Student of the Month

Holland yogi, ABBY G found Funky Buddha when she needed it most. Read on to see how she completed her first 30-Day Dare (while being a full-time college student) and found community, healing, and happiness along the way.

(Pictures from left to right) Meg, Abby, Annie

Pictured here with our lovely Holland Front Deskers, MEG and ANNIE is the November Student of the month, ABBY!

FB: Why yoga? Why Funky Buddha?
AG: I started practicing at Funky Buddha this summer and it was my first time doing hot yoga! My mentor and fellow FB yogi, Shanna took me when I was trying to navigate new waters after a friend passed away and this was the first thing I found that helped me let go of some emotions and just be. I had tried yoga before, but Funky Buddha was something entirely different in the best way. I have been astounded by the staff at FB and the ways they care about you and welcome you in so willingly and well. I keep coming back because of exactly that: the community!

FB: What keeps you motivated? (i.e. regularly committing to 6AM classes.)
AG: What keeps me coming, especially to 6 am, is that feeling right after I finish class when I get done with a hard flow and a really good sweat. I have never known anything that gets me more ready to start my day, it’s the perfect energizer and I feel so much better throughout the day. And Jen S. she has been my most constant motivator and seriously brightens my day more than most anyone I know.

FB: On that topic, how do you convince or coax your friends into trying hot yoga with you at 6AM?! #seriouslyamazing
AG: Well truthfully, as a senior (in college) I have been the worst at working out since being at school and my friends have noticed such a difference since I started yoga. They have seen how happy I am with this commitment and each have wanted to try it out (I usually make them try the 6 am.) And the reason they keep coming back has nothing to do with me! It’s all about FB!

FB: How do you feel after completing the 30-Day Dare? Any deep thoughts after consistently practicing? Final takeaways? Ah-ha moments? Feeling stronger?
AG: My most significant takeaway came from a class I took with Laurie, right in the middle of the Dare. She talked about how we wear these masks always throughout our days, but when we’re in the studio, we get to be our most real, vulnerable selves. This was something that really stuck with me and kept me motivated throughout Dare month. I knew when I came to my mat that I could simply ‘just be’ in the space and be whatever I needed with no expectations or the need to be anything I was not. I also feel SO much stronger and just generally healthier after this month and I feel it throughout my days.

FB: Any advice to fellow yogis, young and old?
AG: I think my best advice, something I have told my friends since they have started, is (like I said before): There are no expectations. You do not NEED to do every pose. It is about what is best for you always and I have been so reminded of that throughout these last couple months. FB is such a great community, while also being one that values you as an individual and I respect that a lot. However, at the same time, you are so much more capable than what you tell yourself and a good push (aka a Katie class) is something you CAN do. “You can do hard things” echoes in my head every class.

Did you know members can bring a friend to their first Funky Buddha Yoga class FO’ FREE?!?! #4real What are you waiting for?!?

April’s Student of the Month was nominated by Funky Buddha Staff Instructor (and local bad ass), Amanda. We’ve enjoyed watching Leah’s practice evolve and revolve while recovering from her injury. She went from taking no Chaturangas, to knee-down Chaturangas, to full-blown Chaturanga (and now she’s even hand-standing!!) Leah’s patience, dedication and commitment to her practice is truly recognizable!

Leah’s Story

“I will be the first to say that yoga is not something I had anticipated for my life. To be honest, until a few years ago, my knowledge of the practice was limited, but I will be the first to say that it has been one of the most enriching journeys I have been a part of.

I think the very makeup of a person comes from the people and places that they invest in – the very part that makes one feel home.

For so much of my life, sports were my home. I grew up playing soccer, ran cross-country, and even tried my hand at volleyball and basketball back in the “glory days.” Sport was something I invested in, and I truly grew from the team aspect and togetherness.

But as the years went on, a herniated disk that started in the 8th grade began to worsen. At first, the pain came in moments and was problematic for short periods of time, but after college soccer ended, I began to decline in health and even the basic activities of daily living became more and more difficult. Things like sitting for any extended period, car rides, sleeping, getting out of bed, moving, and even walking became almost unbearable. The identity I had as an athlete slowly faded.

I had given hot yoga a shot prior to surgery to see if the warm temps, stretching, and strengthening would aid in my back pain, but surgery was inevitable. I had surgery on October 10, 2014, and after it came and went, and through PT, walking and stretching my mobility slowly began to return, but my ability to actualize my physicality in the way I once had was no longer my reality.

However, I was determined to not let my injury hold me back. I wanted to push forward and get back into a physical activity that would be positive and challenging for me, despite my limitations. I decided when I was healed and mobile enough, I was going to give yoga another try. Yoga has been changing my life (and my back) ever since. My injury took many things from me but it brought me to yoga and the Funky Buddha! I am so thankful for the instructors, staff and fellow yogis who unknowingly pushed me through a very rough and painful season. I am a better person because of this practice. Thank you deeply!”