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Michelle Ryan

Outdoor Vinyasa Classes Are HERE!

By Events

We’ve got great news! Those outdoor yoga classes you asked for are finally happening! 

Join us again on Saturday, Oct. 10 in the beautiful green space next to the Moorer Public Library on McGregor Avenue for an invigorating Vinyasa Flow class. It’s FREE!

Since Hurricane Sally disrupted our food drive collection supporting Feeding the Gulf Coast, you are welcome to bring a two-item non-perishable food donation if you like. That goes for everyone who’d like to participate!

Please bring a mat, towel and water with you, and we’ll socially distance ourselves under the beautiful oak trees.

Keep in mind that there will be no livestreaming option with Outdoor Vinyasa Flow.

Thank you for supporting Sterling Hot Yoga & Wellness and trusting us to guide you on your path to better health!

Hot Vinyasa Fusion Returns Monday, Oct. 12 AND Once a Month After That

By Events

Looking for a class that combines the best of Bikram Yoga AND the best of vinyasa flow? We’ve got it! 

Hot Vinyasa Fusion is back Monday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. Look for this class the second Tuesday of every month!

This 75-minute class begins with several rounds of chaturangas, stretches and even some original hot yoga postures mixed in. 

Then it transitions to some balancing poses and floor work that will be very familiar if you practice the 26 and 2 regularly. 

It’s heated to about 100 degrees, so you will still work up a good sweat!

The original hot yoga sequence helps maintain and restore natural range of motion, but it is sometimes criticized for not having much of a focus on the upper body or hip openers. That’s where Hot Vinyasa Fusion comes in!

If you’ve tried it and loved it, your chance to practice it again is coming up soon. If you haven’t taken it yet, so is your chance to try it!

2020 Challenge Update: Three More Months to Go!

By Announcement

You know how challenging it can be to stick to a routine, and when you manage to make it happen, you feel inspired and accomplished. 

Well, we definitely feel inspired by this dedicated group of yogis who have made it through 75 percent of our 2020 Renew You Challenge.

In this special year-long challenge, students must take 20 classes a month (or average 20 classes a month for the year). 

Those who successfully complete it will be entered into a drawing to win the grand prize of an annual membership or one of two Fitbit fitness trackers we’ll be giving away.

We’ll also be awarding all 2020 challengers a long-sleeved Dri-Fit pullover featuring the studio and challenge logos.

Congratulations to the following who now have the end in sight:

Audrey Williamson, 31
Candice Cravins, 30
Sheri Granberry, 30
Robert Carlock, 28
Mendy Bornfleth, 25
Paula Brown, 21
Jennifer Irizarry, 21
Tyloria Crenshaw, 20
Michelle Ryan, 20

If you’ve gotten a late start on the challenge or you missed a month here or there, there is still time to get in on some great prizes! 

Anyone who completes at least 20 classes a month will receive an entry into a separate drawing. That’s one entry for EVERY month of at least 20 classes!

Keep up the great work!

We’re Turning 10! Come Celebrate With Us!

By Announcement

We’re turning 10! Can you believe it’s been a whole decade since original hot yoga came to Mobile?

Of course, the name has changed a couple of times since 2010, but what hasn’t changed is our commitment to teaching the original hot yoga 26 & 2 sequence, which is a healing, therapeutic practice intended to maintain and restore natural range of motion.

Today, Sterling offers even more classes, like Inferno Hot Pilates (we’re the ONLY studio in town that does!), Iron Hour, Vinyasa Flow, Yin Yoga and other special offerings. 

The great thing is that all of these classes work together to support your total wellness, and at Sterling, you can get all of them in one convenient place.

We’re so passionate about the yoga and Pilates that we offer that we thought what better way to celebrate our big milestone by sharing it with YOU! Between Oct. 1 and Oct. 15, we’re inviting new students to take up to two FREE classes on us. That’s it!

Come check us out and see what makes us different from other studios in town. Please book your spot in class in advance online. 

