City October 30, 2009 3:32 PM

Veda Yoga Space on Hertel

Elena Cala Buscarino 18 1

Lauren Willett-Benson is opening Veda Yoga Space at 1862 Hertel Avenue, Corner of Parker on November 7th, and she'd love for you to drop by.

A practicer of yoga for years, Willett-Benson's relationship with yoga intensified when a back injury derailed her from her teaching career. Yoga, it could be said, brought her back, and now she's bringing it to the public in her beautifully renovated corner studio in North Buffalo.

"We'll be doing Hatha yoga, which is the basis for all other practices," Willett-Benson says. "We'll have beginner, intermediate and advanced, gentle yoga, and we're bringing Vinyasa too." She says some of the yogis in her studio will be well-known to local yoga practicers, and their bios will be on the Veda Yoga website soon.

She's still putting the finishing touches on now (above), and you'll especially love the tin ceiling when you go into vrkasana pose in this large room, painted a calming green. The open house on the 7th is from 5 to 9PM, and interested potential students will be able to meet instructors, enjoy refreshments and look over the beautiful space Willett-Benson has created.

Veda Yoga Space joins Parker-Hertel Sweet Shop (below, left), which is just north of the corner, on Parker. (Story upcoming.)

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North Buffalo: One Sweet Corner from Buffalo Rising on November 19, 2009 12:01 PM

The Northwest corner of Hertel and Parker is seeing new life, and it's all due to one local family's investment into their own much-loved neighborhood. It all started two years ago when John Daly and his wife Ruthanne were on a walk around North... Read More

Comments

18 Comments Leave a comment

Patrick

October 30, 2009 4:15 PM

This project has the potential to transform the east end of Hertel. The owner of the building, John Daly has done a superb job renovating the building and bringing in quality long term tenants.
The building has never looked better inside and out. Congrats to Lauren, her husband Dave and all involved. My downward facing dog needs some work, see you at the opening!

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donnybagadonuts

October 30, 2009 4:27 PM

yowzaa!

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John

October 30, 2009 5:44 PM

Lauren,

Congrats!!!

J,J,W & B

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5to81ALLDAY

October 30, 2009 7:25 PM

if she is the one giving yoga classes daily, COUNT ME IN!

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Armchair MBA

October 30, 2009 8:43 PM

As soon as I saw "yoga" and saw her I thought they had better frost those windows or else every dude in N Buff will be glued to that big storefront window.

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al labruna

October 30, 2009 9:33 PM

classy

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Kimon

October 31, 2009 2:22 AM

dude, you're a scumbag. I know this girl, and she's a really sweet person. The last thing she needs to see is some creepo drooling over her online. Get a grip.

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5to81ALLDAY

October 31, 2009 2:42 AM

calm down champ. I dont even currently live in Buffalo. BRO has been pretty dull lately. Felt lile I could generate a few laughs. Just tryin to keep some conversations going. Don't take any offense to my sarcasm. This is all in fun. Calm down man.

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Kimon

October 31, 2009 6:04 PM

Fair enough, my bad.

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biniszkiewicz

October 31, 2009 10:41 AM

That's a strong reaction, Kimon. She might be a really sweet person, but she's also pretty hot. It's a natural reaction. Noting that doesn't make one a contemptible scumbag.

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buffloonitick

October 31, 2009 12:08 AM

She says some of the yogis in her studio will be well-known to local yoga practicers

Yogi Berra?...

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KarlMalone

October 31, 2009 8:29 AM

I still don't get all this fixation on Star Wars.

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Elena Cala Buscarino

October 31, 2009 12:26 PM

I'm hoping the very lovely (and married) Lauren is getting a chuckle out of this. When I saw her through the lens and told her she was just beautiful, she laughed and said she wasn't feeling all that well. If this was one of her bad days, I'm sure this smart and pretty young lady is used to the attention to her beauty. (There's a reason the top image isn't of the outside of the building.)

On that note, assuming the part of her good looks that doesn't come from good genes may come from yoga, I suggest we all get into her studio and work on our own inner glow;-)

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Free Henry!

November 1, 2009 7:05 PM

Nicely put Elena! I already feel the energy from this exciting and amazing creation. Lauren and Dave congratulations, since you told me about this endeavor a while back I have been waiting for the official news. I will see you on the 7th, maybe I can round up all the henries and make it a family outing! Congrads again guys!

'Alex

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LovinLivinintheBuff

October 31, 2009 1:04 PM

I love (almost all) of what has been done to this corner, especially that the owners got the city to install the lovely patio gates in from of the Sweet Spot, Checkers and the new Butter's Bistro. The ice cream shop is beautiful and the family running it is incredibly friendly.
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But I would like to know, and I'll bring this public since I don't have personal contact with the owners, why they simply painted the old Parker Hertel pharmacy sign black instead of removing it. Similarly, I wonder what the giant white billboard will be for on the Parker side of the building, which incidentally is made from remnants of the pharmacy sign on the Parker side of the building. I also hope they might give consideration to removing the giant billboard on the top of the building, hoping that having paying tenants in the building would make up for whatever income comes from the visual nuisance that is that billboard. (I'm also hoping that Checkers and Butter's Bistro - I know the bistro just opened - will have attractive signage and awnings.)
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We all know how important the streetscape elements are (patio, awning, signage, lighting) and while I remain wholly impressed by the transformation of this former eyesore, I just thought there might be a chance for these issues to be addressed here.

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Patti

October 31, 2009 10:38 PM

Lauren,
You and Dave have created a wonderful, open space. It will be a serene, peace-filled area where we will be able to comfortably open ourselves to growth - both physically and spiritually. May this new venture bring you joy. Congratulations.

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grandma

November 1, 2009 6:23 PM

Congratulations, beautiful picture. I know you will do very well-

Love Grandma

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jdoherty

November 2, 2009 4:30 PM

Lauren (& Dave),

Congrats on this achievement! What a beautiful year it's been for you both―first Juney Sunday, now Veda Yoga. Kate and I are so proud of you guys! Lauren, we're confident you will inspire many people to lead more peaceful, introspective lives.

Love and light,

Joe

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