Yoga is a popular form of exercise for many people. In many forms of yoga, repetitive breathing and chanting is used as a form of meditation, which allows yoga practitioners to relax and refresh their minds and bodies. Several yoga studios can be found throughout Buffalo. One of the most impressive is Shakti Yoga, in its new location on Grant Street.
Opened by Director Michelle Gigante on 220 Lexington Avenue two years ago, Shakti Yoga will be celebrating its grand opening this Saturday, January 30th, at the new location at 133 Grant Street. Beginning at 7 PM, the night will feature henna tattoos and chair massages. The event is free and open to everyone (including small children). With live local music, all are welcome to check out a sample of the advent of the Shakti Lounge, a regular performance series in this relaxed setting. The Shakti Lounge boasts local music talent every Saturday night at 8 PM.
The striking, 3,000 square foot building, previously an M&T Bank, is now the new home for yoga enthusiasts and beginners alike. Gigante purchased the new space this past August. Now, only five months later, Shakti Yoga will operate in a space three times the size of its previous location.
Gigante is extremely proud of her business and its new location: “We’ve worked really hard. It’s remarkable. A year’s worth of work went into this, but it only took five months to complete.” Gigante and her team’s hard work shows; the new Grant Street location includes heated floors, multiple rooms to practice yoga in, a lounge area, changing rooms, showers and more.
Yoga participants will thoroughly enjoy Shakti Yoga’s high ceilings, original 1920 marble terrazzo floors and hardwood flooring. Another unique feature of the building is the original bank vault. Gigante chose to keep the vault because “it’s a beautiful reminder of what was.”
Shakti Yoga offers sessions for everyone. Those new to yoga are recommended to try the Beginner’s Vinyasa, and experts can choose from a variety of classes. New students’ first classes are free. A ten percent discount is available for students, and Gigante has created a schedule that is meant to accommodate Buffalonians’ busy schedules. Classes begin as early as 6:30 AM and end as late as 9:30 PM. Massages are also offered for $70-75.
In the upcoming months, Gigante says classes and events will include more chanting, meditation and live music. For more information on prices, the current schedule, class descriptions and more, please visit the Shakti website.
Images: Michelle Perkins