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November 2023 by Google user
Before 2020 I was active in fitness but I had only dabbled in mace and heavy clubs. During the shutdown I decided to dive deeper with lever tools. I found a few club and mace coaches and programs online before I discovered Coach Summer Huntington on Youtube. It was quickly obvious that she had very few peers when it came to the use of these unique modalities. But what really set her apart was her unique vision of merging ancient lever tools with two other disciplines. She merged arguably the oldest tools known to humans with the ancient art of yoga and the modern science of kinesiology. When I later discovered that she had a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology I wasn’t at all surprised. Summer knows her stuff! Two years later, Summer announced she was hosting a weekend retreat on Clubs, Mace and Staff at Flow Shala with another coach whose material I had immersed myself in throughout the pandemic, Mark Wildman. I signed up on the spot! The weekend was an incredible experience! The two coaches complimented each other so well! Both were beyond excellent in every way possible: pedagogy, explanation, diagnosing issues and coaching corrections, the list goes on and on. I learned so much that weekend, but Summer’s Steel Mace Vinyasa sessions challenged me like I’d never been challenged before. I leveled up in all three modalities without question, and I came home with a passion to continue growing in clubs and staff that is still with me to this day. But I had an even greater drive to pursue steel mace vinyasa. I quickly signed up for a five day retreat with Coaches Summer and Mark in Thailand. I wanted to make the most out of the opportunity and had six months to prepare for the event. I started working online with an incredible Flow Shala coach on a weekly basis. By the time I found myself swinging a mace in Warrior 2 pose surrounded by the Buddhist temples that lined the mountains around our workout platform in Thailand, I had leveled up again. But Summer challenged me in a way I’d never been challenged before. She encouraged as she pushed me to an even higher level. A perfect example, in the midst of one session she invited the group into a headstand. I followed her instructions and found myself upside down! After the session she rushed over to me with a huge smile and was genuinely excited to find out if that was my first headstand. In that moment I realized how genuinely invested this coach was in the development of her students. After Thailand, I joined Flow Shala and continued working with Summer and the other coaches online. It was such a gift to get coaching on Steel Mace Vinyasa at home! I also recently attended a 16 hour SMV online course. When I signed up for the course I thought we’d hone on form and maybe learn some new moves. That happened, but unbeknownst to me, the weekend was really an opportunity to peer behind the curtain and glimpse not only the depth of Summer’s pedagogy but it gave me a clear vision of the genius and breadth of a master and true artist in her chosen field. When Coach Summer recently announced she was going to coach one on one sessions, I signed up right away! Summer is not only a coach of coaches, she is a fitness pioneer gifting us with a glimpse of what the next level of health and wellness looks like with Steel Mace Vinyasa. She not only diagnosed several unhealthy movement patterns I’ve developed over a lifetime, she has prescribed a holistic weekly wellness plan designed to teach me proper movement and heal my body. I can’t speak highly enough of Coach Summer. I’ve been blessed to work with several world class “best of the best” leaders in other disciplines. Summer is definitely at that level in her field. It has been an honor and a blessing to work with her. She has taken me to a new level of fitness and wellness and I know she can do the same for you, regardless of your level or previous experience. Bryan White
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May 2023 by beth
Flow Shala is the best! I've taken on-line classes with Brooke, Amber, and Bethany, so far, and they are all excellent teachers, giving clear instructions so we newer students could easily understand and follow along. The warm-up section of the class is fabulous, and for the main part of the class, the instructors gave options for different levels of challenge, so a beginner could get just as good a work out as a more experienced member. Also, Alicia gave me a coaching call and was completely focused on supporting my goals. Summer got back to me quickly regarding emailed questions. All around, a top-notch studio.
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May 2023 by Bridget Dahlman-Oeth
I started going to Flow Shala by joining the 30-day Flow challenge. (HIGHLY RECOMMEND if you have been out of touch with your body for a while and need some motivation!!) Before this, I had gone to gyms on and on off but hadn’t had a truly consistent movement practice in 6 years. I realized I missed team sports and hoped to gain consistency by encouraging myself with community. It was fun to meet new people and hear about their own journey with getting back in touch with their body, getting out of pain, or how long they have been practicing here. The coaches are all incredibly knowledgeable and empowering. It is a welcoming and non-judgmental space. All I had to do was show up and they gave me all the tools I needed! I feel stronger and more confident in my body than ever before.
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December 2022 by Kristen Winn
I was introduced to Flow Shala in 2019. Ironically, I never intended to do more than the 6-week challenge and here I am three years later a dedicated and loyal member. The unique class offerings (Steel Mace, y’all), highly trained and knowledgeable coaches, and beautiful space are really all the reasons needed to keep coming back. That said, Flow Shala is more than just a fitness studio. They’re about creating and cultivating community and it shows. Thank you Summer! Thank you coaches! Thank you Flow Shala for being my constant :)
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November 2022 by Ingrid Nish
Flow Shala is a unique amazing studio! Flow Shala is a beautiful fusion of yoga, strength, body movement, core and weights. I loved the incorporation of the club bell and steel mace and the added strength and complexity this added to the movements. If you are a beginner at these movements, they do a great job of walking you through it and giving many levels of modification. I was also surprised at the wide variety of classes that they offer and thought process and science that goes into the structure of their classes, maximizing the benefit to the mind and body. The coaches are very well trained, knowledgeable, and friendly. The studio was spacious, warm, inviting, and had very good quality mats and equipment. They also have other great offerings beyond classes, like their one-on-one goal coaching and other wellness modalities. I am definitely grateful to have this studio and all that they offer, available in our area and looking forward to incorporating this into my fitness and wellness routine.
