Seasonal Newsletter | Late Winter/Early Spring 2026
- alignlightyoga
- Mar 8
- 9 min read
Finding Realignment On the Mat
This March marks 10 years since I embarked on my yoga teaching journey, and what a 10 years it has been! I am much the same person, but yet a very very different person. Sure, of course, because of the wisdom that naturally comes with a decade of age and learned experiences… but also because of the principles and philosophies of yoga. Not to mention the entire world of adjacent modalities this practice has opened for me (for example: Reiki, sound healing, Ayurveda).
Yoga is deep. It’s so deep I have had to come to the understanding I will never “know it all” in this one lifetime, and I cannot let that hinder what I have learned and can share. Just as the concept of yoga has many layers, the process of beginning yoga and developing a practice has a lot of layers too.
Showing up to the mat can often start off feeling superficial - you’re aware of everything going on around you, maybe even comparing your posture to another’s, moving faster than the teacher cues or paces the breath, or just not at all knowing wtf you are doing here in this class, you might even be bored because your mind is running the show.
But continue to show up and watch what blossoms within. Maybe your breath deepens, maybe you move with more intention, maybe you find more balance between holding strong and finding softness. Maybe you can calm the storm a few moments more of each practice. Maybe what you do on the mat, carries along with you off the mat too.
Showing up to my mat in the beginning felt like something cool and exciting, another party trick for me to impress others with my flexibility. I mean, I did successfully do a headstand while on a moving jetski.
Continuing to show up to my mat felt like returning to my body, little by little. Reclaiming my control over my prana (breath, life force). Refining my sense of proprioception (awareness of the position, movement, and orientation of the limbs and body in space without looking at them). Reviving a sense of calm and stillness in my often busy, unfocused, anxious mind.
Even after a decade of showing up to my mat I still find my sense of awareness is expanding. My mind body connection is stronger and much easier to tap into. I find new depth and spaces in the same postures and my breath guides the way. I no longer perform party tricks and my practice doesn’t always look funky or cool but it absolutely feels more gentle, supportive and foundational to my core.
My yoga practice tethers me to a grounded, more understanding, more nourishing, more deeply feeling place inside myself. I have grown to listen to myself more, to trust myself more, and to wholly love myself more.
And that is why I continue to show up. That is why I share this practice with you.
I invite you to share with me, why do you continue to show up on the mat?
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THIS STUDIO.
I’LL MEET YOU ON YOUR MAT SOON.
— MARISSA LYNN
COMMUNITY | By: Claudia Noe
“Four characteristics of a community are membership, influence, fulfillment of needs, and a shared emotional connection. These elements combine to create a sense of belonging and engagement among members, fostering active and meaningful participation.”
Whenever I’ve been asked why I practice yoga, I always say “to avoid having a stroke.” People think I’m joking, but my type A personality begs to differ. My mind rarely shuts off. I’m always thinking about what I should have done, what I need to do, or what may or may not happen. I use my yoga practice to really quiet my mind, pay attention and listen to my body, maintain my flexibility and balance, and gain strength. For an hour, I focus on my breath, coordinating it with movement, using it to reset my autonomic nervous system. Yoga is a gift that I am worthy of receiving.
While social media has so many negative aspects, some of the most positive are the digital memories. I know in the next month or so I will be reminded that I have been a part of this yoga community for eleven years. In that time, I’ve attended classes in five different locations under three different owners, two studio names and more yoga instructors than I can count. I’ve learned kirtan, Iyengar, Kundalini, Barre and Tabata, benefited from gong and sound healing, incorporated art into yoga sessions, gone to a yoga festival, earned a yin yoga certification and met so many people. I remember Thursday evening classes in the “back” practice room of the upstairs studio in the 200 block of South Schuyler, talking to a woman I’d seen in class for several weeks. We both always set up towards the back of the room and we would participate in group conversation as we waited for class to start. To this day, Marian and I still gravitate to the back of the studio (but I don’t think we get to class as early as we used to!). All these experiences were because one day I had the courage to sign up for a class, which led to increased weekly sessions and eventually joining with a monthly membership.
Despite all of the growth and changes to this studio, the one thing that has been unwavering is the sense of community. Kindred spirits coming together to practice and learn and share our energy. Greeting our fellow yogis and welcoming new faces into a space that has become a refuge from all that is going on in the outside world, for even just an hour. A place where there is no expectation of appearance or ability, where people are encouraged to practice in a way that feels right for each person without judgment.
Each of us has contributed to that feeling of community at Align Light.
Whether you are a regular weekly attender of a class (or two) or are trying to grow in your practice and you are not currently a monthly member, I would ask that you consider the benefits of monthly membership. I get it - the annual specials for class passes are well priced and who doesn’t love a good deal? But the real bargain is in the membership. If you attend four classes and one special event per month, your membership has paid for itself. If you attend two classes per week, the cost per class is just over $8. If you attend ten classes in a month, the cost per class is only $6.50. And when there have been times I haven’t felt physically able to attend class weekly, or I have been on vacation or had a hectic schedule and not able to “break even” for the month, knowing that the studio and my community will be there waiting for me, welcoming me back with a “how’ve you been???” when I do return - I can’t quite put a price on that.
I feel so much gratitude for this studio. We all have played a part in fostering this sense of community, and for that I thank each of you!
Namaste.
