Stressed over holiday shopping? Overwhelmed by the season of wanton consumerism? Return to the spirit of the season and give a gift that is truly about lifting spirits. Surprise the one you love with a gift certificate for a series of yoga classes at FreeSpirit Yoga.
What could be better than a gift that offers increased health, peace, and stress reduction? The ancient practice of yoga is widely embraced for its health benefits, and Bixby Knolls’s own FreeSpirit Yoga offers beginners and seasoned devotees a welcome atmosphere in which to explore yoga.
In January, FreeSpirit Yoga will celebrate its ninth year in Bixby Knolls, and owner Andrea Testa has much to celebrate. “We are doing well,” says Testa. “We have great teachers and a wonderful sense of community within the studio and around Long Beach, especially Bixby Knolls.”
FreeSpirit Yoga offers a range of classes and yoga traditions. Along with beginning-level classes, regularly scheduled classes include Gentle Yoga, Kids Yoga, Core Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Baby Yoga, Toddler Yoga and Pilates. Traditions vary with teacher training and preferences, which include Raja, Hatha, Iyengar, Kundalini and Anusara yoga.
New to yoga? FreeSpirit offers an introductory workshop that is perfect for the beginning student and a great gift idea at $20. During the two-hour workshop, students learn the history, purpose and many benefits of yoga while exploring basic yoga postures. The next scheduled introductory workshop is Sunday, Jan. 16 from 2pm to 4pm.
Class packages are also available, ranging from $65 for a five-class series to $250 for a three-month unlimited pass. In addition, the studio now offers belly dancing every other Sunday at 4pm beginning Dec. 5, for only $10. Gift cards are also available in any denomination— buying a whole series isn’t necessary. The studio also has a store full of yoga mats and props, jewelry, yoga music, and FreeSpirit apparel.
At the December 3 First Fridays, FreeSpirit will host a holiday extravaganza, offering handmade crafts from 7pm to 10pm. The studio is also collecting for Food Finders, as well as blankets for the homeless and animal shelters until Friday, Dec. 31.
On Monday, Dec. 6, from 2pm to 8pm in FreeSpirit’s parking lot will be the studio’s annual blood drive to assist the Red Cross. For an appointment, log on to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code YOGA. On Sunday, Dec. 12, FreeSpirit will participate in a holiday bazaar at the Expo, 4321 Atlantic Ave., from 10am to 2:30pm.
So don’t stress over holiday gift giving. Give the gift of health and well-being to your beloved. And if you are stressed, get yourself to the next yoga class, take a deep breath, release a deep, comforting “ohmm” and center yourself amid the calm energy of FreeSpirit Yoga. Your holiday headaches will melt away.
FreeSpirit Yoga is located at 3910 Atlantic Ave. Ample parking and entrance available off the alley in the back. For more information, visit freespirityoga.com.
