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Yin Yang Yoga: An OM Shines On Myrtle
By factoidjoe | March 25, 2007
Midnight, under a full moon. Like a werewolf, I stalked down Myrtle Avenue. Mock predatory and probing in what was once called by some, “live and die Bed-Stuy,” my game face was stoic and daunting. I moved past the corner bodega and around those hanging out in front of the neoned liquor store. My street posture slipped, however, when two buildings down, and under a royal blue awning, I was in front of a yoga studio: YIN YANG YOGA: Yoga And Meditation Center. 
Not that I was looking for one, but I was sure surprised to find a yoga studio in Bed-Stuy and on “murderous Myrtle.” Of course, the studio was closed, as, maybe, only “the freaks come out at (mid)night.”
Yoga in Bed-Stuy. Hooray!! Then and there I knew I had to learn more about this business, even before Zengine urged me to do so.
Trick questions in hand, I took a daytime stroll to YIN YANG YOGA. I spent the next 30 minutes with its owner, Carmen de Jesus-Sewer and drilled her with questions.
1. What is yoga?
Yoga is a philosophy and discipline that started 5,000 years ago in India. It is a practice that combines physical movement, ethical practices, breathing techniques and meditation, creating a balanced state of mind, body and spirit. Yoga is for everyone of all ages, genders, religions, races and fitness levels.
2. How did you come up with the idea of starting your own yoga business?
Three years ago, I was having lunch with friend and fellow yogini, Melisa, and our yoga guru, Bryan Kest at a restaurant overlooking the North Shore of Long Island. Melisa, a yoga instructor, expressed the view that she could do a better job of marketing the studio where she taught than the present owner. As Melisa described how she would run her studio, had she owned one, I started imagining me as a silent partner. Bryan, owner and operator of the Power Yoga Studio in Santa Monica, CA, was in the midst of opening his second studio. Bryan was very forthcoming with details of his business model including financing, construction and overhead. Okay, Bryan’s studio is about 12,000 square feet, 1200 times larger than the largest studio we might be thinking of. But, it was after this discussion that I started to take the steps to open up my own studio, partially as an investment and partially as a segue from my current career as a Systems Engineer for a Silicon Valley software company.
3. What caused you to choose Bed-Stuy for your business?
In all of the 11 years that I have been practicing yoga, including the last 5 years in which I have been travelling to yoga retreats and workshop all over the country and Mexico, I was consistently the only or one of the few persons of color in the studio, out of hundreds. I asked my instructor about this imbalance. He acknowledged that he had seen this pattern in LA and thought that it was a question of economics. I knew it certainly was not. I then started to take note of the “face” of yoga and it certainly did not look like me, or many people I knew. Yoga is an amazing transforming experience, but it is not widely accessible or presented to the African-American, Hispanic or Carribean communities. In my desire to not only make yoga accessible to those communities, I also sought to be part of a community, Bed-Stuy, that I believed could benefit from a practice of self-honor and self-respect. These practice values, in turn, I believe, will contribute to the enrichment of the overall community. I was also attracted to Bed-Stuy because it is rich in history, diverse and dynamic.
4. When did Yin Yang Yoga open and how did you decide on a name for your studio?
We opened October 1st, 2006 - we are almost six months old! Yin Yang represents the interaction between two energies: Yin, characterized as dark, quiet, still and passive, and Yang, which is light, active, vibrant and upbeat. Neither exists without the other, and each one of us has a yin half and a yang half, no one being completely yin or yang. We find a balance in both energies, creating an inner harmony and equanimity. This “balance” which we seek is what I call Yin Yang Yoga.
5. What does Yin Yang Yoga offer?
We offer yoga for all levels, from Relax & Restore, Vinyasa or flowing postures, to my specialty, Power Yoga. Also, as I know people in Bed-Stuy have interests beyond yoga, every month I offer workshops in areas such as Belly Dancing, Thai Yoga Bodywork, Meditation, Family Yoga, and Holistic Health Counseling.
6. I see that you have housing projects across one street, a liquor store right next door, a vacant lot across another street, and multiple condo developments within one block. How receptive has the community been to you and your yoga business?
The response from the community has been by far the most rewarding aspect of opening Yin Yang Yoga. Prior to my opening, people were sending me emails thanking me for opening in their neighborhood. I have had notes slipped under my door wishing me well and welcoming me. Everyone has been very, very supportive.
7. I noticed on your website that Yin Yang Yoga is running a special promotion with Cafe Naico, a restaurant down the street, where you offer discount coupons for coffee at that restaurant. What is this about?
Yes, Cafe Naico opened up shortly after I did. We are both looking for ways to synergize with other businesses in this community and to offer better quality food and services locally. All month long we are giving away Cafe Naico coffee cards with class card purchases.
8. What future plans do you have for Yin Yang Yoga?
In April, we will be offering another 8-week program called “Adventure Family Yoga” for parents and 2 to 5 years old, as well as a 4-week Pilates Immersion Series. In the coming months, I plan to offer workshops in African Dance, Kirtan Chanting and Reiki. I am always looking to present new and interesting workshop offerings.
