Nov. 9, 2011 By Christian Murray
A Sunnyside resident is establishing a yoga studio on 43rd Ave., between 49th and 50th Streets.
Emily Ponnie, who is opening kaulika yoga, plans to hold her first sessions this Saturday as part of her studio’s grand opening. All classes this Saturday will be $5 (see above).
Ponnie was introduced to the discipline while she was pregnant with her son Maxton, now 3 months old. She took pre-natal yoga classes and said that it helped make for a smooth pregnancy. Ponnie, however, said she had to leave the neighborhood to take these classes – as with many other ‘sunnymoms’. Most go to Astoria or Long Island City for pre-natal yoga, she said.
However, Ponnie does not plan to limit her classes to pre-natal yoga. She is targeting young and old. She has hired three instructors who will cater to all age groups and skill levels.
At this point, Ponnie will be operating out of Hugo’s Martial Arts Studio.
(Rates after special)
1 class $16
3 classes $36 New Students Only – Valid for 30 Days
5 classes $75 – Valid for 60 Days
10 classes $140 – Valid for 90 Days
Prenatal
1 class $18
5 classes $85 – Valid for 60 days
Children’s Room Add-on (Pre-registration required)
1 class $3 (Up to 2 children)
10 classes $25
Featured Events
12 Comments
Regular Schedule…
Saturdays
8:00am Open-level Vinyasa with Juan 75mins
9:30am Open-level Vinyasa (en Espanol) with Juan 75mins
11:00am Prenatal Yoga with Satomi 60mins
12:15pm Power Vinyasa with Satomi 60mins
Sundays
2:30pm Family-n-Me Infant Yoga (3-10mos) with Lisa 75mins
4:00pm Family-n-Me Toddler Yoga (2ish-4yrs) with Lisa 60mins
6:00pm Open-level Dharma with April 75mins
7:30pm Open-level Dharma with April 75mins
Price List
1 class $16
3 classes $36 New Students Only – Valid for 30 Days
5 classes $75 – Valid for 60 Days
10 classes $140 – Valid for 90 Days
Family-n-Me Infant and Toddler Yoga
1 class $18
5 classes $85
10 classes $150
Children’s Room Add-on (Pre-registration required)
1 class $3 for 1 child $5 for 2+ children
10 classes $25 for 1 child $40 for 2+children
Yoga is compatible with all religions. It can enhance your religious experience or supplement it….
There are many different walks of life who practice yoga…many athletes use it to enhance their performance and stretch their muscles, mommies use it to de-stress and exercise, others use it to deal with various ailments including back pain, etc, etc, etc…that is the physical practice of yoga. The spiritual element is what you make it and it is yours to develop and meditate upon.
I don’t think it’s so much religious as it is spiritual. But I think it depends on the individual practice. For me, it’s just stretching.
In terms of Christianity, I think that also depends on the denomination. There’s a Christian organization called Yahweh Yoga, which focuses on using the practice as a form of worship.
I’ve never had any experience with yoga classes but have wondered- is this religious in any way or just exercise? I know the Vatican is against it, and I’ve heard Protestant churches have also condemned it as anti-Christin. I know many women who take yoga classes but when I hear about chanting and looking within oneself, I wonder. No disrespect to anyone’s religion, just wondering. Maybe I am mixing it up with New Age, crystals/feng shui stuff, I don’t know.
I’ve taken many of my classes from Juan. He’s a great instructor.
I’ve taken regular yoga classes by Satomi (who will be doing the prenatal yoga). She is wonderful! I can’t wait to take the prenatal classes with her! Congratulations Emily-this is a great addition to the community and especially to the pregnant women so we don’t have to leave the area to enjoy the benefits of prenatal yoga!
This will be a nice thing to have in the community.
Best of luck to this new businesss. Maybe in a short time they will do well enough to open a studio of their own in our town and take an empty store and make it theirs.
We seem to have a few new store opening in our town. lets wish them well and soon all our store fronts will be filled.
It is the same Juan! 🙂
Also, I wonder if this is the same Juan who teaches at Yoga Agora. He’s fantastic.
This is an exciting addition to the neighborhood. But Citara Yoga, which operates out of Woodside Ballet, is donation-based ($1 to $10). Just sayin’.
How much will the classes be after the promotion? Where can we find a regular schedule?