As a St. Pete resident, you’ve likely heard of, or even visited, The Body Electric Yoga Company. Due to the madness of the past year, however, you may have missed the birth of their brand new branch: The Body Electric Athletic Company (BE Athletic). “Yoga is so much more than the physical practice,” says Katelyn Grady, Body Electric co-founder and co-owner. “When guided by yoga philosophy, any physical practice can be done in such a way as to make it yoga.” Athletic activity with a yoga vibe? Sounds pretty awesome.
Athletics + Mindfulness
“We want to bring the mindfulness, present-moment-awareness, and non judgemental observation of the yoga practice into fitness,” Grady says. “There’s been a lot of new research on the nervous system and resiliency, and we try to incorporate that into the fitness model. Many of us yogis are athletes, and we wanted to share how a yogic mindset can take your training to the next level.”
“Our interest is in teaching people to intelligently train themselves, and create a sustainable, lifelong fitness habit,” co-owner and co-founder Jenny Miller says. “We emphasize education, personal agency, and learning to listen to your body. We also have this huge, beautiful space that’s intended to help you downshift and separate your experience here from the rest of your busy life. After all the sloth and anxiety of the last year, you deserve a nice environment, and you deserve to take this time for yourself.”
A Gym Without Attitude
Still growing and changing after just over a year in business, BE Athletic is seeing many of its yoga clients, as well as many new gym members seeking strength, cardio, and overall physical fitness in a soothing and encouraging environment. Both owners particularly love the strength training classes at their gym, and Grady is particularly drawn to the simplicity, fun, and effectiveness of kettlebell sessions.
“It’s not easy to make a group class accessible to everyone who shows up, bring in the elements of mindfulness and somatic awareness, and deliver an a**-kicking,” says Miller. “What we’re trying to create is a habit of present moment awareness into fitness,” says Jenny, “and that’s been a game-changer to the people who’ve been working out with us. And as we refine our programming, it’s only going to get better.”
It’s “One Day” or “Day One”
What do these two have to say to those of us who may have recently stumbled on our health plans? “It’s pretty simple,” Grady says. “It’s one day, or Day One — you choose.”
“If you feel like you’re too far gone to start, what you underestimate is how great you’re going to start feeling immediately, as soon as you get going.” says Miller.. “Six months from now, you’re going to wish you started today. So, start already!”
The Body Electric’s introductory offer, The 21 Day Hustle, includes Unlimited Yoga, Athletic, and Streaming classes for $65 The Body Electric’s introductory offer, The 21 Day Hustle, includes Unlimited Yoga, Athletic, and Streaming classes for $65 (see back cover to save even more!). In addition, you receive full membership privileges, like Open Gym, ice baths, free mat and towel rental, and discounts on special events and retail. Why wait?
For information visit thebodyelectricyoga.com/thebeathletic, call (727) 490-9361, or swing by the new gym, 655 31st St. N, near the Pinellas Trail.