Raffa Yoga and Athleta RI celebrate National Yoga month

Whether you are channeling your inner warrior, happy baby, or finding peace in child’s pose the secret is out. For more than 5,000 years Yogis have believed the practice of yoga is good for your mind body and soul and now modern medicine is proving them right. September is National Yoga Month and Raffa Yoga and Athleta RI are teaming up to celebrate on September 28th from 8:30 unit 1pm.

“Acts of self-care help to heal the mind and body,” says owner Christine Raffa, “taking time each day, to honor where you are is important as our day to day lives become more hectic. Yoga is an opportunity to enhance the breath and awareness on our mats, and hopefully carry that sense of tranquility into the day. When we take a chance to pause and listen to our inner voice, it opens up the possibility to experience interior healing.”

One study out of Boston University found that MRI’s of Yogis showed a greater boost in GABA levels than those of walkers. Elevated levels of GABA are associated with improved mood and decreased anxiety. In addition to this, numerous studies indicate it decreases anxiety and increases strength and flexibility. More and more hospitals are facilitating yoga practices with patients as part of their recovery.

The findings have helped Eastern and Western medicine forge a healing marriage and helped lead to September becoming Yoga awareness month. “At Athleta we believe in the importance of a healthy balanced lifestyle and for national yoga month we really wanted to partner with a studio that shares in this belief,” states Nicole Brodeur General Manager of Athleta. “Raffa Studio is that place! As one of the premier studios in RI, Raffa was an obvious choice as they consistently strive to offer their clientele a balanced approach to a healthy lifestyle through their large, diverse schedule of classes and instructors to their newly added raw juice bar and the one of a kind, zen inducing Urban Sweat Lounge.

As part of the celebration Athleta and Raffa will be giving out more than $600.00 in prizes along with a trunk show featuring the Athleta line, “Yoga clothes have slowly been finding their way into the daily wardrobes of active woman for a few years now, It’s part of her lifestyle, says Brodeur, “Fitness is an important part of the active woman’s everyday routine and her clothes needed to be able to carry her from her workouts throughout all of her daily activities with comfort and style. Yoga pants are the new denim.”

There will also be goodies for men too, the goal, while supplies last, to give a gift to everyone taking morning classes. The celebration is also a way to welcome new yogis and honor those already practicing, “Raffa Yoga offers new people to the facility with open arms,” says Raffa. “With more than sixty-five yoga classes to choose from each week there is style for everyone. Feeling stressed, hop into a mindful yoga class to connect breath to movement. Looking to relax and unwind, Raffa Stretch is a great way to journey into the deep connective tissues. Feeling energetic? Jump into a heated power yoga class to detox flow. The best way to begin, is to start where you are. Join a class and listen to your inner guide, as the instructor offers modifications and adjustments suitable to your body. “

Raffa Yoga is also home to AntiGravity Yoga and Urban Sweat, the only active relaxation center in the state offering six heated healing rooms to restore every part of the body from the inside out. Urban Sweat also offers a wide range of therapeutic treatments ranging from massages, to reflexology and facials. Urban Sweat also offers a forty-nine dollar signature massage and has a raw juice bar. Raffa Yoga is located at 19 Sharpe Drive in Cranston.