Endorphin is a community where mind-body activity is the best drug for combating lifestyle challenges like stress. They believe everyone needs to be part of a community that supports, encourages and inspires a healthy lifestyle.
Tell us a little about Endorphin. Not many people know that it is a company born and raised in Colorado.
Yes! One thing that makes Endorphin unique is that it is a locally owned, locally grown, independent business that offers the community 10 different studio locations and a wide array of movement modalities from strength training, to yoga, to indoor cycling and much, much more. We started as Endorphin just over three years ago as three studios and the growth we have experienced has happened completely organically. As our community’s needs have grown we’ve been extremely lucky to have been met with opportunities to grow and reach them!
What sets Endorphin apart from the rest?
There are two things, besides the above-mentioned, that I feel really set us apart. First, it’s our community – meaning our students, members, teachers and staff. The whole. The community at Endorphin is like none other, and it’s amazing as we’ve grown and spread out across Denver, the community has not dissipated, it has grown stronger! I hear this from our regular members as well as visiting students all the time, and I think it is one of the most special things about Endorphin. Second, it is that every class at Endorphin is individually crafted by each teacher or coach to give students a unique experience every time. It’s not always easy as we have grown, but it will always be our goal to have the best teachers & coaches whom we trust to create innovative, fun, and thoughtfully planned classes – never cookie cutter, corporate-made formats. This also strengthens the community by lending to more connection as teachers and coaches work to curate classes specific to their students.
Of the classes Endorphin offers, which can we expect to see from the new Wash Park location?
At Wash Park we will feature our Yoga and Barre programs! This means you will find all levels and several types of yoga classes and barre classes. Restorative and Yin or Vin/Yin are gentle, mindful classes which are appropriate for all levels and abilities, and which focus the most on relaxation, breath, and flexibility. We have all different levels of Vinyasa flow yoga on our schedule from Foundations Level 1 to Power Vinyasa, all of which offer a dynamic movement practice as well as breath and mindfulness work. We will also feature a Yoga Nidra class, and a Vinyasa class with live music from yoga/dj team Sonic Flow on Fridays!
We see that you also offer Barre classes. We’ve heard that this will completely surprise you and you will feel the burn the next day. What makes this the ultimate workout?
Barre incorporates ballet, Pilates, yoga, cardiovascular exercises and strength training with a focus on a full-body workout. It includes smaller, precise movements as well as full range of motion, body weight only exercises and light weights, depending on the class and the instructor. Barre is inspired by movement, grace and strength. Endorphin offers three different types of barre formats, each has a slightly different focus. Cardio Barre will get your heart pumping the most, Barre Sculpt is pilates inspired and focuses on small isometric movements to bring the burn. Barre 360 is designed to sculpt and tone the entire body with a blend of pilates, ballet, and yoga movements.
What are your biggest pet peeves about yoga etiquette or lack thereof?
This is a tough one with many layers to it. To boil it down, I would say it’s not so much about pet peeves, but rather about an overall fundamental consideration for other humans, and for the teacher/student relationship. There are acts such as showing up late for class and banging on the door, or practicing an entirely different sequence than what a teacher is teaching in a group class, or focusing on a cell phone during a group class – all which I believe demonstrate patterns that we as yoga teachers are called to become more and more skilled at working with as our world changes. By that I mean, though these things may be “pet peeves,” it is up to us as teachers to TEACH the boundaries and alternatives that will steer students away from these behaviors within the realm of yoga class. If nobody has ever told a student that it’s disruptive and disrespectful to other students to be on the phone during class, then they may continue to do this. It may sound silly, but you’d be surprised how much it happens. So it’s up to us as skilled teachers to navigate that. It’s up to us to hold a space for students that is welcoming to all and non-judgmental in the face of these behaviors, yet that encourages healthy relationships and boundaries for students – with themselves and their practice, with other students and the community, and with teachers. It’s up to us to hold a space that students feel comfortable stepping into and to foster trusting relationships where they feel they can surrender the distractions and the ego and just be a student – guided by a teacher, and open to exploring this practice of yoga whatever may come.
What is your advice for yoga students from beginners to veterans?
It’s rarely easy, it’s not always pretty. You may meet your fears, you may be delighted. Every single day, every single practice shows up differently. It IS always worth it. Keep showing up. When practice gets tough, I like to imagine myself an explorer with a vast and endless landscape. I can always change course, but I never stop moving forward, exploring the next horizon, and growing from every challenge.
Wash Park is a very healthy and fit-minded community. Does Endorphin plan on hosting any community events?
We certainly will! We feel very lucky to be neighbors with Alchemy Creative Workspace another community-minded business, and we hope to collaborate with them on future community work & wellness events. We also hope, in addition to our weekly Vinyasa class with Sonic Flow, to host future live music and movement events as well as meditation and mindfulness events!
The Wash Park community welcomes you and we can’t wait to join your warm, knowledgeable and inspiring team.