Claudia Noe
MARCH INTO UNLIMITED MEMBERSHIP:
For the entire month of March and April join as a new unlimited monthly member and get grandfathered into our current membership pricing! We have had zero price increases since 2019 but the reality is our economy has shifted and the market has become more competitive. Studio Pricing Plans will increase slightly in the coming months, but not for those who maintain their current monthly membership plan. More information will be released on this as we accommodate and adjust to the incoming changes (see important announcements below!)
New Members - Join now with your first month at $50, subsequent months $65/month until the plan is canceled. Use the code NEWMEMBER at checkout.
IMPORTANT/NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS:
✽The backend of the studio is in need of continued clean up! Here is what to expect:
→ MERGING CONTACTS: If you have more than one login (different email addresses, missing contact info, etc) we will be merging accounts to one active login.
→ EXPIRED PASSES: When your class pass hits zero, it doesn’t always automatically drop out of the system. Zeroed out passes will be deleted to clean up space and provide clarity for you and for the studio. You may receive emails about your passes being canceled but I promise no pass will be canceled/deleted unless it is completely used or expired.
✽Marissa and Angie are taking much needed vacations mid March and we hope you will take this time to meet and welcome our TWO new incoming instructors – Seah + Alyce!
Saturday March 14th @10 am - POP UP Mindful Stillness (Yin Yoga) with Alyce (in place of our regular Focused Flow)
Sunday March 15th @ 9 am - Soulful Sunday with Seah
Monday March 16th @ 6 pm - Stretch + Release with Seah
Wednesday March 18th @ 5:30 pm - POP UP Pilates for the People with Seah (pay what you can event)
Wednesday March 18th @ 7 pm - POP UP Mindful Stillness (Yin Yoga) with Alyce (in place of our regular Stretch + Release)
Thursday March 19th @ 11 am - Stretch + Release with Seah
✽I am beyond excited to announce that Seah + Alyce officially join our weekly schedule the week of April 6th. I look forward to the knowledge and intention they will bring to this community.
NEW CLASS DESCRIPTIONS/WHAT TO EXPECT:
→ Mondays 11:00 am -- MOVE WITH EASE | with Marissa Lynn
Find length and strength as you improve mobility in this primarily chair based class. Explore standing postures using the chair or wall for support. Hand weights may be added in certain components of the sequencing if desired. This class will NOT contain movements getting up and down from the ground, perfect for those not seeking a vinyasa style class.
→ Tuesdays 5:30 pm -- STRENGTH + GRACE | Barre Class with Seah
Seah is certified through Barre & Soul in Cambridge, MA, a direct lineage of barre founder Lotte Berk via Lydia Bach who brought barre to the US in 1971. The traditional sequence of barre is kept and will be present in every class. Expect layered options, with spicy add ons, in a beginner friendly environment that meets you where you are at. Ability to get up and down from the floor is recommended- seah can accommodate chair yogis as well!
→ Wednesdays 7 pm -- Mindful Stillness | Yin Yoga with Alyce
Enhance your flexibility and joint mobility through the long held poses of yin yoga. Students are encouraged to deepen their connection to the breath through stillness. Each class begins with a theme and intention setting, and closes out with a brief guided visualization to help further ground you. Props will be provided. Open to all levels.
→ Thursdays 5:30 pm -- BREATH + FORM | Pilates class with Seah
Expect a blend of classical and contemporary mat Pilates in this mixed level, beginner friendly class. Not sure what that means? There are 34 original sequenced movements designed to develop inner strength & coordination. These will always be the basis for class, layering through added resistance by using props and/or additional movement (contemporary). Seah has been doing Pilates since the age of 26, while in a cast for 6 months due to a running injury. It has since been incorporated into Seah’s movement practices.
Ability to be on the ground and on the knees is recommended - Seah has accommodated chair users in class.
OUR CURRENT SCHEDULE --
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/EVENTS:
Align with Sound | SOUNDBATH with Marissa Lynn
UPCOMING: Every other Monday 7:30 - 8:30 pm
INVESTMENT: PWYC
ALIGN WITH SOUND and give your nervous system the reset it needs and craves.
A soundbath is an invitation to rest, reset, and rejuvenate. A combination of instruments are played to gently assist your nervous system into a parasympathetic state (rest state). This event is meant to be entirely relaxing with no effort or expectations. You are invited to bring anything you need to lay or sit comfortably. If needed - mats, blankets, blocks, bolsters, folding chairs and eye pillows are all available for use in the studio.
Align with the Moon | with seah
INVESTMENT: PWYC Community Class
Full Moon practices offer restorative yoga
and gong wash. New Moon practices offer
yin yoga and yoga nidra.
Astrological themes are woven throughout.
Pilates for the People | with seah
INVESTMENT: PWYC Community Class
Pilates - beginner friendly, we work from the foundational Classical Pilates movements and add layers to suit individual needs.
Attention to form, breath, and presence.
Yoga Hangs with Angie
UPCOMING: Returning this Spring! Watch our socials for updates on specific dates + locations.
INVESTMENT: No Cost
Want to spend more time with your fellow yoga students? Build your community?
Introducing Yoga Hangs!
Once a month we will be taking a field trip after the 10am Focused Flow class to support another local downtown establishment! Any student from the class is welcome to join to chat, get to know each other better, and spend time with like minded yogis! Our yoga community is important to us and we want you to feel the same.
There is no cost to attend (just paying for your own food/drinks). All you have to do is register for the Saturday class and give a heads up to Angie or Marissa if you would like to attend.
OTHER OFFERS AVAILABLE AT ALIGN LIGHT YOGA:
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