Good Ground Yoga to Open in Hampton Bays

Fulfilling a long-time dream, Leslie Pearlman of Hampton Bays is opening a new yoga studio at 107-5 Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays.

"It is something I have wanted to do for a long-time," said Pearlman, who was a Brooklyn-based attorney working for a women's advocacy group, before turning to yoga. 

"I loved to help women, but I was burning out," said Pearlman, who said she started teaching yoga on the side.

In the past, she has also taught step, spin, aerobics and pilates.

Then, in 2000, she waved good-bye to Brooklyn, moved to Hampton Bays and began teaching yoga full-time in studios across the Hamptons.

"I needed to make a life-change. Day-in and day-out in Brooklyn court left me very tense. Coming out here melted that away. Hampton Bays is a very special place."

After working at other area studios for several years, she said, it was time to go out on her own and open a yoga studio, that she has named Good Ground Yoga.

The name, she said, is perfect in that it represents a part of Hampton Bays' history and being grounded is part of the philosphy behind yoga.

"I am ready to plant the seed and grow something special for myself and the community," said Pearlman. "I just had this feeling that the time is right and the town is ready for it."

Despite the state of the economy, Pearlman believes her new studio with thrive, especially with a location in the center of Hampton Bays and next door to , a new restaurant that offers healthy choices.

Pearlman also said when it comes to well-being, people usually spare no expense and she said Hampton Bays does not offer much competition for a yoga studio – the only other yoga studio is owned by , who has offered yoga classes out of her home for the past six years.

Billingham says she welcomes another yoga studio to the area.

"I think yoga is great for everyone," said Billingham, who said she does not believe that Good Ground Yoga will have any affect on her business.

"I think for me the students that come here will continue to come here because of the community atmosphere that I offer. I also know that Leslie has a different style of teaching than I do."

For the most part, Pearlman says that her studio will focus on a style of yoga, known as Forrest Yoga.

"Forrest Yoga is therapeutic, fun, intense, intelligent and mindful. Classes are sequenced to use deeper breathing, working deeper into the muscular system" said Pearlman. 

Pearlman explained that since the body holds trauma and stress, Forrest Yoga is able to penetrate and break through the layers of emotional shielding.

Good Ground yoga, said Perlman, will officially open on Monday morning and will be offering drop-in rates, as well as multi-class discounts and special offers for area businesses that purchases classes for their employees. For more information, click here or call 594-5050.

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