MELBOURNE | 10 years ago, a health professional told me I needed to ‘breathe more’ and suggested I take up yoga. I didn’t really understand what she meant until my first class, when I discovered just how bad I was at this seemingly simple task [remembers to breathe while writing this sentence].
As an ex-gymnast, my body took to yoga straight away. Just as quickly, I learned that, contrary to my competitive gymnastic days, yoga is a personal journey that isn’t about stretching further than the person next to you in order to get a tiny nod of approval from your Romanian coach. Because you are the coach, grasshopper...
So in 2008, I came to realise that yoga was more ‘you do you’ and less ‘you do…a long-limbed, lithe, incense-burning, bendy Gumby doll who has found enlightenment’, as I had presumed it to be. In fact, the people sharing my yoga class were so far from this that I relegated myself to the back out of sheer embarrassment that I was the bendy Gumby doll in the room (Romanian coaches will do that to you).
Fast forward 10 years and we find ourselves in an era of ‘athleisure wear’ and ‘activewear’ with the hashtags and selfies to match. Side note: I’m not judging any of these things because, um, have you spent a day in activewear? Also, how good is portrait mode.
But with the rise of the fitspo selfie, has the non-competitive, spiritual practice of yoga become an elitist pastime far removed from ‘you do you’? I, for one, have never felt so ashamed of my Cotton On Body numbers as the day I was introduced to the Nadi yoga pant that goes for a cool USD$250. Given I’m doing yoga from my loungeroom in London so I can spend the $50 casual class fee on wine, safe to say my activewear will suffice for now.
For all of these reasons, a new yoga studio is launching in Collingwood that aims to quash any stigma or expectation associated with giving a yoga a go, particularly in the eyes of those who never have.
Founder and yoga instructor, Victoria Bsarmann, created I Am That to help you find your yoga, no matter your skill level, bank balance or number of activewear outfits you own (if any). Casual classes are only $13 and if you want to go back for more, then just like a trip to Costco, buying in bulk will cost you less.
Personally, I’m loving the concept of studio dogs onsite to help people relax but I’m not sure I’d get any yoga done.
I Am That is launching on June 14 and welcoming everyone with open arms – for free – along with a pop-up market of yoga and wellness goodies. If you’ve been thinking of trying yoga but no idea what to do, wear or say, or how to take a selfie, this is your safe place.
I shouldn’t have to tell you the health benefits of yoga by now. Go and get yo' yoga on!
I AM THAT Yoga
1-7 Emma Street
Collingwood, Victoria
hello@iamthat-yoga.com
OPEN DAY – June 14, 2018
Straight up: this is a sponsored post to help me bring the news to you.