Yoga Class at Pure Vs. The Gym

Inspiration: To continue to explore new ways and places for moving authentically.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of being a guest of one of my clients at Pure Yoga. Pure began in Hong Kong and has spread its wings into Asia and the U.S. It is a yoga sanctuary, offering various schools of yoga from the early am to late in the evening. Presently, there are two locations in NYC, one on the Upper East and the other on the Upper West.

The class I took was on the Westside. The instructor was Scott Harig, whose class I tend to take on Sundays at Equinox. There were a few differences between taking his class here and at the gym. First of all, there were no men. All women, except for the teacher. Second, no mirrors, as in all yoga studios. And last but not least, there was a closing call and response chant that he does not perform at Equinox.
WHY?

There tend to be perceptions about yoga in a studio verse yoga at the gym. One is that students at a studio anticipate a more spiritual or possibly "spirited" experience. Or maybe now at all. Students at a yoga studio appear to practice much more often and maybe not even go to a gym at all. Everyone is different.....In any event, I personally feel there is a clear delineation that exists between the two.

Yoga is yoga. Yes, it is nice to be in a sacred space with an altar with candles burning(Pure did not have this). But again, this may tend to scare some people. At it's essence, yoga is about bringing the mind and body into union to achieve a state of oneness where we feel a deeper connection to all that is. So we can all live a more peaceful existence and have greater compassion for ourselves and others.

It does not matter how you get there; whether it be your own practice, a studio or the gym. I invite those of you who have not explored this wonderful system to let go and surrender your expectations. There is something for everyone. Try it, you may be hooked. I am.

Have a very "peaceful" day.

With Love, Denise