we’re open!
For the past three months, we’ve considered 15 students to be a full class. Last Thursday at our Grand Opening Party, we realized we were entirely underestimating our potential!!
25 Zen Yoga members and newbies situated themselves onto staggered mats for what we now know IS a full class! We squeezed in everyone we possibly could for our free pre-party class.
What’s a celebration without a party, right?! And we were definitely celebrating that night. It was the three-month marker of Ellen’s decision to go out on a whim and claim the studio space as her own. Zen Yoga has since blossomed into a community that revealed its loving and supportive character on this special night for us all. Ellen began the practice with a few words about the journey that brought her and the studio to this moment. She had been teaching yoga for years in various studio. But it was time; time to create her own, unique community.
The class made its way through the motions of a Free Spirit Flow class, with one exception…a visit from Grandview Mayor, Ray Degraw! We all put a pause on our zen and came out of our child’s pose to greet the guest of honor!
The end of class cued the start of the food, music and drink-filled festivities. Guests lined up to get first dibs at the cake…and other snacks…but most excitement surrounded the cake. Meanwhile, Paul Valdiviez, the local multi-instrumental performer, set up his act. He definitely brought a new level of energy to the studio – a space that’s usually much quieter! Paul jammed out all night and kept everyone dancing for hours. Other familiar and new faces came in and out throughout the night…we had more than 50 guests!
It all came together before our eyes; this is the studio we wanted to bring to our community. A community within a community, a fun and comfortable space to just…be. Members were able to connect and strengthen the core of the Zen Yogi Society: original members who were a part of the founders special. New faces acclimated themselves into what we already created.
And at the end of the festivities, members walked out with an adorable little succulent as a small token of our appreciation for their overwhelming love and support. This journey has been everything and more…we can’t wait to see where it goes from here!