Student Spotlight: Kevin Schlueter
When did you start coming to Yen Yoga & Fitness?
I started coming to Yen Yoga & Fitness in February of 2016.
What was your reason for starting? (Mind, Body, Health, etc)
I realized I needed to change my lifestyle. I had numerous excuses for not exercising regularly. After reviewing my schedule, I determined that I had time, first thing in the morning, to get a workout in. Just prior to starting at Yen, I was working with a personal trainer at a different facility. He was an amazing personal trainer, but he could not turn down the intensity level to an appropriate level and I was frustrated with working out. I realized I needed to do something different. I mean, why work out if all it was going to do was frustrate me mentally and hurt me physically. I also realized from my experience with a personal trainer that I needed to work on my flexibility and balance and I thought I would give Yoga a try. I signed up for a one month membership with my wife and we started doing Yoga classes together. As I was taking Yoga classes, I kept noticing the cycling class room. A few years ago I did a fair amount of road riding and really enjoyed it, except when the weather was crappy. So I thought I would give indoor cycling a try. I took my first cycling class with Bonnie Alfonso and I fell in love with it! I have been hooked on indoor cycling ever since!
What has been your biggest accomplishment since becoming a member at Yen Yoga & Fitness?
At Yen, I have found something that facilitates my lifestyle change of exercising more regularly. Loosing 15% of my body weight so far is also an accomplishment, but not necessarily my main goal. My biggest accomplishment may be the fact that when I am on an indoor bike, or I am on a Yoga mat, all I am thinking about is cadence, heart rate, breathing, and staying focused at the task at hand. In other words, I am thinking of nothing else! All of the stressors of the day are put on hold for what I call “my time”. I have found that taking the time just for “me” allows me to be a better father, husband, boss and friend to those I care about.
What is your favorite class?
Clearly, my favorite class is indoor cycling. I find it to be a great sweat without the impact associated with many other types of exercise. I have found Restorative Yoga and Indoor Cycling to be a great combination for me at this time. TRX class is on my radar as something to try. I will do it someday when I can muster up the courage to do so.
Do you have any funny Yen moments you’d like to share, or any “meditations from the mat” moments?
My funnies moments at Yen are associated with taking indoor cycling classes from Wes Sovis. Wes has a wonderful personality and he cracks me up throughout his entire class. It is pretty neat to take a class, sweating like crazy, and not even realize how hard you worked because the instructor has made you laugh throughout your workout allowing you to forget how tough it really was. Bonnie Alfonso made me feel really special during one of her classes when she put together a profile related to an Air Band Competition I was disqualified from in High School as we rocked it out to AC/DC Shook Me All Night Long. I told her the story over a few drinks and the next thing you know, it is a new profile for her next class, with the disqualification story to boot!
What advice or words of encouragement would you like to pass along to people who haven’t been to Yen Yoga & Fitness?
Just try it… you will love it. I have numerous friends that think about Yoga or Indoor Cycling but are intimidated for one reason or the other and don’t try it out. I would recommend signing up for a one month membership and try out any / all classes to decide if it is for you. I can guarantee you will not find a nicer, cleaner studio in the area with extremely friendly and helpful staff in the area. I have also found Yen to be a great place to go together with your spouse or significant other. My wife, Leana, and I have really enjoyed taking Yoga and Indoor cycling classes together. I would recommend trying it out with your spouse or significant other – it is something fun to do together.