RIVER FLOW Yoga & Wellness

At River Flow Yoga & Wellness their goal is to create a feeling of acceptance, confidence, and contentment for their students and the world around them. Their hope is that the students leave the new yoga studio with a feeling of peaceful strength so they can share that peace with those who interact with them. SVM sat down with Alee Link, owner of the studio, to learn more about the benefits of yoga, their services, and how they coped with Covid 19.

Word is you’re getting ready to move to your new location at the City Mills Dam. How is that going?

We are and we’re completely thrilled. Before the pandemic hit, we were already growing out of our previous location and had plans to move into City Mills, but we had no idea how it would pan out. In March, we had to close our doors due to obvious reasons and we have used this time to refocus our brand and make plans for our new location. Thanks to the incredibly team and vision, it is going smoothly, but I must say, it is very much like birthing a new baby.

This new location gives us such hope and excitement for the future of our city. Something shifted in the city when the dams were blown downtown. It’s like all this bottled up creation could finally be released. And now I can sense and feel a new transformation happening with Bibb City and City Mills. I see this area as a needed bridge between north and south Columbus. As a species, we are designed to work together, in community, as a village. We can no longer afford to buy into the tragedy of separatism; however, it will continue to happen as long as people subscribe to it. We won’t stand for it at RFY and so, we very much look forward to being a part of this bridge of connectivity, which in turn will also bring us even closer to Nature with our close proximity to the river.

How long have you been practicing yoga?

I ventured into my first yoga class when I was 12 years old. So, I have been practicing for 2/3s of my life thus far. I began teaching 12 years ago and have since gone on to train teachers as well which is the greatest gift to see your practice and teachings come full circle. I now TAKE yoga from teachers I trained and they are now my teachers.

For those new to River Flow Yoga & Wellness or even just yoga in general, why should they give it a try? What are the benefits to it? What exactly is involved in yoga?

The first thing I always remind people is to get whatever they’ve seen in the media or on the cover of Yoga Journal out of their minds. Yoga is not about touching your toes or standing on your head. The word Yoga means connectivity, to yoke/come together. The practice of yoga is really just a reminder that we are on this Earth to be in a constant state of integration with ourselves, each other, the natural world, and the divine. We experience connectivity on the mat by uniting the mind, body, and spirit via the vehicle of the breath. So when someone says to me they “can’t do yoga,” my quick response is “can you breath? If so, you can do yoga.” It’s really that simple.

When we are in a state of integration and connectivity, everything is put into perspective… we can easily see what truly matters in this life, where we should direct our energy, and where we might be wasting or overusing our energy. We use the practice (the poses, the flow, body awareness, and the breath) in order to get centered, calm, focused, engaged, balanced, and wildly aware. We use our bodies on the mat to experience the fullness of this life- through the poses we learn that nothing is permanent, the present moment is your current reality, and the power of feeling into sensation instead of running away from it or numbing it. Through the practice, we learn how to respond instead of react and we carry this with us off the mat and into the world.

What has been the most difficult aspect of running your business during Covid19?

The inability to offer our services in person has been incredibly difficult. We teach our classes based on reading the energy of the day, season, and people who show up. As a result of the pandemic, we haven’t been able to teach in a studio setting since March and have taught solely online, which is so hard for us given that our entire business is based on the principles of connectivity. The moments of connectivity before and after class with our students are often even more profound than the actual class itself. So, we truly cannot wait to see our students in real life again soon!

What services will you offer at River Flow Yoga and Wellness?

For now, we are focused on outstanding yoga classes. Our teachers are highly trained and always educating themselves in the field of yoga and wellness, so get ready for some seriously beautiful yoga classes, suitable for ALL levels. We also offer private sessions. In the near future, we will add massage therapy, reiki, and even a sauna to the mix!

How do you want River Flow Yoga & Wellness to benefit students? When they leave the studio, what kind of energy are you hoping they take with them?

My constant prayer is that they leave with a deeper sense of awareness, value, and purpose. I truly believe that every single being on this planet is divinely designed with a specific and unique purpose. Alignment, harmony, and balance exist in one’s life when they have connected with their gift/s and have made the choice to use their gifts to be of service to the greater good of all. I want everyone to leave RFY feeling a sense of worthiness and a deeper understanding of their own authenticity. I hope they leave feeling that their perspective has shifted, that they’ve reclaimed even an ounce of their own personal power, and ultimately feel proud of themselves for making space to honor the sacred trifecta of mind, body, and spirit.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned as a yoga instructor?

It’s not about me…

River Flow Yoga & Wellness has a knack for building community. What’s the secret?

Being truthful and transparent, honestly caring about our deep need for connectivity, and releasing ego fears that hold us back from showing up every single day with an open heart. There is no hierarchy in yoga. There is no such thing as being “good” at yoga. It isn’t a performance. It is a healing practice and at RFY, we are here to meet you where you are and hold space. We’re not in the business of convincing. When you walk into our doors, I always pray that you feel held, uplifted, and supported, free to show up exactly as you are, and leave with the courage to spread your wings and shine your light.