down dog felt strenuous on my palms and hamstrings. Despite all of these discomforts, the classes felt more and more like a break for my brain and my body started to finally get on board.
When it was time to move to a new state, part of me was sad that I would have to find a new studio like this one, but eventually it happened. Through testing out various studios and yoga events in my new city I learned about the types of yoga practice like Yin, Vinyasa, Hatha, Kundelini, Bikram and so much more. One of the most important lessons that has always stuck with me is “Your practice is your own and its more about your presence and breath than it is about hitting a specific pose”.
Downtown Phoenix Studio
Moving to the West coast a few years ago would put me back on the search for a new studio. The first studio I tried was a black owned yoga studio in Downtown Phoenix called 88Yoga. They opened a few months after I moved and their classes were like nothing else I had experienced. The playlists included R&B, Hip Hop, Pop or Trap music and the overall vibe of the studio was welcoming, I remember the teachers speaking in this softer tone. Unlike other classes and studios they never sounded so authoritative, each teacher had their own style but they all spoke like the poses were a recommendation, reminding you that your breath was your guide. Their classes are heated to 88 degrees so the heat wasn’t as unbearable and the all levels classes were truly that, a class that anyone could take where they honored inclusivity (it wasn’t just a statement on their website). If advanced poses like a headstand were not in your practice, thats ok you weren’t left waiting for other yogis in the class, there was always a modification available. The ladder style flow of the classes forced me to be present and think about the postures, not just to listen for the queue. Presently I still attend classes at 88 and will continue to recommend and bring friends with me to their events.
My journey with yoga has taught me that listening to your body and intuition is the best path to self understanding. Classes and studios are your chosen guides for the journey. Flexibility is not a requirement to practice yoga, all you need is an open mind. Going to a studio where you feel SAFE will change the way you view your entire practice.
Let me know if you have been to 88 or plan to visit while in Phoenix!
