Middleton Yogi of the Month: Allison Grayev | Dragonfly Hot Yoga Madison WI

Middleton Yogi of the Month: Allison Grayev

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I started in the Winter of 2015 as some of my friends had been coming and suggested that I might like it. Who knew at that time that I would end up being the one who would still be coming regularly? From my first class, I was welcomed into the studio and my fear of falling while in a pose and knocking over my nearest neighbors quickly began to fade (I had images of dominoes falling in my head).

I had done some prenatal yoga but hadn’t been incorporating into my regular workout schedule and I honestly rarely even stretched after a run or workout. As I have grown older though I have realized how important (and difficult) it is to maintain flexibility.

The people at Dragonfly are great and everyone is really friendly; from instructors to fellow yogis to the front desk staff. The sense of accomplishment after finishing a tough fitness class cannot be replicated and I definitely get pushed harder than I would if going to the gym by myself.

The mindfulness that I have learned in Flow classes has carried through to my everyday life and has made me a much calmer person (most of the time!). The time to reflect and make mind-body connections has been priceless and the more I have done it, the more I have prioritized it in my life.

I try to make it 5 to 6 times per week (I’d come every day if I could!). My favorite class changes with my mood. I love to start my day with Suki’s Flow when it works in my schedule. I also love Power Up and Yoga Up and the individuality that every instructor brings. I am a more recent convert to BarreAmped and have loved the variety that it has added to my schedule.

Instructor Suki Warda: “Allison has an awesome and unassuming presence in class. She’s a patient listener and embodies a very strong practice. When she is in Warrior 2, Allison exudes fierceness and humility. I love her sly and sweetly sarcastic smile, especially in Warrior 2! She is a great student to have in class, she holds good space. Thank you for being you Allison!!”