By Joni Harsh
Photos by Kimberly Gallego
Just when you think you’ve discovered all the hidden gems of Bryan College Station — the places that make it more than just a college town — tucked away behind the Fox and Hound on University Drive discover a charming yoga studio. The Yoga District celebrated its one year anniversary in summer of 2017.
The small, boutique-style studio lends itself to personal experience and instruction. Kimberly Gallego, a 1999 graduate of Texas A&M University, is both owner and instructor. Her background as a former biology teacher adds an awareness of body systems and anatomy, and further enhances her gift as a yoga instructor. Gallego’s clients readily offer testimonies to both her spirit and knowledge as what draws them TYD.
Beyogi.com reports that a good yoga teacher gives clear instruction, makes appropriate adjustments, is aware of proper alignment, offers modifications for all levels, puts safety first, shows compassion in connecting with students, demonstrates a knowledge of the practice, shows respect in place of judgement, is a skillful storyteller, and lives yoga (a lifestyle of internal and external strength). According to her clients, Kimberly personifies them all.
Yoga is considered by some as the most comprehensive of all forms of exercise by offering the more relaxed, mindful practices of hatha and ashtanga. Those who want to be challenged can try bikram, or hot power yoga, which will push you to your edge.
The Huffington Post lists the very basic benefits of yoga in its article, The 5 Surprising Health Benefits of Yoga: It boosts immunity, eases migraines, boosts sexual performance, improves sleep, and helps fight food cravings. Additionally, WebMD reports, “Yoga does more than burn calories and tone muscles. It’s a total mind-body workout that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation for relaxation.” The MSN lifestyle article titled 40 Habits of the Worlds Fittest People cites the very first habit as “They do yoga.” Virtually no other exercise is as enduring as yoga, documented going back more than 5,000 years.
Yoga may be the missing ingredient to your overall fitness regimen no matter what your age. From university students to retirees, The Yoga District of College Station serves as a space to relieve stress while also strengthening and toning the body.
Jeffrey, a 63-year-old retired army colonel who practices at TYD, says it balances his weight training and adds to the flexibility he would like to maintain.
Casey, a 21-year-old International Studies and Communications major at Texas A&M, says yoga makes her more self-aware, better able to understand her emotions, accept her flaws, and grow in her being. It has given her confidence to do things she never thought possible (even something as simple as touching her toes).
Jodi, an 8th grade science teacher in Bryan ISD, who is also a wife and mother of a very active five-year-old, says yoga has helped her find balance where she was formerly doing everything for everyone but herself.
Jodi also says, “Sometimes turning off my brain and turning on my breath is just what I need to be ‘centered’ mentally, physically, and emotionally.” She adds with a laugh, “And at 37, I can stand on my head!”
TYD offers classes for beginners to advanced practitioners with different styles to meet everyone’s body, mind, stretching, and toning needs. There are four instructors, including Gallego, and besides her heated classes others offered include Yin, Resorative, Ashtanga, and an Easy Flow.
For more information, visit www.tydcollegestation.com or find The Yoga District on Facebook. Sign up online or walk in. Student and teacher discounts are also available.
