FREEING PEOPLE TO DO THE WORK THEY LOVE
April 2022
vol.4
Classes Community Coffee
Yoga Feature
Warrior II first appears in the Vitality component of the Journey into Power practice. Warrior II is a severe opening,
WARRIOR II
with the hips and heart open to the long edge of the mat. Practitioners can make adjustments in the pose like hands to heart center and a shorter stance for modifications. When fully expressed, Warrior II provides a strong foundation for strength and power.
Warrior II Coffee + Yoga. The perfect alignment.
So much happens in Warrior II. Step your right foot forward. Dial your back heel down. Stack your front knee over your ankle. Your hips and shoulders face the long edge of your mat. Take your arms to a T and look over your front middle finger. The key to this pose is a balance of ease and effort. Our locally roasted Warrior II coffee is no different. The bright Ethiopian Washed Yirgacheffe offers notes of floral, vanilla, black tea, and lemon. Seemingly unrelated cues that create the perfect integration of strength and lightness.
Coffee Feature
COLD BREW Our cold brew is brewed using Warrior II coffee. You can expect a brighter taste with notes of floral and vanilla. The brewing process for cold brew is intense and specific With six pounds of ground coffee and five gallons of water, the coffee is brewed for over 12 hours before being chilled and served. Once the cold brew is complete, we can add the brew to a keg for nitro cold brew.
"Come as you are.
CHAD
PAINTER YOGA TEACHER
Come with an open mind. Regardless of the time you attend a class, you will meet members and teachers from all walks of life".
Chad Painter I found yoga, or maybe yoga found me, on February 1st, 2020. I remember that day clearly because I had recently found meditation and had begun rediscovering the joy of caring for my physical body. The class was led by Abby at Element 26 Gym on a sunny, winter morning. The practice spoke to me and time seemed to melt away. It challenged my body and my breathing in a way that I was not used to and I immediately fell in love with that feeling. After that singular class I reached out to Abby to see if she taught anywhere locally and soon found myself practicing nearly every day until the start of the pandemic/quarantine. I used the time at home to slow down and continued focusing on my body and mind. I tried to practice yoga a few times but because I felt I was still new and lacked confidence and I struggled to make time to practice. I was still able to deepen my practice of mediation and even continued to grow my physical fitness through some other strength and conditioning movements. As the world began to open back up and I began to socialize more, I found myself hanging with the people I was seeing at Element 26 Gym, which included Abby and Adam. It was during this time I began to wonder what I wanted to step into next with my life. More specifically, I began meditating on the concept of how I wanted to live my true best life. After several weeks of mediating on guidance, I began seeing opportunities in the conversations I was having.
One night, in September of 2020, while getting some drinks, Abby shared her thoughts about opening a yoga studio in town and asked if I would be interested in teaching yoga. It took a little soul searching to discover that this was the path being placed ahead of me. By November of 2020, Abby and I, along with two other friends, traveled to Florida so Abby and I could complete a virtual Baptiste Power Yoga Level 1 training. By leaving my current environment behind and fully surrounding myself in the training, I experienced several deep understandings of myself which further led to my growth, both as an individual, and as a teacher. I taught my first class at Element 26 Gym in December of 2020. In 2021, Abby and Adam started the Yoga Lab with virtual classes and Abby and I began teaching weekly classes via Zoom. Abby and I also partnered with Kurtis and Ashley Frasier to offer a regular power yoga class at Element 26 while the Yoga Lab was still figuring out where the brick and mortar would go. It was during the early months of 2021 I found how deeply my passion for coaching and teaching ran. In April 2021, I found myself wanting to step more and more into the role of coach. By the end of the summer, I made the choice to fully pursue coaching as my chosen profession. It has been a wild and amazing ride and I am excited to see where it goes from here!
ELEMENT26 PARTNER OF THE MONTH
"Everyone has something to teach you, we learn more from our members than we teach them."
E26 Started in a small 2-car garage with nothing more than a barbell, some bumper plates, an AirDyne, and the desire for self-improvement. During my time home between deployments, Ashley and I would train together. Ashley had her sister join us for a Friday training session, and it just snowballed from there. Nicole couldn't keep her mouth shut (big surprise) about how difficult the training sessions were. She was pretty much a recruiter for the gym. People showing up for a Friday session each turned into training multiple groups a couple of times a day. At that point, we decided to move forward with the gym and find a home for E26. We are a private gym that only allows a certain number of members so that we can know everyone on an individual level. We could allow more members for higher profit but we would lose the personal connection with people.