We continue to follow safety protocols that require us to limit our class sizes. Thank you for your understanding!

We can’t wait to meet you and give you a virtual high five (or ten?) and welcome you into our yoga community!

Fall for Yoga Challenge Begins Oct. 1

By Events

Need some motivation to get fit this season? There’s nothing like a challenge to get you going, and we’ve got a great one!

Sign up for our 30-Day Fall for Yoga Challenge, and take any combination of 30 classes at the studio or livestreaming in 31 days, beginning Thursday, Oct. 1 through Saturday, Oct. 31.

Complete the challenge, and you will earn a challenge T-shirt, the eternal recognition of signing the challenge wall and be in a drawing to be one of three winners of a Sterling water bottle! 

Stay tuned on whether we have a challenge party, but we can’t wait to celebrate you and your achievements in some way!

Classes Transition to Livestream Only with Threat of Hurricane Sally

By Announcement

Hurricane Sally is in the Gulf of Mexico and is gaining strength before it makes landfall along the coast.

We are keeping an eye on the storm and making what we feel are necessary precautions for the safety of our staff and students.

Beginning tonight, Monday, Sept. 14, we will offer livestreaming classes ONLY at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. This temporary change will affect ALL classes on Tuesday, Sept. 15 as well. 

If you have already signed up to participate in studio for those classes affected, we will register you for the livestreaming option so you will receive the link to join the class online. 

Our staff will be teaching from the safety of their homes, and we encourage you to join us online if you are able. 

Thank you for your continued support of Sterling Hot Yoga & Wellness. We are just as committed to making the yoga and Pilates practices we offer to you available to help you take care of yourself despite challenges that may arise.

Please remain aware of the weather conditions over the next several days and stay safe!

Practice FREE This Month With September’s Karma Cause

By Events

Looking for a reason to return to your practice? Or do you have a friend or family member who’d like to check us out?

September is National Yoga Month, and it’s the perfect time to give it a try. We’re making it easier than ever with our September karma cause.

During the month of September, which is also Hunger Action Month, first-timers and comebacks can take up to two FREE classes with a donation of two non-perishable food items.

Donations collected will benefit Feeding the Gulf Coast Food Bank. We invite everyone–even current members–to contribute to help us do our part to end hunger in our community.

We’ll accept food items through Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Let’s pitch in and do our part to give back to others and spread the benefits of yoga!

First-timers, please arrive 15 minutes before class begins. Free class applies to any class on our schedule throughout the month of September!

Visit our class schedule here, select the class you want to sign up for and follow the prompts to create an account on Mind Body.

Bring your donation to the studio, and you can take the class for free!

Kayla Gatlin’s Yoga Practice Helps Her Navigate COVID-19 Stress

By Testimonial

Kayla Gatlin is a respiratory therapist at Mobile Infirmary, and her job has become understandably more stressful during the COVID-19 pandemic. But she made a change a year ago that’s made all the difference. 

“When I moved to Midtown a year ago after some big life changes, I wanted to improve myself, body and mind,” she said. “[Starting my yoga practice] was the best thing I could have done for myself during that time.”

Kayla was never a big fan of going to the gym, and she never participated in any sports because she felt like she was too uncoordinated. But she didn’t let that keep her from trying yoga.

“I was very nervous about my first class, but after I arrived I was glad to see people of all ages, sizes and skill levels there. I was unable to do many poses, but I wanted to keep coming until I could do them all,” she said. “The staff at Sterling was so welcoming and encouraging, I couldn’t wait to come back.”

In the year that she’s been consistently practicing, Kayla has physically gained muscle tone and flexibility and mentally greater focus and more clarity and peace.

“I keep coming back because of the change it has made for me mentally and physically, and because of the staff and new friends I’ve made there,” she said. “I like mixing it up with Pilates and Iron Hour strengthening in addition to the regular vinyasa and Bikram classes. Going to the gym was never for me, and the classes help me to push myself further than I thought I could.”

