Revolutionizing the Body and Mind

The interior walls of Revolution Yoga on North Village Avenue are painted in a subtle, soft yellow tone. Lit candles line the hardwood floors, while mellow music emanates through speakers. The ambiance is enough to relax even the most stressed person, which is exactly what owner Amanda DiGiovanna envisioned when she opened the doors of her yoga center three weeks ago.

"I wanted to create a place that is a revolution of the mind," said DiGiovanna, who lives in West Hempstead. "We wanted to bring something culturally different to Rockville Centre."

DiGiovanna, along with co-owner Tara Pillich, offer novice to experienced yoga classes seven days a week — with the most expensive class priced at $20 — but also hope to host independent film nights and art gallery shows at their center. "We wanted to create a community-minded space,"DiGiovanna said.

Pillich was once a student of DiGiovanna's until she reached the apex of her yoga training. "It got to the point where I couldn't teach her anything," DiGiovanna said.

That's when Pillich approached her with the idea of opening their own place together. "We were inspired to create the place we dreamed of,"Pillich said. "We wanted to take all the great things from each place we studied at and combine it into one."

Revolution Yoga offers pre and post natal yoga, classes for kids and parents, in addition to holistic treatment and massages. Though most people think yoga is about crazy, acrobatic positions, DiGiovanna noted, it's more about mental health and wellness. She explained that people live stressful lives and more often than not, don't set aside time to relieve that stress. And that's what yoga's for, she said.

"We live in a world where stress is never ending," DiGiovanna said. "Yoga lets your mind focus and find a sense of peace."

Pillich agreed with her partner. "It's beneficial for stress reduction," she said.

A common misconception about yoga, DiGiovanna said, is that men think it's feminine, but noted that yoga was started by spiritual men in India. "It's nothing to be afraid of," she said. "It's all about balance. The healthier we are, the happier we'll be."

Revolution Yoga  is open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Pillich and DiGiovanna will host a grand opening party, at Revolution Yoga, on August 6 at 7:30 p.m.