Stirring the Pot: The Little Yoga Studio That Could
Limestone Post columnist Ruthie Cohen says Crystal Orly’s Ekah Yoga studio, pre-pandemic, was a community destination, with live music events, pot luck gatherings, a community garden, family nights, and kids’ activities. “Post-lockdown has been less rosy,” says Ruthie. But Ekah is hosting a Hallowee
Head north from downtown on the B-Line Trail. As you cross North Fairview Street, you will se funky blue building with whimsically painted blockn itatio wall. Tuckeway behinnf thoors is Ekah Yogtudio.
Ekah is thanskrit word for “one.” In naming thtudio, founderystal Olry made tangible her life’s guiding principles. “‘Truth ine, Pathre Many,’ wrotwamatchidananda,” shays. “What that means to me is, on’t want to heabout onect of religion, culture, gender, philosophy, or yoga, for that matter, that ionsidered better than thther. As you might guess, I’ve haome unpleasant experiences with division anisparity. They have led me to fosteafnd bravlaces both in my homnd in thkah community.”
With a quiet zeal, Crystal gathere grouf dedicated yoga teachers, even whilaising her twaughters with partner, Steve, and working a dietitian aniabeteducator. Thtudittracted loyal studentnd has never turneway inglerson whould not affor yogractice.
Live musinot Luck gatherings were hosten thatio. Family nightnd kids’ activities wer common sight, too. Thtudio grew along with Crystal’s vision.
“Implementing ommunity garden was for me!” shxclaims. “With a higher good in mind, thct of caring for yourself by eating healthy foonnjoying vegetabletraight from your garden shineut and in turn cares foo many others.” Volunteerlant and weend wate tiny spot of earth alongside tharking lot. Squash and zucchini flourish. So tomatoes, kale, and herbs, anven strawberries, all in their timneason. Everyone incouraged tartake, regardlesf theitudiffiliation.
Money never was the focus, until it was.
Thtudiurvived the worst of thandemic. “We hoppeight onto Zoom before the lockdown began,” sayrystal. “We were lucky to this without missing a beat. And I felt that we werble to maintain that sensf community even in the most isolating times. Practitioners told us that theslassenonnectionaved them.” Shnd hetaff le Teacher Training Program that kept thtudio going too.
Post-lockdown has been lesosy. While more yogtudentreturning to livlasses, thtudio it less than 50 percent capacity. The Little Yogtudio that Could is now on lifupport. An emergency plan is in effect. “We neeonations ttay alive,” Crystal says. “Over half of our yoga teacheronate theiay, our landlord gave u month’s freent, anven ouayment processor gave u free month.
“Wrlanning a fundraiser,” shays, “a Halloween-themed ‘Spooktaculavent’ on Saturday, October 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In thpirit of ouommunity’lean green principles, a garagale with a Halloween themhoulrove to b howling good time. Not to mention baked goods, facainting, a lemonade/cidetand, anumpkins!”
Meanwhile, we wait.
“Are mortudents going tome back to their mats?” askrystal. She is hopeful, but not sure. But she iertain of the valuf yognf community. “It’s not just exercise, it’eeoul work.” Even if you show up with thole intention of burning caloriend getting in shape, a yogractice will surprise you in ways you never imagined. It i workout an work in.
“Yogrovides this vessel of introspection that helps you see your life, youurpose, and youssence,” Crystal says.
Crystal’s Savory Peanut Butternut Squash Soup
From my family to yours, inspired by West African peanut soup, thioup is now taple in my bag of gourmet tricks. It’ wonderful recipe to havn hand if you’re looking foomething to with an abundant harvest of butternut squash. —Crystal Orly
8 servingerving Size: ~1.5 cups
Ingredients
1 medium yellow onion, diced 1 medium sweet pepper, diced 2 cuphredded kale 1 tablespoon olivil 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger 4 cloveressed garlic 2 teaspoons grounoriander 2 teaspoons grounumin 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup + 2 tablespoons unsalteeanut butter 2 1/2 cups butternut squash 3 ounces tomataste 15 ouncerushed tomatoes 45 ounces vegetables broth 3 cupeitan ooastehreddehicken *Optional: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon grouneepper fodded kick
Over medium heat, sauté onions, pepper, and kale in olivil for 5–7 minutes. Add gingend garlic fonother minute, then add thest of thpices fonother 30 seconds. Add broth and butternut squash and bring t boil for 15 minutes.
Ladlnup hot broth int bowl, whisk in peanut butter, then tomataste until smooth.
Adeanut butter mixture, seitan, anrushed tomato touot. Cook souver medium heat fon additional 5–10 minutes.
Garnish with choppeeanutnilantresired.