Kayla used to feel “too uncoordinated” to participate in sports, but even that has changed through a consistent yoga practice.

“What I’ve learned is that with patience, practice, consistency (and a lot of hydration) anyone can be good at yoga,” she said. “It feels good to see how far I’ve come in my practice.”

Kayla is grateful for Sterling’s selection of day, evening and online classes that have made yoga accessible even with her 12-hour shift work schedule and the stress of the COVID pandemic, as well as Sterling’s continued commitment to safety at the studio.

“The staff at Sterling is exceptional. They are very understanding and accommodating to personal needs, work schedules, etc.,” she said. “During the COVID pandemic, they went the extra mile by offering online streaming classes and taking extra precautions by disinfecting the studio after each class and taking temps at the door so we could continue our practice safely, which I greatly appreciate.”

Kayla vividly recalls her first class and understands that trying yoga, much less hot yoga, for the first time can seem intimidating. But she wants to share some wise words with anyone considering a class.

“At some point in time, it was everyone’s first time in yoga. Everyone in the room around you has fallen, but they got back up. Never be afraid to try something new. Your practice is unique, don’t compare yourself to others, but strive to do your best in the body you brought to class,” she said. “The heat is not as overwhelming as it seems, and the more you practice the more you crave it.”

If you’re inspired to take your first yoga class, you’re welcome to join us! Every class is beginner-friendly, and we want to help you find relief from pain, anxiety, stress or whatever is prompting you to consider yoga.

You can get started for just $30. That gets you 30 days of unlimited practice with us to try all of the classes we offer. Take the first step and sign up here!

Gravity Yoga Workshop Series Begins Sunday, Sept. 13

By Events

Feeling stuck in your practice? Maybe it’s a stiff back, locked-up hips, tight hamstrings or tight shoulders.  

Gravity Yoga is a mat-based, targeted mobility training method that has helped students all over the world improve their flexibility and move better. 

Michelle Ryan is leading a four-week Gravity Yoga workshop series, and there are just a few spots remaining in the studio and several more virtually. 

This workshop series will take place on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. beginning Sunday, Sept. 13 (the Sunday after Labor Day) at Sterling through Sunday, Oct. 4.

This series is limited to 10 students in the studio and 10 students via Zoom, for a total of 20. Not only will this allow all students to utilize the wall (both in the studio and at home) for some of the postures, but also will give me the opportunity to provide personalized feedback to each student. 

What’s Included

  • 4 Gravity Yoga classes in-studio or online (recordings of classes will be made available for one week) 
  • Weekly group and individual check-ins
  • A custom 15-minute stretch program to be completed daily (or as close to daily as possible you can between classes)
  • My availability for coaching, questions, etc.
  • 1 bonus Gravity Yoga class at the end of the four-week series on Sunday, Oct. 11, for a total of five classes

The cost of this workshop is $75 per student. Click here to reserve your spot and indicate whether you intend to participate in the studio or online.

Please contact Michelle if you have any questions!

2020 Challenge Update: Eight Months Down, Four to Go!

By News

The end of our 2020 challenge is in sight for these dedicated challengers. Only four months to go! 

These students have showed up on their mats in the studio and at home to maintain a regular practice despite the unexpected challenges this year has brought. 

So congratulations are in order for their consistency!

Robert Carlock, 42
Sheri Granberry, 32
Audrey Williamson, 29
Mendy Bornfleth, 27
Candice Cravins, 25
Paula Brown, 20
Michelle Ryan, 22
Tyloria Crenshaw, 20

We know there are many other new students who have joined Sterling since the challenge began, and there’s a way you can get in on our annual challenge too.

If you’ve recently started practicing with us or maybe you’ve taken a little break, for every month you take 20 classes this year, you’ll get an entry into a separate drawing for some other great prizes. That means you’ve got four months to get four entries!

We’re so proud of our challengers and everyone who makes time to show up on their mat with Sterling, whether at home or online. 

Now more than ever it’s important to take care of yourself. Just know that we support you and your practice!