Friendship is far more valuable to us. People will always be greater than profit. Set your phone down and take a walk each day. No matter what your level of fitness is taking time away from your phone and walking for an hour each day will make you a healthier happier human.
PHOTO BY KURTIS FRASIER
THE
FUTURE
We had a 5-year plan... COVID killed that and nearly killed E26 along with it, but our members didn't let that happen. We cannot put into words how grateful we are for that. We do not know what the future looks like but we do know this: The gym itself is just a building, and that building can be used for just about anything else, but the character development that happens inside those 4 walls will remain with us long after E26 is gone. Until our doors close for good we will continue to be a place of ruthless selfassessment and self-discovery for those who decide to travel that path. - Kurtis and Ashley Frasier
Element26 x Yoga Lab Culture / Community
Yoga Lab began at Element26 The Yoga Lab community would not exist without Element26 Gym. Adam and Abby met there. Chad and Abby became friends and yoga partners there. And the biggest factor? Kurtis and Ashley. Kurtis and Ashley allowed Yoga Lab to grow inside the brick and mortar Element26, but facilitated the culture for Yoga Lab far beyond those four walls. Abby and Adam consider Kurtis and Ashley friends and mentors. They are two of our biggest supporters, coming in for coffee, telling E26 members about our classes, and they always know what to say to make owning a business not feel so lonely.
EMILY P.
MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Emily is known by her Instagram handle, Emily P :) She comes to class most days and drinks coffee with us everyday.
Emily P. How did you find the Yoga Lab? What kept you coming back?
What is challenging you right now? - In your practice and in your life?
My friend Sarah posted an Instagram story during the opening week back in September about how she went to a yoga class and how the rest of the week was free. I went to one just to get a break from weight training and to try out a different type of workout. My first time in the Lab I remember being nervous about being in a new place with new people. My first class was only with Abby, Rhendy Bradshaw, and myself. I remember I had no idea what I was doing, however, I never felt judged but rather I felt empowered. Even from the first encounter at the Yoga Lab I felt celebrated and welcome in this space. At the time, I only wanted to take advantage of the free classes and I remember thinking I didn't have the money for a monthly membership. I did some drop-ins until I decided to get a membership for the month of October (I wanted the free t-shirt for the October challenge lol). The main reason I kept coming back was the welcoming environment and community. Every time I walk into the Lab I am welcomed with open arms and every time I walk out the doors, I leave feeling stronger and with a coffee in hand.
I have learned a lot in my life through struggles with anxiety, overthinking, and pushing myself too hard. It is hardest for me to say "No" without feeling the guilt associated with it. It is hard for me to not overthink what others may think of me. So, as I continue to go through bigger steps in my life off my mat, I am learning that saying no and not overworking myself is what I need sometimes. On my mat, I work through this by saying yes to showing up for myself.
How has a regular yoga practice in a studio impacted your life? Before starting my practice in September, I had never done yoga before. It is crazy to look back on my life before September not knowing anything about yoga or this community. I say that because I have spent most days practicing, studying, or grabbing a coffee at the Lab since my first class. Just the people here are enough to motivate me to continue my regular practice. Now physically, I feel so much stronger than I ever did when I was going to the gym everyday. I couldn't imagine my life without the Lab and the friends I made here.
Who is Emily outside of the Yoga Lab? I am a junior at Illinois State University and I am studying elementary education. Education has always been a big part of my life and I can't imagine myself doing anything else. With that, something big in my life I am preparing for is my student teaching experience starting next fall. Being in education, I have felt another level of support at the Lab because of the community of educators, including Abby herself. Furthermore, on campus, I am a part of a college Christian ministry called Encounter. This is one of the biggest parts of my life because of my dedication to growing in my faith, and with that, the involvement in leadership that I have there. I spend most evenings, weekends, and trips with Encounter. Another factor in my life is my job. I work at a gym (Four Seasons Health Club) a few days of the week as a Club Supervisor. This has been a great place for me to build friendships, work with others, and workout. Four Seasons will always have a piece of my heart, but I am happy to say that I will be joining a new team summer 2022... Sincerely, Your newest Yoga Lab barista
Dear fellow yogi who is new to the practice or hasn't practiced before, Yoga is not about being flexible or being able to do the extreme of a pose. Yoga is about moving your body in a way that feels good and that supports you and your body. Yoga is about showing up for yourself. Yoga is not sitting in embarrassment or shame when comparing yourself to other yogis in a room. Yoga is not only what you see on social media of people only practicing on their heads. Yoga is about feeling connected to the body you were created in. You will be surprised what your body is capable of when you try. Even if you fall or modify in a pose. It is all valid and it is all yoga.
