Try Alma in Cornwall Plaza; celebrating a year of business
Big things happen to Alyssa Scalora in May.
In May 2014, she became the proud owner of a yoga studio on Front St. in the City of Newburgh.
In May 2015, she expanded that studio, moving to the Town of Newburgh because they outgrew the Front St. location.
In May 2023 she opened a second studio, in Cornwall.
This May, she celebrates the one year anniversary of her new venture.
And it all started because in May 2013, she got fired from her human resources job in corporate America.
“In hindsight, that was such a blessing,” the Cornwall-on-Hudson resident said from her Cornwall studio — located at 55 Quaker Ave, Unit 100.
“I was already teaching yoga classes,” she said. “So when the dust settled after losing my job, I decided I wanted to keep doing that, and maybe open a studio. I was doing my research — and believe that I literally manifested what happened next.”
One of the places where she was teaching yoga was at the original Alma, in the City of Newburgh. At the same time, she was looking for a place to open hew own studio. She found a place that she thought might work, but, “for some reason, I was very slow to sign the deal”. It turns out the reason was that there was another — “a much better” — opportunity waiting.
“The owner of Alma called me one day and asked if I wanted to purchase her studio,” she said.
Scalora did. And the rest is history.
She moved the studio (it’s at 190 S. Plank Rd.), opened a second wing of it a few storefronts down the plaza (known as Studio B), and life was going along nicely. Then COVID happened, and that second studio closed. But as the world recovered from the pandemic, Scalora again had the desire to expand her business.
And again, she was looking for just the right space, and had her eye on the very space she is currently in at Quaker Plaza. But … the timing wasn’t exactly right. A gym went into it. She waited. The gym closed. She waited some more.
Then one day she made her move … and the newest Alma studio was opened.
It’s a big beautiful space, with soothing paint and wallpapers; a small boutique where she sells yoga-related gear and peaceful gifts like candles, stones and crystals; a changing area and space to chat with classmates.
She offers classes for every level of yoga (and hot yoga) — for those who are brand new to the practice to those “who want to really be challenged” in her ‘hot power hour’.
“I love the slow classes,” she said. “We take our time, we feel and we breathe. They are very chill.”
Yes, she’s the owner of the two studios, but Scalora teaches too. She’s one of the 12 teachers in rotation at the two studios; “and they all have devoted followers,” she said.
Scalora takes classes frequently as well as teaches them — “I get something from every class I take,” she said. She notes that while the physical benefits of yoga are well documented, there is also a mind-body connection that takes place with the practice.
The classes at Alma are open to all — anyone can drop in and try a class for $19. But, she recommends that if you’re interested in practicing yoga you should snag the $35 new student special. It gives you unlimited classes for a month. (It’s $55 for that month if you want to be able to access both studios.)
Names of classes range from ‘Sweat your Soul’ to ‘Warm your Soul’ to ‘Heart and Soul’. There are classes seven days a week; a schedule can be accessed via the Wellness Living Achieve app or at www.almayogany.com. In both locations you can book classes, ‘chat’ with Scalora, or leave a message for her to call you. (“It’s so easy,” she said.)
For her local anniversary in May, Scalora is planning some fun events, like giveaways and special discounts. She’s also looking for some ways to reach out to more of the community with some chair yoga sessions (“I don’t ever want to limit anyone”), or even kids classes (right now, mature children are welcome with their parents). As the studios continue to grow, she said, “we’ll continue to have more options”.
“This past year in Cornwall has been wonderful,” she said. “We feel so much love and gratitude and are so busy. I knew that Cornwall would be receptive. I’m just really glad to be here.”