Namaste Ya'll Gets Down with Jessica at CPY!

Empower Yourself Lowcountry Style!

If you are planning a trip to the Lowcountry anytime soon, please save time to stop into Charleston Power Yoga for a class. Charleston, South Carolina has always been know for great historical sight seeing, fabulous beaches, and incredible southern cooking, but recently Charleston is emerging as a leader in the southern yoga community. Charleston is a town of just 120,000 folks but supports a "big city yoga scene."

Charleston Power Yoga, a Baptiste Power Vinyasa Affiliate Studio, brings a message of personal empowerment and growth to the Holy City. If you love power yoga, please visit Charleston Power Yoga while in the lowcountry. The space and the teachers are both inspired and inspiring! CPY is located in historic downtown Charleston tucked in between hip pubs and shops on King St directly across from Super Bad. The building itself is a historical masterpiece, you can almost feel the energy of thousands of souls that have passed through the structure during its lifetime.

I attended the Saturday morning Power Vinyasa class (the studios signature class) taught by instructor Jessica Kenny. The class was challenging like all Baptiste style classes but the delivery was truly inspired. Jessica is so kind and gentle and her directive is so supporting that the message of personal empowerment rounds off the sharp edges of the Baptiste sequence. Her message is simple, leave your fear based like behind (like now). I left Jessica's class feeling invigorated and inspired, but most of all this class reminds me of all the reasons I love yoga so much.

If you need a good workout, a good stretch, and a reconnection to your personal power, check out Charleston Power Yoga. If all the instructors are as inspiring as Jessica, then CPY is going to have to expand soon. Do not miss this southern jewel. Baron Baptiste himself should be proud to be affiliated with this "powerful" little studio. Have you lost your personal power? My guess is you'll find it on King St.

Taken from Namaste Y'all, written by Brantley Beene-Crowder. Check their site for everything Yoga in the South!

Emily Watson looks at CONTROL

A lot of thoughts have played over and over in my mind that I’ve accepted to be true. I never tried to challenge these thoughts. I didn’t know I could. For example, one of the many lies I’ve told myself is that “I need to be in control”.

Does this sound familiar? When did I become God? I have learned that I’m NOT in control. Who knew? Things happen everyday that I have no input on, even if I want it. For example, my husband lost his job in the same month that we bought a house and my transmission went. In my small world, that was catastrophic. I worried and worried. After everything worked itself out, I learned that no matter how I reacted to those things, the outcome was as it should be, without me causing it. The outcome happened just the same regardless of my reactions, so why not take a deep breath and enjoy each moment?

It’s actually pretty reassuring that I’m not in control. When I look back on things that happen, the way that it turns out is way better than if I had planned it. That also helps me remember that I am NOT God and there is someone more suited for the job causing and solving issues in my life.

Island Trike Rentals on Folly Beach. SC

If you are looking for something new and different to do on a date, or while on vacation in our beautiful city, check out Island Trike Rentals. These one of a kind 3 wheel bikes for two are a great way to spend the day, and a lot of fun! Unlike other tandem bikes, Island Trikes have you seated beside your pedaling partner, so no more hanging out on the back seat getting a free ride:) This allows you to actually talk to the person you are pedaling with, great for a first date or with that favorite cousin you haven't seen in years! Folly Beach is slim on parking spots , but these bikes can be parked pretty much anywhere, and they come equipped with locks and lights for a unique evening out. And best of all, they are super affordable, only $25 a day ($25 for 24 hours!), or $100 for a whole week. You can help but smile at the simple fun of riding a bike with the wind in your hair, and its Eco Friendly, so you'll raise your Karma with every pedal! Call and reserve your Trike today!! Island Trike Rentals, Folly Beach , SC 843-513-3149

Yoga for Your Hair

Okay, I know, I'm a yoga teacher so the last thing I should be worried about is frizzy hair. I should be able to drop my Ego, and know its no big deal to have unruly locks that frizz at the slightest hint of humidity. That I should be okay with unmanageable hair that has a mind of its own , and let my inner light shine. But instead, I have spent years of my life trying to coax my hair into laying straight and smooth. I have spent hundreds of dollars on the newest products and tools, only to have it frizz up as soon as I stepped out into the steamy Charleston summer day. But then I found the Keratin Complex, and it changed my life. Yea, I know, it sounds shallow, and I'm okay with that. Yoga has changed my life too, in countless amazing ways! And I am thrilled that I no longer have to leave a heated yoga class with frizzy hair, and I have added hours back to my life now that I no longer have to blow out, flat iron and straighten my hair! That leaves me more time to practice, to relax and enjoy life. Keratin is kind of like yoga for your hair!

