NEED ZEN?
GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND INTO
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD STUDIO
FOR YOGA, DANCE AND FITNESS
By Stacey Kumagai
Booaika, Zumba and Yoga – oh my! It’s enough to make you have an Xflowsion! Yes, it’s Mystykal. But once you start Breakin’ your wild instincts will kick into trying some West African magic with your Mommy and Me as you’re Hip Hoppin and Bellydancing into Bollywood Fusion. But if you’re not careful, you may find yourself also doing Tango and Salsa as you Ballet your way into a Jazz of a mood, too. Are you tired yet? These are the classes Your Neighborhood Studio (YNS) of Culver City offers. But don’t wimp out now, they are only getting started at getting you in the shape of your life!
This is far from your average workout! Whether you want to tone, do cardio or just have fun- it’s time to work out of that gym rut you have and shake your groove thing into a very Zen place. YNS is hot, cool, hip and rockin’ – and their unique approach to getting you in shape is fun, addictive and uplifting while calming at the same time. You get to learn something new, stir up your senses and feel alive in a new way, but exercising muscles you probably didn’t even know you had. The peaceful part of this experience is the true sense of community and feeling like you’re part of a family in a supportive setting so you can keep with it.
“The main difference is the variety of classes, the quality of instructors and the clientele we cater to… all of those put together…. I opened the studio for people who just wanted to move their bodies whether it be a yoga class, a dance class or both,” explains Denise Mazan, studio owner of YNS. “Plus I wanted a comfortable environment where you didn’t have to be a professional dancer to come take class (and that’s hard in LA). Then magically all of these amazing instructors started coming to me… all with the same goal of building a community. And then I just have the coolest members and studio owner could ask for. They are just normal, good people… they have taken a sense of ownership of the studio that is so great. For example today during a class I ran home (because I live 2 blocks away)… and when I got back the class was ending and one of the students in the class said, “someone came by for a schedule so I gave her one and the website, and I told her which classes I thoughts she should take.” How sweet is that!!! I am truly one of the luckiest people that I know that I get to do what I do!” exclaims Mazan.
Mazan’s energy and passion for what she does is just part of what drives her. She chose to make the YNS experience one where everyone can learn something new no matter what level of fitness, age, size or shape. She truly enjoys her work and thrives off the energy of encouraging others, helping people overcome their fears, anxieties and mental obstacles. “The biggest obstacle in getting people to be free with movement is themselves! The things that they say to themselves (in their head) when they are dancing like, “I am never going to get this,” “I look stupid,” etc…. it is the same with any creative expression - the voice in the head. My best ammunition (weird to put ammunition and Zen together) is having other people who have been there, to encourage them,” shares Mazan
YNS offers a diverse and unique menu of classes to take, no matter what your choice of fitness.
Yoga is a combination of physical and mental fitness/release one of the most unique workouts you can do for yourself head-to-toe and what Mazan teaches. She says “there’s nothing like it and I have great teachers.” If you want to try some new dance moves like Tango and Salsa because you saw some people do this on one of those TV dance shows, go for it! But if you want to take on something really different you may not even know how to pronounce – YNS offers a lot of classes that just might be your fitness ticket.
Mazan was kind enough to break down some of these different movement experiences YNS provides which have become very popular with students…. She explains why:
West African –The teacher is amazing, there are live drums. Kids are welcome! It is a true “it takes a village” class and it is amazing. People come to dance and completely let go, you can see it in their faces it’s like they’ve been brought closer to God.
Zumba – Zumba is a Latin Fitness class that focuses on high cardio and having fun. The teacher is an amazing teacher, the class is fun, light and you sweat a lot!
Mistykal Movement -This class is 99% women and usually one man – who just loves Misty the instructor. It is one of the most basic dance classes you will ever take but you drip sweat and the whole class is focused on getting over yourself, it’s dance, it’s not that serious, let’s have fun! The women who take that class LOVE it!
Xflowsion – the creator of Xflowsion also teaches at my studio. This class is a mix of yoga, kickboxing and dance… it is a killer workout, great message. People love it.
YNS makes it easy to get out there and have a unique workout experience and Mazan feels that people get into a fitness rut because of stress, which she can relate to from personal experience. However, much like everything else, Mazan knows how to get into her Zen place. “I get up a couple of hours before I have to do anything and hang out of the couch with my dogs, write in my journal, read… or sometimes just stare out the window. It’s so quiet and peaceful, I love that time of the day. I also need time outside, so I’ll go for walks… And then yoga,” she explains.
Mazan lives Zen because she loves life and enjoys what she is doing. She says the instructors are doing what they love also, which is what makes YNS such a great place to be. Her goal is to make YNS a comfortable place to workout while helping people to overcome being overwhelmed. Helping others to avoid putting their true needs last, is part of her mission so they won’t be intimidated to come in and sign up for a class. “Most people are afraid of trying something new…. Half of the people who come into the studio are really nervous. It’s cute… I always introduce those people to other people to get them to feel comfortable, because then they will come back and it won’t be scary,” Mazan concludes.
It’s not scary. It’s new and different. It’s energizing and it’s Zen. It’s YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD STUDIO! Come on in neighbor – and while you’re here, boogie into your Zen place!
Your Neighborhood Studio www.yourneighborhoodstudio.com