We’ve all been there before: another week passes without breaking a sweat. You walk past the Plex with your head down as if it’s ugly, green interior is somehow guilting you from within. Your once-a-day trip up the Million Dollar Stairs is followed by heaving panting and a pat on the back in congratulations to yourself for at least making it that far, but can anyone really blame you? With its overcrowded machines, lack of airflow, and unattractive setup, it’s nearly impossible to have an enjoyable workout at the Plex.
I kissed my daily Plex days goodbye this past spring semester when a CorePower yoga studio opened in Newton. Having been an avid CorePower fan back in my hometown, I couldn’t contain my excitement to get back in the studio after months apart. I cried—yes, actual tears of joy—when I reached the final resting posture on that initial day in April. Now, whether you’re a yoga pro or a total newcomer, if you haven’t experienced a CorePower class, it is unlike any other. With a variety of different classes available, the CorePower staff and studio welcomes you with energy, smiles, and a heated and humidified room sure to make you drip puddles of sweat.
Now Newton residents listen closely as I give you added bragging rights: the closest CorePower studio is just about a mile past the Newton campus, so you’re already one step ahead of the rest of us. I’ve found the best way to get there is to take the Newton bus and enjoy a leisurely walk past the Newton campus (in the opposite direction of Newton Centre), allowing yourself about 20 minutes before class for walking time. If you’re pressed for time, grab a friend or two and split an Uber. It’s close enough that the fare would only be a couple dollars, and it’s certainly a cause worth sacrificing your daily Starbucks allowance for.
Before arriving to the studio, there are a few things you should check out. Download the CorePower yoga app or log on to www.corepoweryoga.com and check out the schedules to find times, teachers, and classes that suit you best. For a traditional, Vinyasa yoga flow practice, a beginner’s level “CorePower Yoga 1” is a great place to start. It will introduce you to the basic postures and sequences and prepare you for the more advanced “CorePower Yoga 2” class, where you work deeper into postures and challenge yourself more. Practice frequently and you could be doing headstands in no time. These classes are hot and sweaty but also relaxing. The music and teachers are calm and the poses work gradually rather than at a quick pace, yet still torch calories.
On the other hand, many students prefer a “Yoga sculpt” class. This has an added challenge of yoga with hand weights. It is much more muscle intensive than a traditional yoga class and incorporates bursts of cardio as well to get your heart rate up. It will certainly be tough and challenge you both physically and mentally, but you will leave feeling incredible and addicted to the fitness. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
As you attend the studio more frequently, you will come to familiarize yourself with the different teachers and their styles. All of the instructors at the Newton studio are kind, welcoming, and passionate about their jobs, but I have grown to really love certain individuals and their particular styles of teaching. Try them all out, but if you’re looking for a great place to start, I recommend Amberlie or Catie for either “Yoga Sculpt” or “CorePower Yoga 2.”
So next time you’re dreading the Plex, try something new and make your way over to the CorePower studio and start up your free week! With it’s convenient location, great student discounts, unbelievable staff, and killer workouts, CorePower Yoga will be sure to capture the attention of any BC girl who gives it a shot.
Photo Sources:
https://twitter.com/CorePowerYoga
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/biz/CorePower-Yoga–Sherman-Oaks
http://www.corepoweryoga.com/yoga-studio/california/clairemont-mesa