Over the last few months, I’ve seen many of my fellow NYC bloggers talk about the joys of staring their Tuesday morning’s with Core Fusion Yoga. Curious about the class, I found this information on their website:
CORE FUSION® YOGA
Developed by Elisabeth Halfpapp, one of the innovators of Core Fusion®, Core Fusion® Yoga is yet another transformational experience efficiently programmed into a 60-minute class that is fueled by music. Designed to shift your energy and improve overall wellbeing, Core Fusion® Yoga inspires guests with a combination of yoga asanas that raise the body’s heat and increase cardio endurance, intense core functional training to strengthen and tone the core, Qi Gong circular movements, and stretching to move energy and produce a state of inner calm and balance. Note: Previous yoga experience is recommended.
Last night I had a sudden surge of inspiration to enjoy some morning yoga and immediately remembered this class. This inspiration found it’s root in multiple places:
1. I was so tight from last week’s mileage increase that I couldn’t tough the floor
2. My entire body felt like one big knot
3. It would help prepare me for what I knew was going to be a long, hard Tuesday
I was elated to find that the Exhale Spa in Soho still had vacancies in their 7am Core Fusion Yoga class. The class was taught by Kayleigh Pleas and was only two subway stops away from Gramercy. I couldn’t wait!
I did some research and found out from Dori that the Soho location does not have a shower since it is a temporary location. Therefore, I packed an emergency kit containing face wash, Olay face wipes, deodorant, baby powder, and mattifying powder. I knew that this would allow me to clean up after the class in case I sweated more than normal.
I was actually pretty nervous for this class as it had been a few weeks since my last yoga class and I wasn’t sure what level the class would be. However, as soon as I entered the building from the pouring rain, I was put at ease. Kayleigh met me as I entered the studio with a warm smile. She immediately asked me about any injuries and whether I’d taken the class previously. I explained my running soreness in hopes that she would build the class to meet those needs. She smiled and said that she was sure the flow movements would help.
Our class started on time with about 10 fellow morning birds joining me in the class. There were women of all ages and shapes. Kayleigh, a vibrant, smiling gal was our teacher. One of the things I love about 
their website is that you can read about your teacher ahead of time. This allows you to find teachers who match your personality. For example, I knew that Kayleigh was a gymnast, lead fluid classes, and focuses on exercise as medicine for the soul.
Kayleigh turned on soft rock music which played the entire time and included songs such as Clocks and other mellow yet light tunes. I really enjoyed the music as it helped with the flow and to get me moving. It was a refreshing change from my regular yoga class. We started the class in a traditional yoga method as she took us through a series of sun salutations. This class definitely makes you break a sweat as she challenges you to hold positions, complete multiple yoga pushups, and plank challenges. The entire time though she stressed that we should each focus on our own abilities. She was also very involved, walking around to each student during their practice and adjusting their form. This continued throughout the first thirty minutes of class during which most of it was very traditional vinyasa flow yoga movements. Many of the moves were harder than normal due to my shortened, tight muscles. But, I loved feeling my body loosen with each new movement. I appreciated the fact that Kayleigh was very clear in her yoga directions and took her time explaining movements if people needed help. She also showed a few modifications throughout the class.
The second half of the class revolved around two evil cork blocks, multiple chair pose sections, and our body weight. This section was all about strengthening and toning. Very reminiscent of a traditional Core Fusion class, we did multiple thigh and butt exercises incorporated into traditional yoga poses and balancing poses. In addition, we did more planks, some body lifts, and one movement where we lifted ourselves with our hands on the cork blocks! 
The class ended with about 7 minutes of abdominals including Core Fusion’s infamous c-curve abdominal exercises. Kayleigh was very helpful during this exercise insuring that each student was engaging their core in the proper manner. As always, this section was killer for me as we moved from c-curve to boat pose. But, the great music continued to help take my mind off of the work and make the class fly by! Before I knew it class was over.
This class was the perfect way to begin my Tuesday. I left feeling limber and stretched, full of strength, and smiling from all the positive words and feelings Kayleigh shared with us. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to mix yoga, strength, and mild cardio. This class melts the three together perfectly! You do break a sweat during this class so I suggest bringing sweat supplies like a washcloth, face wash, and perfume if you’re going to do this class at the SoHo location which doesn’t have showers or during a lunch break.
