Couchmaggedon 2017: how I naturally healed my cold

My couch buddy every.single.day!

I just came off of a terrible cold, which I named: couchmaggedon 2017. I literally couldn’t get off the couch for 1 whole week. The following week I was still very low energy and still had to take it easy. Now I’m left with an annoying cough that’s slowly getting better day-by-day. I didn’t use medication… so what did I do?!

First things first, I didn’t freak out. I succumbed to the fact that I had a bad cold, needed to rest and cancelled my schedule. I had a really bad throat ache so I was monitoring it because if I thought I had strep for any second I would have gone to the Dr. I didn’t see any dots on the back of my throat though, so I was in the clear to go about my natural ways.

Everyday I woke up and boiled a pot of peppermint tea. I made a tent over my head with a towel and breathed in the steam from the peppermint tea. This helped to open my sinuses and clear congestion. Gross stuff would come up, which was good! I also used peppermint essential oil all over my sinuses, your eyes will tear so do this while lying down. Then I made myself tea with lemon, lots of grated ginger and manuka honey. I drank that all day. Even though I felt like crap, I went outside everyday for some fresh air.

Drink chicken soup/broth everyday! On the day that felt the worst, I felt like it was never ending and that I would never feel better – Chad looked in one of our natural healing books and read about bee propolis for the throat. I remember my mom used to give this to me when I was a kid and had an ear or throat ache. We had some at home so I tried it. Since propolis coats the throat, I literally felt relief right away. I continued to take one full dropper every hour for the whole day. That was my savior. 

I used the neti pot, which apparently ended up making things worse. I later found out that if you put too much salt in, it could actually dry you out too much and hurt your sinuses even more! Ouch… I got a toothache, which I thought was weird. SO I asked my dentist Uncle if it’s possible to get a toothache from coughing too much – he said yes, that sinuses are also related and that I should stop using the neti pot. So I gargled with salt water instead. The next day I felt better! What a journey…

Every night before bed I took a hot bath with salts, put tiger balm on my chest to help break up my cough and an immune essential oil roller bottle on my feet with socks. The essential oils in it are: rosemary, orange, clove, cinnamon & eucalyptus.

I also took different herbal remedies. Specifically Urban Moonshine throat spray, Wellness formula, cold and flu formula and throat syrup: elderberry with thyme and another one: wild cherry bark syrup. At night to help me sleep sometimes I took Tylenol with codeine to suppress the cough. If you can’t sleep, you can’t heal. Sleep is the most important thing when you’re sick - find any way to make it happen.

Hope you can use some of these tips when you’re sick. Western medicine sure is a miracle, but studies show it prolongs your cold and doesn’t heal you. Think of it more as a band aid. Use herbs, teas, etc. to actually heal you faster, your immune system will get stronger this way.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: WEN LIN

Meet Wen Lin— our student spotlight for this month! She started flying with us November 2015 and hasn't stopped since! Congratulations, Wen, on attending almost 200 classes at Soul Flyte! Read more about Wen and how she has learned to shine brightly in her Antigravity yoga practice!

How did you find out about Soul Flyte?
I first learned about Antigravity yoga when a friend of mine posted on Facebook. I was very intrigued and started looking for something closer to home & found SF in Nyack.
 
What’s something you can't live without?
There’s so much I can think of that I can’t live without! If I really must choose I guess I will have to choose health & peace of mind, you can’t have any quality of life if you lack those.
 
What brought you to try your first class at SF?
SF is perfectly located in the heart of Nyack & the new student special was such a great deal so I knew I had to give it a try.
 
What’s your favorite time of day?
My favorite time of the day is right before bedtime when I get to unwind with my bae Jojo (the fabulous toy poodle) and catch up on some Netflix.
 
Do you have a favorite pose at SF?
I love Antigravity so much I can’t possibly pick just one pose! I love all poses that strengthen my grip, core and flexibility.
 
What’s the best meal you've eaten?
My mom’s home cooking=) I don't get to see her too often so whenever we get to spend time together she would cook up a storm!
 
Favorite thing about coming to Soul Flyte?
I love learning new poses, feeling stronger and seeing the progress. Most of all, I love the positive energy all the instructors & students brought in with them.
 
Would you recommend it to others?
110%! I brought my daughter with me after a few classes now she’s hooked too=)
 
Favorite/best place you've traveled to:
One of my favorite places is when my family & I went on a trip to Gili Islands in Indonesia. The islands are so beautiful & unadulterated; people are very friendly & the beaches are amazing. You can walk from one end of the island to the other within hours.
The most memorable part of the trip was we arrived there “survivor style”. When we were close to the island they literally had to drop us in the water because the boat cannot get too close the land. And we got stranded on the island a few days longer because of a hurricane.
I’d love to go back again if I have the chance.
 
What's your favorite book? Movie?
I’m a sucker for movies that touch your heart. One of my favorites is “About Time” by Richard Curtis. It’s a British romantic comedy film about a young man who can travel back in time to fix things. At first glance you think the movie is about how he use his ability to make the girl fall in love with him but the heart of the movie is actually about his relationship between him and his father and the greatest gift you can give to your loved ones- time.
 
