Skip to main content
Monthly Archives

April 2018

Phillip Ward Finds Low Back Pain Relief and More at Sterling

By Testimonial


yoga for crossfit yoga for back pain yoga for weightlifters
Phillip Ward, once an avid weightlifter and CrossFitter, was looking for something to soothe his low back pain when he found Sterling Hot Yoga Mobile.

“I was into weightlifting for about 10 years and began to practice CrossFit for a little over a year before I came to Sterling,” he said. “I started having discomfort in my lower back and thought that integrating yoga into my strength training routine would be a good way to relieve some of the physical pain.”

After just a few yoga sessions, Phillip said the pain went away. As he incorporated Iron Hour and Inferno Hot Pilates—some of Sterling’s popular strength-training classes—into his practice, he realized he found something special.

“I felt that I had found a routine that benefited the entire body—from head to toe, inside and out,” he said. “It wasn’t long before I cancelled my CrossFit membership and focused my time and energy in the hot room.”

Phillip has been a consistent practitioner at Sterling Hot Yoga Mobile for two years, and he took that dedication to the next level last year when he became a Hot Pilates teacher. Exercises in his classes are challenging, no doubt influenced by his strong fitness background.

Even as a student, Phillip has gained more from his practice than physical strength. “I feel stronger, physically and mentally,” he said. “I have more energy during the day (when I need it) and I sleep like a baby. My attitude is more positive, and I am a much more pleasant person to be around (especially in the mornings).”

The emphasis on the present moment in yoga or the concentration and focus in other classes have made an impact on Phillip’s mindset off the mat.

“Small things no longer bother me,” he said. “I approach larger obstacles in life with a clearer head and make much better decisions.”

A consistent practice, Phillip said, has led to him feeling “stronger, more confident and happier” in his everyday life, and he described those feelings as being “contagious.”

As a student and teacher, Phillip has diligently worked as an ambassador for Sterling, encouraging friends and family alike to attend classes and experience the positive benefits they hold.

After all, that’s how he got his start at Sterling in the first place. Thanks to one of his best friends who was a teacher at the studio, Phillip tried a class and has been practicing regularly ever since.

“When a class ends I am already looking forward to the next one. I find that I can hold a posture a little longer, I can balance a bit better, and I can breathe deeper into a pose with less effort in each class,” he said. “It just kind of clicks. I love it. It’s like a drug for me.”

Understanding that not everyone may take to the yoga practice like he did, Phillip did have some words of advice for new students. “Don’t give up after the first class,” he said. “To truly experience yoga, you may need stick with it for a while. You might find that it’s not your cup of tea, and that’s fine, but you’ll never know the benefits if you give up after one or two classes.”

Even if one class doesn’t resonate, Sterling has a variety of options, ranging from heated to unheated. Some classes are ideal for building strength; others are recommended for improving flexibility.

“Try to attend each one at least once to see if there is one class that suits you the best,” he said. “I find that each one offers a different experience, but they all fit together like pieces of a puzzle.”

To get started at Sterling, first-time students can take advantage of our $30-for-30-day introductory special. Sign up here to begin your yoga journey with us!

Wellness Weekend Open House (FREE YOGA!) This Month

By Events
Wellness WeekendWant to share your love of Sterling with a friend or family member? Invite them to our Wellness Weekend Open House!

This FREE event kicks off on Friday, April 20 with our 5:30 p.m. Happy Hour class and continues through Sunday.

During this time, ALL classes are FREE! Plus, we’ll have representatives from local businesses and organizations who support our mission of health, wellness and healing.

We’re excited to welcome Betty Motes, who will deliver an interactive presentation on the importance of proper spine alignment; and Ginger Dunaway, a certified life coach who will discuss how she can help clients find balance, clarity and fulfillment in their lives.

Representatives from Veterans Recovery Resources, a community-based mental wellness program for veterans, and The Health Hut, a local source for quality vitamins, supplements, organic foods, essential oils and more, will also be available to provide information about their services.

April Brings Guest Teachers, Special Classes to Sterling

By Events

GPHL0281Make plans now to join guest teacher Chris De Vilbiss for a vinyasa class on Saturday, April 28 at 2:30 p.m.

Chris has experienced the transformative power of yoga, and he is excited to share what he has learned from his varied teaching background.

“My teachers are everything and I would not be here without them. I grew up in Maryland and went to Oklahoma to wrestle in university. Afterwards I learned yoga in order to release tension and re-design my self-image.

“During my Ph.D. at the University of Florida, I began to teach yoga. It was easy since I’d taught wrestling and engineering for years. I traveled for work and so I taught where I traveled to. I liked the feedback as a traveling teacher.

“After graduation, I trained yoga in India, and I’ve been on “teaching tour” ever since. One month with Doug Swenson who gave me 200-hr RYT, one month with David Garrigues, one month with BNS Iyengar.”

 

Donation Class for Seth Maness Saturday, April 7

Help make a difference for downtown fixture and Soul Kitchen manager Seth Maness this Saturday, April 7. Sprite will be leading a donation-based 90-minute class at 9:30 a.m.

This class is open to the public, so all are welcome! First-time practitioners should arrive 15-20 minutes before the class begins for registration.

Seth has been diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of appendix cancer. All proceeds will go to the Seth Maness Benefit Fund.

 

90 Minutes of Yin on Sunday, April 15

Do you ever feel like 60 minutes of yin just isn’t enough? If so, we’ve got a special class you’ll definitely want to take!

Join us for 90 MINUTES of yin and meditation on Sunday, April 15 from 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Enjoy the benefits of more time to improve your flexibility and the challenge of maintaining your stillness, breath and mental focus even longer!

This extended version of yin and meditation is an excellent way to set your intention for the new year.

If you have blocks, bolsters or a blanket you’d like to bring to class, please do as props we provide may be limited due to attendance. We can’t wait to share this new format with you!

 

Friday Happy Hour Yoga Continues!

HH Yoga With Friends Class Pic KeneeWe’ve got the healthiest and happiest happy hour in town, and we want to share it!

Join our Happy Hour Yoga with Friends class on Fridays at 5:15 p.m. This Sterling 60 class is FREE to first-timers and anyone who hasn’t practiced with us in six months or more.

Sterling members, bring friends! Even if you’re not a Sterling member right now (or don’t know one), the class is FREE so come on and make new friends!

18 in 18 Challenge: First Quarter Complete!

By News

18 in 18 Yoga Challenge Hot Yoga Challenge Sterling Hot Yoga MobileThe first quarter of the “18 in 18” challenge is complete, and we’ve got quite a few yogis who are still in it to win it!

Three months in, these are the challengers who have averaged 18 classes a month from January through March.

To complete the challenge, all you have to do is average 18 classes per month for 2018. So if you fell a little short, there is plenty of time to catch up!

The students below have completed at least 18 classes in March:

Reid Gilbert, 25 Casey Kuluz, 21
Anne Adams, 24 Mendy Bornfleth, 20
Michelle Wilson, 24 Ellen Harvey, 20
Alison Lancaster, 23 Danny Miller, 20
Sujin Kim, 22 Paula Brown, 19
Sheri Granberry, 21 Stacy Galloway, 18

Those who complete the “18 in 18 Challenge” will be entered to win: an annual membership (1 available) and a fitness tracker (2 available). Everyone who successfully completes it will receive a long-sleeved Dri-Fit pullover with the Sterling logo and 18 In 18 challenge logo.

Keep making 2018 a year to remember! We’re so excited to cheer you on during this milestone challenge!