Located in the heart of Aggieville, Orange Sky Yoga is Manhattan’s first fully dedicated yoga, barre and spin studio.
Opening its doors in the early 2010’s, the studio invites all to try a class. Their mission is for everyone who walks through the doors to connect with their body and mind to achieve a sense of strength, balance, peace and overall wellness.
With 16 instructors, every class has its own unique flair, incorporating each instructor’s different style. Studio director Casey Ward has been teaching at Orange Sky since 2019. After attending as a student, another instructor encouraged her to get certified to teach.
Achieving countless certifications, Ward is happy knowing that for one hour a day people can let go of their responsibilities and move.
“Our world is so heavy,” Ward said. “Helping folks balance the ease and effort of this life by creating a fun and mindful space to move is what led me to teaching.”
Ward is passionate about creating a class environment that is uplifting, intense and centering. Although trying something new is scary, she encourages all to give themselves grace and show up.
“The most important thing you can do is listen to your body and take things at your own pace,” Ward said. “If something is new, let it be new. Give yourself grace to try, then let it go — whatever you bring to the mat that day, if it’s 10% or 100%, you showed up. That’s what matters.”
While the classes and final instruction seem flawless, a lot more goes on behind the scenes. Putting together different sequences, creating modifications and finding a great playlist is just the beginning of prepping for a one-hour class.
After years in the industry, Ward is used to the workflow and confident in her skills, yet moments of uncertainty creep in every once in a while.
“It’s easy to doubt ourselves, to question our workouts, to feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders,” Ward said. “But if you’ve ever run a race, you know what runner’s high feels like. We get that experience every time we teach.”
Chloe Lamb, senior in management information systems, has been attending Orange Sky classes for 10 months. She feels the workouts are challenging, but instructors make for a great environment to grow.
“The instructors are super welcoming, and everyone is always encouraging one another,” Lamb said. “Hit or Strength 50 with Becky is my favorite. She’s super fun because it’s 6 a.m. and she’s just going crazy. It’s awesome and encouraging.”
The classroom setting helps create the connections, yet the true friendships develop outside the studio.
“It’s a good community,” Lamb said. “It’s nice to see people around town that I go to classes with. When I came back from summer break and walked back in, everyone was like, ‘Chloe, you’re back!’ and it was really nice that they acknowledged that I was back and that they missed me.”
Orange Sky’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. Events at the studio and in Aggieville truly help make Orange Sky Yoga feel like its own community.
“Our location lends us the opportunity to be in such a fun place in the heart of Manhattan, and we don’t take that for granted,” Ward said. “We love being here and try to participate in any event the district holds.”
One of Ward’s favorite memories was last fall when they held a community “friendsgiving” at the studio. Decorations, shared food, good company and a gratitude board made for sweet celebrations.
“It was the perfect symbol that this space is so much more than fitness,” Ward said. “Coming together to share in gratitude and community was so sweet.”
Ward doesn’t take the weight of being an instructor lightly. She’s grateful for the space to lead students in movement and give them space to relax.
“When we breathe, our inhales are our proof of life, of growth, and that we have the capacity to be different today than we were yesterday,” Ward said. “Our exhales [are] our proof that we weren’t meant to carry it all.”