What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
A few years back when I went hiking with my family and found a lake beneath the cliff, my husband egged me to jump in. After some hesitation, I jumped. Good thing he was already in the water to save me.
 
Anything else you want to share?
I’m so glad that I decided to give Antigravity yoga a try & I’m even more grateful that I found the community in SF. For someone who's not athletic & tries every excuse to not exercise, this is perfect. Antigravity is fun, and challenging. This is a workout I can totally stick with and will be for a very long time!

Running For a Cause

This past weekend I taught a fundraiser yoga class at Soul Flyte in Nyack for a woman named Genevieve who is running a ½ marathon for Crohns and Colitis in New Orleans in two weeks! I was impressed by this young woman’s story – She’s able to push through her disease and run for those that can’t. I’m inspired to say the least. They set up the cutest picnic with tea, gluten free goodies such as muffins, scones, “magic bars” and lots of yummy fruit! What a cute way to support a great cause. I feel honored that I was able to be a part of it and glad to help out in any way that I can.

After Yoga Picnic!

The Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) holds a special place in my heart – they’re the ones who put on Camp Oasis, which is this incredible camp for kids who have these diseases. Most of the counselors all have it too. It’s a special place where the kids appreciate the fact that they’re healthy enough to actually be at camp enjoying their time there. For 6 days in the summer I volunteer my time to be a bunk counselor and teach yoga & meditation to kids of all ages. The best part is how receptive they are to it. They always want more, whether it’s learning about essential oils and how calming they can be, or different breathing exercises they can do to help themselves in times of stress.

If you have any fundraiser ideas, send them my way! Happy to help in any way that I can!

Xo,

Shira

What Kind of Potions do I Use?

All the potions...

Green Goodness!

Everyday I choose to take care of myself. I wake up, take some deep breaths, stretch and head to the kitchen. I make hot water with lemon to fuel my digestive system – it works like a charm!! Then I make eggs with ghee, sometimes I add spinach and sometimes I make avocado gluten free toast. I do the dishes, then I continue on by making my daily green smoothie. I drink this for my “second breakfast” around 10-11am. What do I put in? Check it out below:

Everything is organic:

2 cups Coconut water

splash Kefir

1 Banana

handful Frozen blueberries

1 inch Cucumber

scoop of avocado

handful Spinach

1 tablespoon Chia seeds

1 tablespoonFlax seeds

1 tablespoonHemp seeds

1 teaspoon Reishi mushroom powder

1 teaspoon Ashwagandha powder

1 teaspoon Shatvari powder

1 tablespoon Collagen

1 tablespoon Spirulina

Sometimes a dash of coconut oil

A handful of nuts if I remember

Blend extremely well otherwise you’ll get the seeds / nuts pieces.

Coconut water – Nature’s form of electrolytes. In emergency situations, people have used fresh coconut water as an IV to replenish electrolytes. https://draxe.com/is-coconut-water-good-for-you/

Kefir – is a delicious yogurt drink that’s lactose free! It has friendly bacteria to help your gut digest food properly. https://draxe.com/kefir-benefits/

Banana – Full of potassium and makes your smoothie creamy and a little sweet.

Blueberries – High in antioxidants and lots of vitamins. I like that they don’t have seeds and are easy to blend (and not bother my belly).

Cucumber – an alkaline vegetable that is cooling, delicious and full water!

Avocado – A fruit that’s high in over 20 vitamins and minerals! They’re also high in fat, monounsaturated fat, which is good because it helps to lower bad cholesterol and keeps you feeling full longer. A little bit goes a long way. AND it makes your smoothie nice and creamy

Spinach – has so many health benefits, I wouldn’t be able to name them all. The great news is that you literally don’t taste it in your smoothie.

Chia Seeds – Rich in fiber, omega-3 fats, protein and various vitamins and minerals. 1 tablespoon goes far enough, otherwise they make your smoothie too thick. https://draxe.com/chia-seeds-benefits-side-effects/

Flax Seeds – Also high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, iron, potassium. Great for healthy skin & hair. https://draxe.com/10-flax-seed-benefits-nutrition-facts/

Hemp Seeds – Great balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which promotes cardiovascular health. Full of protein, calcium, iron, magnesium and many more vitamins & minerals. https://draxe.com/7-hemp-seed-benefits-nutrition-profile/

Reishi Mushrooms- Helps boost the immune system, aids in inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, autoimmune disorders. There’s so much more – check this out for more info: https://draxe.com/reishi-mushroom/

Ashwagandha – An adaptagenic herb known to help improve thyroid function and adrenal fatigue. https://draxe.com/ashwagandha-proven-to-heal-thyroid-and-adrenals/

Shatvari – An ayurvedic herb known to support the reproductive and digestive systems. Learn more: https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/living-ayurveda/herbs/shatavari/

Collagen – Improves skin and hair, repairs joints, helps you keep your youth – in terms of wrinkles and cellulite. https://draxe.com/what-is-collagen/

Spirulina – this blue-green algae grows in Hawaii – detoxes heavy metals, eliminates candida, prevents cancer, lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol and so much more! https://draxe.com/spirulina-benefits/

Ready To Fly?

