Our yoga teachers and studios have been adaptable and ingenious, finding new ways to connect and to continue teaching and supporting their students. Through lock-downs, tech issues and learning to give adjustments virtually over zoom. This month we’re shining a light on them! Throughout January we will feature studios and chat to teachers here on the blog, all in the spirit of celebrating those that have kept us grounded over the past year. Meet Yoga teacher and studio owner, Lisa Duong, from The Pretty Sweaty Stuff below.
Tell us a little bit about why you set up your studio?
A lot of the studios around the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham are pretty similar. The Pretty Sweaty Stuff is located in Birmingham’s first and only Sensory Deprivation Spa, which in itself is unique! As soon as you walk in, there’s just great energy straight away. Sometimes we get random people (pre covid) knocking on the door to see if they can come in because they just felt the energy as they walked past. There’s nothing better than that.
Besides the building itself, I wanted to be in full control of my own destiny; to be my own boss and offer people classes with a modern twist.
What was your vision and has this come to light?
My vision is to always evolve and constantly make progress in yoga and in life. Like yoga, my vision is about the journey and less about the destination.
What are classes like at the studio?
I believe that the environment is just as important as the yoga itself. I’m incredibly lucky to have the unique space that I have.
Specialising in floatation therapy, The Floating Spa post float lounge is the core of The Pretty Sweaty Stuff’s classes. No clocks, no mirrors and great vibes bouncing off the customer’s feedback on the blackboard. I personally think it’s important to try and not include mirrors in studios because it can be so distracting to the practise.
I am the only studio in the area that currently offers pre and post natal yoga and Strala. Strala Yoga combines the movement and healing wisdom of tai chi with the practice forms of yoga, tai chi, qigong, and Traditional Chinese Medicine, as a way to help people release stress, heal, and move more easily through all kinds of challenge. It’s a really special and easy going way to practise yoga!
Besides this, I teach a funky and creative flow, slow & restore classes as well as my classic strong class that incorporates strength and flexibility moves.
How has the studio helped your local community?
In our local area, there are plenty of traditional yoga options including studios and gym classes. I have been able to offer an alternative to the traditional teaching with a wide range of different class styles, that is open to all levels. Since specialising in Strala and pre and post natal yoga, I am able to continue to offer a varied class range as well as personalised private yoga.
How has 2020 been different for you as a yoga studio and what challenges have you had to overcome?
Lockdown has been pretty hard for yoga studios, but what it has taught me is that you have to be constantly on the ball; adapting and changing to suit the current situation and the needs of people. It’s a never ending learning curve.
What is your personal yoga journey and practice like and how has it evolved over the years?
When I first started out, like many people, I was drawn to the physical aspects. I started out with Jillian Michaels which was more of the fitness yoga and then my sister introduced me to Strala. I loved how easy going strala was and how good it made me feel. There’s very little cueing in Strala and I love that because sometimes I just want to tap into sensation rather than being told how a pose should be. Sometimes I just want to move! When things started to feel a little stale, I moved onto Ashtanga, which was strange because Ashtanga is the complete opposite to Strala, and so I eventually drifted away from that pretty quickly as it felt too traditional and a little too rigid for me. However I did love the fire Ashtanga offered so decided to venture into flows that incorporated strength and flexibility drills. When I started my teacher training, I damaged my wrist and my practise changed again. The things I took for granted in my practise became impossible with my fractured wrist. When I finally had my wrist surgery, Strala was the only thing that made me feel like me again. As the strength in my wrist improved, so did my practise. I came back to my usual movements pre surgery and everything was going in the right direction until I strained my hamstring and became pregnant. I wanted to continue to feel like me again and so restarted practising Strala, and as I became heavier, I reduced the vigorous and fast paced flows. Now that my baby is 2, my wrist is stronger and I’m more intelligent in the way I move, my practise is stronger than ever. Looking after my young toddler during lockdown has made me realise just how much I need to meditate and to reconnect to my centre. I love the creativity of vinyasa and tend to stick to that most days, so when I’m short on time and my toddler is hanging off my leg, I’ll use this style as my moving meditation but whenever I practise yoga, regardless of what I do, I always leave my mat feeling good.
Even though things are still up in the air, what is one vision you have for the future?
To continue to learn and progress whilst also continuing to build on our yoga community. I’d also love to venture into teaching trainings and offer retreats when the right time comes.
To learn more about Lisa and her studio in Birmingham visit her website or follow her on Instagram.
