Chill out and rock out at a yoga rave

Part downward dog and part dance-club moves – Yoga Rave will combine the calm, mindfulness of yoga with the upbeat fun of a night at the club.

The first-time event will start with a beginner-friendly Vinyasa yoga flow – with an occasional dance breakout or freestyle twist thrown in for fun – followed by a night of dancing complete with club music, laser lights, a fog machine and, even, bubbles. The event is a labor of love with Elizabeth Hay and Kenny Stansell of Eden Yoga, Stacy Lynn of Enlightened Fitness and Megan Lees and Earl Hatmaker of Method Yoga and the Shakery Juice Bar all sharing their time and talent to celebrate community, love, laughter, yoga and dance on Feb. 11 at the Dayton Dance Centre in Miamisburg.

“The plan was to combine all of our passions into one 3 ½-hour event,” Stansell said. “We talked quite awhile ago about getting our talents together and this is the result.”

A longtime yoga instructor, Stansell will revisit his roots for this event.

“I used to like to go to raves in the ’90s and I used to DJ, so I will be handling that part,” he said.

Lynn will lead the yoga practice portion of the night. Yoga, however, is not her only passion as she has also taught dance for several years.

“I’ve pretty much been a dancer my whole life,” Lynn said. “So, it’s really exciting to see this come to fruition.”

When the yogis roll up their mats and head to the dance floor they can also enjoy refreshing elixirs from the Shakery Juice Bar.

The event – much like the refreshments – is designed to be a perfect blending of fitness and fun.

“I think for a lot of people, the idea of working out is met with dread, especially this time of year,” Lynn said. “This is a lighthearted way to connect with you body and your friends and have a blast at the same time.”

Stansell and Hay hosted a similar event – on a much smaller scale – in their yoga studio a few years ago.

“It was a lot of fun, so we wanted to expand it,” Stansell said.

The Dayton Dance Centre facility could host as many as 75-100 yoga practitioners in its space and event organizers are hoping to be at capacity for an event they would like to continue.

“We definitely would like to do them regularly,” Stansell said. “That’s our hope.”

Not a yoga expert? Not to worry.

“I give suggestions, it’s up to you to do what feels good to you,” Lynn said. “Anyone can do it, just work at your own level and pace. Rest, relax, go off on your own if you’d like. Have fun with it.”


YOGA RAVE

What: Eden Yoga, Enlightened Fitness, Method Yoga and the Shakery Juice Bar host a night of yoga and dancing.

When: Feb. 11, doors open at 7:30 p.m.; yoga at 8 p.m.; dancing immediately after yoga until 11 p.m.

Where: The Dayton Dance Centre, 7 E. Central St., 3rd floor, Miamisburg.

Cost: $35 (before Feb. 2) and $40 after. Admission includes one "elixir" from the Shakery Juice Bar. Additional elixirs are available on a donation basis.

More: Bring a yoga mat and a water bottle.

Info/Tickets: www.edenyogaohio.com or on visit Yoga Rave on in Facebook events.

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