Reality check: In three months, three weeks and just a handful of days, the Hard Rock will open its pool to the beautiful people of Las Vegas for post-party-night, Sunday sunshine and poolside debauchery known as Rehab. If legions of professionally bronzed hardbodies in low-slung and barely-there swimsuits don't make you feel pale, fat and insecure, shopping for a bathing suit under florescent, dressing-room lights, with truths revealed by an unforgiving three-way mirror and a size up that's still too snug, will. We all know exercise is the only remedy, but this year, ditch the gym membership you never use and visit Blue Sky Yoga to get your mind, body and spirit in shape for this summer and every season after.
Blue Sky Yoga—in the Capital h Gallery (It's a Small World After All disclaimer: which just so happens to exclusively show the works of Brian and Jennifer Henry every First Friday of the month), upstairs at the Arts Factory—has been offering by-donation yoga classes since June. Cheryl Slader, Blue Sky's founder and primary instructor, is an ex-showgirl who was inspired almost a decade ago by celebrity yogi Sting to begin practicing this ancient form of exercise, meditation and relaxation. A dance and aerobics instructor and personal trainer since 1984, Slader's personal interest in yoga quickly became her professional pursuit. Triply certified through her studies in LA, Vegas and New York with a National Yoga Alliance jivamukti certification, and graduate of a three-month apprenticeship with senior instructor Ruth Lauer-Manenti, Slader is a serious yogi with Zen to spare.
Jivamukti is a vigorous, challenging form of vinyasa asana (flowing poses) yoga, accompanied by music, Patanjali sutra chanting and meditation. Slader explains that the physical postures in yoga represent only one of the "eight limbs" exercised during practice. The other limbs involve transcending the physical self on the path to inner peace. A Friday night class conjured up sound New Year resolutions and left me sore through Sunday. Her advice to beginners and experienced practitioners alike is to practice often, make pranayam (breath work) part of your daily routine, and share your yoga experience with others. The best way to enjoy the benefits of regular practice will be to toss off that purple Hard Rock towel and relax—the glow of enlightenment trumps a spray tan.
Blue Sky Yoga, upstairs in the Arts Factory, 101 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 204. 592-1396.
www.blueskyyogalv.com.
Jennifer Henry has got the goods on what to get and where. E-mail her at
[email protected].