"Namaste," a Sanskrit word, is commonly used as a greeting in yoga practice, which is done by clasping both palms together. The word signifies that one bows to the divine by uniting the mind, body and soul.

Namaste. Welcome to Synergy.

Synergy is committed to providing the highest standards of yoga instruction to meet the needs of students in a warm, caring and noncompetitive environment. Students of Synergy will experience the profound aspects of yoga through a committed involvement in healthy practices that connect the mind, body and breath.

What makes Synergy different?
Synergy is unique to Richmond for many reasons. It offers a variety of yoga classes and amenities, as well as other healthy practices to meet your specific interests and needs. The instructors believe that yoga is for everyone, not just those who are already physically fit or extremely flexible.
Click on the links below for more information on yoga, and Synergy's services and instructors.

Commitment to Service

Synergy is dedicated to a tradition of excellence in teaching. The instructors are committed to providing hatha yoga, meditation, stress reduction, massage therapy, nutrition, and holistic health for students of all
levels and ages. Classes are also small so that individual
and personal service can be provided to you.

Please don't hesitate to email Synergy with any comments or suggestions so that we can serve you better.

Amenities

Synergy's amenities offer a true mix of quality, comfort and tradition. With you in mind, we've created an atmosphere where life centers on your comfort and needs.

Synergy Yoga Three Chopt Center
This studio is a calm, beautiful, soundproof environment that includes aromatherapy and other serene luxuries. The studio uses padded carpet, and provides mats, blankets and anything else you will need during your classes.

• The Synergy Tea Room - Synergy students are invited to enjoy Synergy's tea room before and after class. The tea room is a place to meet with friends, sip herbal tea, read books from our library, listen to music and prepare for class.
• The Synergy Boutique - The Synergy Yoga Boutique carries everything from practical yoga wear to yoga-inspired books, spiritual music CDs and the latest yoga props to support and deepen your yoga practice. The Boutique is open before and after class.

Therapeutic Body Work - Therapeutic Bodywork is available at both locations. Call for appointments for Massage Therapy and Holistic Bodywork.

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What is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient philosophy of life, as well as a system of exercises, that encourages the union of mind, body and spirit. In fact, the word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning "yoke" or "union." The ultimate goal of yoga is to achieve a state of balance and harmony between mind and body.

Although there are many paths of yoga, which all subscribe to the belief that the body and mind must be seamlessly connected to achieve optimal health, hatha yoga, the system of physical exercises, breathing techniques and meditation, is most often followed by Western yoga practitioners today. This practice is often accredited to hatha yoga's miraculous health benefits.

Why Practice Yoga?

Yoga has many benefits: physiological, mental and spiritual, and it encourages good physical health, harmony, peace of mind, and an overall sense of well-being through asanas (postures), breathing exercises, relaxation and meditation.

Enjoy the many benefits of yoga

You can take what you need from yoga and enjoy the benefits as you have defined them, whether it be for physical fitness, relaxation, meditation, spiritual fulfillment or to learn about the philosophy of life. Regardless of your definition, it is important to understand that yoga is about releasing tension in the body and the mind so you can listen to your heart, learn and grow. Among the many benefits, students often practice yoga to:

• Build strength
• Tone and sculpt the body
• Learn to have a calm, focused, and non-reactive mind
• Improve the health of the back by elongating the spine and avoiding fusion of the vertebrae
• Prevent Osteoporosis
• Balance the Endocrine system
• Increase concentration and develop awareness
• Improve flexibility
• Create stamina and increase energy
• Develop balance and coordination
• Reduce hypertension

Yoga Styles

Synergy focuses on traditional or classic hatha yoga, based on the ancient teachings passed down by the masters. However, we also believe in bringing together the timeless wisdom of the ancient sages of the east with modern science and technology of the west, as well as blending classic yoga with more contemporary styles. Our qualified instructors will provide you with reliable guidance to help meet your specific interests and needs.

