Between work and school, Mondays are usually the most stressful and dreadful.
After a long day of running around, I never expected the Coral Gables Museum would offer me a peaceful environment to unwind in.
Or at least that is what I thought before I took a yoga class last Monday.
The Coral Gables Museum offers yoga at 6 p.m. every Monday for the rest of July.
I was met with women of all ages. Their faces looked tired, but they were ready with their colorful mats and towels.
After seeing firsthand how relaxing the class is, I see why the goal is to bring in people who want to wind down after a long day at work.
“We see ourselves as not only a museum, but a community center as well,” said Caroline Parker, director of programs at the museum. “With so many desk jobs nearby, we wanted to cater to the stressed worker.”
Each 75-minute session is led by Shanti, a certified yoga instructor who works in local spas and gyms.
Classes are held in different locations throughout the museum, including outdoor spaces with a breeze.
Shanti incorporates hatha yoga, vinyasa flow and power yoga.
“I use yoga as the vehicle to keep the mind healthy and the spirit fulfilled,” Shanti said. “Each person gets something different out of it, but it is always fulfilling.”
The class is set up for both beginners and more advanced yogis.
“I had never tried yoga before, so when my mom suggested taking the class, I figured it would be cool for us to learn,” said Paola Rospigliosi, a Coral Gables resident and museum member.
The class ends with a brief “om” in unison.
As I looked up and everyone said “Namaste” to part ways, people like Rospigliosi and her mother all left refreshed and enthusiastic about the next class.
From: The Miami Herald