Manlius yoga studio celebrates anniversary, opens tea lounge
By Jason Klaiber
Staff Writer
Coinciding with the one-year anniversary of its yoga studio opening to the public, Vyana Yoga has officially launched the tea lounge and apothecary portion of its establishment in Manlius.
The June 1 celebration featured a ribbon cutting organized by the Greater Manlius Chamber of Commerce.
“We had a full house,” Studio Manager Rochelle Bilow said. “We had family and our students and community members.”
The day’s events also included a trunk show lasting from the late afternoon to the early evening. This show featured friends of the studio presenting jewelry made by hand as well as clothing and hand-painted silk sarongs.
Later in the evening, the studio held a free session of kirtan, a type of call-and-response singing.
Helena Zera, the owner of Vyana Yoga PolariTea & Apothecary, said she had wished to open up a yoga studio for decades before its opening last year.
“It was pretty much what I envisioned long ago,” Zera said. “We’re building up the community, and there are amazing people that are coming in. I think any business always wants to be busier, but it’s happening slowly and surely.”
Once a registered nurse, Zera now serves as a yoga and polarity therapist as well as an ayurvedic consultant.
The tea lounge and apothecary side of the building will serve teas, lattes and pour-over coffee from roaster Recess Coffee and treats like chia pudding, all made in house.
Bilow said from the start she planned to open the tea lounge, but it took about a year for those plans to come to fruition.
Prior to the ribbon cutting, employees set up the space while ordering products and testing recipes, ensuring that the medicinal drinks offered would be both healthy and delicious.
Bilow said the premises at 131 W. Seneca St. acts as a central location.
“It’s right in the heart of Manlius,” she said. “We’re really close to everything, so it’s easy to get to us.”
Bilow also said that many visitors to the space comment on its peaceful aura, accented by a fireplace and a back deck overlooking the nearby pond.
“We’ve really tried to create an environment and an atmosphere that’s calming and welcoming,” Bilow said. “It’s all nice and cozy. Just stepping into the place, you are immediately able to take a step back and rest and recharge, so that’s really important to us that we maintain that.”
Among the amenities to help guests, the studio features a rope wall that helps people of all ages with spinal traction. Additionally, dancing accompanied by music often takes place in the studio in addition to yoga classes.
Vyana Yoga holds yoga classes as early as 6 a.m., during the day and into late evening.
The tea lounge and apothecary is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“This space is special,” Bilow said. “It is for so many people not just a yoga studio, but it feels like a home away from home.”
