New World Gifts: Book and Gift Store

New World Gifts: Books and Gifts for Conscious Living

5655 Main St

Williamsville, NY

716-545-5118

 

It was a marvelous day of biking into the heart of Williamsville. I ventured further than I ever had before. The heat was challenging but no more so than the yoga class at Bikram I was an hour too early for. After a cold unsweetened ice tea at Coffee Culture I biked on. I found a little a book store. It was called New World Gifts: Books and Gifts for Conscious Living. The focus of the store was Ayurvedic medicine.

The woman was nice. She noticed I was carrying a book bag and a yoga mat. She teased me that I should put those down so I would have an easier time shopping. The store was small but it was so warm and inviting as though you were walking through a little slice of heaven. It was peaceful.

I honestly did not know where to start like a kid in a candy store. There were books on ayurvedic medicine, yoga, meditations, and angelic paraphernalia. You had crystals, bathing salts for different conditions, candles and just about everything you would need to create a meditative space in your home.

My ear caught on quickly to the conversation the shop owner and customer were having. They were talking about balancing the body, a type personality, yoga. I listened keenly to the shop owner knowing her to be an intuitive healer. I knew I had to ask her advice.

I picked up several books with no idea what to get. I felt comfortable to sit as they had two chairs for customers. You know any place is wonderfully comfortable if you feel free sitting in shorts and a tank top with some seriously windblown hair. 

I picked up two selections. I got a meditation cd, Deva Premail – dakshina and “The Magic of Believing” by Nido Qubein. The shop owner gave me a Book Club Card and Appreciation Card.  I asked her about her further recommendations since I felt over stressed in general about life. I told her my yoga experience and she actually recommended a yoga studio that I never even knew existed.  I was as giddy as a child. She said that it was Divine intervention. I left promising a return knowing my cousin, a practiced meditation expert, is going to want to check it out. I told her I felt calm just being in the store. I could hardly believe when she said they had only been open for a month. You love yoga or just healthy living, check it out.

Set Your Intention - Before You Hit A Studio

           

           Yoga is for everyone but not ever style. You can always make time for yoga. You just have to find what works best for your life and your intention.

            I have tried DVD’S at home which I dislike. I feel better being around a real life flesh and blood teacher that can offer interactive guidance and direction. DVD’s for beginners always struck me as silly because how can you look at the television screen when you attempting a posture? Proper alignment for your body almost instantly goes out the window.

 I have spent time at a studio for ten months trying to squeeze out the magical triune of mind, body, soul, the very definition of yoga. It was more a place for exercise through postures, Ohms were far and few between. My friend once called it “Abercrombie and Fitch” yoga. If you want to bump into a rich lawyer to date and marry that might have been the place to go.  

            When you are searching for what you want, set your intention before you start your journey into the land of yoga studios. Do you want just exercise, meditation, relaxation or a little bit of everything? If you are happy at a place it does not mean you should not try new things anyways, primarily because you can only grow.  Trying a lot of places before you settle into one studio can only benefit and inform your decision for longer lasting happiness. A home studio should be home because that is where the heart is, not the closest studio.

My definition of a home studio is where you like the instruction, trust and respect your teachers and feel that they are trying to nurture you and your intention. You should not have to conform to a teacher. Teachers are there to help you grow for yourself.

            If you are new to yoga it is very easy to hit your first studio and think it is the end all, but try others because you have no idea what a “yoga experience” can be until you do.

            I have met a lot of people who happily go to gyms and study from teachers learning postures for exercise. I went to my first studio for ten months. I thought it was the end all.  I know for myself I always felt like I was missing out on something. It was the spiritual. There was only one teacher who really delved into that and unfortunately she was there only for two classes out of the whole week.

My advice, make sure you use your intuition and listen to your heart as it opens during your practice. You will know where you belong and if a place is not right, move on.  

           

East Meets West Yoga

East Meets West Yoga Studio - Elmwood

 

            It was not the best day to venture down Elmwood since a portion was blocked off for the Buffalo Marathon. After a series of irritating detours, I found 758 Elmwood. It is in close proximity to Evolation studio which is on my schedule to try. The studio was connected to a lovely delicatessen, all a bright tan color. Warm and inviting I made my way in and up the stairs.  The house was  a blend of Victorian heritage with a touch of  modern and eastern art, truly east meets west.

            It was a little confusing as where to go as a new student. There was no one waiting for students to greet them, but I saw a book and signed in. I grew anxious as where to pay and what to do. You can accuse me of having an A type personality and being a staunch pragmatist at times. I always am eager to get things done and accomplished.  I found some chairs and sat waiting to talk to someone. They had two restrooms with one having a shower facility. The restroom was lovely as a woman always seemingly my first stop.

            It was a small, friendly atmosphere. They offered complementary self serve hot chai tea for students. I witnessed students talking amongst themselves enjoying a hot beverage like old friends.

            I signed up for the Open Flow Vinyasa class. I was not entirely sure about what it would entail. I realized one of the people talking was a teacher so I asked her some questions. She gave me a new student form to sign. I always read and get a copy.

The teacher told me the teacher would be here soon for class and I could not miss her because she was very pregnant.

