QUEENS — Want to take your yoga to new heights?
A Queens studio will offer yoga enthusiasts unique options this month, including acroyoga with elements of Thai massage and shadow yoga, which incorporates martial arts, said Yen Yen Woo, the owner of Yumcha Yoga studio in downtown Flushing.
During a 2-hour class, which will be held on Valentine’s Day and taught by Melanie Cuccia, yoga lovers can bring their partners for a "date," which will combine the meditative aspects of yoga with flexibility of acrobatics and the pleasures of Thai massage, Woo said.
Partners will perform poses together, getting into various shapes, while balancing on each other's feet and hands. One person, usually lying on the ground, serves as the “base” and the other one stays elevated and acts as the “flyer.”
A third person, a worker or practitioner called the "spotter," makes sure that yoga practitioners are safe.
The idea, Woo said, is to communicate and build trust.
The class will also include several elements of Thai massage, with the partner in the air using their feet to massage the other's back.
“When the flyer is flying [he or she] can put their feet on the other person’s back, move their feet very gently and the person gets a fantastic massage,” Woo said.
“It’s a very unusual experience. You will be talking about it for a long time.”
Those who don’t have a partner are also welcome to participate in the class.
During his workshops, held on Mondays throughout February, Matinog will teach various positions and movements, which have been adapted from various forms of martial arts and dance, Woo said.
Later this month, the studio will also offer classes of butoh yoga, which includes elements of the Japanese dance.
The teacher, Mariko Endo, comes from Japanese dance company Dairakudakan and has more than 15 years of experience in butoh, Woo said. The class, she said, will provide "a unique and introspective approach to learning about your body."
Woo, who is also a filmmaker and university professor, said she likes bringing new styles to her yoga studio because it allows participants to learn a variety of different yoga styles and test their abilities at the same time.
Yumcha Yoga is located at 3359 Farrington St. (2nd floor), in downtown Flushing.
Shadow yoga classes are held on Mondays until Feb. 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. ($72 for the series for non-members; free with member passes). Acrobatic yoga will take place on Feb. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($28 for members, $35 non-members). Butoh yoga will be held on Thursdays, Feb. 26 and March 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($18 for non-memebers; free with member passes).
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