It’s no surprise that we are creatures of habit. We take the same way to work, sit in the same place at school, work or business meeting. You even do the same workouts over and over again – doesn’t it get boring? Well, we’re here to spice things up at Soul Flyte! For those who haven’t been to our studio yet, we totally understand, it might be daunting to think about practicing aerial yoga - with your feet off the ground, swinging and simply, trying something new. I’m here to tell you that once you take that first leap of faith by signing up for a class, you’ll see, it’s not all that scary! No need to sweat about it, you will most definitely have fun while working out with us!

Anyway, I’m here to remind you that it’s OK to try something new, take a new way to work, change your habits and routine every once in a while. If you get caught doing the same things over and over again, you might get stuck in a trap, bored and stagnant. Not good. Open your horizons, breathe and don’t stress, everything’s going to be ok.

Greatness and change come from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Test yourself and grow. Can’t wait for all the greatness coming your way from us in Nyack for 2017. I’m grateful that we’re on this journey together. Let's Fly!

How You Can Stay Sane This New Year

Dreaming about this red sand beach in Hana, Maui

Happy New Year Friends!

It’s about 1 week and 1 day after the start of the New Year, how’s it going so far? Are you kicking yourself because you still haven’t gotten into a workout routine that you planned to be in by now? Or are you rocking it out, going everyday and feeling fab?

Either way, take a breath...

Yes, the holidays may have been rough on your physical and emotional state, but here’s where you get to detox all that crap. Even if you aren’t working out everyday be grateful that you made it out alive! The holidays can be hard on people with family drama, present buying and disagreements on whatever the topic – enough of that now. Get back into your routine, or better yet, start one that makes you feel even better then you did last year.

Ask yourself: what soothes my soul? For me, it’s yoga, it always has been. When things get rough, I step onto my mat or into my aerial yoga hammock and everything feels ok again. It’s that moment where I can breathe again, feel my body and remind myself that everything is going to be ok. There’s been a lot going on for me lately, especially with the construction of our new studio space. I wake up every day and take 5-10 deep belly breaths, stretch and remind myself that: today, everything is going to be ok (this is all before I even step out of bed!)

Find a routine, even if it’s a small one to give you that boost.

If you want to give aerial yoga a try, come to Nyack, we would be so excited to have you! Check our schedule HERE

Cheers to YOUR health,

Shira

When The Going Gets Tough: Go Inside

Sometimes people come to me telling me about all sorts of things: a belly ache, a weird bump on their arm, a pain in the neck, or eczema, etc. and the reason they’re coming to me is because they’ve gone to their doctor and nothing came of it. There was nothing “clinically” wrong with them. But clearly something is happening since they have this bump, pain or whatever else it might be.

I always turn to what’s going on inside. Lots of times doctors will focus on the immediate issue, for example if you have eczema they’ll give you a topical cream – but between you and me, it’s more of an internal issue and most of the time doctors won’t tell you that.

My first few questions are the obvious, have you changed anything in your diet recently, laundry detergent, soap, household items? Foods? If the answer is no then we start looking at what’s going on in their life. Are they more stressed then usual? Typically the answer is yes and then we have something to work with.

I always recommend watching everything that goes into their mouth for a while (because that’s something you CAN control) - since inflammatory foods won’t help the situation. Then we add more greens, drink lots of water, flush out the system – maybe even add wheat grass, green juices, green smoothies, bone broth, and some other awesome tid bits that I’ll touch on in another post.

The point of this post today is to tell you to look at the bigger picture. With whatever is going on for you – belly pain, neck pain, bumps – many times it’s the same situation. The body is overly stressed and is pushing out the negativity in it’s own funny way. Work on de-stressing with yoga, meditation, hanging upside in an aerial yoga class, whatever floats your boat!

I know how intense the holidays can be for many people. Please take care of yourself. More then anything in the world, that’s the most important.

With so much love from your friend in Nyack,

Shira 

Your Guide to Nyack Restaurants + Shops

Cocooning in the middle of Nyack Street Fair

Why did I choose Nyack to open Soul Flyte? Because it’s AWESOME! Nyack is a cute river town with lots of amazing local shops, restaurants, yoga and aerial yoga studios – why wouldn’t we start here? Here are some of my favorite places in town. If you haven’t visited yet, what are ya waiting for? There’s even a cute new boutique hotel that recently opened called The Time Hotel, so if you’re an out-of-towner then you won’t have to worry about where to stay.

Art Café: a cute Israeli café serving up delicious, organic breakfast, lunch and even dinner too! I Love their space and if it’s warm out – sitting outside is a real treat. They have good coffee and tea, since I don’t drink coffee - and if you eat pastries, then yep, they have those too!

Soul Flyte: My pride and joy! We’ll have an awesome boutique very soon for you to come check out! Stay tuned for more on this and about the new classes we'll be adding soon!

