Mind, Body, and Soul Power Yoga

Yoga used to be a complicated notion. Unattainable to the masses, it was seen as reserved for the flexible, free-spirited, toe-touching and already quite skinny population.

But of Marlboro has a different idea, and they have seen their clients and the country change the image of yoga.

"Yoga is not such a scary topic anymore," said Cristal Sharma, co-owner of Soul Power Yoga. "We try to do things that get people to think of yoga in in different ways."

Cristal and her sister Pooja have been traveling around New Jersey teaching yoga for ten years. Both Sharmas have business and finance backgrounds, and didn't set out in life to become yoga instructors. The passion for yoga began when Cristal became sick, and decided to rejuvenate her body through total mind, body and soul transformation.

"It transformed from a hobby to a complete lifestyle and passion," Cristal said.

After years of teaching in different spaces and atmospheres, the two began a quest to find their own space to teach, create their own atmosphere. The Sharmas settled on a location in the Bear Brook Commons strip mall on Rt. 520 and Rt. 79 in 2009.

"This space was the best fit," she said. "You're very vulnerable when you come to do yoga, so you need to feel comfortable."

When you walk into the space, there is an instant feeling of calm. The Sharmas have created a simple, clutter-free feeling that almost makes yoga students forget the hectic life on the outside and focus on stretching, flexing, and meditation that serves all skill levels.

Cristal said in the last years, she has noticed a more diverse client base of all skill levels and backgrounds, which she said could have to do with a more centered approach to the body.

"People are more conscious of the body, mind connection," she said. "They don't just want to come in, do the workout and go. It's more, 'what am I going to leave with?'"

Soul Power Yoga offers classes for everyone, from hot yoga to gentle yoga to power yoga, to the popular kids yoga and even prenatal.

Cristal said children's classes allow kids to come to a space to relax in a non-competitive environment. The classes focus on body image and boosting self confidence, offered to children 5-12 and teenagers.

"It is a place where they can come and not compete, not have to perform. It's nice, because sometimes we have the entire family coming for classes," she said.

The Marlboro yoga studio, Cristal said, is a way to achieve the work and life balance for anyone that needs it. She and her sister know every student by name, and they pride themselves in creating a comfortable and accessible atmosphere for everyone from beginners to the advanced.

"It is a place to come where everyone gets to retreat from the whole world."

Cristal and Pooja have been trained in several specialties, and also have anatomy certifications which rounds out the physical and mental attributes of yoga. All of their qualifications can be found at the Soul Power Yoga website, along with class schedules, rates and services.