Yoga doesn’t have to be about strange positions with names that make no sense to a newcomer. Those rules can be stretched a little, just like yoga.
YogaSix, a modern fitness boutique recently opened in Pasadena, looks at the teaching of the ancient art of Yoga in a different way.
As Cheri Ehrlich, who owns the studio with her husband, Erich, explained recently, “We really make yoga accessible to everyone. And the way we do that is with our language format.”
According to Ehrlich, most traditional yoga studios use sanskrit to announce their poses.
“But,” she says, “We cue instead of using sanskrit.” That means, they simply describe the position.
“So for example,” says Erlich, “if our teacher was to tell you to do a downward facing dog, they would tell you where to place your hands and place your feet from the ground up and help you create that pose. What that does is it helps you have your own practice, instead of not knowing what the name of the pose is, and looking around and trying to figure out what everyone else is doing.”
“Yoga encompasses all domains of one’s health,” continued Cheri, a former operations executive for a multinational retail company. It’s exciting to reach those who have been practicing yoga, as well as those who have always wanted to try the exercise but have been intimidated to do so.”
With this type of teaching, Cheri explains, “You’re able to really focus on yourself and your own personal experience.
The studio is also “full sensory.” For the uninitiated, that means there is heat involved. Literally.
“The heat varies by class,” she explained, since the studio offers six different types of classes.
“But as far as full sensory,” she said, “we also have a music system and the music varies based on the classroom as well.”
And then there is a lighting system.
“If you’re in a really intense part of the workout with weights, the lighting system is going to be red,” said Cheri. Full sensory. Got it..
It’s a coordinated system that works together, added husband Erich, along with a “state-of-the-art” air cleaning system that kills 99% of bacteria and viruses.
“We hope to introduce people to the overall health benefits YogaSix provides by offering a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all who wish to practice, regardless of level or ability,” he added.
The studio also offers contactless check-in and members are allowed to bring their own mats, props and towels to practice. Hand sanitizers and wipes will be provided throughout the studio and the staff will clean in between classes.
YogaSix classes range from deep stretching to stress relief to high intensity training, with six core formats – Y6 101, Y6 Restore, Y6 Slow Flow, Y6 Hot, Y6 Power and Y6 Sculpt Flow.
Yoga Six is at 277 West Green Street, Pasadena, CA. www.yogasix.com/location/
