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| MaMa Jean's S. Campbell location. |
When Mark and I moved to Oz in June of last year I had already made up my mind that I would find a yoga studio to continue my practice. I had been taking classes at
Darling Yoga in Kansas City and was sad to be leaving the wonderful teachers and students there. I knew I had my work cut out for me if I was going to find a school just as awesome in a smaller town.
After we got settled into our new home I began researching the yoga studios in Springfield (we don't have any in Oz) and comparing schedules, styles of classes, and prices. I tried classes at a few different schools and although they were fun, nothing felt like the right fit. I wanted to study under a teacher that inspired me not someone who just led us through the poses. After digging a little deeper I stumbled upon the
Teach To Inspire web page. I was impressed with everything I saw and after reading the story of the director and teacher, Beth Spindler, I was ready to take a class from her. Her school is a non-profit and she also does teacher training. A part of her yoga teacher training is community outreach and I really liked that aspect too.
A few days later I google mapped the location of the studio and set out for my first class. As I approached the small business strip it was located in I got goose bumps...Teach To Inspire was in the EXACT building I had met Mark in sixteen years ago when it was the
karate studio! (click the link to check out the web page for AAction Kenpo Karate at its current location.) I saw this coincidence as a sign from the Universe.
Beth greeted me as I walked through the door. She has a beautiful aura about her that set me at ease. Her class was fun and challenging even for an all levels basics class. She incorporated breathing exercises (
pranayama) and fused several styles of yoga into a seamless session. I knew I had found my school. I was hooked! As the weeks rolled on I attended some of the other classes taught by different teachers and although I enjoyed them, it was Beth's classes that I most looked forward to.
A few months later us students were told that the non-profit was being dissolved and that after the first of the year Beth would be teaching at a new location. This was shocking at first. I had many questions...where would we end up? How many classes would she teach at this new location? What else would be changing? I tried to put it out of my mind and wait for the answers.
Weeks later Beth decided to partner with
MaMa Jean's Market, a locally owned health food store. They have a community room she would use in the south side location at 1727 S. Campbell in Springfield. I had been to a fermenting class in that space before so I was familiar with the set up. This could work!
The first class, a yoga party really, was on January 1st. A lot of people came and we had a great time! My drive is a little farther than before but the classes are really affordable and totally worth it! I am thankful that MaMa Jean's is renting us the space and we can continue to practice with Beth. The teacher training program is still alive and well too. Beth teaches some of those classes from her home studio. For class schedules, upcoming workshop information, and to read Beth's story visit
teachtoinspire.org.
Change is a part of life. The adventure has just begun!
~Love & Light~
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| The first class of 2013 |
