---

Asbury Park’s health and wellness corridor is spreading its roots.

Hot Yoga has opened on Lake Avenue in the form of Powerflow Yoga, a studio featuring their signature vigorous form of Vinyasa yoga performed in a studio that is heated to 98 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 percent humidity.

The studio, nestled between Shoppes At The Arcade and Asbury Park Moto Club, is a couple blocks away from what has become known as the downtown business district’s health and wellness block, featuring Dr. Pat Connolly’s Chiropractic office, Tao, Kur Wellness, The Daley Practice, Bond and Bangs Apothecary, and Asbury Acupuncture.

Powerflow Yoga is the brainchild of former business executive Jerry Lepore who turned to yoga following a 2007 diagnosis of Hairy Cell Leukemia, a rare, slow-growing blood cancer. A year later he left the day job and opened his first studio in Chatham. Today there are studios in Bloomfield, Clifton, Glen Rock, Hoboken, Livingston, Morristown, Randolph, Wayne, and Westwood.

The Asbury Park location marks his 11th studio, with a 12th set to open in Jersey City, said studio manager Matthew Dwyer [at right with sidekick Dracula], a recent Bloomfield transplant who moved to Neptune in order to facilitate the new branch opening.

“This location is at least an hour away from our other locations,” Dwyer said. “ But we recognized that there is a segment of the population in this community who are focused on wellness.”

In tying in with the city’s relaxed, come sit and stay a while vibe, Dwyer said it was important for them provide a space that translated that message.

The minimalist design shouts a welcome to my home feel as you enter onto a grey concrete landing decked out with participants’ shoes. Down the stairs, the open reception area features cafe style tables, a large communal bench seating, and a vending area that showcases clothing, yoga mats, beverages, and the after workout cool eucalyptus scented towels.

On Aug. 12, Powerflow Yoga will host a Grand Opening celebration open to the public. The event will feature free yoga classes throughout the day, music, food, prizes and giveaways, a studio blessing, and meditation, Dwyer said.

Newcomers can get a feel for their Sunrise Power Hour, Hot Power Lunch Hour, yin class, and the slightly warmer Vinyasa basic.

“The practice is physical, it’s definitely a challenging practice,” Dwyer said of hot yoga. “Most of our classes are open level, so that means anyone from first time in a class to someone who has been practicing for a hundred lifetimes. We really see all levels and our teachers are awesome at knowing that and allowing to make a class challenging for people who have been here a lot and then also for new students.”

And for those new to the concept, Dwyer said the practice allows for better flexibility and has a detox element.

There’s definitely a healing aspect to it,” he said.  

Powerflow Yoga is located at 631 Lake Ave. They are open 7 days per week, with classes offered on varying days from  7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Grand Opening event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 12, with free trial classes beginning at 7 a.m.

For more information visit, their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

———————————————————————-

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

---