Yoga in Uruguay

Sadly, one of the items left behind in California was my yoga mat. I regretted not bringing my mat the moment we had our own apartment and I had space to practice. After some searching (and forty dollars later) I found a yoga mat here. It is a good mat, albeit made in China, sent to the U.S., and then imported to Uruguay! It is a beautiful celestial blue color and a good thickness. All-in-all I am SUPER happy to have a mat to once again practice on. I do have my teaching manual from my training, full of information, a few DVDs, and some music. I also recently purchased a beautiful book in Spanish called "El Libro del Yoga y de Salud Para La Mujer. But that is only the beginning of my luck with yoga here in Montevideo...

I had tried a class or two at a local gym. It was really nothing more than some basic stretching. I was sharing this with the wonderful Gabby (my mom's client's cousin who lives in Montevideo!) and once again she was a wealth of information. After learning that I was a yoga teacher in the states and currently trying to find classes to take here, she turned me on to Centro de Alternatives. It is a fantastic center, full of classes for yoga, pilates, tai chi, and even cooking classes. I was completely surprised and thrilled a center like this existed in Montevideo and is located 10 mins away. I met the owner last weekend. She is wonderful lady who has done an enormous amount of traveling all around the world. She decided she wanted a center here in Montevideo where she could have everything in one place. She has told me when I feel ready with my Spanish I am welcome to teach at her center. I am flattered!

An added perk is the first time you take any class it is free. So for the last two weeks I have been trying a smattering of yoga and Pilates. Pilates is new to me. Thus far I enjoy it and I do feel fantastic after the classes. Does anyone have any feedback/success stories/info regarding their experience with Pilates?

As for the yoga classes, I have found one I really love. Sis, you would love this class. You should see me practicing those chaturangas! The class always includes a practice of inversions as well (head stand, shoulder stand) which is good training for me since I lack the discipline ( or courage ) to include these in my own practice.

Most of the other classes are in a style of yoga called Sivananda. I am very familiar with this style of yoga and I have a lot of respect for it, but it is not a style I am interested in for myself. However, I am grateful to the Sivanandans. Their center is where I found my mat.
It is a lot later than I like to practice, but that is life in Uruguay!

Anyway, check out the website. Most of you will agree it is right up my alley!