Heart Full – Shine the light

Posted by chai on June 5th, 2008 in new york yoga, teacher training, yoga

By now, Laughing Lotus is a venerable Yoga Studio on the New York scene, and just about every drop I’ve heard about this place, has been glowing. But I was dubious, especially when I was blinded by the colors, almost the minute I entered. “Ah”, said my inner voice, “bohemian charm”, much like Kula Yoga . But the studios are almost nothing alike, and I am sheepishly ashamed at having been so judgmental.

Both classes I took at Laughing were stunningly challenging, the teachers are uniquely creative with their “flow”, gifted with a sense of playfulness, and easy dharmic insights. The midnight class with it’s live music (cello the night I went), soothing style, and accessibility shouldn’t be missed. Yet, what I was most impressed with was not LL’s warm and spacious studio, the free *filtered* water/tea and organic oreos, lengthy library, quiet meditative spaces, and mat storage, but their students. I have never met friendlier faces, and they make jokes! In a city where I learned to focus on “my own thing”, look ahead, get ahead and never look back. Ever. It’s touching to encounter a welcoming face, from people who aren’t paid to do it.

Now I have to say it, and I’m embarrassed typing it, after that exceedingly exuberant review, but I just wish that I got at least one adjustment during any of the three classes I attended. Maybe it was something I said, or the way I smelled.