Christina P.
Yelp
Without expecting it, this class was exactly what I needed!
I work at a non-profit where I currently practice immigration law under Trump, representing LGBTQ survivors of violence on asylum cases and domestic violence issues. My job has never been easy, but these past two years have been particularly grueling and frustrating. I often find myself having to hold my feelings of rage inside me when I am at court or at my office. For example, sometimes I want to just scream at an immigration judge or officer because of all the unfairness but I can't and I am forced to bury my feelings. I'm left walking around feeling overwhelmed, angry, and depleted. Sometimes I feel like I have zero energy to even make myself a healthy meal, let alone take care of my body physically and spiritually through exercise and meditation (which I used to do a lot of).
Besides my stressful job, I'm also dealing with other everyday struggles ranging from overcoming childhood trauma to dealing with the messed up dating scene in New York City (hello f*ck boys).
I've been trying to work on myself by being in therapy, journaling, and traveling. In fact, I just came back from a 10 day solo trip to Bali, Indonesia where I tried different forms of meditation, yoga, breathwork, and healing rituals. These were all lovely experiences for me and touched me in different ways. But, while the trip was amazing in its own way, I came back to New York in search of something more permanent and sustainable--and I think I found it with The Class.
I took my first class yesterday with Zöe LePage, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. I came based on the Yelp reviews and a little research (I can't believe how little reviews this place has on Yelp!) Anyway, the class combined a little bit of everything I needed--an intense cardio workout, meditation and healing affirmations--all in a beautiful and serene setting that was not stuffy and overcrowded like the usual studio in New York City.
The Class is an intense cardio workout with intermittent breaks between exercises for pause, rest, and contemplation. I never had this before in a Yoga or exercise class. The intensity builds up during the course of the hour, having you push yourself and question your limits. Of course, the teacher reminds you to check in with yourself and notice the difference between pain and discomfort. She is careful to tell those who feel any pain to adjust or hold off on a move, while those feeling discomfort should question their own discomfort and work through it. I don't remember the last time I sweated so much.
I don't want to make it seem like this class was a miraculous end all to all of my problems--it wasn't. This class won't impeach Trump, it won't undo what I went through as a child, and it certainly won't find me a boyfriend in New York City. But what it did to was leave me feeling like I was on the road to a more sustainable and intentional way of living. I was left feeling more confident and powerful with new tools to tackle my hurdles--tools which I learned I have within me.
I'll be back for sure! Thank you, Zöe and the rest of the team at The Class.