Just in time for the new year, there is a new business in Princeton. Gratitude Yoga opened New Year’s Day for yoga practice followed by an open house to celebrate with its clients. The energy behind the new studio is Gemma Farrell, now the mother of five children, who started yoga in her late 20s at a time when she was much more interested in the meditation aspect of the discipline than purely in the idea of using it to get in shape. 

“It was a spiritual pursuit,” said Farrell, who continued to study yoga at a studio in Kingston that offered teacher training. There, an instructor encouraged her to earn a certification to teach. “It’s not something I planned to do and I didn’t know where it would take me, but it offered me a chance to delve more deeply.”

After earning her certification and before opening her own studio in space in the back of Holsome Teas and Herbs on Witherspoon Street, Farrell discovered that there were many people who also were interested in the spiritual aspect of yoga. 

“People really want to explore this and to get to know themselves in a different way, instead of just going to the gym,” said Farrell. “It says so much about the people in our community that they would seek to do that with their time. They may come to get in shape and to try a different way to exercise, but the reason they stay and come back is that they get in touch with a different part of themselves and find a deeper meaning in their lives.”

Farrell says that the idea for her own studio evolved organically; the circumstances aligned and she was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.

“It wasn’t that I was planning to open a studio and had a business plan. It’s what the people in the Princeton community wanted. I am so grateful that people want to practice yoga and come together.  They also come for each other. They see each other in the room, and they are cultivating friendships and relationships outside the studio.”

Gratitude Yoga offers classes to suit all different levels of interest and experience, from Beginner’s and Gentle Flow classes, to Yin Yoga and Meditation to vigorous Vinyasa Flow. All the classes at Gratitude Yoga are offered by donation.

Also just in time for the new year is the release of Farrell’s book, called the Gratitude Cleanse.

“It’s an opportunity for people to spend a few weeks to make good choices for their mind, body and spirit,” she explained. “It’s about lifestyle choices and there’s a nutritional component. Every day features a recipe. I don’t want readers to feel compelled to do everything the book suggests, but even if it’s just one change, such as cutting back on sugar, that can make a big difference in their lives.” 

Farrell says that given today’s stresses and hectic daily schedules, most people want to be more present in their daily lives and she believes yoga helps them do that.

“Only a small part is being in good shape and being strong and flexible, though of course I value that,” she said.

“But what really motivates me is the other component that is about learning to be more gentle, understanding and kind not just for yourself but the people you care about.  It’s about being more authentically aware of who you are and who you are becoming and not just going through motions.”