            I chuckled and waited. The teacher arrived. She approached me in a friendly manner as I screamed newbie and had that fear look. There are a few rooms that act as separate studios for classes. She opened the room and welcomed me in.

            I paid her directly. I was worried at first they did not accept credit cards at their location but they did. From my retail background, I usually look for a business set up and credit card machine. While the studio did not have a business feel, it was incredibly warm and inviting. I chose to pay for a class which was $18. Since I still have time at Bikram and am gallivanting I did not want to use the new student special, though it was reasonable, $25 for a week and $40 for two weeks unlimited.

            The studio was small but cozy. Being in the Victorian setting mixed with Eastern statues it was just beautiful speaking to the artistic culture of Elmwood and of my art history background. I have never been one for small, enclosed spaces but I was relaxed. They had shelves in the back to put your belongings. The teacher asked me to turn off my phone. The students were all friendly and a woman instantly chatted with me singing the praises of the yoga studio and all of the teachers. I soaked in every word.

            I unrolled my mat. My mat is a Lulu lemon, designed for hot yoga. It has taken a beating and looked as such. My vanity always dictates me getting made up before going out in public so it has taken a lot of beatings from make up drench.

            The class was not heated. The windows were open. It was just like Power Yoga with a few variations, it was a vinyasa. (Duh) without the heat, a wonderful change. I had told the teacher I had only a few classes to avoid a long story.  I felt guilty after because I was more than familiar with the postures and it was obvious. The flow felt like a home coming to me.

            The teacher was warm and humorous and gave me corrections. My shoulders in downward dog never roll inwards. She was even good natured because I am a visual learner and I have a hard time sometimes listening and translating that into action in my body without repetition. By the end, I felt so happy. It felt like home but I am not ready to settle down yet. I have more yoga studios to try but I will go back.

Bikram Yoga - Williamsville (Finding your Bengal Tiger)

Bikram Yoga, Williamsville

            My new haunt at present I have been impressed since day one with. Located in the heart of Williamsville, it is set amongst the landscape of coffee shops and upscale boutiques. The schedule is regular and the teachers are not announced. You get a complete unbiased experience. I walked up the long staircase painted with a vivid flame design. I was not the least bit nervous as I was warmly greeted by a receptionist. They had coolers of stocked water, a professional store set up of product and everything to rent, yoga mats, hot towels and bath towels.

            I had done my homework and knew the new student special was either $20 for ten days consecutive or $39 for a month. There was no need to think, I paid for the month. Coming from an Ashtanga styled studio I was hit first with the degree difference. The studio was 110 degrees and anyone who lives in Buffalo for the most part that alone is not in your blood.  The Ashtanga style studio, my Voldermort, was set at 90 degrees. I rented a towel for my yoga mat.

           They had a beautiful well stocked locker room with all the amenities you could ever need. Their cubby holes all were hand painted with different postures. The halls were filled with vestiges of the Bikram legacy staying true to it. Their shower facilities are much needed after a 110 degree practice and were immaculate.

            When you enter there is no talking. The atmosphere is truly peaceful and lets you focus inwards.  

 Bikram Choudhry created his own flow of 26 postures which you do on each side that incorporate two pranayama breathing exercises.  Alignment and locking your knees for protection are the main focus really gearing your practice towards better health and improving your flexibility. The teachers stay on a podium with an eagle eye view, helping students. It was different from my ashtanga experience. Where I had gotten use to flowing in sun salutations and doing inversions this was more about health, receiving the health benefits immediately and improving flexibility.

I received excellent attention from day one. The teacher,day one, was kind, told me only to worry about my breathing. I even received a postcard in the mail thanking me and encouraging me back. The owner another day introduced herself and got to know me. She even connected me to a massage therapist who specialized in scoliosis. I have a curve in my back. They were all kind and sensitive about it. It made me feel good. 
In my experience so far I would say they are people who care, true consummate professionals who balance business with being personable and warm. Some people come to practice from my old studio. They ask me what happened and why I was there since I spent all my time at the old studio. I say now, it was time to move on. 

           

Shuffle off to Buffalo! Now Breathe...

                Welcome to the Buffalo, New York Yoga Experience! I am dedicating this blog to my experiences of trying different yoga studios and sharing what each offers from an inside student perspective. I live in Buffalo, N.Y. and will be scouring the scene soaking up the yoga culture and bringing it to you.

 My old studio, I spent ten months afraid to go out and try anything else. With a twist of fate I was forced to get out of my comfort zone and try new things.  I hope this blog will give people the courage to go out and try new studios by giving you my experiences and perhaps avoid pitfalls.

            Yoga is so rich and varied in disciplines, a lot of time we find one studio and think it is the end all to our yoga experience.  But there are so many other doors to walk through. I am ready so let's go.

 True yoga is an experience of the mind, body and soul. It still is for me, that is where my heart is. I dedicate this to all Buffalo yogis and offer you an opportunity to submit your experiences to buffaloyogaexperience@outlook.com. I don’t discriminate; all stories are truly welcomed, let’s create a community of knowledge because that creates the power to make informed decisions.  Namaste!