8 North Broadway: Local, farm to table type of restaurant serving lunch and dinner daily and brunch on the weekends. The food is yummy. If they have it on the menu, try the branzino, it’s delicious! They change the menu with the seasons so definitely give it a try.

True Foods: A great place to grab organic breakfast, lunch or dinner. They have hot food to go, which comes in handy when there isn’t enough time in the day to cook dinner. It’s more low key then the others but the food is quality and I heard they just opened a market next door! Worth checking out.

Sweat Peas: It’s a health food store that also has hot food and soups for lunch as well as a cold section, juices and smoothies. There’s a little sitting area up front so that you can grab your food and stay for a while. They have yummy kombucha and good yogurts if that’s your type of thing.

OD’S Tavern: This used to be a local watering hole and is now turned into an organic, gluten free friendly, paleo friendly restaurant with a bar too of course! The owner, Diane is super sweet and the food is full of comfort and deliciousness.

65main: A new restaurant serving up tapas style dinner items. Not sure if they offer lunch yet because I’ve only been there once so far, it was tasty though. There’s typically live music playing, which is a huge plus!

Casa Del Sol: Mexican restaurant that’s yummy! They have live music many nights of the week, check their website for more info.

Nyack Library: I love to go here when I want some quiet time but don’t want to be in my house. In the old section there’s a room that feels like an office, but anyone can go into it to do work – I just love it! It feels like my own private office – I hate to give away my secret….. but happy if it can help someone else. There’s wifi too!

Saffron: An adorable store featuring items from around the globe. They have amazing furniture with a rustic, Indian, Indonesian feel. I love this place! Don’t miss it.

Maria Luisa: Another cute shop with women’s clothing, shoes and also a little kids section. Worth checking out if you’re in the area.

Crystals On The Rocks: A crystal shop with knowledgeable staff, bracelets, gemstones, incense and so much more. It’s really fun to browse in there.

Sanctuary: They have women’s clothing as well as other knick knacks like dream catchers, incense, candles, books, etc.

There are lots of other stores in town to check out, but I can’t name them all here! This post would be way too long! Come visit – even in the wintertime! If you bundle up you can go on a hike nearby or walk around the huge mall that’s super close. One thing to keep in mind, most stores in Nyack are CLOSED on Mondays year round. See you soon!

Xo, Shira

Dream Big: How I got into Antigravity

Searching for rainbows

Sometimes I get the question of how I got into AntiGravity – well, I fell in love a few years back when my mom introduced me to the method. She was getting certified as an instructor and needless to say, I was intrigued! The first time I took a class, front belt was…. Let’s just say painful…! For those that know front belt you’ll definitely understand what I mean - and for those that don’t know what I mean, come try it, you’ll learn to love it! Currently I crave front belt! That first time though, I walked away from class saying to myself…. Hm I’m not sure this is for me…!

Fast-forward and a few years later here I am, owner of an AntiGravity yoga/fitness studio in Nyack! Who would’ve ever thought that Soul Flyte would exist? Since the day I got certified as a yoga instructor I knew I wanted to own my own thing. See, I come from a long line of entrepreneurs, although it wasn’t so trendy in their time like it is now, they still grabbed the bull by the horns and went for their dreams.

My grandparents escaped the Holocaust and came to the USA from Germany with nothing... literally nothing. My grandfather taught himself numerous trades: tuning pianos, fixing things and eventually he borrowed enough money to buy a Laundromat in New York City. They worked their butts off every single day to make a living.

My parents are both private practice psychotherapists, my uncle is a private practice dentist, my sister is a massage therapist and yoga teacher, my brother in law is a slight of hand artist and my husband owns an e-commerce business AND a software business. Phew…. Now you see where I’ve come from? I guess you can say we don’t follow the typical 9-5 work experience, we hustle and work our tails off daily. It’s hard, challenging and super rewarding all at the same time. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Whatever your daily work experience is: embrace it, love it, dream big and HUSTLE. See you at the studio!

xo, Shira 

Blog Take Over

Let's roll: Blogger for life

Thank you for your support throughout these past couple of years! Soul Flyte has grown to a point where we can no longer fit into our small studio. In a few months we will be moving into a larger space with 2 studios, a boutique and a couple of treatment rooms. The possibilities are endless for our new space and we are ECSTATIC!

I’ve worked so hard at making our community the best one around town, and I know it’s paid off. I’ve witnessed our students becoming life long friends together, how magical.

As many of you know, I suffer from ulcerative colitis (UC) for many years now and I’ve found a way to cope so that I don’t need to take medication on a daily basis. It hasn’t been easy - there have been hiccups and flare ups, but ultimately I am healthy. Yoga, meditation, diet and AntiGravity have been a huge help for me. I wrote a blog for many years about UC, diet, recipes and other happenings in my life at: shiraturkl.com and now I’m taking over the Soul Flyte blog. Here you’ll find lots of posts not only about the studio, but also about my life, our instructors lives and things happening around Nyack. Looking forward to sharing with you!

