Ann Arbor School of Yoga » newsroom

Ann Arbor Chronicle covers AASY event

laurie — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:34:27 +0000

The Ann Arbor School of Yoga community is interested in learning to live artfully, and also supports the arts! We’ve enjoyed supporting different arts groups in our community. Recently we had a stimulating evening of yoga and film. Local online magazine Ann Arbor Chronicle sent a reporter. Read her account of our event at

http://annarborchronicle.com:80/2009/08/20/ann-arbor-film-festival-stretches-out/

Cinema & Yoga on August 14th – Expand Your Boundaries

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:38:06 +0000

from the Ann Arbor Film Festival:

Cinema & Yoga is hosted by the Ann Arbor School of Yoga, as a summer fundraiser for the AAFF. The event includes an all-levels yoga class taught by one of the most in-demand yoga instructors in the U.S.: Laurie Blakeney. Following the hour-long class, enjoy light fare and beverages (non-alcoholic) and a screening of some mind-bending favorite short films from the 47th Ann Arbor Film Festival.

What: Cinema & Yoga

When: Friday, August 14th from 7:30pm – 10pm

Where: Ann Arbor School of Yoga (420 W. Huron, Ann Arbor)

How: $25 suggested donation ($20 AAFF and A2SY members)

826Michigan Conferencees De-stress

laurie — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:05:41 +0000

826 National, which is a family of seven nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping students, ages 6-18, with expository and creative writing, is holding their national meeting here in Ann Arbor (at 826michigan) next week. This event is where staff members from all the 826 centers meet in one location to learn from one another and share their experiences.

As part of their gathering, Laurie Blakeney, the director of the Ann Arbor School of Yoga, has invited them to participate in a free yoga class as part of AASY’s commitment to supporting local and national arts-related non-profits.

The group really enjoyed their complimentary class. Check out this link.

Yoga Is U-M Men’s Rowing Team Secret Weapon In National Championship Win

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:53:42 +0000

Coach credits yoga conditioning at Ann Arbor School of Yoga with fine-tuning team performance

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 10, 2009 – The University of Michigan Men’s Rowing Team dominated the recent American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) National Championships in Oak Ridge, TN. The club won all four men’s heavyweight eights events and took a bronze medal in the varsity lightweight 8+ on its way to winning the Men’s team championship.

Associate Head Coach Charley Sullivan cites an exceptionally helpful new training tool: yoga studies with Ann Arbor School of Yoga Director Laurie Blakeney. Team members requested the new conditioning, Sullivan said.

“Working with these dedicated young athletes was a pleasure. They are bright and committed, and appreciated the depth yoga training added to their mind/body awareness,” Blakeney said.

The team practiced Iyengar yoga asanas or poses with Blakeney for eight weeks in the early morning to prepare for the national competition. The workouts focused on strength, flexibility and balance. Iyengar Yoga is based on the teachings of Shri B.K.S. Iyengar, the revered living yoga master. Before they began yoga classes at AASY, Coach Sullivan had already began teaching the team yoga based on his own training as one of Blakeney’s students.

“On a very basic level, it helped rowers increase flexibility and control, particularly at the extremes of range of motion where the boat is most tippy and most unstable. It allowed them to understand better the connection of their bodies,” Sullivan said.

Laurie’s such a good teacher, helping people realize that certain things are connected internally (lifted support) and externally (bracing support.) – body awareness around balance and core strength.”

AASY is one of the Great Lakes region’s longest-running yoga venues. Its spacious, light-filled studio and study center in downtown Ann Arbor offers a full schedule of yoga classes and cultural events.

Free 90-minute trial classes are offered regularly. For trial class dates and the complete class schedule, please visit www.annarborschoolofyoga.com.

Members of the media are cordially invited to attend a sample class or view the studio at their convenience. Please contact Laurie Blakeney, 734-663-7612, or email info@annarborschoolofyoga.com to arrange a visit.

About Ann Arbor School of Yoga

AASY welcomes serious as well as recreational students for the practice and study of Yoga. AASY is one of the Great Lakes region’s longest-running yoga venues. Director Laurie Blakeney, a personal student of BKS Iyengar, holds one of the few Advanced Teaching Certificates conferred directly by the renowned yoga master.

She brings a uniquely personal and direct style of teaching to her students. She focuses equally on strength, flexibility, stamina and balance with an emphasis on correct alignment. Iyengar Yoga is based on the teachings of Shri B.K.S. Iyengar, the revered living yoga master. His writings (including Light on Yoga, Light on Pranayama and Light on Life) have popularized yoga throughout the world.