Liz Glover Wilson has a lot to be proud of since opening Stone Wave Yoga in Gardiner this past June. In a matter of months, this ambitious yogi has amassed a diverse lineup of experienced instructors; renovated a 3,800-square-foot property into a warm, inviting wellness center with multiple yoga studios; and begun to cultivate a space where all are truly welcome to learn, grow, and heal.
A former event planner in New York’s East Village, Liz left her career to open Stone Wave Yoga, a dream she’s always wanted to pursue. “Life kept getting in the way,” she recalls. She’s practiced yoga for many years and holds multiple certifications, including prenatal and Registered Yoga Teacher 200 designations.
Liz and her partner, landscape designer Keith Buesing, found the location and revamped it to complement the property’s scenic mountain backdrop: the Millbrook Cliff, a subsection of the Hudson Valley’s famous Shawangunk Mountains.
Making the space a “warm and welcoming environment” for people of all ethnicities, abilities, and creeds has been a priority for Liz since the beginning.
“We’re going into month four, and our clients have really been a nice blend of different people from different walks of life,” Liz says. “My motto has always been ‘come as you are.’ It’s incredibly fulfilling to watch that be manifested and come into fruition.” Conscious of how her clients feel
at Stone Wave, Liz aims to shed any negative stereotypes or barriers associated with yoga. It’s not for everyone, she admits, but yoga is an option for anyone who’s willing to try it. “I don’t like all the visuals of yoga on social media,” Liz says. “I think it sets a really prohibitive visual of what
you need to look like or be able to do to be a yogi. It takes away from the essence of yoga’s healing powers.” At Stone Wave Yoga, clients run the gamut from children to advanced adult yogis. Liz’s talented lineup of instructors lead classes to suit all levels of expertise or personal needs, including prenatal yoga, children’s yoga, teen yoga, and couple’s sessions. Unique to Stone Wave is its custom
Grow Yoga program, designed specifically with young children in mind. Grow Yoga emphasizes breathing, movement, and self-awareness and is the ideal pace for young would-be yogis, Liz explains. The studio also offers mats and supplies for any clients to use, provided they wash down their mats at the end of the class for future use.
Liz plans to bring barre and mat Pilates classes to the studio, too. Stone Wave’s space is also home to Sunflower Art Studios, a nonprofit that offers art classes and yoga sessions for local youth. Sunflower Art Studios is a huge point of pride for Liz, who founded the program in 2016 to support her mission of mind-body wellness at all ages. True to Liz’s ethos of inclusivity and accessibility, many Sunflower Art Studio participants receive scholarships to participate in the program free-of-charge. Additionally, Stone Wave’s lush space—complete with two yoga studios, an art studio, showering facilities, and a private treatment room—is available to rent for wellness retreats, gatherings, or events. Since the essence of the space is healing, Liz and her team are particular about what the space is used for (“There won’t be any loud parties!” she says with a laugh), but curious visitors are always welcome to shoot Liz an email to inquire about the space or the studio’s offerings. “We welcome anyone to just come by and visit,” Liz says.
Stone wave yoga
2694 Route 44, Gardiner
845-419-5219
stonewaveyoga.com
