#411Friday- Studio K2G

M: 

Hi, everyone! For this week’s #411Friday, we’re sharing about our experience at a unique local yoga studio, Studio K2G. Our special guest of the week (one of our dear friends), Becca, joined me at the studio on SR64 west of I75. The modern studio was warm and inviting.

B: 

Our first class was a 45 minute HIIT style class, called Build & Burn. There were about 8 students in this class, lead by the instructor Kelly. She did a wonderful job of challenging each of us to work hard, but also gave very helpful modifications and adjustments for each individual participant. This was my favorite class of the morning, as it incorporated cardio, with dumbbell weights, core work, and stretching/strengthening moves.

The next class we attended was a more classic yoga session, which lasted 60 minutes. The studio name for this class is Power Flow, and it really was just that… a smooth flow through different yoga poses and positions that left me feeling powerful and refreshed.

I would highly recommend checking out this studio whether you are just getting into the world of yoga/ HIIT or are looking to advance your yoga practice.

M: 

We asked Kelly, owner & instructor, a few questions to learn more about her local business. 

Q: Introduce yourself! How long have you been interested in Yoga? How long have you been running Studio K2G?

“My name is Kelly Gleason, I am a NASM certified personal trainer and a 200-hour registered yoga teacher.  I was born and raised in Sarasota, left for college and swore I would never return. How silly was that? We live in such a beautiful place!  I have always been active, playing sports and into running and fitness. I took my first yoga class about 10 years ago at a studio in Sarasota. I started for the physical benefits, and that was my main focus for quite a while.  When I began to change my personal fitness routine and began lifting weights more, the style of yoga I was attracted to also shifted.

I went from practicing a Bikram style to more of a power vinyasa style. As the style I practiced changed, so did my mindset and my reasoning for practicing. I did notice that my body was getting stronger and more stable, however, the mental and emotional benefits were what then started to keep me going back to my mat.  My mat was and still is a safe space to be and to come back to my true self, no matter what is happening in my world.

In 2017 I embarked on my yoga teacher training. I completed my certification in November of 2017, began teaching part-time in December 2017, then quit my full-time job in February of 2018 to teach full-time. Even in my teacher training I knew I wanted to open my own studio. However, I knew I didn’t want to JUST do yoga. I wanted to marry my love of fitness and weights with my love of yoga. I began to search for a studio space in the summer of 2018 and signed the lease for our current location in November 2018. We opened our doors on December 31, 2018.”

Q: What is the inspiration behind Studio K2G?

“Throughout my personal fitness journey I have balanced weights, cardio training and yoga.  However, I never was able to find one place that offered all three of those, with quality instruction and a welcoming community for an affordable price.  I wanted to open a space where people of all backgrounds, ages, physical capabilities, fitness levels and experiences could come together to move, sweat, motivate each other and work towards being their best physically, mentally and emotionally.  I don’t feel there is a need for people to have multiple gym or studio memberships to get the results they want.”

Q: How did location play in to account as you decided to open a studio?

“I am from Sarasota and currently live in Palmetto. To be honest, I was not too familiar with Bradenton and actually wanted to open a studio closer to home. However, when I began researching locations it became apparent that this area was in need of a quality studio, offering what I planned to offer, and that it would be conveniently located to many Manatee County residents. 

The studio itself is convenient to people from the north, east, south and west. We have ample parking and we are serving a need and desire for people in the area that are looking for strong, diverse workouts and the mental and emotional release and relaxation that fitness and yoga provide.”

Q: What is your favorite fitness class to teach? What is your favorite fitness class to participate in?

“I don’t have a favorite! The energy in each class is completely different. My favorite part of our weights classes, known as Build & Burn and Strong & Steady (a combo of our B&B and yoga) is when I see people who have been consistently coming to the classes and they have the confidence to and have gained the strength to workout with heavier weights. My favorite part of teaching yoga is seeing people learn to focus on their breath, to focus on their body and to become mentally stronger. When people leave the studio and say that the class they took was “exactly what they needed” it is the most rewarding thing to hear.”

Q: What makes Studio K2G unique?

“Studio K2G is truly a “Well-rounded approach to yoga and fitness.” We offer quality high intensity interval training and yoga all in one spot for an affordable price. We do strength training, cardio training and flexibility training all in one spot. Our students come from all walks of life, are all ages and have completely different fitness levels. However, they show up to work hard, to encourage each other and to have fun all while become the best versions of themselves.”

Q: What is your favorite part of living in the 941?

“I love the ability to be outdoors all year long (even though it’s only May and it’s too hot!). I like all the natural preserves in the area and that there seems to always be something exciting to do locally on the weekends. I grew up in the 941 and no matter where I end up in my life it will always hold a special place in my heart.”

We love having you in the 941, Studio K2G! Are you interested in trying out one of the many classes Studio K2G offers? We’ll be posting a giveaway for some free classes next week! Stay tuned!