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One of the qualities that Asheville is most known for is its sense of zen. Safely tucked into the Appalachian Mountains, our city is a haven for aspiring yogis, healers, and free-spirited individuals seeking a peaceful and holistic way of living. Buddhist temples and other sanctuaries are hidden treasures one can stumble upon in some of the most unexpected places.
Yoga practitioners especially are always on the lookout for places to work on their flow. Some of them dabble in multiple areas of interest and, like the changing of the seasons, constantly switch between calming meditations to high-energy dance for fitness and to burn off some steam.
Where can multi-faceted souls find such a place that offers both?
Located upstairs at 853 Merrimon Avenue is one such refuge.
Founded in 2014 with the mission to offer affordable, accessible and authentic classes taught by qualified well-trained teachers, Veda Studios isnāt your typical yoga studio. Classes offer various forms of dance from Zouk to Flamenco, as well as martial arts (Ziranmen kung-fu and Tai Ji Quan, just to name a few), chanting, singing, and unique workshops and events. There are even classes for an upcoming Thriller Flashmob! Their yoga curriculums cover chakra flow, morning sadhana, handstanding, meditation, stress reduction, and others. Classes are constantly evolving and offering varieties as diverse as the people of Asheville itself.
āWe strive to cultivate a safe space for individuals to begin or deepen their practices of yoga, dance and martial arts with the belief that community and health go hand in hand,ā says studio manager Erin Gahan Clark. āWe work towards community building, and connecting like-minded individuals through movement and mindfulness.ā
The studio has recently extended their reach globally as well.Ā November 2nd they will be hosting the Earth and Sky event, a fundraiser for the Brazillian nonprofit organization ifronteiras to assist in preventing further deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. This is achieved by collaborating with communities and offering education and developing sustainable strategies to eliminate dependency on the livestock industry.
100% of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the grass-roots effort. The all-day campaign will feature nature wandering, yoga meditation, Tai chi, Zumba, Thai massage, shamanic practice, a song circle, and even a tarot card expo. Donations operate on a sliding scale per class, or you can choose to participate for the full day.
āOur work here is based on yogic principles, guided by integrity and joy. We are inclusive and welcoming,ā Clark adds. āBeing a local business is a wonderful way to foster community, and encourage people to support local!ā
Monthly passes with no contract required are also available. Learn more about Veda Studios and their upcoming classes, events and specials by checking out their Dig Local profile.
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