Yoga in Taos still popular, but changed by pandemic
Two years into the pandemic, yoga remains alive and well in Taos as a still popular fitness option for locals to improve their physical and mental well-being, but the way yoga is practiced has also undergone some changes.
Some well-respected studios closed, but more than one new studio has also opened in the Taos area. Many in-person classes observe COVID-safe practices, while others offer classes online. But the physical and mental benefits yoga provides haven’t changed. In fact, they have become even more sought after in the midst of the continued uncertainty caused by the pandemic and recent geopolitical events.
Yoga has been practiced for at least 5,000 years and research is showing that its regular practice improves health by positively stimulating the body’s nervous and endocrine systems, according to the Guide to Holistic Health, published by the American Holistic Medical Association. The many health benefits of yoga include reducing blood pressure and pain, as well as managing asthma, trauma and addiction. Yoga has also been shown to elevate mood and increase energy levels. In simple terms, yoga is a form of stretching that improves flexibility and increases muscle strength.
Yoga can also be adapted for people at all levels of physical fitness. A person doesn’t have to already be fit in order to begin practicing yoga. Working with an instructor, anyone at any age can find the right class to help them reduce stress and begin to improve flexibility and well-being.
Here’s what owners of four yoga studios had to say about how they have made it through the public health crisis and what kinds of classes they now offer.
Aurafitness
When yoga studios had to close for several months in 2020, there was an immediate response to move classes to an online format. Within two weeks of closing their studio doors, Aurafitness had made the transition.
“Going online was terrifying at first,” remembers studio owner Aura Garver. “When our in-studio classes came to a complete stop, we immediately launched our online classes. It allowed us to quickly give our students an option. There was a steep learning curve and everyone approached adventuring into this new realm with a great sense of humor.”
Sound, lighting, arranging the space so it looked good on camera and many technical challenges came with the new approach.
Now Aurafitness is offering both online, in-person and hybrid classes, which students can choose to attend in-person or online.
For some people who have COVID concerns or are just more comfortable in the privacy of their own homes, the remote options continue to be a way to maintain their practice. For those coming to the studio, there is plenty of room for social distancing in the large space, with its 20-foot ceilings and good ventilation. Masks are now optional.
“We are so grateful we were able to stay the course and stay open,” says Garver. “It was clear from the get-go that we needed to keep our community connected. It was super important to Aurafitness that the community we had built so strong remained intact. I was amazed at how strong the online attendance was over the last two years. One of the benefits was to empower the students to develop their in-home practice.”
For Garver and her students, the pandemic challenge proved an excellent time to apply some basic principles of yoga, such as practicing kindness and non-judgement. Yoga became a lifeline for connection and a way to feel a sense of being centered and peaceful in the face of uncertainty, says Garver.
Find Aurafitness online at aurafitnesstaos.com or call 575758-9733.
High Frequency Loft
High Frequency Loft offers yoga along with dance and fitness classes, as well as Qigong and belly dancing. The emphasis is on a mindful approach to movement as well as a healthy lifestyle in order to achieve physical, mental and spiritual well-being. It was founded by Alana Lee in 2017. Lee teaches a variety of yoga and Pilates classes, including her specialty, AcroYoga, a blend of acrobatics and yoga as the name suggests.
During the pandemic, Barbara Agnello stepped up to become certified as a teacher and also a business
partner in the studio to help insure its financial viability.
“My role evolved due to COVID,” says Agnello. “We looked for flexible ways to stay open, including a fund drive in April to generate awareness about High Frequency Loft and raise money for its continued operation.”
One of the challenges they have faced has been covering classes when one instructor is out sick and unable to teach. Agnello points out that she and Lee can teach some of the same classes like Pilates and barre, which tone the muscles. They can substitute for each other, which is helpful as all the teachers have been very careful not to come to class if they are feeling sick.
Some of the other classes are
more specialized and taught by just one instructor, like belly dancing (taught by Alana Grier) and Qigong and Kundalini yoga, with Julian Laroza. Coming in mid-March, High Frequency Loft will also be offering a self-defense class.
Currently, there are in-person classes as well as Zoom options. Agnello says that there are some drawbacks to online teaching in that you can’t see the students well and some classes requiring more intensive instruction and assistance, like AcroYoga, can’t be taught safely online.
“In the studio, there have certainly been challenges,” she says. “We haven’t been doing hands-on assists due to social distancing.”
High Frequency Loft welcomes everyone to find a movement practice that works for them, including seniors and kids.
“The pandemic and current events of the last couple of years have really challenged us to take our practice off the mat and apply it to our lives in very different ways,” Agnello says, “including using concepts like one breath at a time, beginner’s mind, nonattachment, gratitude and loving kindness.”
High Frequency Loft will celebrate its fifth anniversary March 26. Masks are optional in the studio. Find High Frequency Loft at highfrequencyloft.com or call 575425-0709.
In Tune Yoga
In November 2020, a commercial space opened near downtown Taos, and Summer DeBuye jumped at the chance to open In Tune Yoga.
“The timing was not ideal,” reflects DeBuye. “But the space became available and I felt a calling, so had to do it. I didn’t know if I would get another opportunity.”
In Tune Yoga is offering in-person sessions, keeping the classes to 12 students and encouraging people to book in advance. The yoga mats continue to be well-spaced. With the lifting of the statewide mask mandate, masks are also optional here.
“People are excited not to have to wear masks to do yoga,” says DeBuye. “Students say they are very grateful to have a place to gather in-person to do yoga,” she adds. “This is what humans need right now: connection.”
When the studio opened she was the only teacher.
“We started small, it was just me and I was also working as a restaurant manager and could only offer three to four classes a week. Now we have six teachers on staff and offer 12 classes a week. I’m super proud of how far we’ve come.”
In Tune Yoga specializes in power and strength. The studio hosts both group and private yoga sessions, as well as special events like birthday parties for kids and adults. Classes for moms and kids are offered twice a week.
To find out more, visit intuneyogataos.com or call 575-779-7839.
Seco Yoga
Seco Yoga is tucked back off the main road to the Taos Ski Valley in Arroyo Seco. The studio is offering both in-person and online sessions. There is at least one in-person class every day, except Saturday.
“The classes vary from restorative classes to intermediate classes like our Monday night Hip Flow,” says owner Liz Finkelstein. “Our most popular class has definitely been yoga for stressed bodies and I believe that speaks to the times we are currently living in.”
Among other class offerings is Yoga/Pilates for Aging Well taught by Shere Dayney. Online classes include yoga for strength and guided meditations offered in partnership with Taos Yoga Coop.
“Things have definitely changed a lot in the last two years,” says Finkelstein, who took over the studio in August 2020. “As any of the other business owners know, you have to just go with the flow in these weird times. The rules are constantly changing. We try to do our best to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable in their practice with us. I’m hopeful that we are close to a turning point and that things will pick up in the spring.”
At Seco Yoga, they will continue to wear masks in the studio for everyone’s safety for now.
To find out more, visit secoyogaoftaos.com or text/call 616648-3105.