By Steffen Klenk
Although yoga has been practiced in the United States since the 1800s, it didn’t grow in popularity until the late ’60s and early ’70s. Today, millions of Americans practice yoga to gain flexibility, strength, and solitude of mind, body and soul.
Collective Vibes, which opened in February at 936 Haven Ave., just off Ninth Street, is one of Ocean City’s newest yoga spaces, offering classes that promote personal growth and healing. It’s a place to connect, join a class, share an enlightening conversation or something that has had a positive impact on your life.
The building is welcoming. On the ground floor there are Adirondack chairs, and an outdoor area to enjoy an organic coffee or smoothie. On the second floor are porch hammocks and rocking chairs provide a place for discussions, reading, meditation or quiet workspace.
Once inside is the collective space where you can have a drink, conversation, read and work. Organic coffee and teas are for sale, including select blends from Keep it Real Coffee, a local roaster that uses organically grown beans in small batches to ensure freshness. Wise Ape tea is also for sale, with drinks processed to maintain the highest level of antioxidants.
“All of our coffee, tea, and the ingredients within the smoothies are mindfully put together,” said Court Lloyd, yoga teacher, sound healer and owner of Collective Vibes.
In the collective space are local artisan goods, crystals, essential oils and books available for purchase to aid in healing and growth.
In the yoga room, there is a unique soft-textured wall made of Himalayan salt, which acts as a giant air filter, providing antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to overall good health.
Collective Vibes is made up of many individuals with a combined 75 years of specialized training, study and practice. Lloyd said the goal is to make a personal, positive impact on all who enter.
“Each teacher is super unique along with each individual class and style,” said Lloyd, 41, of Ocean City. “They make it their own. A teacher teaching from an authentic point of view, coming from their heart and their soul is most important.”
Lloyd brings yoga instruction and holistic health coaching to Collective. But her passion is “sound healing,” the use of sound frequencies, or hertz to aid in physical and emotional healing.
Meg Cautilli, 31, of Ocean City, teaches Kundalini: a blend of yoga practices, which involves a set of action sequences – poses, mantras that focus on breathing.
“It all elicits a certain energy, with the outcome of people feeling lighter and happier,” Cautilli said.
Collective Vibes offers good vibes for the mind, body and soul. It brings together many teachers, each offering their own individualized, specialized instruction.
Learn more at collectivevibesoc.com or follow them on Instagram: @collectivevibes_oc. The phone number is 609-545-8763.
Class schedules can be found on the website or the Mindbody app. Beach yoga classes on Surf Road resume June 1.
