How did you get started at Dfly?
I was talking to a friend (and fellow Dfly yogi) about how she had gotten in such awesome shape for her wedding, seeing as I had my own to start getting ready for. She started telling me about Dragonfly’s great classes and how helpful staff and instructors are. It didn’t take long to twist my arm and check it out for myself. I went to my first class and was hooked right away! Within my first month, I ended up going to over 40 classes! I loved trying all the new classes and meeting the instructors. I’ve yet to find a class or instructor I don’t like, so it keeps me coming back for more.
What is/was your yoga/BarreAmped experience before Dfly?
Prior to Dfly I had very limited experience with yoga I had tried some home videos and YouTube channels, but nothing serious or consistent. Now I feel so much more confident as a yogi in my poses. I know I couldn’t have gotten here without help from the instructors. When leading a class, they’ll just mention a seemingly small tweak, and it never fails to surprise me the huge difference it can make.
What do you enjoy most from attending Dfly classes?
Honestly, the people. I’ll never forget how impressed I was in my first week when the desk staff would greet my friend by name. My first thought was “Jeepers, she must come here a lot for them to know who she is!” But that’s not the case, it didn’t take them long to know me by name either. Sometimes I wonder if they take special training on memorizing all our names. :) In all seriousness, though, I think it has a large part to do with the staff and instructors both taking such a deep care in your practice that they become friends quickly.
Have you experienced any changes in your total well-being since taking classes?
Yes! I used to be very insecure (I still can be at times – I’m only human!). Thanks to Dfly, yoga has helped me with this struggle. I like to think that by finding and pushing my physical strength, my mental strength is being challenged to grow along as well. Each class is very empowering in its own way. When I started, I have to admit that I thought it was a little cheesy to set an intention for class, so I never did. After a few weeks, though, I asked myself to stop being so judgmental and just flow with it. I set my first intention, and I noticed a huge transition in the way I felt during that class. I was more focused and able to take some of the poses to the next level. My mindset shifted that class and I’ve made it a point to be sure to always set an intention moving forward. Those good ol’ 5:30am classes even help set myself an intention for the day. If I can give advice to anyone new or old to Dfly, it’s to just trust the instructors, because it always seems to be true that my body is only as strong as my mind lets it be.
How often do you attend classes? Favorite class?
I find myself at about 4-7 classes depending on the week. I don’t know if I can just pick one favorite class – how is a yogi to pick just one?! I love different classes for different reasons so I’ll give you a couple of my top ones that I do my best to make weekly!
Power Up with Jorie Weirich on Friday mornings is amazing! She always picks great music choices accompanied by a butt kicking workout. We often do a tabata style and just when I think I can’t do one more move, she’ll push us for that final round. I always know that I’ll get a good sweat at this one. Also if you’re an early bird like me, she does Flow at 5:30am. I love all the flexibility and focus that I’ve noticed from Flow classes.
Yoga Up with Carrie Schulte never has a dull moment! Carrie has such a fun, playful personality that somehow cardio doesn’t seem as awful when you’re doing it in her class. I love how she bounces around the room asking yogi’s how they are, what they’re doing later, to sing along to the music, etc. all while you are dripping sweat trying just to make it the last 10 seconds. Thanks for reminding us we can have fun while we work out! Enough good things can’t be said about how I feel about the Dfly community.
Please feel free to share any other thoughts you have about Dfly, hot yoga, or your life as we would love to know more about you.
I can’t thank everyone there enough for helping me find my inner yogi, to guide me to honor my mind and body. It’s only been eight months, but I can tell the positive changes it has brought to my life thus far. Even though I became a member for the sole purpose of getting in shape for my upcoming wedding (August 25th, oh my goodness has time flown!), I will be a member long after to continue the growth within my practice. See you on the mat. Namaste.
Instructor Nicole King: “Amber always comes to class with a smile on her face and is ready to work hard. She has so much grace in her practice and continues to push herself to new levels while on her mat! It is a pleasure to have Amber in class and to watch her grow!”
