Last month, I was introduced to Soulage by Elizabeth Scollan. It is located in historic Mt. Vernon, Baltimore at 9 East Franklin St, 21202 in the old Bible House Building. It is just across from Tio Pepe. (Tio Pepe is a Baltimore Classic that has been around for 55 years! I went there with my husband for our 1st Anniversary over 20 years ago!)
On February 18th, we celebrated Black History Month and Pulitzer Prize winning novelist, Toni Morrison on what would have been her 92nd birthday, at Soulage Studio. It was a beautiful collaboration with lululemon at Harbor East, Baltimore.
“I tell my students, 'When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else. This is not just a grab-bag candy game.” ― Toni Morrison
This Friday will be the inaugural session of my new class "Empowerment Flow" to occur weekly at 9:30 AM. The class includes a series of asanas (postures) and breathing exercises (pranayama) that are woven together to create a flow pattern. This means that each pose moves from one to the next and then is repeated several times throughout the duration of the class. The results are a refreshing and energetic class that integrates flexibility, strength, meditation, and cardio.
Even if you are new to yoga or not "bendy," but used to exercising regularly, you can still benefit from attending this trauma-informed class!
Pricing: Single = $20, 10-Class Pack = $100, Included in Divayogi's Monthly Membership Plans. Can't make it to the studio? You can join us from home via Zoom! A link will be sent after your sign up.
The video above is of me playing a Tibetan singing bowl during our Toni Morrison/Black History event last month. Everyone really enjoyed being in such a beautiful and welcoming space. There are lots of plants, high ceilings and natural light. Soulage also has a shower in one of the restrooms, if you need to use it.
Soulage is a French verb meaning "relieves/alleviates." Being of French descent, it is very meaningful to me. My grandmother is French. My father was born there, but they moved to America when he was a toddler, because his father was from Sandtown, West Baltimore. I do not know a lot about my French heritage, but am learning. I recently visited there for the first time this past September. Below are some photos of my trip to Paris, France. First, me with the Eiffel Tower in the distance, then at the Louvre, a local Flower shop, then at a Vintage boutique called Yalla, and finally a photo of my grandmother Yvette. (Photos of me by Schaun Champion)
I cannot be happier with my yoga practice. I owe it all to DivaYogi! I am about that Yoga Life now and my body is loving me for it.