Spotlight On: I.Am.You studio by Lauren Imparato

This evening I had the distinct privilege of taking my workout out-of-doors for a change. This, my friends, is really quite a feat of epic proportions considering the major heat wave that's been rolling over NYC the past several days. So, even though the weather forecast isn't predicting any relief from the heat 'til the weekend, I thought it might be safe to try an outdoor yoga class on the Hudson River pier. Heck, I thought, it'll probably be the coolest spot in the City to spend an evening!

Happily, I can attest that my hunch was correct! I got my vinyasa on against the most beautiful backdrop --the setting sun--thanks to another free Summer of Fitness meetups hosted by LOLE and FITiST. This evening's yoga flow was taught by Lauren Imparato of I.Am.You studio in Greenwich Village. The studio's motto is "Deconstruct to Reconstruct" and that was certainly accomplished!

Lauren led us through a sequence of swift, vigorous sun salutations, only to kick it up a notch with more repetitive sequences, one after the other. Her teaching style is very rote: there’s a lot of repetition and her cues are quick. Just when you think there’s no way she could demand another chaturanga…she does! And you love it! At least, I loved it. I admit that I am a big fan of vinyasa classes that play to my athletic side and are fast and energetic. More often than not, I enjoy the release that a really sweaty yoga session affords me, although I do dig the meditative and spiritual benefits of the practice, as well.

I admit that I didn’t really like the fact that Lauren didn’t teach many modifications. It was as if she assumed that we were all intermediate or advanced yogis. In addition, the music that she played that is supposed to infuse some “funk” into her classes was seriously lacking. It was such a lame playlist! The only good song was the final savasana song, performed by Krishna Das. It was beautiful, and it brought my final resting pose to a whole other level.

Overall, I have to give it to Lauren for bringing us a tough workout and to Lole for making it all possible!