This style of yoga is an ancient form of self-improvement that has existed for over 5,000 years. Among its many benefits, it strengthens and tones muscles, increases flexibility, develops balance and coordination, corrects bad postural habits and misalignments in the body, increases lung capacity and restores proper blood flow to muscles. All hatha yoga classes at Synergy consist of the study of asana (postures), breathwork, and relaxation or meditation.

Beginners

Synergy accepts beginners or new students at any time throughout the session, as long as space is available in your class choice. Please call in advance to schedule an appointment to meet with us about 15 minutes before entering your first class. If you are joining the class late, your tuition will be prorated as long as you pay for a minimum of four classes.

Students should not eat 1-2 hours before the scheduled class and should arrive to class 10 minutes early. It is also important to wear loose, comfortable clothing and be prepared to work in bare feet. Also, because the studio is carpeted and provides mats, blankets and other necessities, students are not required to furnish their own supplies. However, if you would like to purchase your own yoga supplies, The Synergy Boutique carries mats, props, eye pillows, books, clothing and more.

Click here for descriptions of our many classes, levels and styles.

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Director

Karen Pace, E-RYT, owner and Director of Synergy Karen has been teaching Introductory to Advanced, Gentle/Restorative, Prenatal, Kids, Teens, private and corporate hatha yoga classes since 1998.  She opened Synergy Yoga Studio in 2001.  Karen has an extensive background in yoga and as a personal trainer, as well as in dance and therapeutic yoga.  Registered with the National Yoga Alliance, she is certified by the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy, studied at the Omega Institute in NY, and has been a member of the Himalayan Institute Teachers Association since 2001.

Instructors

Andrea Bleck-Smith, E-RYT Andrea's love of yoga, and ability to share a touch of the joy and strength yoga brought her, motivates her to teach. Since 2000, Andrea has taught more than 2480 classes and seminars. Certified by the Himalayan Institute, and a member of the Himalayan Institute Teachers Association since 2001, Andrea teaches classical hatha yoga in the Himalayan tradition. Working with body alignment, breath awareness, and self-acceptance, she encourages students to let go and enjoy life each day. "Andrea possesses rare qualities of sensitivity, empathy, warmth and humor, coupled with conceptually-informed sense of purpose that keeps us on our toes. These are qualities above and beyond what can be taught and learned." (Mark Lederway, Ph.D.)
Ann Taylor, RYT This instructor's bio is on its way!
Darcie Anderson, RYT This instructor's bio is on its way!
Deb MacKay, RYT This instructor's bio is on its way!
Fallon Teufert, RYT Fallon found yoga as a way to relieve stress from her corporate career, and has practiced yoga for many years. Fallon completed The Himalayan Institute Teacher Training Program (presented by Synergy Yoga Studio) in 2011 and is registered with the National Yoga Alliance. Her gentle approach harmonizes with her belief that everyone can practice and benefit from yoga. Fallon shares her home with her husband and a pack of Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Hilary Allen, RYT pending This instructor's photo and bio are on their way!
Jai Mercer, RYT pending This instructor's bio is on its way!
Karen Kalyani Levitt, E-RYT Kalyani's classes combine the six branches of yoga so students can experience a complete range of benefits. Certified through Integral Yoga in 1999, (E-RYT-200) she found the training to be transformational. With more focus, acceptance, and awareness, Kalyani wanted to share the benefits of yoga with the community. Her teaching has involved lots of karma yoga, including leading classes at the Bon Air Correctional Facility, Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and spent 2012 teaching donation classes for Off the Mat, Into the World, to raise money for their Global Seva Project. She is currently working on bringing Mindful Yoga Therapy to veterans coping with trauma. By incorporating elements of Raja Yoga in class, she tries to reach the individual on their own terms for as long as it takes them to attain the state of Yoga.
Mackenzie Cherry, CYT This instructor's photo and bio are on their way!
Mary Beth Ansell, RYT This instructor's bio is on its way!
Mary Macaulay, RYT This instructor's bio is on its way!
Nanda Downes, RYT This instructor's bio is on its way!

Therapeutic Bodywork Practitioners

Synergy is now taking appointments for Massage Therapy and Holistic Body Work.
For more information click here.

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