Specialized Yoga Practice Opens In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — For years, Erika Kristo and friends drove into Baltimore or Washington, D.C., to practice or teach yoga. They're specialized and difficult to find, she said. So they decided to launch their own yoga studio in Howard County.

Kristo and the other teachers were thrilled to open an Ashtanga Yoga studio closer to home, especially this type of studio, which is specialized and difficult to find.

"It's not uncommon for practitioners to drive far distances for practice. We established Ashtanga Yoga Howard County to cultivate a practice community closer to home, and because we could see that there was a need," she said.

Called Ashtanga Yoga Howard County, Kristo and friends offer Ashtanga Yoga, Intro to Ashtanga Yoga, Mysore-style, Led Full Primary Series, Led Half Primary Series, Yoga 1/2, Ashtanga Vinyasa and meditation.

"Our Mysore-style classes are held early in the morning when the Historic Savage Mill and our studio are quiet and distraction-free. Students arrive and leave at any time they choose within our class time window. In a Mysore room, each student is taught the Ashtanga Yoga method one to one, pose by pose, and with customized hands-on assists and/or verbal instructions," Kristo told Patch. "Each series of poses provides students with structure, but how each student is guided to approach the poses or series is individualized. Teachers know each student's Ashtanga practice, where they are and what they are working on, and open communication is highly encouraged. We think it's the optimal way to learn."

Starting a new business during a global pandemic can be frightening and nerve-wracking, but Kristo said it's been a joy to help others through the healing art of yoga.

"Establishing a regular Ashtanga yoga practice has countless benefits. Ashtanga yoga helps practitioners to develop healthy routines such as breathing, moving and meditating at the start of the day. These routines foster better sleep patterns, improve mood, reduce anxiety and stress, increase strength, flexibility and body awareness and enhance over health. Ashtanga yoga is challenging, but with consistency and patience, it’s also very rewarding and fun. There is a strong sense of community and students quickly notice individual personal growth in themselves and in turn celebrate it in each other."

To sign up for a class and learn more about Ashtanga Yoga Howard County at 8600 Foundry Street #2046, Savage, visit www.ashtangayogahowardcounty.com.