During our time of quarantine, our business closed temporarily and the many emotions along with the unknowns, we find seeds of love. We are honored to celebrate and share with our community, Shannon Young, our Student of the Month for July 2020. Shannon went above and beyond to cheer on our small business with social media posts recommending our studio and on line class offerings. But that was not enough, she purposely kept her membership active to help us keep our business stable. We were truly blown away by Shannon’s care, compassion and generosity. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we are grateful to have you a part of our Bella community.
What do you love about yoga?
I love the mind/body connection that is addressed through yoga. When I do a class or even just some sun salutations, both my body and mind feel re-centered and I feel strong physically and mentally. I also love that yoga has many ways to fit into my life. I can challenge myself physically with a hot class, move my body in new ways during a flow class, or just greet the day when I do not have a lot of time with sun salutations. Yoga is meditative for me.
How has yoga and meditation changed your life?
Yoga and meditation are spaces I know I can go to when the pressures of society or even pressures I put on myself need to be alleviated. Yoga and meditation are safe spaces for inner work and both practices help me have a greater awareness of myself and what is truly important.
Did you practice using our Virtual Studio during the quarantine? What was your favorite class and why?
I did and I have to say that your virtual studio and how quickly you were able to put it together were truly impressive and appreciated! I joined New Moon Reiki, Reiki and meditation, Flow 1 classes, an intermediate series, and a shorter meditation with Jessica that was good when I did not have a lot of time. There are still so many classes there I want to try. But my favorites during this challenging time were the Reiki and Meditation with Sahara and Aiyana and the short meditations with Jessica – they helped me disconnect from the noise and truly healed my mind and body when stress caused physical and mental symptoms.
Why do you practice at Bella Prana?
I am so appreciative of the online studio, especially with the recent spike in COVID cases, but nothing beats being in the Bella Prana studio. I found you when I moved to South Tampa a few years ago, so your intro specials and proximity drew me in. But it was the way I feel when I am there that made me stay, paying for a yearly membership even when I fall out of regular practice. Knowing that Bella Prana is always there when I need it is like having an adult-sized security blanket. When I am there I feel welcomed, important, safe, and appreciated. And I know that my practice is always my practice and everyone from the teachers to the people who work at the front desk are kind, welcoming, and accepting.
Shannon loves a well balanced practice. We encourage you to check out our virtualstudio.bellaprana.com with over 100+ pre-recorded classes of all styles and our weekly livestream classes coming July 13th! You can also visit our studio at 1112 West Platt Street, Tampa, FL and take one month of unlimited yoga with our $39 New Student Special. Click here to see our full yoga class schedule.