Teachers at DUMBO’s new Noodle Yoga want
you to experience the mind and body benefits of yoga for yourself
– and they’ll let you do it for free on April 6 in their 1,700-square-foot
facility.
The hour-long class, taught by creative director Nadia Block
(pictured in the Sirsasana pose), is specifically designed for
those with little or no yoga experience and also for individuals
interested in learning more about the Noodle Yoga philosophy
and facilities.
A native Park Sloper, Block told GO Brooklyn that "yoga
is a great counter to our busy New York lifestyle."
"Our philosophy is to offer non-competitive, safe, fun,
creative and challenging classes," said Block, 38, who started
practicing yoga in 1990, at the age of 23, when she was living
in California.
"I was curious what this thing called yoga was all about,"
said Block, adding that she was initially embarrassed to do some
of the poses. "But I could not believe how great my body
felt afterwards," she added.
After studying yoga for close to a decade on the West Coast with
distinguished teachers like Shiva Rea and Seane Corn, while pursuing
a career in graphic design, Block relocated back to New York
to teach yoga full time. A certified instructor and a registered
Yoga Alliance professional, she teaches vinyasa yoga, a style
that combines breathing and movement. The postures are connected
through breathing, creating strength, flexibility and balance.
"Yoga strengthens the whole body by using its own weight
to build strength," said Block.
"I used to be all about cardio," she said. "Now
I am all about yoga. I rarely do anything else."
But she added that the stretch benefits of yoga are a great counter
to cardiovascular training and partner up well with exercises
such as running, which compress the body.
"I have students who say that [yoga] has helped them with
tennis or their golf game," Block said.
The free "Fundamentals of Yoga" class will be offered
on April 6 at 6:30 pm at Noodle Yoga, located on the second floor
of 31 Washington St. at Water Street, in studio No. 4. For further
information, call (718) 624-5525 or visit www.noodleyoga.com
on the Web.
