WELCOME TO THE ALONGSIDE MOVEMENT
Hello! My name is Leigh, and I am so glad you are here!
Alongside exists because of two passions: yoga and service.
Through yoga, I discovered a passion for movement; a movement that is non-static, ever changing, and never "arrives". I love teaching- the energy and excitement of a community in sync- and witnessing a creative idea from my brain be brought to life as living, breathing, moving art.
Through the practice of yoga, my hope is that we learn to breathe (to create space, to invite in, to soften and to pause long enough to decide what we need and how to move); to build (strength and awareness of the physical, energetic, emotional, intuition and deepen connection to ourselves, others and Spirit); and to belong (to one another, to our communities, and to the world).
The practice of yoga helps us build the muscles of compassion, empathy and understanding. And while these practices are for you, they are to be shared and moved beyond the mat. Through the alongside movement, my hope is that we breathe together, to build stronger communities, and find belonging with a like-minded tribe.
The alongside movement is a pop-up studio, providing awareness and support to local community organizations. All classes will be hosted at spaces throughout the tri-cities area. The participation price will vary- but will always be a donation request specific to the featured organization.
Please find our calendar of events and locations on the Upcoming Events page.
All Classes will be held at Soleunique Dance Complex located at
1050 Corporate Boulevard STE-D
Aurora, IL 60505
THE STORY OF ALONGSIDE
Because we are created for community
Alongside was birthed out of a place of self-examination, and an understanding that I deeply value connection, community and a sense of belonging.
Walking through times of transition, while challenging, have been integral in my desire for building community through the practice of yoga. Yoga has been a tool that has helped me work through the stresses, difficulties and anxieties of life in a constructive way, and I want to share the gift that it has been for me, with you. I wholeheartedly believe we are not meant to walk through this life alone- we are created for community- and that our greatest trials can become our strongest assets when taken out of the darkness and brought into the light. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 MSG)
At alongside, we aim to take the performance out of the practice. To find joy in the movement and purpose through the practice.
WHY ELEPHANTS?
Because you belong.
“See, in the wild, when a mama elephant is giving birth, all the other female elephants in the herd back around her in formation. They close ranks so the delivering mama cannot even be seen in the middle. They stomp and kick up dirt and soil to throw attackers off the scent and basically act like a pack of fierce bodyguards.
They surround the mama and incoming baby in protection, sending a clear signal to predators that if they want to attack their friend while she is vulnerable, they’ll have to get through forty tons of female aggression first.
When the baby elephant is delivered, the sister elephants do two things: they kick sand or dirt over the newborn to protect its fragile skin from the sun, and then they all start trumpeting, a female celebration of new life, of sisterhood, of something beautiful being born in a harsh, wild world despite enemies and attackers and predators and odds.” - Jen Hatmaker
