Breathing New Life Into Yoga At Acenda

January 15th marked the Grand Opening of Acenda Yoga in Lakewood. Located at 17305 Madison Avenue, west of Lakewood Massotherapy, Acenda Yoga is bringing a new spin on yoga to Lakewood.

Acenda, meaning to illuminate, lift up and brighten, has set out to do just that by helping to change your perspective of what yoga should be defined as. With class offerings that include the basics of "Beginners," "Hot Yoga," and "Hatha yoga," at first glance Acenda's schedule looks the same as most others, but they didn't stop there. "Brunch with Bob" - a vinyasa style class practiced to the music of Bob Marley and other regge-infused music, sparks a unique idea and a great way to start your Sunday; "Family Yoga" which allows you to open your practice to the entire family, all the way down to your little guys and back up the grandparents; and "Mommy and Me" yoga, for you and your little one. Yet, while those classes may be slightly less common, they still are not what set Acenda apart in the sea of yoga that surrounds us. No, what make them unique is that they are a non-profit studio designed to bring yoga to everyone, regardless of money or physicality - Acenda, guaranteed, has a class that is right just for you.

The classes that set this small one room yoga studio apart from all the rest are its offerings of "Adaptive yoga," and "Ambulatory yoga" three classes, specific to Acenda, that are designed to keep you active even if downward facing dog is physically out of the question for your practice.

"Adaptive yoga" takes Chair yoga to the next level by adapting, "...The experience of practicing yoga for the purpose of increasing mind-body awareness in individuals living with disabilities or having suffered trauma to the physical body." Acenda's Adaptive yoga class is based on the teachings of Iyengar Certified Yoga Instructor, Matthew Sandford who's own personal injuries taught him to seek the balance of the mind, body and breath; and finally "Ambulatory Yoga" which is perfect for students, "...Who are capable of walking, but have suffered injuries or illnesses that have affected their balance or mobility such as head injury or stroke."

Outside of it's extraordinary class offerings, Acenda is also home to Jennifer Lenhart, a 200 hour yoga instructor, who will be leading an 8 week "Mindfulness for Everyday Life" workshop (which is currently sold out, but keep an eye out for her "Four Noble Truths" workshop, coming this June) geared to help you find your bliss where ever you are right now. Reducing stress, finding balance, embracing compassion and living peacefully, the course will teach you how to practice mindful meditation every day, bringing peace into your life. For more info visit www.acendayoga.com or www.jenniferlenhart.com. This is one of many workshops to come from Ms. Lenhart, so keep your eyes peeled for the next Mindful workshop, and remember space is limited so signing up for newsletters and fan pages are a wonderful way to be sure you get a spot!

Now, all of this may lead you to the one question I have yet to answer, and that is who is the person behind such a revolutionary idea as Acenda Yoga? Her name is Arabella Romeo and her dream is simple, to bring yoga to everyone.

Outside of Acenda, once a month Arabella teaches a free yoga class called “Yoga for the Masses” in downtown Cleveland. Currently in the Old Stone Church, mark your calendars for the first Friday of every month - 6:00pm - and join Arabella and the yogis of Lakewood and Cleveland as they practice yoga with unity and spirit that is will help you ascend, lifting you up to find the bliss locked inside.

For more information about Acenda Yoga, Arabella Romeo and Jennifer Lenhart, please visit Acenda Yoga online at www.AcendaYoga.com and like their Facebook Page too!