What would you do if you treated your body with kindness? This is the opening question of the book Body Kindness, and one that has ushered me into a new chapter in my life. Sounds dramatic, right? I know it does, but it’s true. Body kindness frees us up to do what we love, connect to our body, and make individual health choices that improve our own well-being.
I like to think of my life as happening in two chapters, Old Me and New Me. Old Me would approach workouts from a place of obligation, pressure, and pushing myself to my limits. This looked like running 6 miles on a snowy Saturday, because my training schedule told me it was time to do so. Is there anything inherently wrong with a beautiful run in the snow? As long as it’s not an icy mess, no! But Old Me didn’t run in the snow as an opportunity to connect with myself and nature. Nope, she was out there pounding out the miles because she “had” to get them in.
Looking back on it now, I can see how this created a sense of anxiety around the “need” to exercise. New Me understands that each day is unique, and I can allow myself to embrace where I am on any given day. Body kindness gives me permission to listen to what my body needs, which could be a super intense Sculpt class or it might be a slow yoga flow. More importantly, New Me, (the girl who is kinder to her body) has given herself permission to do what I actually want to do in any given class that I’m taking. The class each teacher presents is an offering, and I get to choose what’s kindest to my body moment to moment! Here’s an idea that feels so empowering- you can make the choice to exercise to rejuvenate your body, not deplete it.
In yoga we preach the concept of honoring our body and allowing ourselves to be where we are, but this can be one of the hardest things to put into practice. What I understand now is how empowering it is to listen to my body and give her what she needs. Body kindness takes place in your head and heart every bit as much as it does in your physical body. Will this yoga pose, in its fullest expression, open my body in a way that feels nice or will it aggravate my lower back pain? If I keep the heavier weights for the next movement, will it build strength or bother my shoulder? Stay tuned in to your body during class. The teacher is offering suggestions, but you are the one who gets to ultimately decide what’s best for you.
One of my favorite intentions around treating my body well says, “My movement is focused on the present moment, without comparison to past performances, other people, or anything that takes my thoughts away from appreciating what my body can do.”
How might your approach to fitness change if you gave yourself permission to be right where you are today?
2024 Power Life, All Rights Reserved.
Built with 🤍 by Blink
2024 Power Life, All Rights Reserved.
Built with 🤍 by Blink Wellness
Parking available in the Scheels Parking Lot.
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Kirk was working 80-hour weeks and wearing his shoulders as earrings when he found yoga in 2005. Forever the competitive athlete, he loved the physicality of yoga. When the spiritual and philosophical side of yoga were exposed to him, Kirk was hooked. Yoga provided him with what other activities couldn’t -- the ability to foster the benefits of practice both on and off of the mat. Yoga was something that Kirk could bring into all aspects of his life.
Kirk knows that yoga can be intimidating, so he crafts a class that is playful and inviting, while still being challenging and safe. His creatively planned classes build strength and flexibility in your body and mind while establishing clarity, giving you more confidence to overcome obstacles in your life, and keeping you injury-free. His classes are themed with a message that is relatable and will inspire you to take it with you off your mat. Kirk has been teaching yoga since 2008 and lead his first teacher training in 2012. Where Kirk truly shines is in coaching, developing and bringing out the best in others.
Kirk enjoys traveling (40+ countries to date!), snowboarding, and cherishes time with his wife and two daughters.
Christen Bakken’s yoga journey began in 1998 in a Bikram studio that provided a safe and secure place to practice. She saw the yoga mat as a place to remember her purpose and a place to play. As she continued her studies and began her journey to teaching in 2006, Christen infused yoga classes with devotion and the yoga mat became a place of personal transformation and healing. Her classes are filled with laughter, song, sweat, and usually heart openers. In 2013, Christen began training yoga teachers. This is the place where she finds the most joy - in community with folks looking to grow and be of greater service in their homes, on their mats, and in the world. Over the years, she has led trainings in Denver, the Midwest, Florida, and now abroad. She has trained in continuing education modules, 200-hour, 300-hour, and 500-hour programs. Beyond the mat, Christen is a passionate adventure seeker - she loves to bike, snowboard, and spend time with her husband and pups. She sees each day as a blessing and hopes to remind all who interact with her of this truth.
We validate parking for THREE garages in the area!
Two Light garage located directly north of the studio. Please bring your ticket inside for validation.
Three Light garage at Main and Truman. Garage entrance on Truman. Please bring your ticket inside for a validation sticker.
Power & Light garage at 13th and Grand. Please ask for a parking pass at the studio front desk. (Hot tip: the Power & Light garage has a ton of space! But be sure to give yourself a little extra time to walk to the studio.)
If you find that you are running a couple minutes late due to parking, please call the studio to let the instructor know to wait for you before locking the doors.
We have partnered with our friends at Greenslate to provide 1 hour and 15 minute validated parking for Power Life students in the lot at 36th and Harney (just south of the Cottonwood Hotel). Read below to learn how to take advantage of this perk:
Step 1: Scan the QR code located in the lot.
Step 2: Select your destination (i.e. “yoga studio”).
Step 3: Ask for the validation code at the Blackstone studio front desk and enter it on your phone.
Step 4: You are all set! Have fun at class!
Please note:
The validation provided by Power Life and Greenslate is for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Need to add additional time to your parking space? You can do that conveniently from your phone!
This option is valid once per day per license plate.
There is a paved lot and gravel lot on the West side of the building.
Meters on Court and 4th (by Peace Tree) for $0.25/hour, 9am-9pm Mon. – Sat. 12-hour max*
Meters on 4th (to the North) for $1.25/hour. Mon – Sat. 4-hour max.
All meters are free on Sundays and major holidays.
*Starting July 8, 4th Street will temporarily become a one-way. Students will only be able to enter our parking lot from the North via Court Ave. and exit it going south. Thank you for understanding!