Heart Full

It seemed everyone was anxiously awaiting the opening of Kula Williamsburg. Even the Brownstoner couldn’t help but run a shout-out for this much anticipated opening. I couldn’t wait to try it and see if it was similar to Tribeca. I was giddy that I still qualified for the $30 for 3 classes first-timers special, even though I’d been to the Tribeca studio. I noticed they’ve maintained the same pricing structure, and many of the same teachers that teach at Tribeca are also in Williamsburg. But the Brooklyn studio (at least to me) seemed to have a decidedly Williamsburg feel. I’d read that they had used reclaimed wood from the Catskills to give it it’s cabin like architecture, and while it nods to Williamsburg with its industrial/ steel accents it has a more minimalist-retreat like aesthetic, with a sauna in the back, and a working shower (yum!). My favorite piece is the wooden sink with its flirty mermaid in the corner. This studio also has a small cafe, called the shakti-shack. I haven’t tried any of the treats yet, but I fully appreciate the inviting smells of their baked goods that greet me before and after class. It adds to the retreat-like feel.

The classes I took have all been fantastic, the studio still new isn’t as packed as the Tribeca location, but still very well attended. So there’s enough yogis to generate heat and help you find depth in your poses, plus the extra room allows you to play with transitions and movements that would have been restricted in the Tribeca space. The classes are familiar, they’ve brought over the kula flow, honey flow, Kula Hour and Multi-intenso as a few examples, and they’re all just as sweetly challenging as I remembered.

Having been transplanted to Brooklyn a few months ago, several veterans warned me to “get to know the bus system”. I have stubbornly refused, the dizzying matrix of multi-color routes intimidates me. And I figured after one or two classes at Kula, I’d go back to a local studio, so there wouldn’t be any need for me to learn the bus system. But having become a recent kula junkie, I’ve accepted that the bus is the fastest and easiest way to get there, making the  B62 my new BFF. I also once confidently told my husband that generally “people go to studios that are convenient”, and don’t make a pilgrimage to follow a teacher even if they want to — time on the road means less time (with family) at home, not an easy sacrifice. But to take classes at THIS studio, I’m doing all the things I said I never would.

I first discovered Lori’s class at New York Yoga, her classes were challenging, and encouraged a sense of exploration in the students. And like kids we did explore in her class, new poses, and  techniques that maybe we were afraid to in other classes. I’m delighted that her teaching has branched out to not just NYY but Sonic, and now Kula in Williamsburg. It means I may finally get to take one of her classes again. This time, I caught up with her after her invigorating Inversion workshop at the newly renovated Sonic.

NYC Yogini: So when did you start Yoga?

Lori: I started when I was 18 while I was in college.

NYC Yogini: What brought you to yoga?

Lori: I have a background in dance and gymnastics so the movements were natural to me. I was also raised without religion, so I’ve always been a truth seeker. I found myself drawn to eastern philosophies and religions, and started learning more about them.

NYC Yogini: And how would you describe your class?

Lori: Sweaty, juicy, flow with creative sequences and an emphasis on alignment.

NYC Yogini: So do you have a particular pose you’re working on now?

Lori: ALL of them! Really, so many of them. (I secretly find this hard to believe, if you’ve ever seen her in class you’d understand that she seems like she can do ALL of them). OK (playfully) you want to know my kryptonite? Padmasana (Lotus).

NYC Yogini: REALLY? (eye-brow raising incredulity)

Lori: Truly. I’ve been trying for years. And I dunno … my hips they just don’t open that way. I’m always working on it though, so maybe one day!

NYC Yogini: How about a favorite studio? One you DON’T teach at?

Lori: Hmmm well…I technically don’t teach a Kula Tribecca. (smile)

Starting a new trend, we’re taking nycyogini to the streets to get up close and personal with some of the city’s yoginis. This week, I’ve profiled one of the yogini’s i admire the most, Yadana. Her practice is nothing less than ethereal, and her infectious enthusiasm for life is contagious. It is impossible to frown around her.

NYC Yogini: How Long Have you been practicing Yoga?:
Yadana pauses and silently counts before decisively answering, “15 years!”.
NYC Yogini: Wow, that’s a long time! How did you get started?
Yadana: Smiling impishly, “I use to watch my mother when I was young, and I tried following her poses.”
NYC Yogini: So, how did you like the class we just had at Yoga Vida?
Yadana: The instruction was good — clear, and I appreciated the bi-lateral assists. Many instructors forget, but it’s important.
NYC Yogini: Do you have a favorite studio?
Yadana: Wisely shakes her head, “No .. no. It has to do with the instructor and how you’re feeling that day. For example, when I went to Yoga Local, it wasn’t the most intense class but I loved it, it was exactly what I needed that day. Deep, relaxing and restorative.”
NYC Yogin: And are you working on a pose now?
Yadana: No, wait actually (excited) yes! I’ve started working on it after I went to Kula’s flight school. I .. err.. i just don’t remember the name. It’s when you’re in a tripod headstand but your legs are in Lotus to the side.
NYC Yogini: Oh… that’s like called, “impossible”.

The first time I encountered David’s Multi-Intenso class it was at Kula Yoga. And as you may recall I’ve had some mixed experiences with Kula Yoga, so not surprisingly I had a mixed reaction to David’s multi-intenso. It was unlike any yoga class I had experienced. There was little warm up, and not much explanation in getting into the poses, and we got into some very serious poses, like handstands (instead of downdogs) during sun salutations, etc,.. And while I was intimidated just that he offered it, it was even more overwhelming to see that nearly everyone in the class took him up on his offer. So there I was the lone non-handstander in a room so crowded our mats were touching, and so hot I could see the steam rise off of my neighbor’s shoulders.

Eventually, I was so out-paced my spirit didn’t try to keep up anymore, I did the motions (I could) half-heartedly. Panting my way through it, I finally understood all those reviews I had read that Kula (one of the only studios) offered *truly* advanced classes. I had been to two prior and while they were also intense, I wasn’t writing home about them. So it with much interest when my friend Desmond (who had taken the class with me) noticed that the same teacher was teaching in Shala, but this class was labelled intermediate / advanced. We wondered how he would modify it to make it accessible to intermediates, and would it be the same format? As in sanskrit and description light, but body-warpingly challenging.
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