Yoga By Design Studio

Yoga By Design Studio

5500 Main St. Second Floor

Williamsville, NY 14221

            Yoga by Design Studio, I found either by Divine Design or coincidental circumstance. A hidden jewel down the road from an assortment of hot yoga studios on Main Street it offers a completely different experience, aside from no heat.

            Located on the second floor above Marty’s Formal Wear, it does not draw much attention. I learned about it from the bookstore, New World Books, which I went too yesterday. I rode by twice and missed the door entrance.

            Inside, up the stairs you find a small quaint home-like studio with carpeting and well placed décor. You feel like you are entering a friend’s home. It was the yogic version of Cheers where everyone would know your name and you would never feel out of place.  It was very relaxed.

            People of all walks of life and ages attended. I was the second youngest person there; it was a beginner’s class.

            The teacher was warm and humorous, extremely down to earth. The teacher Christine Zebrowski is a certified Kripalu yoga teacher, Phoenix Rise yoga therapist, Restorative yoga teacher and Prenatal yoga teacher with over twenty years of experience. The pace was slow and methodical unlike the Ashtanga style I had been use to. My cousin once called Ashtanga, yoga for puppies.

            The teacher assisted me in modifications for my back and was very friendly towards me realizing I am a visual learner. She corrected my alignment, giving me an experience in postures I had done a hundred times and realized never really felt. We used props and bolsters. I was not use to it, but when in Rome and I was not the least bit uncomfortable. She even explained the use of core muscles unlike anything I had heard before. I soaked it all in. The teacher was so down to earth from beginning to end, a perfect marriage between teaching expertise and humanity.

            The teacher, who is the owner, offers your first class for free, giving you a wonderful opportunity to test the yoga waters. While I did not feel the rigors of a workout, I also never felt so relaxed after a yoga class. I later joked with another student that I did not know you could feel so relaxed.

            I cannot call it my home, but I definitely will be back. My favorite thing she said was that yoga is not a goal, it’s a journey. It’s a wonderful, non intimidating, non judgmental atmosphere for you to explore asana (postures) and truly connect to your body, breath and most importantly your humanity.