Bayville Business Specializes in Stressbusting

Sharyn Kerins'  dream of teaching others the benefits of yoga began years ago. Her first classroom was on a beach.

She's moved up since then. These days, her dream has exceeded her expectations. She owns the Spiritual Journey Wellness Center at 950 Atlantic City Boulevard in Bayville.

The center - which opened on April 2, 2011 - also offers 30 yoga classes a week and Zumba classes three days a week. Patrons can also enjoy a bevy of workshops that include meditation, shakra balancing, belly dancing, Qi Gong, and Reiki among others.

 Kerins' yoga journey began nine years ago, when she took up yoga on her own. Soon she began going to yoga studios and began to see the possibilities.  

 “I wanted to take the next step. It was then I decided to give the gift of yoga [to others] as a teacher,” said Kerins.

She became certified as a yoga teacher and taught classes on the beach and in other facilities in the beginning.  Her husband later surprised her with a birthday gift - the Spiritual Awakenings studio space.

 “It was something I always wanted to do," Kerins said. "It was a good gift.

Kerins started the business with three teachers she had graduated with when she got her yoga instructor certification.

“We expanded from there,” she said. “We have a beautiful bunch of teachers. We have beautiful students. It’s a very positive space.”        

The Center has expanded and now has 14 teachers offering classes and workshops.

“Everything else fell into place," Kerins said. "It all came to our door. It’s nice. I think what comes to the door is what we need here.”

In addition to offering yoga and workshops, the studio has added tarot card readings as “our specialty” and also offers patrons a chance to meet with medium Leslie Lagani   

 “She pinpoints things no one else would know,” Kerins said.

Why has yoga become such an integral part of Kerins' life for the past nine years?

“It relieves stress," she said. "It makes you more connected. You become stronger in mind, body and spirit. You are able to accomplish a lot more in life.”

Practitioners focus on removing negativity, Kerins said.

“Everyone has a bad day, but as soon as you hit the mat you feel better,” he said.

Yoga is not just something that one does in the studio for an hour.

“You also take yoga into the world," Kerins said. "It makes you a better person to people you come in contact with. It’s a lifestyle.”

The studio also offers Kerins a prenatal yoga for expectant mothers.

“The prenatal is a whole yoga class around making mom and baby connect," she said. "It just gives closeness. It’s a beautiful practice. Everyone leaves with a smile on their face. They feel more connected with the baby.”

Spiritual Awakenings offers yoga classes that range in skill level from “absolute beginners to moderate,” Kerins said.

The zumba classes - an aerobics dance routine performed to music - is geared toward people who want a more strenuous workout.

Kerins said zumba patrons tell her that while they usually cannot finish a traditional aerobics class, they find zumba easier to finish “because it is a dance and a good time and that makes it so much fun.”

“It’s another stress relief,” she said. “You just dance it all out. You do not even realize the hour is up.”

As Kerins nears the one-year anniversary of opening Spiritual Journey she reflected on her favorite part of owning the business

“When people walk out happy and tell me a class is great; when they walk out with a smile on their face; that’s my payment," she said. "It makes it very rewarding at the end of day.”

Spiritual Journey is open from 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Sunday. They often offer special workshops on weekends that expand those hours.

In addition there is a sunrise yoga class at 6 a.m. on Monday and Friday for people who “want to get it done to make their day more special.," Kerins said.

Spiritual Journey charges $11 a class or 10 classes for $100 for yoga; while zumba is $10 a class or 10 classes for $90.

The studio is located at 950 Route 9 South in Bayville, in the Bay Plaza shopping center. For more information,732-269-3966.