Garden City’s First Stand-Alone Yoga Studio Opens

Garden City’s first stand-alone yoga studio opened its doors on June 1. Conveniently located at 960 Franklin Avenue, Yoga Nanda is the brainchild of resident Jules Boutelle.

Yoga Nanda’s mission is to bring the highest quality yoga experience to students so that they can work toward developing physical and spiritual strength.

The newly renovated space offers a tranquil setting for students to explore the spiritual journey of restoring balance and peace of mind. The studio is replete with complimentary cucumber mint water, soothing scents and an altar dedicated to yoga founders.

The studio offers 38 different yoga classes to choose from including “Beginners Flow,” “Baby and Me,” “Prenatal Yoga,” “Seniors Yoga,” “Restorative Yoga” and “Kids Yoga.” Boutelle even offers a free class every Sunday morning for anyone who is interested.

A wide range of yoga styles is also available including Ashtanga, an advanced and athletic style, Vinyasa, which focuses on a flowing sequence of posture, and Naam, which incorporates breath, sound and meditation.

Students can walk in and take individual classes or sign-up for a membership. Seniors and kids are welcome. Boutelle hand-picked all of the licensed instructors who possess up to 500 hours of training and are all versed in Sanskrit, the language of yoga.

Garden City resident Brian Digan, who practices yoga with his entire family at the studio, praised the instructors and the calming effect he has been able to achieve.

The story behind Yoga Nanda is as intriguing as the business itself. Boutelle, a Texas native, who moved to New York for graduate school and ultimately settled in Garden City, was literally given a “gift horse.” Her boyfriend surprised her by buying her a race horse called Teaks North. She was warned, however, that he was fairly inexpensive and not to expect much.

So Boutelle designed jockey silks for Teaks North and left the rest to fate. Teaks North, who was the longest shot in his first race, came in last place. In August 2010, Boutelle received a message congratulating her on a big win. Teaks North was running in an allowance race and despite being the longest shot in the race he won. She received a check from the purse money and he has gone on to win other major races as well.

When she arrived back in Garden City, she decided to take matters into her own hands and open a yoga studio in the village.

“When I moved here the first thing I did was look for a yoga studio,” shared Boutelle. “I had been practicing yoga for 10 years and I was shocked there wasn’t a studio in the village. I had been commuting to Manhattan and Huntington for classes.”

Having been a discipline of yoga, Boutelle practiced Ashtanga and Vinyasa yogas and then discovered Naam yoga, which she found life changing. She did find a Bikram studio nearby but it wasn’t the style she was seeking.

Boutelle’s goal is to earn a PhD in psychology and to open healing centers that incorporate therapy, life coaching, yoga, self motivation classes, a salon, spa and even child care. She is also a trained chef and former restaurant owner and hopes to incorporate nutrition as well.

Though the process of permits, zoning and approvals was daunting, Boutelle, who has traveled all over the world including India and the Middle East and has worked in studios such as Brownes & Company in Miami, never let go of her dream of creating a world class yoga studio.

Boutelle credits Teaks North for the creation of Yoga Nanda.

“I really believe he is running for a better cause,” said Boutelle.

Yoga Nanda is located at 960 Franklin Avenue, Suite 101, Garden City. For further information visit www.Yoga-Nanda.com, email yoga.nanda.nyc@gmail.com or call 516-509-5941. First class is free for all new students. Classes can be taken on an individual basis though memberships are available. A free class is held for anyone interested on Sundays from 10 - 11:30 a.m.