The PlyoFlo format was initially created by myself and my good friend, Aldrin D’Souza. He and I met in 2010, when we went through Vinyasa teacher training together at Core Power Yoga. We immediately hit it off after realizing we had a similar sense of humor, as well as a shared love of kicking our students’ a$$es while teaching Yoga Sculpt!
Over the years, we’d throw around the idea of partnering up to start a fitness studio at some point, but the timing was never quite right. Since teacher training, we had each welcomed two munchkins into our respective clans, and free time had become a novelty for both of us. Finally, in late 2016 life (kind of) began to settle down, and an opportunity arose for us to rent studio space on a part-time basis, so we decided to take it. As we began to brainstorm class formats, we asked ourselves: what kind of class did we wish WE had access to that wasn’t already out there?
The answer? An effective, efficient class that challenges all athletes, from those who haven’t exercised in years to those who participate in Ironman Triathlons. A class that enhances cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility. A class that is ideal for cross-training and is guaranteed to improve performance in other sports and physical activities. A class that increases the ability to reset and recover quickly. A class that involves our (personal) two favorite forms of exercise – cardio and yoga – but that is also DIFFERENT from the plethora of other hybrid yoga classes that already exist. A class that pushes limits and boundaries and that always has another level to reach, beyond that which has already been attained. A class called PlyoFlo.
PlyoFlo is nothing if not effective, efficient and challenging. Class starts with the “Plyo” portion, which is a blend of plyometrics, cardio-based moves, and strength-based moves, and it ends with the “Flo” portion, which is dedicated to a Vinyasa yoga practice, where breath matches movement.
During the cardio segment, exercises are sequenced together in ways that you won’t find elsewhere, keeping your body guessing and the class moving. It’s designed to be extremely difficult; however, modifications are always available, and breaks can be taken whenever they’re needed. I can’t reiterate this enough: You. Set. The. Pace. Think of it as the cardio version of CrossFit.
The second part of class, or the yoga part, is key. It’s the built in active recovery that is needed after a strenuous cardio and strength session. It allows lactic acid to be released from the muscles and ensures a proper cool down while muscles continue to lengthen and stretch. It increases flexibility which helps prevent injury. Really, the benefits are endless.
Trying new things that are both unfamiliar AND difficult can be intimidating, I get it. That said, I promise that there’s no reason to be nervous about coming to class. YOU are your only competition. So what if you modify or take breaks? Everybody else is modifying and taking breaks too, just not at the exact same time you are. Who cares if you don’t know how to do all the exercises or you’ve never done yoga before? We all start somewhere. So, check your ego at the door and come on in for some self-improvement. I’m willing to bet you won’t regret it!
Break the cycle. Invoke change. Practice PlyoFlo.