This week’s Good Stuff highlight? Kristen Boccumini, Anna Sunderland Engels and Jeremy Engels: Founders and Teachers of Yoga Lab. Photo left to Right: Jeremy Engels, Kristen Boccumini (with daughter Zoe in front), Chrissy Fritton, Anna Engels, Jennifer Yoder, Brittany Aronson & Latisha Franklin. The women are modeling Sunny Get Up designs at the Own Your Runway fashion event earlier this fall.

Last Friday, Anna Engels taught a hip-focused class she called “Hips Don’t Lie” for the Power Lunch class at noon at Yoga Lab. Of course, Anna added Shakira to the playlist and got us all moving. As we balanced blocks on our lower back to help us concentrate on moving our hips with stability, I’m not sure if I said it out loud, but in my mind I was thinking, “Oh, that’s the good stuff”. Or at least giving my middle aged hips this kind of support felt like just the medicine I needed.

State College has a variety of yoga studios in and around town. And while I like to float around to try different classes, styles, and teachers, I aim to roll out my mat about once a week at Yoga Lab, located at 124 McAllister Alley. There’s no pushing or performing here. While there’s always a portion of these Power Lunch classes spent practicing handstands, which is vigorous – it is also safe. I know that whatever movement I am guided into, it’s not likely to cause an injury. For instance, Anna doesn’t teach headstands because of the compression to the neck and risk of injury.

In a one hour Yoga Lab class, I get to meet my body where it is in that moment and move it through a mindful, science-based sequence, guided by an expert teacher. My body, mind, and spirit always feel better after class. And, I get to see my friends here.

I love that “It’s a come-as-you-are kind of space,” says Kristen Boccumini, co-founder of Yoga Lab alongside Anna Engels. Warm, welcoming, and fun, these teachers lead with heart and science, creating a studio that’s both deeply informed and deeply human. Often while Anna teaches, Kristen attends the class and assists students, and vice-versa. The spirit of their business and teaching partnership, and their loving friendship comes through in the community they create.

“There’s a different heart in the practice,” Kristen explains. “It’s not goal or achievement focused. It’s about navigating from how it feels from the inside, rather than something imposed from the outside.” This feels like a kind of rebellion in a culture that reinforces striving and “not-enough-ness.”

Classes at Yoga Lab are accessible to everyone. Some are more gentle and incorporate props, while others are designed to work up to a good sweat. “We build the heat from the inside out,” says Anna — they don’t turn up the thermostat, a practice that has become trendy elsewhere.

“We share an interest in moving the body well with an understanding of body mechanics and anatomy to provide a healthy movement practice,” Anna says. This approach helps clients build strength and longevity and move through daily life with greater ease.

Kristen likes to remind students, “If you can breathe, you can do yoga.” She remembers these words from teacher Doug Hayward, a State College yoga legend. She and Anna offer private instruction and online classes for people who may be hesitant or intimidated to step into the studio. They also make it clear that you will not be the only middle-aged person in a sea of twenty-somethings. While they welcome college students, most clients are working professionals.

“We’re a townie place!” Kristen says with a laugh. Conveniently close to campus, with easy parking and validation, the studio has become a hub for connection. “A lot of people work together but don’t really get to connect at work,” Kristen says. “It’s great to know we can serve the community in that way.”

Yoga Lab has been voted Best Yoga Studio in State College by readers of State College Magazine multiple times since opening in 2016, with Kristen and Anna often taking gold and silver honors for Best Yoga Teacher. Both also teach Yoga and Stress Management classes at Penn State and have strong academic backgrounds. Anna holds her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and Kristen has her Master’s in Exercise Science and Rehabilitation.

Anna’s husband, Jeremy Engels, is a Professor of Communications and Ethics at Penn State and teaches Yoga Unplugged on Sunday mornings. He also leads a Dharma Lab Meditation Sangha once a month, where he guides a mindfulness or meditation practice followed by time for philosophical conversation. His new book, On Mindful Democracy, is available for pre-order now.

Outside of teaching, Anna channels her creative energy into Sunny Get Up, her unique line of custom activewear featuring her own nature photography. Each design is printed upside down, so when you’re in downward dog or a handstand, the image turns right-side up.

Sunny Get Up has a collection for each of the elements: earth, water, air, fire, cosmos, and ice for winter. The sustainable line is made from recycled materials, and for every item purchased, ten trees are planted. Anna does photoshoots with real women in the community — people of all different body types doing real things like rock climbing, swimming, and biking while wearing her activewear.

I have my eye on a black-and-white maple leaf printed pair of yoga pants with a matching sport crop top for my upcoming birthday. I love that these pieces are both fashionable and functional — and that it’s a great way to support a local, woman-owned, slow-fashion business right here in State College.

Being able to collaborate with local businesses is a big perk of being downtown. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Yoga Lab offers a Power Lunch practice where clients can order a vegetarian meal from Webster’s Café & Bookstore to enjoy after class. Clients with an unlimited class pass also receive a discount at Roots Kitchen.

Coming Up at Yoga Lab

• Friday, November 28: A Pre-Show Cosmic Yoga Flow before legendary musician LARAAJI performs at Manny’s Performance Space, just a short walk away.
• Tuesday, December 2nd: Anna and Kristen will host an open house and pop-up event at Yoga Lab, featuring the full Sunny Get Up line, a yoga flow from 6-7  p.m., followed by snacks, goodies from local businesses and community socializing.