NP Rock Yoga proprietor Julie Ewald stretches and reaches into a standing bow pose. The new yoga studio (owned along with her husband John Souto) is located at 215 Main Street in New Paltz and classes are free through Oct. 8. (photo by Lauren Thomas)
New Paltz now has a brand new yoga studio, upstairs in the Medusa Antiques building. NP Rock Yoga held its grand opening celebration on Monday.
Owner Julie Ewald said it was a long-held dream to open up a yoga studio of her own. “I think all yoga is good yoga. I think the more yoga people can be introduced to the better,” she said.
The woman behind NP Rock Yoga did her training in Thailand and at Yoga to the People in Manhattan.
“Our philosophy is to make things as physically and financially accessible to people as possible. What I really discovered for many years is that it’s so expensive,” she said. “You really shouldn’t break your bank to try to stretch your legs.”
NP Rock Yoga offers a “Hot Power 50” class, a “Hot Power Vinyasa” class and a “Power Vinyasa.” While yoga — a meditative practice of stretching, posing and controlled breathing — can be done at an expert level, newbies shouldn’t be turned off. Ewald said that classes are tailored to individual participant’s skill levels.
“It’s about creating a practice that’s your own personal practice. So if you’re not flexible, if it’s your first time, your 800th time, you should be able to benefit,” she said. “This is the right place for them.”
She added: “We really go by what the pose feels like, not what it looks like.”
Ewald comes to New Paltz from the city, but her husband John Souto — who is a partner in the business — grew up in the area.
For more information, visit www.nprockyoga.com, e-mail info@nprockyoga.com. or stop by in person at 215 Main Street, in New Paltz.