Cheers to your health,

Shira

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: JESSICA FEYGIN

Our student spotlight of the month this month is Jessica Feygin! We love watching the progression of her flexibility and strength, and the bliss she feels and exudes after each class! Read our interview with her below:

How did you find out about Soul Flyte?
I found out about Soul Flyte from my friend Angela, in the spring of 2015!

What’s something you can't live without?
My two dogs, Bebe and Teddy!

What brought you to try your first class at SF?
I had tried Aerial Yoga in a different studio, but my friend was going on the day of a street fair and I joined her!

What’s your favorite time of day?
I love the early evening, especially during the sunset. It's also my favorite time for aerial classes!

Do you have a favorite pose at SF?
I love Bomber! It makes me feel so strong.

What’s the best meal you've eaten?
At 'Le Petite Bouchon' in Saint Martin. The owner was so creative and passionate. For dessert he even served a baked tomato with ice cream!

Favorite thing about coming to Soul Flyte?
I love the friends that I have made at Soul Flyte! Everyone is so warm and welcoming, and the instructors are so inspiring and motivating. The changes in my strength while having a great time is such a plus!

Would you recommend it to others?
Absolutely! I love bringing my friends with me! Especially those who always see me posting pictures and videos.

Favorite/best place you've traveled to:
Tuscany! We stayed in a castle for 9 days. We spent days at wineries and in Florence. Everyday we went to different cities in Italy. I fell in love with San Gimignano.

What's your favorite book? Movie?
I love all of Anthony Bourdain's books! My favorite movie is 'Everything's Illuminated'.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
A few years ago I took a stunt class! They taught us the tricks of movies and even made us jump from 4 stories onto a massive air bag.

Anything else you want to share?
I'm so thankful for Soul Flyte. I never thought walking in the first day of class that I would end up being so involved and attached! Now I can't wait to move forward with Antigravity Yoga!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: ASHLEY MOSGROVE

We are excited to announce Ashley Mosgrove as our student spotlight this month! Ashley has shown a real dedication to her AntiGravity® yoga practice and experienced the growth and change in her life since practicing at the studio. Recently, we interviewed Ashley to find out a little bit more about her and her experience at Soul Flyte - check it out!

How did you find out about Soul Flyte?
I was looking for something new and different to try, so I did a google search for aerial yoga in Nyack and found Soul Flyte.  The "new student special" was such a great deal.  I asked a friend to try it with me and the rest is history.  I think I've been attending Soul Flyte 3-4x a week for about 4 months now.

What’s something you can't live without?
I love nature, music, my human and non-human companions, and chocolate.  Also, I'm at the point where I start to get antsy when I haven't been to a Soul Flyte class in a few days.

What brought you to try your first class at SF?
I was in a slump and really wasn't exercising a whole lot but knew that I needed to be more active.  My mantra for this year has been to be "brave" so I decided that I wouldn't let anxiety get in the way of trying something new.

What’s your favorite time of day?
Morning, for sure.  To me, the sunrise is a beautiful reminder of the gift of life.  It symbolizes hope and new beginnings.

Do you have a favorite pose at SF?
I love bell and chandelier.  I sit a lot at work so backbends help stretch out my lower back.  Also, the poses are really aesthetically pleasing.

What’s the best meal you've eaten?
I can tell you that I will always welcome fresh guacamole and ice cream.  That would probably be my perfect meal.

Favorite thing about coming to Soul Flyte?
It is my place to do my own thing, to relax, and to feel accomplished.  The instructors have created such a laid back and playful environment that allows for the building of skill and confidence while simultaneously challenging us to step outside of our comfort zone.  I always feel stronger and more centered when I leave.

Would you recommend it to others?
YES.  In fact, I have brought a handful of friends and family members already.

Favorite/best place you've traveled to:
I just recently went to Mexico, which was beautiful.  However, I think my all-time favorite vacation is Folly Beach, SC in the early fall.  It has been a family vacation destination for the past three years.  It's a smaller beach town where houses line the ocean.   During this time of the year, the beach is so peaceful and there aren't really many people around, the water is super warm, and the heat from the sun is more bearable.  It's perfect.

What's your favorite book? Movie?
I often return to pages of Be Here Now by Ram Dass not only for the words but for the illustrations.  I'm currently reading Love Warrior: A Memoir by Glennon Doyle Melton which is incredibly powerful.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
I once rappelled down a waterfall.  I'm afraid of heights and not really much of a thrill seeker, so that was a pretty crazy thing for me.

Anything else you want to share?
I am in the midst of an MSW program, my first year internship, and I work full-time.  With all that I have going on, I look forward to carving out some me time and making it to a Soul Flyte class.  I don't see it as a chore but as a privilege.  I thought maybe that I just really liked aerial yoga but I attended a studio while I was out of state and it was not the same.  In my opinion, there is something special about Soul Flyte in particular. I think it might be a combination of the wide range of classes that they offer and each instructors unique talents and personalities.  I am probably biased, though.

Newest Instructor: Nicole Kropp

August is bringing many exciting changes to The Studio including an awesome, expanded schedule and a BRAND NEW instructor! Without further ado, we'd like to introduce you to Nicole Kropp. She is so excited to be joining our team and will be teaching AntiGravity® Fundamentals on Sunday evenings at 5:30pm. Check out Nicole's interview below and don't miss her 1st class this Sunday, August 14th!