Keratin Complex is an All Natural treatment that will straighten and de-frizz your hair without damaging it or chemically altering the texture. Keratin is the natural protein found in your hair, skin and nails. Frizzy hair girls like me have less Keratin, than those blessed with sleek, straight hair. The Keratin is brushed on to your hair and left in while it is blown straight and flat ironed. The process takes 2-3 hours, depending on hair length and volume and you have to leave it in for 72 hours before washing. Avoid sweating, getting it wet or pulling it back during that time period. A pain, I know ( I have to take 3 days off work!) but it is SO WORTH it!! Your hair will be super straight and flat for those 72 hours, but once you wash it (preferably with Keratin Complex Shampoo and Conditioner), you will be amazed at how quickly you can dry it and how silky, shiny and smooth your locks have become. You can let it air dry and still have some wave, but the frizz is gone! I finger dry mine with a blow dryer for about 8 mins (compared to the 30 it used to take me before I flat ironed it) and it is smooth and sleek with no hassle! The treatments last 3-5 months, depending on what products your use and if you spend a lot of time in the pool.

I know the big question is... how much does it cost? Bigger salons charge upwards of $300,which I understand, their overhead is high, the product is expensive and it takes a lot of time. But that's a little out out of my price range. However, James, my other half, has finally made the move from the Outer Banks to Folly Beach (yay!) and his prices start at $200 (slightly more for longer/thicker hair). BUT for anyone with a Charleston Power Yoga key tag, he will take $25 off your first treatment! A little bonus for those of you have supported us this past year:) He can even come to your house if that works better with your schedule, just add $25 to the price of your service.

Come by CPY and check out my silky, smooth locks and sweat out those toxins from all the fun summer parties you've been invited to! Make your appointment today for your Keratin treatment and see what all of the fuss is about! You will wonder what took you so long! Call me at 843-513-3400 to set up a time for you before he is all booked up!

Check out a quick video of a CPY Power Hour

A BIG Thank You to one of our All Star Flow Junkies, Sarah Jones, for this fun video of a sweaty Power Hour here at Charleston Power Yoga. Check out her site for all things Charleston: events, history, people, business.... where ever, who ever, what ever, Sarah Jones is ALL OVER IT!

http://alloverit.org/

Yoga As It Applies To Me
Sarah Finn


For me, yoga is a practice. It is not a performance, not an on-again-off-again thing, nor is it perfect. In this practice I have found a lifestyle–a way of moving and flowing and being that keeps me and my ego in checkity-check mode!

We all have them–egos that is. But what do we do with them? To me, humility is huge. Humility is being brought to my knees after falling down a time or twenty in handstand and getting back up. It is coming right back to my mat with a smile and tear after my mother’s death, expressing that loss in the form of movement and receiving energy from the practice. It’s moving deeper into my faith after many sleepless nights, on hands and knees in deep prayer and meditation after a longtime relationship fell apart, then picking up the pieces (or lessons) from it all, understanding and taking what I need from that moment, inhaling a deep breath, then moving on. Most can relate…right?

I believe yoga should be accessible to all types of hearts, souls, bodies, and minds. Many of us start our yoga journey on the mat…we then take the choice of conscious movement and intention and apply it to other areas of life–eating, socializing, sharing, speaking, loving, and connecting. On the mat, we deepen our understanding of compassion for ourselves and then dedicate that same expression of compassion to the rest of the world as a whole. Personally, if I come to class and take care of myself, then once I roll my mat up and go back out onto the street and see someone who needs a hand, a dollar, a ride, or a meal, I feel more open to give. And in turn, when I am down, I feel deserving of receiving that same love.

Power Yoga also pushes me to my edge, takes me right out of my comfort zone and challenges me. This too is a HUGE help in my life off the mat. When I am in a situation that is uncomfortable or challenging, I no longer run away or get pissed off, but rather breath and see the lesson in it all.

The practice of yoga is so humbling and beautiful and whole. Yoga can touch all areas of our lives, leading to a greater understanding of liberation from attachment, faith, connectedness, love, and so much more. I believe a strong dedication to the physical practice–every day on the mat, moving energy and cleaning out the body–is a huge tool in creating a sense of balance and well being. I really could go on and on, however, I have a class to get too so with that being said… I hope to see you on the mat soon or on the street for a chat and hug!

Sarah and Charleston Power Yoga on YouTube