Heart Full

My friend Tsam — my partner and cheerleader for trying out new activities, noticed a great discount for Aerial Yoga on Lifebooker. Intrigued we booked. And it kicked our ass. Seriously. I guess I got use to yoga’s more mindful approach to new things, like new poses or poses that just scare us. In aerial yoga, our instructor Cody demos the sequence she wants you to try (while hanging upside down), smiles and lets you have at it. In our first class there was about 3 of sharing the same “silk” so you couldn’t dilly dally too long, wrestling with your fear to hoist yourself up and over, you had to go about getting it done. But once you’ve conquered it the world is your oyster. Your body sighs in relieved joy as it’s finally not supporting you, gravity and this enormous silk drape is. You can actually feel your spine expand as you just let go and hang out. But it’s not all rest and relaxation. No. The silk is about 25 or so feet high, and you’re expected to gracefully climb it. You see, you don’t just swing around at the bottom, you actually have to climb up the silk, pose/ dangle, fall down the silk a little more and dangle. I looked something like a lose branch from a tree, just about to fall but somehow not. Still, it’s fun, it’s exhilarating, the silks will make you feel graceful even if you have a ratty tank and just realized there are holes in unspeakable places. Trust me. Plus, your abs, they’ve never worked like this before, and they’ll never want to again. But you will. Promise.

I met Danielle at Yogalocal. She was one of the first instructors I took at the studio, and I’ve since been hooked. Her liquid flow, and inventive sequencing always surprises me with fresh new challenges. I recently got to catch up with after her recent penthouse class.

NYC Yogini: So how did you get started in yoga?

Danielle: I first started exploring yoga in college. I have a dance background so yoga seemed natural, I really connected to the alignment.

NYC Yogini: When did you decide to become a teacher?

Danielle: I actually really struggled with the decision to become a teacher. I thought that if I started teaching it would take away from my practice, and I enjoyed the practice *so* much! I was wrong of course (smile). It’s deepened my practice.

NYC Yogini: How would you describe your class?

Danielle: It depends. Alignment focussed, while still connected to the physical, mental, and emotional practice through the breath. Lately, I’m trying to incorporate the chakras into my class more.

NYC Yogini: Are you working on a particular pose?

Danielle: Eka Pada Galavasana.

(side comment from Ben) What is that exactly?

Danielle: It’s a kind of flying side crow. You know it’s funny, because I use to be able to do it, and then I somehow lost it (puzzled shake of her curls). I structure my classes with a pinnacle pose in mind — even if we don’t do in class, so lately I’ve been doing more hip openers for galavasana.

Metrotech — a commercial complex in Downtown Brooklyn bound by Jay St, Johnson, Flatbush and Myrtle has stood at the center of Downtown Brooklyn’s resuscitation from a rather messy dilapidated district with few residents, to signs of a real neighborhood, including my favorite — Brooklyn’s first 2 Michelin Star — Brooklyn Fare. And while the neighborhood isn’t here yet; DoBro’s early pioneers can enjoy the play of lights this Holiday season, and its periodic public art. This one is an inflated cow which was paired with what looks like an inflated couch. I think it might be missing the TV to complete the piece. I’m not sure what it all means, but it was interesting enough to inspire me to unzip my parka in the super cold, and show off my own wobbly / slightly crooked, cow face. Moo!