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At noon on a Monday, a man approached the reception desk, smiling. “Oh, you guys are open again,” he said, “This is great.” The new owner, teacher Michele Gesualdi, said, “We were never closed.” The smiling man, Jeff Harris, a student of Yama Yoga center, the previous occupant of this space, was happy when Michele informed him that he and his wife are still registered as students of Yoga Souls, with twenty prepaid classes remaining on their account. He took a Yoga Souls schedule and promised to return that evening at 5:30 for Hot Yoga. “This is great,” he repeated. “So convenient. I’m so glad I stopped in.” Former students of Yama Yoga Center, mourning its loss, are understandably confused. The old signs still grace the top of the building, also home to the Kids Beds furniture store, overlooking West Main Street and Harvard Avenue. The old website says the studio is closed. But log on to the new website at www.yogasoulsct.com, or phone the studio at (203) 327-3232, and you’ll find a full schedule of classes, every day of the week. The doors to Yoga Souls are open, and there are over twenty weekly classes offered throughout the summer. Why haven’t the signs changed? “There was a misunderstanding with the graphic artist,” says Gesualdi. “We’re having a ‘Grand Opening’ banner made, with the Yoga Souls logo on it, and somehow the logo didn’t get transferred correctly. The sign will be up soon.” The well-loved yoga studio, a registered member of the Yoga Alliance, has continued in business under a new name, Yoga Souls, reflecting its new ownership. In addition to weekday classes at 9:30 AM, the schedule offers early weekday options, such as the 6:30 AM classes two days per week. Gesualdi says, “I’m happy people are coming at 6:30, before work. We may also add noon classes for working people.” There are also classes at 5:30, 6:00, or 7:30 on weekday evenings for those who want a place to release their stress at the end of the day. On weekends there are AM and PM classes. Aside from the snafu with the signage, all else is right at Yoga Souls. Attendance is up, and “the people are really wonderful,” says Kathy Cook, a Yoga Souls teacher. The teaching staff includes Gesualdi and Cook, as well as Peggy Berenblum, Kristin Del Toro, Penny Hoff, and Brigit Moynahan, all familiar names to long-time students. The schedule still includes Vinyasa I and II, Yoga Power Hour, and Hot Yoga, with and without variations. There are also occasional posture clinics and special workshops. Students who enjoy hot yoga will be especially delighted by the radiant heat in the Yoga Souls studio, which silently maintains an ideal temperature for practice. Together with the muted lighting, the soothing environment allows instructors to speak softly, and even to incorporate musical background, without any loss of clarity. And those hot yoga enthusiasts who are most familiar with the Bikram style will find the Hot Yoga with Variations to be an especially welcome addition to yoga practice, building on the traditional postures in creative, even playful, ways, and strengthening muscle groups that can be neglected. Together with the classes in Vinyasa and Power Yoga, the schedule offers everything the yogi or yogini might seek for a well-rounded practice. What’s new at Yoga Souls? Gesualdi is planning to add a facility for child care during daytime classes in the fall. Corporate clients are encouraged to book private group classes of their choice, for stress reduction or team building activities. “We did one last week,” says Gesualdi, “in gentle yoga. That’s what they wanted.” And starting in mid-July licensed massage therapist Trish Monahan will begin offering her unique brand of massage, combining deep-tissue work with Swedish massage. Trish also incorporates reiki and polarity therapy in her work. Trish will be offering sessions by appointment at Yoga Souls, in the newly completed massage room. And, according to Gesualdi, there’s been a change in attitude. “This is a non-competitive environment. I think everybody should do yoga. It changed my life and I think it could change yours. But we don’t take a forceful approach.” Cook agrees. “This is a studio open for anyone who wants to practice,” she says. “What we have to offer is a personal touch. Teachers here make an effort to make each student comfortable. You’re not in a room of forty people moving ahead while you’re trying to keep up.” Yoga Souls’ welcoming attitude draws students and keeps them. “A majority of our students have come in to Yoga Souls and bought packages,” Gesualdi says, referring to multiple class cards or weekly or monthly passes. New students can try an introductory package for a week ($25) or a month ($145). Aside from its serene décor and gracious manner, the facility at Yoga Souls offers sparkling changing rooms for men and women, equipped with tiled showers, hair dryers, and complimentary shower gel and shampoos. There’s ample off-street parking, covered and under-camera surveillance, with an entrance on Harvard Avenue. And access is easy from north and south, less than two minutes from Exit 6/West Avenue on Interstate 95. © Copyright by StamfordPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of StamfordPlus.com, Stamford Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: The Town Players bring the magic of talent, a bare stage, lights and music - Jul 18, 2008 - 2:02 AM Norwalk Hospital opens Health Emporium, an innovative offering for patients and visitors - Jun 12, 2008 - 9:56 AM Giving medical bills the business - Jun 4, 2008 - 5:15 AM Norwalk Hospital opens Health Emporium - May 29, 2008 - 2:34 PM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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