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November 2022 by jim hopper
This actually a review by Maggie Kinsella - I have been a member at Flow Shala for more than 3 years. I appreciate the variety of classes, incorporation of tools and the Flow Fit series. I love the complex movements that challenge me mentally and physically. I have gained core strength, improved balance, flexibility and feel much more integrated in all movements. My other fun activities are more fun! The coaches are all energetic, well trained and clear with instruction and feedback. Summer has built a solid studio based on science with an open heart. I highly recommend anyone give this unique movement studio a try. People of all ages and abilities can benefit.
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November 2022 by Cameron VanEpps
A wonderful combination of weighted yoga, HIIT, strength and stretching. This place has it all, and is curated to take you at whatever level you come to them. They teach high level Steel Mace classes, to simple foundation and movement classes (I highly recommend one of Brooke's foundation classes, you won't be disappointed), all with the same level of encouragement, knowledge, and motivation. You will not leave here feeling unfulfilled or like you haven't just done yourself a world of good. The community of people are welcoming, educated beyond the norm, and the space is absolutely gorgeous. The class schedule is a bit limited on times, but if you can find a few classes a week that work, or if you have a propensity for working out in the comfort of your own home, then you will find no better group of people and trainers then here. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to make a positive change in their lives. It has certainly been a positive change in mine.
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November 2022 by Kelsi Ervin
I love the diversity of movement and clarity of all-levels instruction I get in my 6:30am classes at Flow Shala. I have learned positive mindset techniques and advanced understanding of healthy movement from Summer and Alicia. Roxanne, Bethany, and Alicia bring joyful play into my fitness. The coaching I experienced initially with Summer supported me in creating the mindset of a super duper human and I’ve stuck with it with the steady and personal support of my morning coaches.I Am stronger in a way I previously only dreamed of.I love the Flow Shala community- the sweet souls and quirky folks who exude positive gratitude with a welcome and confidence that is clear and grounded. Thank you especially to Alicia for being a Leader of healthy growth as the community rebuilds in 2022! She’s been a fantastic addition to the team.
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November 2022 by Robin Rootenberg
I started training at Flow Shala when I finally accepted that I had a chronic running injury that hurt all the time, and needed to take a break from running to deal with it. Strength training on my own wasn't helping. I had to wait several weeks to see a physical therapist, but a fitness expert and mentor familiar with Summer Huntington's approach had recommended Flow Shala, so I decided to check it out.Wow. From an initial video assessment, I learned what might be contributing to the injury, and that was the basis for a training plan that not only helped me address the pain, but get stronger.Flow Shala membership offers so many ways to get moving, through live classes, recorded classes, and recorded, comprehensive modules on head-to-toe fascial release and basic movement that I can follow. I don’t have to worry about being motivated to work out, because there’s always an option that feels like the right thing, including when I want to exercise by myself.Something else that's unique is that class formats use different types of movement for specific outcomes, from bodyweight, steel mace or clubs for physical and mental training or intensity, to classes focused on mechanics, mobility or spinal release and postural alignment.And it's unlimited! For the price I would expect to pay for two classes a week, I can take as many classes as I’d like. I have access to all of the coaches through all of the class options and formats. The coaches have different styles, but they have in common incredible depth of knowledge and skill at observing, cueing and correcting form – in person and via Zoom. What Flow Shala offers has been far and away more interesting and rewarding than anything I've experienced with running and working out at other gyms and studios. I can't recommend it enough!
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October 2022 by Rebecca Renspie
Summer & her team truly know how to help people, & genuinely care to do so. Thank you so much for my wonderful Flow Shala experience! I really appreciate it & look forward to more in the future.
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August 2022 by Robé PM
Call / text before showing up or confirm if the class is happening.Booked a Lyft to this place. Turns out they’re closed, despite having an OPEN sign.
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August 2021 by Samantha Sacry
I just wanted to share the amazing experience of taking Charleen’s classes. It all starts when you walk in, she greets with excitement immediately making me feel welcome. She’s organized and has everything set up, maces, kettlebells etc. so you know what you are doing. Her class is energizing. She is NEVER condescending or patronizing when explaining progressions and regressions. Then she ends class with a genuine inquisitive mindset, asking how we feel, what we loved and can improve on. I just really admire her energy and grace. She’s nailing it.
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June 2021 by M M
Flow Shala has created a great space to work on your fitness goals. The coaches are welcoming and committed to helping you get the best workout possible. I've found that they're always happy to explain moves, give multiple options for difficulty or flexibility in yoga poses and movements, and they work with you wherever you're at. Thanks for being a great place to work out!
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April 2021 by Krista - Movement Therapist
I am doing a 30 day challenge through zoom classes and I am really enjoying it so far. Good instruction, doing different workouts and the studio provides you all the information and support as a new member.
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April 2021 by Jane Perkins
I attended my first steel mace class at Flow Shala and really enjoyed it! The studio is spacious and filled with light. Hanuman is an excellent and encouraging instructor, and he made it easy to understand the different movements with the steel mace. I look forward to more classes!