How did you get into AG yoga and fitness?
I got in AntiGravity yoga and fitness through word of mouth. I had just finished my 200-hour yoga teacher training and had heard a friend of mine got certified in and started teaching AntiGravity! Eventually I connected with Shira and took a few classes with her. I immediately knew that this was something totally different than anything I'd experienced before. My spine felt incredible and the many knots in my back from arm balancing in yoga were starting to get smaller and less painful!

What’s your background?
I am a soon-to-be 500-hour certified yoga instructor. I practice all types of yoga but particularly love hot yoga and Ashtanga vinyasa. I'm also an avid spinner, jogger, and enjoy practicing martial arts as well. I came to AntiGravity because of its ties to the yoga world, but stayed because of the unique system it provides for healing the body.

Why AntiGravity®?
I have only experienced aerial yoga and fitness via AntiGravity certified instructors, and knowing the creator, Christopher Harrison is the originator, I knew I wanted to stay with the purest form of aerial. I was so incredibly impressed during my training by how complete this practice is and my eyes were opened to all the ways the body can heal from it. I also fell in love with all my teachers and the staff at Christopher Harrison’s AntiGravity LAB in NYC where I completed my training.

Any comments to your future students?
I would tell my future students to keep an open mind and playful attitude coming into AntiGravity!

Newest Instructor: Laurie Miller-Donnis

We couldn't be more excited to welcome the talented Laurie into the Soul Flyte teaching community! To start, she'll be teaching Fundamentals on Wednesday's at 9:15am. She officially starts on August 10th! She's a rockstar (literally and figuratively!), so don't miss the opportunity to take her class - sign up and show her some love! Check out our interview with her below:

How did you get into AG yoga and fitness?
A friend of mine took me to my first AntiGravity class at Soul Flyte in 2015. I was hooked the moment I attempted my very first inversion, which was Spiderman. I couldn’t stop smiling during the entire class, and as I drove home I couldn’t wait to get back in the hammock. I started taking more classes at Soul Flyte over the following year and received my CAGI (Certified AntiGravity Instructor) Level 1 Certification in 2016. I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the awesome Soul Flyte team and global AntiGravity community!

What’s your background?
I’ve always been attracted to movement and music. I started dancing when I was four years old and continued to perform as a dancer, singer and actress through high school and college.  I discovered yoga for the first time when I was in college - taking the occasional class here and there - and then started practicing regularly in 2010 after my children were born. Yoga really resonated with me; I spent the next few years discovering my practice and eventually earned my RYT-200 (Registered Yoga Teacher) certification through Yoga Alliance and Mandy Grant of Juluka Yoga in 2015.  I currently teach adults and children at several yoga studios in Bergen County, NJ.

In my spare time, I perform in a local classic rock cover band with my husband, serve as a co-leader for my daughter’s Girl Scout troop, and participate in the parent-teacher association at my children’s school. (And I still love to go out dancing from time to time!) 

Why AntiGravity®?
Besides the countless health benefits, I love AntiGravity because it makes me feel like a kid again! Whether teaching a class or taking one, I always feel an incredible sense of well-being, happiness and confidence when I’m in the hammock. AntiGravity proves that fitness can (and should) always be fun and productive.

Any comments to your future students?
Trust yourself - you can totally do this! 
(And you’re going to have an absolute blast when you do!) 

Student Spotlight: Wanda Acosta

Meet Wanda Acosta — our student spotlight for this month! Wanda started flying with us March of this year and hasn't stopped since! Seems like she's got the Soul Flyte bug and is officially hooked! We are constantly impressed with Wanda’s attitude, dedication and hard work towards her practice. Here is a bit more about her — check it out: 

How did you find out about Soul Flyte?
I was introduced to Soul Flyte by my girlfriend, Annie.

What’s something you can't live without? 
I don't think I could live without books.  I love reading.  I'll take a good book over a TV any day. 

What brought you to try your first class at SF? 
Back pain is what brought me to SF.  I’ve suffered from back pain and plantar fasciitis for years now and found that most forms of exercise only caused me more pain.  Being able to decompress my spine by hanging upside down has helped me so much.  I am getting stronger with each class.

What’s your favorite time of day?
Mornings are my favorite time of day because I get to spend quiet time in prayer and reflection.  It’s my ME time.

Do you have a favorite pose at SF?
My favorite pose is front belt.  The first time I did it I couldn't wait for it to be over but now I look forward to it. I LOVE IT!!!

What’s the best meal you've eaten? 
My favorite meal was in Sorrento, Italy last year at a place called Il Bucco.  We had the most delicious fish and pasta dishes I've ever tasted.

Favorite thing about coming to Soul Flyte?
My favorite thing about coming to Soul Flyte is that I have so much fun while working out. I actually look forward to coming to class. The instructors are amazing and they encourage and motivate you along the way.

Would you recommend it to others? 
Yes, absolutely. It’s a fun way to work out.

