Mother – Daughter Team Open NEXT Yoga in Elmhurst

Debbie Russo and her daughter Lauren Duncan are passionate about yoga.

“Yoga is for everybody,” says Russo. “Every person can benefit from practicing yoga: all ages, sizes and lifestyles benefit from its physical, mental and healing power.” Both Russo and Duncan credit their yoga practice for keeping their own serious health conditions at bay.

NEXT Yoga at 135 N. Addison Avenue in Elmhurst opened its doors in January. The first NEXT yoga studio opened three years ago in downtown Wheaton.

“We are excited to be in Elmhurst,” said Russo. “Our intention was to replicate the positive growth we have in Wheaton with a great community of students and Elmhurst has that same vibrant feel. The response has been overwhelming.”

Most NEXT yoga classes are an hour in length and include Traditional Hot Yoga, where the studio temperature is 105 degrees, which Russo says is great for Type A personalities with its sequence of 26 consecutive poses. Yoga Sculpt class combines use of free weights, cardio and yoga to high energy music. Also Senior Yoga class is a therapeutic yoga where there is a chair to sit on or hold on to.

“Senior Yoga is great for anyone who may be working through an injury or have chronic health issues,” says Russo. “We can modify postures for anyone’s physical abilities to receive the same benefit of each pose.”

Something new that is offered only in Elmhurst is Aerial Yoga and Aerial Fitness, where students can safely increase their strength and flexibility using the resistance from your own body. Space is limited for these classes and early sign up is encouraged.

Every Tuesday at 10:45 a.m. all are welcome to join a free 30-minute meditation to calm your central nervous system and recharge. “We encourage you to come as you are – even in your business suit,” says Russo.

NEXT yoga offers two workshops a month for those trying to build their practice or expand their wellness knowledge. All classes and workshops are available for sign-up online.

An Earth Room at the new studio provides a wellness environment treatment room for Reiki, acupuncture, acupressure, tai massage, sound healing, and private training. There is an Iyengar wall that with the assistance of straps and belts promotes strength and flexibility allowing students to do inversions that they otherwise might not be able to do.

NEXT yoga offers teacher training approved through Yoga Alliance for 200-, 300- and 500-hour programs in all of the yoga formats that they teach. “Whether you want to be a teacher or enhance your own practice this advanced training is available,” said Russo.

Debbie Russo was born with Crohn’s disease, a digestive disorder. She instantly fell in love with the practice of yoga over a decade ago when she tried a yoga class and realized it provided relief from her illness. Since then, she has been an avid yoga practitioner and instructor.

Lauren Duncan was born with Scoliosis and wore a back brace for three years. While she was always athletic, she was faced with a decision whether or not to have surgery. She attended a hot yoga class and kept returning since it provided relief for her spine. Now she no longer has serious back issues.

Lauren teaches the Aerial Yoga and Aerial fitness classes and cites the decompression benefits for the spine. She also teaches yoga to corporations at lunch time and works with athletic teams as well.

“I love working with athletes and young women with Scoliosis and do my best to inspire them,” said Duncan. “I tell them that it’s not how you come in that’s important; it’s how you are when you leave.”

When asked how she likes working with her Mom, Lauren says that it is a fun dynamic.

“She is an amazing businesswoman and yoga has helped her too. We work well because we share the same vision but bring different things to the table. We incorporate all of our ideas – the sky’s the limit. Together we continually ask: How can we make this happen, so what’s next?”

NEXT Yoga is located at 135 North Addison Avenue in downtown Elmhurst.

Image caption 1 – Lauren Duncan (pictured) teaches the Aerial Yoga and Aerial fitness classes at NEXT Yoga, Elmhurst.

Image caption 2 - NEXT Yoga owners Lauren Duncan (left) and her mother Debbie Russo (right). NEXT Yoga at 135 N. Addison Avenue in Elmhurst opened its doors in January. The first NEXT yoga studio opened three years ago in downtown Wheaton.