Teachers bounce back after store closing

Times were so uncertain for yoga teachers Beth Thomas and Sarah Finn that they applied for jobs out of desperation.

Thomas, who has a history degree, sought one at a local museum, one where she'd wear period costumes. And Finn was going to answer phones at an orthodontist's office.

Their professional lives had kind of turned on a dime, in the wrong way.

Last December, they had given up a fair share of yoga classes at local gyms and studios to take a chance at opening a Lululemon Athletica store in Charleston. The hip, Vancouver-based label of active wear seemed to be a perfect fit.

While the line is sold at other locations in town, the company had plans to open 37 new stores across North America and were testing certain markets.

Thomas, 37, and Finn, 27, opened a small, temporary store called a Lululemonade Stand and quickly drew a following — helped, to a degree, by offering free yoga classes every week. After thinking they'd take their Christmas-New Year's run into the spring, Lululemon informed them that the store was closing.

Lululemon offered them a transfer, but, like so many in their situation, Thomas and Finn wanted to stay in Charleston.

Buoyed by the support of students and customers, who launched a "Save Charleston Lululemon" Facebook campaign, Thomas and Finn floated the idea of opening their own power yoga studio.

"In the back of our minds, we've always wanted to open a studio," says Thomas. "We decided, 'We should do it now.' "

Finn adds that they had the benefit of a "buzz" created by the Lululemon store.

With their training in the style of athletic, vigorous "vinyasa" yoga, they had a special niche, especially since they wanted to be on the Charleston peninsula. They chose a site on Upper King Street two doors away from O'Malley's Irish Pub and named it Charleston Power Yoga. (www.charlestonpoweryoga.com.)

While they planned to open in June, they now expect to open this week. A grand opening will be held once the fall semester begins.

"We're really gearing it toward downtown," Thomas says in reference to college students, "Type A professionals" and the active set. "We didn't have to install showers but decided to (do so) because if we really want people to come to yoga on their lunch break or after work before going out, we needed to be able to get them cleaned up and out the door."

Thomas and Finn will offer special rates not only to college students, but to other yoga teachers. They will carry on the Lululemon tradition of free weekly yoga classes, to be held on Fridays.

"We're trying to make it as accessible as possible," says Thomas.

Power joins Charleston yoga community

Yoga studios seem to be popping up all over the Charleston area. Here is a synopsis of the emphasis by the main studios that hold regular, daily classes:

Charleston Power Yoga: Expected to open this week on Upper King Street, the studio will offer classes inspired by the teachings of Baron Baptiste and feature a "challenging, dynamic combination of strength, sweat and flexibility sure to push you to your edge" in a heated room. www.charlestonpoweryoga.com.

Bikram Yoga Charleston: At Seaside Farms, Mount Pleasant, Bikram-certified instructors lead clients through 26 poses in a room heated to 105 degrees with a humidity level at 50 percent. While "hot yoga" is offered at many gyms, the pose series is designed to warm and stretch the entire body and is never changed. Interviewed earlier this year, Bikram Charleston owner David Kiser said, "We don't do any 'oms,' no chanting, no statues, no nothing. It's basically just a workout. We leave the other stuff up to you." www.bikramcharleston.com.

Jivamukti Yoga Charleston: On the flip side of Bikram, Jivamukti Yoga Charleston offers vigorously physical and intellectually stimulating yoga classes with emphasis on teaching yoga as a spiritual practice. Classes consists of vinyasa (flowing asana sequences), hands-on adjustments, pranayama (breathing exercises), meditation, Sanskrit chanting, yoga philosophy, and deep relaxation. Asana sequences are ever-changing. And the only place you'll find a mirror is in the rest room. www.jivamuktiyogasc.com.

Holy Cow Yoga: Marking its 10th anniversary in Charleston in April, West Ashley's Holy Cow is the area's longest-running yoga studio. Holy Cow offer multidisciplinary levels of Hatha Yoga, including vinyasa flow, gentle, kids and prenatal and run from light-hearted and relaxing to dynamic and physically challenging. www.holycowyoga.com.

Serenity Now Yoga: At five years, the second oldest local studio offers an array of classes including gentle, warm vinyasa flow, yin yoga, free meditation, special workshops and Thai yoga massage. It is off Ben Sawyer Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. Serenity Now's philosophy is that "yoga should be accessible to everyone, at every age and fitness level. ... If you can breathe and move your body mindfully, you have all the skills necessary to develop a yoga practice. www.serenitynowyoga.net.

Reach David Quick at 937-5516 or dquick@postandcourier.com.