-Emily P.
JULIA DOWNS
BARISTA OF THE MONTH
In mid-October, I walked into the Yoga Lab as a nervous, job seeking college student who had no idea what a “chataranga” was. After a few short weeks it was easy to grow comfortable within this community of people. Abby and Adam have helped me tremendously in so many aspects of my life and I am forever grateful for finding them! The growth within this community is what is most prominent for me. People walk in these doors everyday not knowing who I am and within the next few visits, we are picking up right where we left off.
Who is Julia outside of the Yoga Lab?
Tell us in your words about your role at the Yoga Lab.
Outside of the Yoga Lab, I am close to the same person as inside of the Yoga
I wear many hats here at the Yoga Lab.
Lab. I feel very transparent when inside
Along with being a barista I am a friend,
these doors, so it’s very easy to be
welcomer, and member of this amazing
myself. I am the person that is always
community. For some, I may be making
down for a spontaneous trip to the
them a coffee or acai bowl and for
tattoo shop, next day concert tickets, or
others, we are exchanging stories from
a quick weekend trip!
the night before.
I am a senior at ISU studying Sales. My
What can people expect from you at
twin sister, Kelly, also attends ISU, so we
the Yoga Lab?
share
many
memories
here.
After
graduation I plan on moving to Chicago
When working and practicing at the
to work as a Sales Representative for
Yoga Lab, you can expect an open,
Packback,
honest conversation with me. I have a
an
E-Learning
software
development company.
passion for connecting with people and I think that shows through the ways I
What do you like to do for fun?
communicate inside and outside of the Yoga Lab. You can also count on me for
Fun
for
me
includes
going
to
Element26 for a workout, hanging out with my roommates and friends, going on walks and runs, painting, getting new tattoos, cooking, and of course, practicing yoga. What is your favorite coffee drink? The Shaken Espresso! This drink gets me through my day while providing me with
the
sweet
taste
of
honey
&
cinnamon. If you have yet to try it, I highly recommend it. The best thing about this drink is that it gives me the necessary jolt of energy needed for my next adventure.
making you the most delicious lattes and acai bowls.
Baptiste Pillars Breath
Baptiste Methodology Spotlight
Ujjayi // Breath Baptiste Yoga is supported by five pillars. Ujjayi, the breath, is the intentional, oceanic breath cultivated during the practice. Ujjayi breath specifically, is created by breathing in through the nose and constricting the back of the throat and sending the exhale back through the nose. In Baptiste Yoga, the ujjayi breath becomes a point of focus to enhance vinyasa (flow) while moving through the physical postures. But, ujjayi can also be used off of your mat. A calming and balancing breath, ujjayi is a great tool to take into your life.
Prenatal Restorative Yoga with Melissa Rusk
Yoga at Illinois Wesleyan University with Alpha Gamma Delta
LOOKING AHEAD
FARMER'S MARKETS We are thrilled to be a part of the Downtown Bloomington Farmer's Markets this summer. We will be there with our new Market Açai Bowls. Our intention in attending the markets is to spread the word about the Yoga Lab and to connect with a new people who are also committed to the wellbeing of our community. We hope to see you there!
BRIDAL SHOWERS We have received a number of inquiries about bridal showers and bachelorette parties for the summer. We are excited to host classes and provide on-site experiences for brides and their families and friends. If you know any brides looking for a relaxing weekend, please send them our email address info@theyogalab.org to inquire.
PRIVATE CLASSES Private classes are the perfect opportunity to get exactly what you need from your practice. Whether it's an individual or group class, specific requests can be made for restorative yoga, gentle yoga, chair yoga, etc. Our teachers are extremely knowledgeable and skilled and we can set you up with the perfect experience for you.
A NOTE FROM ABBY That's me, on the page next to this, eating my first ever açaí bowl during our Baptiste Level 1 Training. It always feels nostalgic to reflect on that training with Chad and to consider the leap of faith he took to join me on this journey. As we launch into a new month, I am reminded of how many people contribute to the success of this community. The seeds of this business were planted over three years ago when I joined Element26 Gym and the fruit continues to be seen in each and every interaction I have at the Yoga Lab. I'm grateful to each of you, for your commitment and contribution to this community. Thank you for showing up, for doing your own work, and for making me better.
Be well, Abby
Community Wellness Lab, LLC Written by Abby Lyons and Adam Ghantous Photography and Design by Adam Ghantous www.theyogalab.org