Last week I finally was able to check out the newest (and basically the only) yoga studio on the North Side — Urban Elements (they’ve also got a sweet cycling studio too). They hosted a trigger point therapy workshop aimed at athletes or anyone with repetitive use injuries or regular minor aches and pains; for two hours, we focused on myofascial techniques to work out our tension using tennis and lacrosse balls combined with yoga poses, which started at the foot and worked up the leg, hip, back, and into shoulder and arm. We completed one side, and then reversed to the other.

Bonus: we got a lacrosse ball to take home (and that thing really worked to get in those tense spots)!

The effects were incredible! I always have so much tension in my glutes and calves and shoulders, so I plan to bring most of these techniques home to my mat and make part of my weekly foam rolling sessions.

Not only was this workshop amazing, I really connected with the instructors. I think I found my new yoga home at Urban Elements (and maybe I will finally get back into spinning). Their location is perfect to walk to after work (now that I’m downtown), and I’m only a few minutes from home. ALSO: every Thursday night — a collaboration between Urban Elements and the local lululemon — there is a group run from the studio starting at 5:45pm, with a runner-centric yoga session afterward. SIGN ME UP! Everyone at every level is invited to join — and yoga is a community pay-what-you-can class.

Urban Elements
208 Federal Street, 15212
*right by PNC Park!