Janet Otto – element of Element est. August 2011

“When my boyfriend always tells me, “Have fun at yoga,” I don’t really know how to respond. I mean, I love yoga and I love that Element Yoga and Health Studio is my place to improve my practice, but I don’t think “fun” is the best way to describe what happens in a yoga class here. When I think of yoga the first thing I think about is calm, serene, peace and who doesn’t like those adjectives. Most of us today have crazy busy lives with having to do some many things everyday, it feels like there isn’t enough time to take for yourself.  However, taking time out of your busy, crazy life and taking an hour to yourself is something that everyone should be required to do.

That is something else that is special about Element Yoga, all of the teachers are wonderful. No matter what class you go to, you will leave there feeling like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders and you are ready to take the day head-on. The teachers are great in helping everyone get the most out of their practice whether it is your first time in a yoga class or you are an experienced yogi. I have Element Yoga to thanks for helping me find balance in this busy world and to better understand myself and what I am capable of. I have nothing but love for this place. “

Lara Nugent, University Of Missouri, Senior Research Specialist, element of Element est. June 2010

“I Am Here.
When I forget to bring my mat, I go to yoga anyway and lie on the floor and say “I am here.”  I take a deep breath in, let it out, feel the pulse before inhaling again, and repeat.
When I forget my comfy yoga pants and the waist of my work pants bothers me, I think, “I am here.” and I see what I can learn from this pose TODAY, NOW.
When I don’t plan ahead well and end up arriving one minute before class time instead of earlier, I promise to adjust my actions next time to arrive earlier, then let that thought go, take a breath, let it out, and remember that at least I Am Here.
When I forget to listen to my breath and my mind wanders, and the chatter distracts me, I help myself focus by saying, “I am here.”  When it happens again five seconds later, I say it again.
When I glance at my neighbor and she or he is beautifully positioned and I can’t touch my toes, I remember it does not matter, we are each individual, and my body may be different today than it was yesterday or will be tomorrow, and I say, “I am here.” I respect MY body and give it time and room to grow and strengthen.  I remember that my neighbor has his or her own thoughts, needs, insecurities, issues, blessings and send a caring thought out and then attempt to turn inward and focus on MY emotional space, HERE, NOW.
When I catch myself trying to glance at the clock, wondering how much longer class will be, I try to remember to honor my mind, body and spirit, give myself this hour, don’t think about what time it is and just think, “I am here.”
When I think about how many yoga classes I did or did not go to this week, this month, this year, I think “I am here.”
When I think about my grocery list, I tell myself “I am here” and draw my attention to the moment.
When I worry about work, family, saying the right or wrong thing, and self doubt and anxiety creep in, I acknowledge those thoughts, then send them away and remember that I am HERE.
When I think of the enormity of the Universe and I feel small and even insignificant (anyone remember Dr. Seuss’s “Horton Hears a Who?”), I think, “I am a unique part of this Universe and I AM HERE.”

“I’ll admit it. I was a skeptic. Yoga? Really? Isn’t that for women? Real men don’t do yoga. I lift weights. I run for miles. And I don’t have the time for a bunch of sitting around and chanting. That’s what yoga is–right? Fate placed yoga in my path in the form of a Boot Camp class. I could’ve run screaming from the room like my hair was on fire [okay I'm bald] but that wouldn’t have been very manly. Besides I’d already paid for the class–so bring it on. Yoga? That’s no workout. This would be a walk in the park. In fact–wake me up when it’s over. After that class two things were abundantly clear. I really didn’t know what yoga was and it was unlike any exercise I’d ever done before. A few weeks later yoga reared its head once more disguised as another Boot Camp class. After the second class, yoga had my attention. The pool of sweat surrounding me dispelled any notion that yoga wasn’t a real workout. The realization that I was as flexible as a rebar, opened my eyes. The sense of well-being opened my mind. That was seven months ago. Yoga hasn’t taken the place of my manly pursuits. I still lift weights but now I’m a stronger more flexible lifter. I still run but now I’m a stronger more focused runner. But more importantly I have a greater sense of self and well-being. In essence I am more complete. For those of you ready for a challenge come join us but be prepared. Be prepared to meet some very strong people. Be prepared to discover how strong you thought you were. Be prepared to grow in ways you never imagined possible. But most of all, be prepared for a life altering experience. Real men may not do yoga. Complete men do.”  – Dwight Browne

“I started going to Element about six months after moving to Columbia from Chicago, and my experience at the studio completely transformed the way I felt about relocating. I was having a really hard time adjusting to my new life in Missouri, but shortly after finding Element and attending classes regularly, a friend noticed that I no longer referred to Chicago as “home.” The studio gave me so much more than just a place to practice yoga; I finally felt like I belonged to a community.

“I only had a few brief experiences of yoga before my friend and I decided to join this studio. Since that time I have noticed several impacts in my life due to my yoga practice. I’ve become more fit: gaining muscle, slimming down, and full of more energy.  When I’m done with class I am more ready to handle the rest of the day. All of the instructors are very knowledgeable and friendly. They all embody the philosophy that yoga is for personal growth and challenging oneself. I recommend it to anyone who wants an easy-going but impactful yoga experience.” – Keith Chan

“Discovering Yoga through you has changed my life for the better. I am stronger and leaner and have more energy. I feel better overall and dropped a couple dress sizes as an added bonus.  Because I have osteoarthritis I can’t do high impact workouts which would further damage my joints and makes my body ache.  Yoga gives me a total body workout which requires very little equipment and minimal space.  The atmosphere that surrounds the workout is also a stress reliever.