I took a weekend trip Austin to visit the motherland: Black Swan Yoga in Austin. Black Swan is celebrating their 10 year birthday since first opening up in Austin (and then Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Denver, and beyond). 

I first visited Black Swan while visiting Austin several years ago for SxSW and loved the experience they created. I remember loving the loud music, dark lights, and very calming vibes from the teacher. 

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As soon as Black Swan opened in Houston, I was one of the first students to sign up for a monthly membership, and once teacher training was offered by Black Swan, I took the leap and then started my yoga teaching career. 

I owe a lot to Black Swan and grateful for its culture, offering donation-based accessible yoga, and always promoting community through city-wide events. 

Pictured in this post are my teachers from Black Swan Teacher Training, Joy & Claire, and one of my fellow Swans, Mel. 

Have you been to Black Swan? What was your experience like? 

This summer, I was able to lead over 100 yogis during a flow outside at Raven Tower. This was the first time I’ve taught to so many people in one space, first time I needed to use a mic to have my voice reach all of the people, and the whole experience left me feeling full of love. 

It was great to see so many friends, practitioners, and dogs join in for the fun while I was able to teach my first class at Raven Tower. 

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I first got connected to @FitnessInTheLoop last year when attending local Houston yoga events. When I first graduated Yoga Teacher Training, I was nervous to teach classes. I've had such wonderful teachers in my life, and was comparing my teaching to theirs. I decided to teach free classes in the park to build my confidence teaching before auditioning to teach in a studio. 

I was hoping for at least 5 people to show up for my first yoga class in the park, but would have been happy for more. Kyle from @FitnessInTheLoop reached out and asked if they could help promote my free class, since they are all about free fitness events inside the loop. I agreed and they were able to bring more people to the park to practice yoga. 

I've been partnering with @FitnessInTheLoop for the last 4 months and have taught classes for them at Spring Street Beer & Wine Garden as well as HTX Sports Creek. Both times have been incredible experiences that help people try yoga for the first time in a very casual setting. 

I'm highlighting @FitnessInTheLoop because their organization helps Houston live healthy lives without having to pay lots of money. Cofounder/Husband, Kyle (@SpaceCityVegan) is also a Cornell Certified Plant Based Nutrition Coach and cofounder/wife, Megan (@AccellLifestyle) founded a company revolutionizing athletic apparel through sweatproof/stink proof scientific technologies. She also won Houston's LiftOff Business Competition. 

Here are some of @FitnessInTheLoop's signature events*. 

*Check their website for more up to date information!

SUNDAYS

Yoga at HTX Sports Creek 10am
Yoga at Spring Street Beer & Wine Garden 11am
 

MONDAYS

Yoga at Joy Yoga Levy Park 6pm
Run Club at HTX Sports Creek 6:30pm
H.I.I.T. at The Preserve Gym 6:30pm
Pilates at Levy Park 7pm
 

THURSDAYS

H.I.I.T. / Bootcamp
 

SATURDAYS

Bootcamp at Levy Park 8:30am
H.I.I.T at Bagby Park in Midtown 9:30am
Yoga at Levy Park 10am
Yoga at Belle Station 10am
H.I.I.T. Training at HTX Sports Creek 11am

Where else for Free Fitness Events? 

@FitnessInTheLoop is great at promoting events that aren't only their signature events, but all free community events in Houston. Follow their instagram to find more events. If you know of any, or have suggestions for more, let me know in the comments! 

It's Official: The New Black Swan Yoga opens today at 5310 Kirby Dr. Ste. #101. It's between Einstein Bagels and Verizon Wireless, on Kirby, just south of Bissonnet. 

While the studio has been open for a couple months, January 1, 2018 is the official grand opening party. Black Swan is celebrating by offering free yoga classes all day!

Also, if you go to Black Swan 31 times in January, your membership in February is free!

If you can't make it out today, maybe you can still join my yoga class Tuesday morning at 6am or 7:30am at Black Swan Yoga Houston - Kirby. 

Namaste.

Photo by @BlackSwanYogaHouston

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