Favorite/best place you've traveled to: 
My favorite place would have to be Positano, a small town in the Amalfi Coast in Italy.  The views are spectacular, the people friendly and lively.

What's your favorite book? Movie?
Favorite book would have to be The Notebook and favorite movie is a classic called Imitation of Life.  I cried my eyes out during both. 

What's the craziest thing you've ever done? 
When I was a teenager in Puerto Rico, my cousin dared me to ride a bike with no brakes down a steep hill while wearing a dress.  I was lucky I walked away with only cuts and bruises after taking a nasty fall mid-hill.  I still have the scars to prove it.

Student Spotlight: Kiara Mignone

Our student spotlight of the month this month is Kiara Mignone! Kiara started flying with us January of this year and hasn't stopped since! We love watching the progression of her flexibility and strength, and the bliss she feels and exudes after each class! Read our interview with her below:

How did you find out about Soul Flyte?
I did a web search for yoga places in my area and the name "Soul Flyte" stood out from all the rest and gave me such a good feeling.

What’s something you can't live without?
I would die if I couldn't create art.

What brought you to try your first class at SF?
To be honest, a panic attack.

What’s your favorite time of day?
Depends on the day, but during the week, I am looking forward to running to Soul Flyte and spending time practicing aerial yoga!!

Do you have a favorite pose at SF?
Queen bee! <333 🐝

What’s the best meal you've eaten?
I love me some gluten free pasta with chopped up sun dried tomatoes, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, red pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. 😍 Chicken Francais though...

Favorite thing about coming to Soul Flyte?
There are really too many things to name! Swinging in the hammock, stretching out and watching the progression of flexibility and strength, and of course, the bliss I feel after the class is over.

Would you recommend it to others?
105% yes!!!!!!!!

Favorite/best place you've traveled to:
I really enjoyed Arizona. But I love Vegas for the sole purpose of EDC Las Vegas, which is an incredible music festival, Electric Daisy Carnival!!!! 

What's your favorite book? Movie?
Four agreements by Miguel Ruiz. This book is a game changer and should be a required read for all.
Big fish. Whimsical story. Great cinematography. Wonderful actors. Tim Burton. Enough said.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
Traveled by myself to a state I've never been to before and just winged it!

Anything else you want to share?
The sense of community at Soul Flyte is amazing. It really is one big family, very welcoming, non-judgemental, and the teachers are patient and willing to work with you to help you along your own aerial yoga journey! Each and every class is different and wonderful in its own way, thanks to the lovely strong women who lead them! I <3 Soul Flyte.
*~Namaste~*

Student Spotlight: Ashley Laliberte

This month our student spotlight of the month is Ashley! She's been rocking out her classes, building strength, confidence and having so much fun since September. Check out her interview below:

How did you find out about Soul Flyte?
I've been working in Nyack for about two years now. I was looking for a yoga studio close by and a friend mentioned Soul Flyte! I was very intrigued and signed up for a class the next day. 

What’s something you can't live without? 
Besides my phone and Netflix?  Coconut oil! I use it for everything.

What brought you to try your first class at SF? 
I actually started as a birthday present to myself. I was determined to branch out and try something new that could be just for me. I've been hooked ever since!

What’s your favorite time of day?
I love the afternoon around 3pm when the temperature's at its peak. I miss it a lot due to work and it's always a treat to get to be out in the sun!

Do you have a favorite pose at SF?
Bomber will alway be one of my favorites. When I first started I didn't have the strength to get up and over. Now it comes very easily for me and it was a real turning point in my practice!

What’s the best meal you've eaten? 
Soup dumplings in Chinatown. I learned of their existence in college and now I go every chance I get!

Favorite thing about coming to Soul Flyte?
I love coming each week and noticing the progress I've made. It's also such a wonderful community to be apart of! Everyone is very encouraging and supportive. 

Would you recommend it to others?
I have many times! I'm currently working on getting my boss to join me for a class. I'm sure she'll love it!

Favorite/best place you've traveled to: 
Last year I visited Nerja, Spain. It's a beautiful beach getaway. It was a very relaxing, peaceful experience. Definitely one of my favorite trips to date!

What's your favorite book? Movie?
I recently read The Art of Racing In the Rain. It was an amazing book that I highly recommend for any dog lovers! My favorite movie is The Princess Bride. It's a classic in my house!

What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
This may not seem like much but I recently got an industrial ear piercing on a whim! It was spontaneous and very out of character for me. No regrets!

Anything else you want to share?
Come visit me at Paws on Main of Nyack if you're ever in need of some pet grooming services!

Student Spotlight: Tricia Shea

This month our student spotlight is Tricia Shea. We're honored to have her be a part of our community since she comes in each time with a smile and ready to get down to business! We love that she takes all of our teachers classes and is always ready for some fun. Read more about Tricia below:

How did you find out about Soul Flyte?

A friend of mine that I follow on Instagram had posted some great photos and I knew that I would love it!   

What’s something you can't live without? 

Probably lip stuff. Between my car and my bag I have more than a dozen assorted glosses, balms and chapsticks with me!

