Ayu Yoga Studio, located in the Garnerville Arts Center, is a peaceful sanctuary dedicated to the practice of yoga.
Ayu is the Sanskrit word for “life.” There are two reasons this word was chosen for the name of the studio:
None of us are living on a mountaintop practicing yoga and meditating sixteen hours a day. We are all juggling the many tasks of modern day life. The intention of the studio is to encourage the discovery of an internal peace, love and joy through the practice of asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing), and meditation, and to carry this discovery with us out into the world where it permeates our life and the lives of those around us.
The word “life” was also chosen because of the location of the studio, which is in an old industrial complex – a labyrinth of brick, concrete and black top. Yet within this complex, just behind the doors of each of the studios, as well as outside growing through the cracks in the concrete, the vital forces of life are thriving.
The type of yoga practiced is Hatha Yoga. Each class will incorporate asanas (postures), pranayamas (breathing exercises), and meditation. A typical class will include the holding of certain postures for several breaths, as well as Vinyasa, a more rapid succession of postures coordinated with the breath. Detailed attention is given to alignment.
Jody Atkinson was first introduced to yoga in the 70s, and over the years has studied with various teachers at studios in and around New York City, including Integral Yoga. Before earning her yoga teacher certification at the Birchwood Center in Nyack, NY, she spent three years studying Anursara Yoga
Jody’s classes are a joyful synthesis of mind, body and spirit, as she brings to each class her unique combination of humor, discipline, and humility. She encourages her students to explore the postures, allowing the breath to inform, the mind to rest, and one’s individual spirit to soar.