Drift Yoga + Juice Bar
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pictured: Green tree juice; kale, celery, green apple, cucumber, lemon, ginger
Everyone know’s how much I love weight training and cycling. Staying active to me is so important and I think I have slowly found a good balance. But with that balance, I’m realizing I was missing something. Though I was working out and eating a decent diet, my body was still aching and I would be so sore. The one key thing I wasn’t doing; stretching.
After working out, I don’t stretch or foam roll. I know, I’m horrible. I’m noticing the mobility in my body is not how it used to be and I began seeing a chiropractor. I then started to think of incorporating yoga! I’ve done hot yoga in the past and to be honest, it wasn’t really my jam. After years of not doing any form of yoga, I decided to give it another chance. I thankfully have a non-heated yoga studio that is also a juice bar and is located directly across from my cycling studio. I started going there solely for the juice bar and baked goods. It was a refreshing way to end my spin class! But I go to know the studio owner and met one of the instructors and decided to give them a try!
The Drift Yoga Studio is owned by Vivian. She is also one of the instructors you can take! When I first met her, she was super sweet! I came in after a spin to grab a juice and that is when we started talking. I was already curious about yoga and had wanted to try out their studio for a while. I express my concerns about it has been a while since I have taken a class and was uneasy because I was shy. She was really great when it came to reccomending what classes to take and what to expect. It was nice to be able to get an idea before jumping in. That’s what got me. I already felt welcomed even before getting on my mat and that’s when I knew this was going to be fun! If you would like to read more about Drift or learn more about Vivian, feel free to click here!
The studio is absolutely beautiful. When you take off your shoes and step inside to where you practice, it feels as if you’re transported back to a tropical island resort in Bali. The room is well lit and has high ceilings. The spaces are numbered so its great for when we have limited class sizes due to covid. When you book your class, just select you spot number and you are all set! Another awesome feature is the mat service. Sometimes, I’m a bit lazy and don’t feel like lugging my mat round, especially if I am doubling up and doing spin class before so you have the option for them to have a mat ready for you for when you arrive!
I began to incorporate yoga this summer and it has really helped my body and my mind! The first class I took was the power sculpt class. I was VERY nervous and felt regret because when you hear the word “power,” you think its going to be a tough. I always make time to talk to Vivian, and Devon, who was the instructor, and they always give me the boost I need in my confidence to be able to make it through. Once class began, I knew this wan’t going to be a regular yoga class but at the end of it, I was so happy I completed it. The power sculpt class gave me the feeling of a HIIT class. It was fast pace, challenging but it’s something that most people can do. You’re using your body weight and yoga poses to strengthen and lengthen your body. Devon was such a great instructor for someone like me who is a first time yoga student. She gave me options for alternative poses and modifications to help me be comfortable in class. Her words of affirmation helped me with my practice and I felt great afterwards.
As time went on, I decide to try out different classes. I tried the Intermediate Vinyasa with Brooke and this was definitely a change from the power sculpt classes I was used. My body was so used to fast pace movements whereas the Vinyasa class was slower pace. Just because it was slower does not mean it was easier. I loved how this class was just as challenging and allowed me to move at my own speed. Both of these classes really forced me get in touch with my own movements and stretching out my body. I noticed I was more willing to stretch after my weight training workouts or even after spin. I was determined to be more flexible in class so I can conquer the different poses.
Instructor Devon (left) and myself after our class
Probably my FAVORITE class I have tried is the Vinyasa + Nidra class which was offered on Monday evenings. The class involved 30 mins of movement then a 15 min yoga power nap. I began to get familiar with the pose names and movements and it made me more confident to move along with everyone in class. Once the 30 mins is up, the instructor, Devon, sets us up for the remainder of class for Nidra. Essentially, Devon was walking us through a mediation. We were needing to let go of any movements, thoughts, and just relax. Some people fall asleep and snored but never fear! You are provided a blanket to help make yourself comfortable and they do give you tips on how to prevent snoring in class by propping your neck up with the blanket. This class became a favorite of mine to do to start my week. I was cycling 2-3 days in a row and never took a break. This class helped adjust my mindset to start the week on a good note.
My overall experience was a fantastic one at Drift. I was so anxious to start doing yoga because I didn’t want to look like a fool trying to do the poses like everyone else. But thats with any work out class right? You just gotta take that leap and go for it. I noticed my mind and body was more relaxed. When I’m cycling or weight training, I’m in a very “bad ass” mindset where I’m pushing myself to be the best and needing to prevail until the end. Yoga has taught me to pull it back and not really think at all. I was letting go all my stress and didn’t feel a competition with anyone in the room. I was calm and was paying attention to what my body needed. My dad always taught me I need to meditate and be at peace in my own mind. I finally understood that and now I will never go back to my normal life again.
You come for the yoga class but stay for the fresh juices and freshly baked goods! All their treats are baked early that morning and they’re also experimenting with different flavors. You can find gooey chocolate chip cookies, fluffy blueberry muffins, or donuts that come in array of flavors like matcha and strawberry. They’re gluten free, dairy free, and soy free! Their juices are also so tasty. My go to is the green juice for post yoga and beet juice for post spin! They juice everything in house and it truly doesn’t get any more fresh than that. If you decide to hang out in the lobby, you’re more than welcome to get a hot americano or one of their oat coffees to enjoy while you people watch out the window! It’s become one of my favorite places to hang out at after my workout classes!
As we lead into the end of 2021, I plan on continuing taking care of my body and really giving it the TLC it needs. I will certainly be incorporating more yoga into my fitness routine. I noticed while I drive or even when I lay in bed, my muscles are relaxed. I don’t feel as much tension or strain when I’m moving around. I can touch my toes with ease and have become more aware of how far my body can move. I also feel more like myself. I’ve been under a lot of stress and have needed to find ways to make more time for myself. Lifting and cycling surely gets my aggression out, but yoga has given me a sense of balance as well. If you haven’t tried yoga or have been thinking of getting back into it, what’s stopping you?! Don’t be afraid to try something new or making a fool of yourself. I believe you can! So let’s make a date! Make sure to follow Drift on Instagram for seasonal treats and schedule updates! Hope to see you on the mat soon!
With love,
Niki