Published on February 1st, 2015 | by Samantha Koons

One-Size Yoga Pass Fits All

As Rutgers University alumni, Prajjali creators Terri Brown and Elissa Lappostato know the hustle and bustle of the tri-state area all too well. In this fast paced, multitasking-filled, on-the-go lifestyle in which we live, Brown and Lappostato are hoping to remind us all that we need to slow down. Believing in the healing ability of yoga and building on their desire to bring rejuvenation to the area, they created Prajjali.

The Prajjali mission is simple—enable everyone to find their own peace, at their own pace. In Sanskrit, Prajjali means “an offering from outstretched hands,” which is exactly what it offers to the yoga community. With such busy lifestyles and challenges, people demand convenience when they want to rejuvenate through yoga—this is what the Prajjali Pass offers.

By visiting Prajjali.com and purchasing a pass, individuals are able to expand their practice. Purchased as a multi-class package, this all-access pass allows yogis to follow a favorite teacher to different studios or explore a variety of yoga styles. The easy-to-use search tool allows pass holders the option to seek out classes in the network by style of yoga, studio and location, to find the classes that best meet their needs.

Whether at home, at work or on the road, holders of the Prajjali pass can easily take their yoga practice with them. Currently, there are Prajjali partner studios in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, California, Texas and Virginia, and the network is still expanding.

But for this acupuncturist and yoga instructor duo, that wasn’t enough. There is a burgeoning number of heart-wrenching stories of men and women returning home from serving in the military that are suffering from post-traumatic stress. The military has released statistics that on average in 2012, one active duty soldier committed suicide daily—a record high. With veterans, that number jumps to 22 suicides per day. For Brown and Lappostato, this national tragedy demanded attention. Feeling a strong desire to give back to those willing to give their all, the Prajjali Project was born, by which veterans can receive free yoga classes to provide them with some much needed peace and rejuvenation. For the equivalent of each 10-class pass sold, Prajjali will fund one yoga class for a veteran.

With a passion for igniting a love of yoga and self in other people, Brown and Lappostato believe that yoga practice can expand within the United States, allowing even more people to benefit. Yoga is one of the few forms of exercise available to everyone, at any age, regardless of physical ability.

For Lappostato, the practice of yoga is much more than a form of exercise—it is a tool to calm the mind and body, an art form and a way of life. At the age of 17, Lappostato was involved in a traumatic accident. She found promise in yoga, which helped her cope with her post-traumatic stress and anxiety. Lappostato now owns and operates Nirvana Wellness and Yoga Center in two locations; Montville and Wayne, New Jersey.

For Brown, experiencing Traditional Chinese Medicine was love at first sight. Using acupuncture to help people ease their pain, one body at a time, Brown believes that if you can help just one person to be free of pain, that they will be kinder and more tolerant in stressful situation—and less likely to be antagonistic in public—allowing the cycle to continue and make the world a little more peaceful.

For more information, visit Prajjali.com and Facebook.

Tags: Yoga