A New Beginning and the Launch of “Yoga Your Way!” by Nancy Weshkoff
A New Beginning and the Launch of “Yoga Your Way!”
By Nancy Weshkoff
We have been through so much with the COVID epidemic. Sadly, thousands have lost their lives. Businesses have closed. School children had to adapt to a new way of learning. Our downtown areas have been dark as there were no patrons to support the business, and it was unsafe to open. We have also missed simple things such as spending time with loved ones.
Through this dark period, I am grateful that there was a “Zoom” which allowed Moonflower Yoga to still be open – albeit remotely – by providing a platform offering great online yoga and meditation classes as well as workshops. It has been a way for me, as well as the other Moonflower Yoga teachers, to stay connected with the students whom we have come to love. For the students, it has been a way to cope with the stress of the pandemic, stretch tight muscles, as well as stay connected and chat in the Zoom rooms with fellow students and the teacher.
Things have been on a positive trend with combating the virus. More people have been vaccinated. Life is starting to slowly return to some of the “normal” things we did pre-pandemic. Better days are ahead. I have given a lot of thought to what this means for Moonflower Yoga, and I have decided to do a partial re-opening of the studio doors for a small group of classes limiting the attendees to 4 fully-vaccinated individuals. This will take place in mid-June, and I am excited for this new chapter!
One of the things people have expressed is they have come to like the convenience and ease of Zoom classes. They also may not feel comfortable yet attending a group class, even if it is limited to 4 students. Keeping these concerns in mind, the idea for the new “hybrid” yoga class was formed whereby EVERY CLASS on the schedule will be available via Zoom, while simultaneously a group of hybrid classes will accommodate a maximum of 4 fully-vaccinated individuals in the studio room for an in-person experience. These great new hybrid yoga classes offer the best of both worlds when deciding to attend a class: you can join remotely via Zoom or select the in-person option if you are fully vaccinated.
I have also come to realize that some classes work better solely as a remote class. Cathi’s lovely Relax and De-Stress with Guided Meditation class on Mondays is an example of this. Students enjoy being comfortable in their home – perhaps reclining on a couch or in their favorite chair – as they listen to the guided 30-minute meditation. One of Moonflower Yoga’s popular teachers, Jessica, lives out of state, but she can continue to teach from her 2 popular yoga classes from her southern home using the Zoom platform. Jackie Lee’s de-stressing, monthly Yoga Nidra, which most attend while reclining at home, also works well in the Zoom environment. And Moonflower Yoga is blessed to have Bhante Sujatha, the loving kindness monk, provide a monthly de-stressing meditation and offer his wisdom and insight with a monthly guided meditation evening for Moonflower Yoga which he offers from various locations around the world using Zoom.
With all these choices now available, it provides an opportunity for a new beginning. I am calling this new chapter “Yoga Your Way!” because it is just that – an opportunity to choose how YOU would like to attend a great yoga or meditation class based on YOUR needs. We are taking some of the things that provided flexibility for our needs, such as online classes, and we are combining that with the in-person experience that so many of us have missed due to the pandemic. For those who are seeking a beginner yoga practice, there are great beginner-level yoga classes on the schedule 6 days a week from which you can choose. It is an exciting new start!
I hope you will take this opportunity to join me, as well as some of the other great yoga teachers at Moonflower Yoga and enjoy a fabulous yoga or meditation class. With the new “Yoga Your Way!” program, you have the choice of deciding which way works best for you. If you need additional information on “Yoga Your Way!”, click on the “Monthly News” or “Descriptions” tab on the moonfloweryoga.com website. The Moonflower Yoga studio doors in Bellmore, Nassau County, Long Island, will start to partially reopen on Sunday, June 13th under the new “Yoga Your Way!” program. We look forward to seeing you soon!
