That one pandemic friend
That One Pandemic Friend
you can't get rid of...
It's fitting that the Block is trying to create a comfortable home for people to connect with community, because its origin story is based on a newfound friendship that began in a yoga studio.
The founders first met in 2020, in the middle of the Pandemic, virtually.
Ashleigh was starting her 200-hour yoga teacher training with a studio in Brooklyn, and Jules was one of the training mentors.
Fast forward a little while later, when in-person classes were back in session—Ashleigh complimented Jules' yoga sequence and playlist (the vibes never miss), and the rest is history!
Their first friend date was at Diamond Lil in Greenpoint, where they talked about everything but yoga; they became fast friends and have talked about nothing but yoga since then.
The Block is the result of a tiny seed they planted a long time ago, musing over ideas for more inclusive and atmospheric yoga spaces (in between all the dancing, traveling, and endless ❤️-to-❤️s).
All that to say, just imagine who you could meet at the Block one day.
Enter the Blue Room 🌀🌀🌀
Did you know that the Block is the first yoga studio to balance heated and non-heated yoga equally—in both its facilities and class schedule—in all of New York City?
We're stoked to bridge the gap between these different offerings in yoga, because we believe in the benefits of both.
Get to know the Blue Room at the Block, your non-heated sanctuary, from the POV of the founders ⤵️
Ashleigh Bello 🌊🍃
The Blue Room is the water element in your practice, the place to move freely without constraint or to get curious in your body. When I practice non-heated Vinyasa, I often feel like I'm flying or dancing on my mat. I do yoga in the heat regularly, so it can feel so freeing and light to try the same asanas (poses) without the added challenge to breathe in a more intense environment. The Blue Room is also the place to visit when you need to take things slow or claim a moment of peace in your day. And as far as the design... I'm ocean-obssessed and Jules is a plant child, so we're sprinkling the best of both worlds into this space.
Jules Karp 🌊🍃
Imagine a tapestry of soft blues, greens, and earthy tones that feels like walking on a riverbed. Natural light beaming through translucent curtains, plants draping down the walls, and the sweet smoke of palo santo permeating the air—this is more than just a yoga room. It is a carefully curated atmosphere that immediately signals calm, purity, and escape the moment you enter through the double doors. The color blue is giving trust and tranquility, even capable of lowering your heart rate. In the Blue Room, we can let go of the “doing” and get into the restorative art of “being”. :)
Blue Room class styles include: Vinyasa Flow 🔹 Strong Slow Flow 🔹 Mat Pilates 🔹 Yin Yoga
The Block is Hot y Habla Español
Hispanic Heritage Month wraps today, so we're taking this moment to say how grateful we are for the support of all our Hispanic members and community in East Williamsburg. Thank you for welcoming us to the neighborhood. Let us know how we can support you anytime.
Did you know that the Block will offer some regular yoga and Pilates classes in Spanish?
If you know any qualified bilingual teachers, please send them our way!
Leaving you with our favorite yoga Reggaeton playlist. ¡Hasta pronto!