The first time I ever stepped my ten toes on to a yoga mat was during a Hip Hop Yoga class in Boston.  A friend had asked me if I’d like to join her and I couldn’t resist.  I grew up a dancer and well always heard yoga was “good for you.”

One hour and 15 minutes later I was hooked and never looked back.  People used to ask me, ‘Hip Hop Yoga? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Are you dancing on your yoga mat?’  Not exactly.  Hip Hop Yoga was (and still is) a 75 minute vinyasa class set to loud, hip hop music.  Bostonians used to flock to these classes to set up their mats inches from the next yogi, sweat and flow to the music.

For me, it was the time in my day that I was able to just be with myself and tune the rest of my daily stresses out.  I was working a 9 to 5 job, living paycheck to paycheck, and trying to find my way in the world.  If my early 20’s were a roller coaster ride, Hip Hop Yoga was my harness, keeping me from flying out of my seat.  Continue reading →