What brought you to try your first class at SF? 

I needed to change some things up, and I felt like this would be something I could really get into - And I have. I truly look forward to the classes each week.  

Do you have a favorite pose at SF?

I think Pheonix pose is beautiful - while it takes a lot of strength and flexibility, it looks so graceful.

Favorite thing about coming to Soul Flyte?

The instructors - while they have different teaching styles, they are all so supportive and encouraging.  

Would you recommend it to others? 

100%!   

Favorite/best place you've traveled to: 

Key West, FL. I've been with both friends and family and made so many happy memories. 

Newest Instructor: Kate Woolley

We are beyond excited to welcome Kate onto our teaching staff at Soul Flyte! There's nothing like adding some new teachers to an already awesome group of rockstar instructors. Catch her on the schedule on Saturday's at 10:45am. She officially starts on October 31st! Sign up and show your support. Learn more about her in this interview below:

How did you get into AG yoga and fitness? During the Nyack Street Fair back in May, Soul Flyte had a booth and was handing out information. A friend picked up one of their cards and mentioned that she wanted to check out a class. I didn't know anything about AG yoga and fitness at the time, but I wanted to try something new and fun. I Googled Soul Flyte and a week later I was in a Fundamentals class.  From that day on, I was in every class I could make at Soul Flyte. I got to indulge the secret circus performer inside myself!

What’s your background?  I grew up in the fitness industry - it has always been a part of my life. My parents have owned a local gym for close to 40 years. Over the past 12 years I have received multiple certifications through AFAA, Les Mills, PiYo, (now) AntiGravity and soon Booty Barre.   

Why AntiGravity®? AntiGravity is about both the body and the mind. I am a person who has always had trouble finding stillness and being present. AntiGravity has allowed me to do both while also getting a fun workout.   

Any comments to your future students? Trust in yourself, believe in yourself, and have the courage to try something new. I believe in you!

Student Spotlight: Jillian Singer

This month, Jill Singer is our spotlight! She's been coming to the studio since January and her practice has grown immensely throughout that time. Check out her interview below!

How did you find out about Soul Flyte?
Last January my friend asked me if I wanted to join her for a private class at Soul Flyte so I decided to try it out. 

What’s something you can't live without? 
I cannot live without chocolate! I always have some type of dark chocolate in my house. I wish I couldn't live without something like celery but chocolate is just too good. 

What brought you to try your first class at SF? 
Kayla Braca! And we still go together every week. 

What’s your favorite time of day?
My favorite time of day is when the sun is a golden color right before it's about to set especially around this time of year when the air is crisp and the perfect temperature. 

Do you have a favorite pose at SF?
My favorite pose is a tie between bomber and any type of handstand. I love bomber because it looks really cool and it takes so much strength to hold the pose. I really love doing handstands and headstands too. In the beginning I would dread doing them in class because they would tire me out so quickly but now I feel accomplished when I'm able to balance on my own.

What’s the best meal you've eaten? 
The best meal I've ever eaten is my great grandmother's Italian wedding soup. She passed away a few years ago at 99 years old but my grandma and mom still make it in her honor and it is delicious!

Favorite thing about coming to Soul Flyte?
I love the environment. Throughout the whole class everyone supports one another no matter what. Even when you can't get a move down perfectly everyone else still applauds and tells you how well you've done. When I'm in a class full of people I've never even met you can still feel the love and you become friends from that day forward. Of course I also love the fact that it's a great workout while also having so much fun. 

Would you recommend it to others?  I would recommend it to everyone I know! I post a bunch of pictures and every time I see friends who I haven't seen in a while they always ask me about it and tell me they want to try it out one day. 

Favorite/best place you've traveled to: I recently traveled to Italy and that is definitely my favorite place I've traveled to. The culture, food, art, history, climate, scenery, everything about Italy is so amazing (especially the wine) and I can't wait to go back. 

What's your favorite book? Movie? My favorite book is The Pact. I think I've read it about 4 times and I could read it over and over again. My favorite movie is Thirteen. I've watched it over 100 times. My sisters and I even watched it with the commentary a few times so we know all of the secrets when they were filming. 

What's the craziest thing you've ever done? The craziest thing I've ever done was be a guest in the Big Apple Circus. My mom gave me and some friends front row seats at the circus a few years ago. In between the acts they had a male and female clown come out into the ring and interact with the audience. At one point the male clown came up to me and had me stand up on the outside of the ring while the female clown was on the other side "getting jealous" that he was talking to me. When he walked back to me he put his arms out to give me a hug but instead he scooped me up and brought me to the middle of the ring! They gave me a pool noodle so I fought the female clown in the ring with a noodle. It was very funny and I have a video if you ever want to see!

Anything else you want to share? I just want to say that I'm so happy Kayla brought me to my first class at Soul Flyte.  Besides the fact that it is a great workout, adding yoga into my workout routine was the best thing I've ever done. Even when I'm having a bad day I always walk out of class feeling happy and relieved from the stress of the day. Thank you to the Soul Flyte team!