As Spring is here, I plan to landscape the area in back of the studio so I can conduct yoga classes and workshops outdoors. Also, the garden will be available generally to Yin Yang Yoga students to enjoy self-guided meditation or just to relax after class.
9. And for my trick question, I asked her what is an ankh?
Ankh, I think you mean an OM, which is the Sanskrit representation of the sound created by the energetic vibrations of all things in the universe. When chanted, it is the combination of three sounds, a, u and m. Om is the union of mind, body and spirit; heaven, earth and atmosphere. It is the essence of all living things.
Wanting to make sure I got the full scoop on this new Bed-Stuy business, I waited around until the scheduled six o’clock class was to begin to ask a student, Kelly, about the Yin Yang Yoga experience. The endorsement from this student was strong indeed.
10. How long have you been taking classes at Yin Yang Yoga and what has been your experience?
My classes with Carmen have been the first that I’ve really taken in yoga. Back in August, walking down Myrtle on my way home from the subway I saw the blue, Yin Yang Yoga sign and got very excited. I e-mailed Carmen that very night and learned that the studio would be opening in October. Overall, in the six months that have been taking classes with Carmen and her other instructors, I must say that my life has changed for the better. I am more focused, stronger, more flexible. I feel that for the first time in a long while I’ve achieved some balance in my life. Coming here is kind of like going to your neighborhood restaurant or bar where they know you, your specific concerns and your limits. It’s a very comfortable feeling, even though often you’re sweating and completely absorbed in your practice. I could never think of taking a yoga class at a gym.
And I must say, the fact that the studio is located where it is in Bed-Stuy, there’s a full range of different types of students from Hispanics, African-Americans, Asians, to Orthodox Jews. And they are not all women either. Carmen has been able to create a very challenging and inviting experience for men, as well. I intend to do everything I can to keep her here.
And that is a wrap.
Topics: Dining, Myrtle Avenue | Edit |
March 26th, 2007 at 10:38 am
I’m so excitied about this new business. I no longer live in this area, but this is very necessary. I will tell my mom, friends and cousins about it! I just found your site through brownstoner. Good Luck!
March 26th, 2007 at 11:27 am
A few of my neighbors and I are regulars at Yin Yang Yoga since we live down the street on Spencer. It is so nice to have a yoga place with a relaxing/welcoming atmosphere, diverse students, and so close to home! I definitely recommend people checking out this studio!
March 26th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
I don’t know where to make a general comment, so I’ll post one here. Many of the entries cover places less than a block from my house. I find your tone condescending and childish. Why do you feel like this neighborhood needs a cheerleader? What qualifies you for the job? What is this about your “street posture”? Which community is this an initiative for?
March 26th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Sorry that you find the tone condescending, because it was not meant to be. As for neighborhoods needing cheerleaders, clearly you haven’t been following the evolution of micro-neighborhood coverage in the Blogosphere. Many Brooklyn neighborhoods now have their own blogs. These blogs highlight new developments, businesses and events in the area. We thought that our neighborhood deserved the same kind of attention. What qualifies us for the job? We are residents and business owners in this area and this is a blog for the Bed-Stuy community. I hope this clears up any concerns you have.
March 26th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Cheers and thanks for your response. Clearly I have not been following the evolution of micro-neighborhood coverage in the blogosphere. Pointing out my lack of econtext certainly corrected my misreading of your site. You’re not condescending; I’m just uninformed. I hope that your next walk around our ‘hood brings you something more than alliterative puns and a misplaced sense of adventure.
March 26th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Perhaps you are responding to Factoidjoe’s tongue-in-cheek style, but this neighborhood certainly needs a cheerleader. As a business owner, there are no services allotted to business development, such as a business association or business improvement district. Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership’s (MARP) territory ends at Classon Avenue. The Fulton-Nostrand Revitalization Project covers up to Halsey and Nostrand. The Bridge Street Development Corporation covers the Tompkins Avenue shops and the Shops of Lewis Avenue (SOLA) covers the Lewis Avenue district. Who is spearheading the revitalization of the rest of Bed Stuy? No one. You might think, well I’m not a business owner, what do I care? Well businness associations and improvement districts benefit everyone within that community. It brings money back into the neighborhood by providing “locally grown” goods and services, to borrow a phrase from MARP. For homeowners, it increases their property value. For residents, it increases their shopping options for goods and services as well as provides local jobs. For business owners, it provides funding for beautification and revitilization projects, tree planting, involvement in citywide events (such as Dining Out Brooklyn), increased sanitation, and increased security. Yes, we need a cheerleader. We need an entire cheerleading squad!
March 27th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Joe, it’s just a blog. You don’t have to read it if it is so upsetting to you………..
April 6th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
It’s also indicative of an attitude towards my neighborhood that I think is stupid and dumb, and I don’t read it.