Yummy Yoga is every Tuesday from 12:00 to 1:00. The instructor is Brenda Taylor. I went up to her before class started so that I could tell her that I hadn’t taken yoga in years and to be easy on me. I was imagining that I would be dripping with sweat and unable to keep up with the rest of the class. I was wrong. It was definitely a hard workout, but I just gave up on a few of the more difficult poses and Brenda didn’t mind. During the more relaxing parts of the class she had some beautiful inspirational quotes that she shared with the class. I can’t remember them now and I couldn’t write them down because everyone was supposed to be meditating with their eyes closed. It would have been really weird of me to jump up to get my little note pad and write down what she was saying!

After class I asked Brenda if she teaches yoga everyday and she told me that she’s a chiropractor. She just teaches on Tuesdays for the Yummy Yoga class. It made me feel good that I was being taught yoga by a board certified chiropractor. It is obvious how much she loves teaching yoga and the students enjoy being in her class. I’m really looking forward to having more yoga in my future. And yoga in Mountain View is the best kind of yoga… I just love Mountain View.

This yoga studio is all about sweating and not so much about the philosophy that sometimes is associated with the yogi crowd. Think of it as yoga-for-meat-eaters and vegetarians alike! They want everyone to feel free to workout, regardless of their belief in Eastern religions and whether or not their shoes are made of leather or vinyl. I like that. The goal for everyone is to sweat and feel good. Leave your preconceived notions about yoga at the door. You’re going to love this new place.

The only one you’ll be competing against is yourself. There are 3 classes being offered right now: Intro to Power Yoga, Power Yoga and Hot Yoga Belly. “Hot Yoga Belly” is a slightly heated room and focuses on the core muscles. They’ll also have a special Wednesday evening class called “Rainbow Flow” that will celebrate the diversity of Mountain View. It’ll be a more colorful version of the regular Power Yoga classes.

 I asked about the name “Yoga Belly” and the owners, William Cristobal and Aaron Goodnow, explained to me that it comes from several different ideas: first of all, when you breathe deeply in a yoga class, you use your belly, not just your lungs.  Sometimes people refer to a “fire in the belly,” and if you do this particular style of yoga long enough, you’ll have a damn sexy belly!

Aaron told me that something magical happens when you stretch your body to its limits and focus on proper breathing. You completely relax and actually start to experience a natural high. His eyes sparkled (like a disco ball!) as he told me how much he wants to share that magical feeling with our community.  And I believe him. I’m not quite ready for Power Yoga, but I’ll see you at the Intro to Power Yoga class!

Yoga Belly: Welcome to Mountain View. We’re happy to have you!