Bay Area Edition - July 2019

BUSINESS FEATURE

BY ALEX GRANT

Owner helps students find their centers in creative ways B arefoot Girl Yoga, a yoga studio in Clear Lake Shores, oers a wide range of classes, including vinyasa yoga, restorative yoga and, most notably, surf yoga, a class in which students practice ocean-in- spired yoga moves atop a suroard. “Yoga is a lot like surng to me,” said Megan LaB- ernz, the owner of the studio. “I can kind of just get away from everything, nd my soul and just be there.” LaBernz, an ex-collegiate volleyball player and avid surfer of years, rst started her yoga practice in aer her mother suddenly died from breast cancer. “I couldn’t quiet my mind,” LaBernz recalled. “I was running and liing [weights], and then nally my sister suggested I try yoga. As cliche as it is, it com- pletely transformed my life.” Aer practicing yoga as a student for two years, LaBernz became certied to teach and opened Bare- foot Girl Yoga in League City in . She outgrew that location and moved to Clear Lake Shores. What sets Barefoot Girl Yoga apart is that LaBernz and her seven teachers focus not only on the physical aspect of yoga in their teachings but also the mental and spiritual aspects, she said. “It’s about slowing down; not thinking about every- thing going on; and taking care of your mind, body and soul all at one time,” LaBernz said. “It can be very emotional because it can bring up things you stu down and put away.” Helping students deal with life challenges is one of the most fullling parts of teaching yoga, she said. “I get to see the progress my students make physi- cally but also how it has changed the way they look at the world,” LaBernz said. Despite “Girl” being in the name of the studio, LaBernz wants people to know her studio, and yoga practice in general, is not exclusive to women. “Yoga is for everybody: men, women and even kids,” LaBernz said. “Come here for one hour of your life, and forget about everything else.” Barefoot Girl Yoga

Megan LaBernz, owner of Barefoot Girl Yoga, said the studio name was inspired by her hippie-like, free-spirited nature.

Find your inner peace Here are the classes offered at Barefoot Girl Yoga. SPECIAL CLASSES Black light yoga: a high-energy vinyasa class where students wear bright colors that glow under black light Candlelight yoga: a class that focuses on poses that promote relaxation and rejuvenation REGULAR CLASSES Vinyasa yoga: an energetic, mixed-level flow class that integrates yoga fundamentals, sequencing and breath Peaceful vinyasa: a class with a gentler approach to yoga that goes at a slower pace Restorative yoga: a soothing class that takes students through a series of restful postures to promote relaxation Relax and renew: a slow vinyasa flow class that also includes restorative postures Surf yoga: a class that blends yoga and cardio to build core strength and improve balance, performed atop a surfboard Kids and family yoga: a class where family members can bond through yoga and relaxation

The studio is decorated with yoga-themed decora- tions, surfboards and jewelry made by local artisans.

Barefoot Girl Yoga 828 Marina Bay Drive, Clear Lake Shores 281-536-3270 www.barefoot-girl-yoga. weebly.com Hours: Mon.-Tue. 10-11 a.m., 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Wed., Sat.10-11 a.m.; Thu. 10-11 a.m., 7-8 p.m.; Fri. 6:30-7:30 p.m.; closed Sun. N

146

MARINA BAY DR.

518

2500 South Shore Bl vd. League Ci ty, Tx 77573

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