What do you do if you love yoga and want regular classes held in your own community?
If you’re Kelly Brown, you buy a house, renovate it, and open your own yoga studio.
The Fall River Yoga Centre started offering a few classes this summer, but a full slate of fall classes will soon be posted and seven yoga teachers are already onboard.
“I moved to Fall River in 2002, and about five years ago I thought it would be nice to have a yoga studio here,” explained Brown, a yoga practitioner for the past 22 years. “Commercial property isn’t that popular or available around here, so we worked hard to find a suitable spot.”
The spot she found was a bungalow at 1397 Fall River Rd., across the street from Georges P. Vanier Junior High. Brown purchased the property last August and completed renovations in June.
“My vision was to have a local place for myself and other people to do yoga so they don’t have to drive to Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford or elsewhere,” she said. “The other part of my vision is of a place where we can host other health-related workshops and seminars as well.”
Brown wanted the yoga centre to fit in with the surrounding neighbourhood, so with the exception of new siding and some outside work, the building’s exterior remained untouched.
Inside, the centre is open and welcoming and includes heated floors, air conditioning, and Brown’s favourite natural accessory.
“There’s a back wall that’s pretty much all windows, and from spring to fall it overlooks a canopy of trees. It’s all greenery,” she said.
A full kitchen will be used for workshops, there’s a small den with a library, and a sitting area. The upstairs studio space is larger, but programs will often take place on both floors simultaneously.
The site also includes 18 or 19 parking spots.
While the majority of the teachers practice the Kripalu tradition, there is one Ashtanga yoga instructor. Brown said they plan to offer whatever styles of yoga local practitioners and teachers are interested in.
Prenatal classes are already underway, and yoga classes for “every body” are also being offered.
“This was a very hands-on, personal project. Everybody contributed, gave ideas, and I think this is very fitting for Fall River,” said Brown. “It’s small and quaint.”
Fall River resident and yoga teacher Jo-anne Cusack played an active role in the development of the centre. She’s thrilled to finally have a yoga studio in her own community.
“It’s going to be run a little bit differently than most studios are run, because most studios are a business,” she explained. “In this case the owner of the business is renting the space to the teachers which means we can keep costs down and make yoga accessible to as many people in the community as possible.”
Cusack said classes will be offered in the mornings and evenings, with a few afternoon classes. They hope to keep weekends more free to allow for workshops and special events.
“This new centre means that we now have a space that’s totally dedicated to yoga, so the atmosphere encourages peace and serenity and being stress-free..Those beautiful windows overlooking a big apple tree is another thing I’m looking forward to,” Cusack said.
“I’ve been teaching at rec centres and structures with cold floors in the winter for 12 years. (Having heated floors) will be wonderful.”
The yoga centre’s website will soon be up and running and will include the full fall schedule. Visit www.fallriveryogacentre.com or call 576-YOGA (9642) for more information.
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca
