CorePower Yoga: San Diego’s Best Yoga Studio

By Dylan Welch | January 22, 2015

Yoga is defined as a physical, mental, and spiritual practice or discipline, that aims to transform the body and mind. Starting in India nearly 2,500 years ago, Yoga has grown into one of the most participated activities in the world, with over 16 million men and woman of all ages practicing the art of spiritual and ascetic discipline in America alone.

Yoga has quickly become integrated into the fitness and exercising schedules for many people in San Diego. In Pacific Beach alone, there are over 15 different yoga studios, each offering a slightly different approach and bringing a fresh feeling to the Yoga culture.

One of the most popular Yoga studios, CorePower Yoga, is located in the heart of Pacific Beach, and has hundreds of active members.

SD Entertainer recently sat down with Julia Sparkman, the Studio Manager of CorePower Yoga in Pacific Beach, to learn more about her experience with Yoga, and how Yoga has benefited the people who come to her studio:

SDEntertainer: Julia, what are some benefits of practicing Yoga, and how what are some differences between joining a Yoga class and stretching on your own?

Julia: Yesterday, I ran approximately 5 miles outdoors up and down the steep streets of Mission Hills. I stretched after I ran, but as I stepped onto my mat this morning for a 6AM C2, I could feel the tension from my run still lingering.

It was running that initially brought me to my yoga practice. Prior to yoga, I was good about stretching after my workouts, but it was not enough to keep me from strain and injury.

Today, I cannot imagine what it would feel like to run stairs, long-distances, or vigorously workout practicing. Yoga has not only healed my injuries, the breath work and concentration I have developed on my mat has made me stronger, more agile, and at ease.

SD Entertainer: What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about doing Yoga for the first time?

Julia: Relax.

One of my favorite buddhist concepts is: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.”

Completely contrasting to our Western mindset, yoga is not a competition and no one wins. A “good” practice is one where the student mindfully breathes and compassionately opens and releases their physical and energetic bodies. Every “body” will look different and it’s still yoga even if you are not creating the perfect, picturesque shape with your body.

When I first starting practicing yoga, I thought if I did not do everything perfectly I was not being a good yogi. And really, it’s the exact opposite,

“Being a “good yogi” is having the ability to accept where you are and move forward patiently.”

As a teacher, I am more excited to witness a student modifying a posture to suite their level than to see a student land a challenging pose on their head or heads.

Lastly, there are many different types of yoga practices. If one style does not resonate with you, try something different. Once you find a style that works for you, you’ll become more open to other options.

SD Entertainer: What are some common misconceptions about Yoga? For instance, is Yoga just for women, or can men participate as well?

Julia: The perception of yoga in the West is skewed to the physical postures, the asanas. The physical asanas are only one limb of the Eight Limb of Yoga (http://www.yogajournal.com/article/beginners/the-eight-limbs/).  The practice of yoga extends well beyond our mats.

Historically men practiced yoga asana (postures) to prepare their bodies for seated meditation. While yoga in the West is dominated by female practitioners, men created the foundational practices of our physical asana and are just as capable as females.

SD Entertainer: Where do you see Yoga going in the future?

Julia: Social media has transcended international borders and we are now moving towards a globalized yoga community.

Online, streaming classes will surge in popularity making yoga accessible in regions that have limited access to studio classes.

Also, with the increased visibility of yoga in the marketplace, more yogis will make it to their mats and practices will shift to adapt to the needs of modern, Western yogis.

For example, CorePower has numerous hour-long classes each day that accommodate most schedules. They also provide locker rooms and showers so students can take a class, get sweaty and get ready!

SD Entertainer: What classes do you teach specifically, and what do I need to bring if I want to attend your class?

CorePower Yoga offers beginner (C1), intermediate (C2), and advanced (C3) heated power vinyasa yoga classes. We also offer a traditional HotPower Fusion (HPF; combination of hot and power yoga ) and heated Yoga Sculpt (power yoga with weights and cardio).  CorePower provides a free week of unlimited classes to all new students. And CPY provides a mat rental free of charge on your first visit.

Each studio operates differently though; but, most have a free class or an introductory price that allows you to get a feel for their offerings. Most classes require a mat, hand towel, and water; as well as clothes that allow for sweating and movement. Check the studio’s website or call before your visit to find out exactly what you need to bring and what they have available on site for rent or purchase.

Fore more information about CorePower Yoga, check out their website. CorePower offers a free week of classes for anyone participating for the first time.

Photos courtesy of Rachel McLaughlin of White Light Creatives