The very first Gospel of Sweat happened last Friday in New York City at the Riverside Church. Over 800 yogis, dancers, riders, and runners, came together to dig deeper into the inspiration behind our perspiration - a testament to the cultural shift that is taking place across the globe. We celebrated spirituality, community, and the personal journey that is our practice.

Watch a video recap of the event here:

sweat seekers united

There were many elements that went into creating the Gospel of Sweat. The space was magical; built in 1927, the architecture of this church in Harlem looks like it was plucked out of a European city. The crowd’s energy was contagious, and you could tell this diverse mixture of sweat-seeking New Yorkers bring their practices into all aspects of their lives. The ingredient that converted the Gospel from an event into a transformational experience was the incredible line-up of influential leaders: Suzanne Sterling, Schuyler Grant, Kay Kay Clivio, Melanie Griffith, Alan Finger, Gabrielle Bernstein, Kerri Kelly, Elena Brower, and MC Jeff Krasno. It was like being in the best yoga-spin-meditation class that you could ever imagine.

a recap of the night

Suzanne gave us all goose bumps as she sang songs of freedom in her powerfully angelic voice.

In reflecting upon her “calling” to be a yoga teacher, Schuyler told us of how she discovered that one’s calling is not something decided for you, but rather your choice to honor who you are.

Kay Kay shared the turning point where “getting a good workout” turns into something more.

With the same passion she inspires us with during a hard climb, Melanie brought us on a timeline of her life from lawyer, to mom, to teacher, to cancer survivor, to “mind-body-cardio” warrior.

Alan, a literal lifetime-yogi, guided us through the meditation that has allowed him to find calm inside, no matter what is occurring in the outside world.

Gabby enrolled a whole new troop of “spirit junkies” as she described how the moment that life brings us to our knees - the moment we know we have to change - is the greatest gift we can experience.

Kerri Kelly engaged us in her dedication to yoga-activism via Off the Mat Into the World and challenged us to empower ourselves as a community through voting.

Elena Brower shared how her biggest life lesson through yoga thus far is that we are the one’s responsible for the environment of our minds.

there is only one teacher

The common theme that kept re-emerging as each speaker took the podium was that though they are all teachers who have the ability to impact many, there is only one teacher that ultimately will change your life: you.

What is your Gospel of Sweat?

Are sweat sessions the new church? Read on as Erin from our Union Square store in New York talks about the growing movement we're calling the Gospel of Sweat. And if you're in NYC, join us at the Riverside Church September 7th to explore this topic more.

a connection to something bigger

It was six months into living in New York City during a Daft Punk themed spin class that my sweat turned spiritual. The instructor was an angel by the name of Clare Veronica Walsh, and it was at that moment that I tapped into a strength that I had never experienced. As athletes, yogis, and dancers we all have a moment when we realize that our practice is our connection to something bigger than ourselves. This greater idea of community also provides a connection to something that lives within us, and a new responsibility to honour it.

In today’s culture, more and more people are building metaphorical sanctuaries on their spin bikes, temples on their mats, and churches within the walls of their dance studio. Times that were once reserved for religious service attendance, are now reserved with equal dedication for yoga and fitness classes. This kind of spiritual practice is highly individual in that the power is not in the search for answers, but in the recognition that we already have them. Whether through chaturangas or sprints, grande jetes or push-ups, we are peeling something very physical and mental away to tap into the core of our spiritual being. We pray through our pores, period.

join us

On September 7th at the Riverside Church in NYC, we will host the first ">Gospel of Sweat, which is a night of inspiration and intellectual discussion around how what many view as a healthy lifestyle or fitness activity contributes to the spiritual wealth of our community and culture. Led by some of the most influential leaders in the yoga, dance, and fitness worlds, they will “preach to the choir” in a TED-style panel talk. Leave your mats and spin shoes at home and join us for a night of discovery, learning and fun next Friday night!

leaders
Jeff Krasno, founder of the Wanderlust Festival
Schuyler Grant, yoga teacher, founder of Kula Yoga
Alan Finger, yoga teacher, founder of ISHTA Yoga
Elena Brower, yoga teacher, founder of VIRA Yoga and the Art of Attention
Kerri Kelly, yoga teacher, Executive Director of Off the Mat Into the World
Melanie Griffith, spin instructor, SoulCycle
Kay Kay Clivio, yoga teacher, Pure Yoga
Suzanne Sterling, musician and yoga teacher, Off the Mat Into the World
Gabrielle Bernstein, author of Spirit Junkie

If you're in New York, come join the conversation on September 7th. You can RSVP to rsvp@aocnetwork.com and receive any updates on the Facebook event page. If you can't make it in person, we'll be sharing a recap here on the blog.