Turning doubt into security, strangers into friends, and stress into sweat on the Jackson Hall stage.

Chelsea Gartner’s one-hour class on Jackson Stage will strengthen, balance, and detoxify your entire body and mind.

Boutique fitness studios have been all the rage, and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

From CrossFit to cycling, Nashville fitness has become more than just getting a good workout — but also creating that sense of community.

No one knows this better than CorePower Yoga Studio Manager Chelsea Gartner, who leads a one-hour session on Jan. 31 for TPAC‘s first-ever Yoga on the Stage community event.

“That’s the beauty of it,” Gartner says. “Though yoga is a personal practice, when we practice together, we get to feed off each other’s energy and build each other up.”

For Gartner, yoga isn’t just something she teaches; it’s a source of strength for living stronger — both mentally and physically.

“It cracks you open,” Gartner says. “It’s that Zen feeling when all you need is a good sweat and a deep stretch, and you feel like you’ve pulled your life back together again.”

Conceptually, yoga is the practice of fully uniting the body, mind and spirit. It can be traced back to ancient India more than 5,000 years ago. Yoga is a Sanskrit word meaning to join, or yoke; a union.

Are you a beginner? Out of practice? Have no idea what the word “Namaste” means? No problem.

Even Gartner hasn’t always been the guru she is today. Growing up as a competitive athlete, she used to be skeptical of the practice, but eventually stumbled her way onto her mat.

Gartner became Studio Manager at CPY Gold Coast Studio in 2015.

“I had a large misconception that yoga was all stretching and not really that vigorous of a workout until I had a girlfriend who introduced me to CorePower,” Gartner explains. “I remember showing up to my first class and I was hooked. The heat, the flow, the reconnecting with your personal power; I loved everything about it.”

Hooked she was. Gartner completed her first Power Yoga 200HR Teacher Training in 2012 with CorePower Yoga in Chicago and shortly after, became certified in Yoga Sculpt, Hot Power Fusion and Restorative Yoga.

“It’s so rewarding to share my passion and joy of what I’ve discovered on the mat and how my life’s been changed by it,” she continues. “My practice is about using these positions and poses as tools to navigate from the inside out.”

TPAC’s Yoga on the Stage event is all about connecting the community and shining a light on the countless benefits of practicing yoga: such as improved respiration, energy, circulation, flexibility, strength and sleep quality.

CorePower Yoga is known for offering a spa-like experience in a non-exclusionary, community-oriented setting.

The practice is more than just about how much you can sweat in an hour, though. It’s about tuning out your surroundings in order to also strengthen and transform the mind.

“Yoga is quieting your mind and tuning into your body,” Gartner explains. “Each class is about helping you discover your most powerful self.”

In addition, it has been scientifically proven that yoga can increase a person’s oxytocin (the “love hormone”) levels, happiness and even lifespan.

With that in mind, TPAC and CPY’s Yoga on the Stage event will also feature a complimentary post-class cocktail hour (spiked seltzers and fruit juices).

Since 2002, CPY has been racking up a cult following everywhere it lands. Known for offering a spa-like experience in a non-exclusionary, community-oriented setting. There are now more than 200 studios across the country.

Set to an energizing playlist, this event will power up your yoga practice like never before.

The Brentwood-based outpost marked the first CPY studio in Tennessee, with the second opening in Green Hills in 2018.

Classes — like Hot Power Fusion — combine traditional hot yoga poses with Vinyasa poses, while Yoga Sculpt adds in weight work and cardio bursts set to upbeat music. Classes are open to all skill levels, but Gartner recommends beginners start out with one of the unheated C1 classes (like the one featured on the 31^st) to gain familiarity with the flow of class.

So, what are you waiting for? Push past physical boundaries with an open mind and a beating heart Jan. 31 for TPAC’s Yoga on the Stage community event. Doors open at 5:15 p.m., class is 6-7 p.m. and cocktail hour is 7-8 p.m.

Bring your photo ID along with a mat and towel. Wear fitted moisture wicking workout clothes.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Event proceeds benefit TPAC’s cultural and educational mission.

Reach Michael Aldrich on LinkedIn or follow him on Twitter @michaelwaldrich.

Yoga instructors often end class with the ancient traditional phrase “Namaste”. This gesture is an acknowledgment of one soul to another. “Nama” means bow; “as” means I; and “te” means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means “bow me you” or “I bow to you”. This gesture is a deep form of respect and a wonderful way to seal your yoga practice and hard work.