About Shine

Shine Yoga is a warm and welcoming studio. We know that doing yoga has nothing to do with your size or your flexibility. In fact I often say, “If you can breathe, then you can do yoga.” At Shine we are all about relieving stress, learning to calm and quiet the mind and connect to that place of peace, that is within us all. ( even if we haven’t accessed it in a long time) Some of our classes are more physical, you will sweat and increase your strength by attending flow classes. You will increase flexibility, move energy blocks and get to know yourself from the inside with yin classes. All of our classes will help you to be a happier, calmer and less reactive person. There is no judgement at Shine, everyone is welcome. Take a moment and look around our website. If you can’t find what you need, please don’t hesitate to give me a call at 757.472.9009 or send me an email.

I can’t wait to meet you and share this amazing practice of yoga with you. —Jen

“…to say that Shine has changed my life would be a huge understatement.

As I sit here and reflect on the last three months of my life at Shine Yoga, it is hard to keep my feelings at bay, and I am finding my eyes welling up with tears. This isn’t really anything new though - I would need more than two hands to count the number of times in the last 90 days that I have been overcome with gratitude that has brought me to tears.

When late February of this year rolled around, I found myself in a pretty dark place. I was struggling with a recent spinal diagnosis that was not only causing me a great deal of physical pain, but threatening to bring my love of running to a close. I felt hopeless, like I was never going to be able to find a solution. And I could already feel the effects of my body image (which was never very good in the first place) deteriorating due to lack of ability to exercise.

Although I knew in my heart of hearts that starting a regular yoga practice (at the suggestion of my doctor as a replacement to running) was not financially feasible because of my medical bills, I still felt the urge to start researching local yoga studios. Shine Yoga came highly recommended, and I visited the website and stumbled upon the scholarship program. Asking for help has never come easy to me. I was always taught that if you want something, you and you alone are responsible for working hard to get it - and if you don’t get it, you’re not working hard enough. I don’t know what it was that night that made me step outside of my box, for one of the first times ever, but I did, and I applied for the scholarship, and was accepted.

Fast-forward to today: to say that Shine has changed my life would be a huge understatement. I have found, and am still finding, a great deal of relief of the physical pain within my body. It is getting stronger every day, and I have noticed a lot of improvement in my practice. But I am also finding myself. I am finding peace. I am learning to be gracious and accepting of who I am, and of the body that I was given. That includes not just its growing achievements, but also its limitations - and being okay with them. When I am away from Shine for a period of time, even if only a day or two, I notice it, and I can feel it. It’s like a part of me is missing. And as soon as I step foot through that door again, feelings of peace and knowing that everything truly is going to be alright, wash over me. The atmosphere is calming and gentle. From day one I felt welcomed, accepted, supported, and loved. Never once have I felt that I am not good enough, or flexible enough, or strong enough, or knowledgeable enough.

I don’t know where I would be right now without having been provided this amazing opportunity - honestly, I really don’t like to think about it. It’s as if the “pre-Shine” me has disappeared, and a newer and better version of myself has emerged. As crazy as it sounds, I am glad that I had come to the low point in my life that I did, because if I hadn’t, I don’t know if I would have taken that step to do something for myself and apply for the scholarship. I couldn’t possibly be more grateful for this opportunity I was given, and am so thankful for Shine and all of the amazing souls that are there.

I wanted to end this by sharing a song that has been a favorite of mine for many years now - the lyrics were always powerful to me, but now they have a personal meaning in my life, thanks to Shine Yoga. It is coincidentally titled “Shine On” and was written by May Erlewine. The lyrics are below.

Knocked me off of my feet

But I think it's time for me to start walking again,

Stop running away from things.

Next time you see me,

I will be singing a new song/

I am learning to shine on.

Shine on, shine on,

There'll be time enough for darkness when everything's gone.

Shine on, shine on,

There is work to be done in the dark before dawn.

It's been hard not to give in,

And it ain't easy living in hard times.

I know it's weighing on your mind.

Next time you see me,

I'll be uplifting, yes I will give you hope!

I am learning as I go to shine on.

Shine on, shine on.

There'll be time enough for darkness before everything's gone.

Shine on, shine on,

There is work to be done in the dark before dawn.

I know how dark it seems,

Feel it coming up inside of me,

And I feel it in you too, in everything you do.

Next time you see me,

We'll both be laughing, oh just to be alive!

We are learning to shine, shine on.

Shine on, shine on.

There'll be time enough for darkness when everything's gone

Shine on, shine on.

There is work to be done in the dark before dawn.

There is work to be done,

So you you've got to shine on.