Yoga, salsa studio opens in Harvard

Harvard residents looking for a place that combines yoga, massage, dance and art have it in Sisou Studio. Eli Sisou, the owner of the new Sisou Studio, 102B Front St., is open with yoga classes beginning July 18.

“I will be teaching basic salsa and yoga,” said Sisou. The studio will have yoga classes for beginners on Mondays and Wednesdays, along with advanced classes on Wednesdays. Sisou stated that this was just the start. “This is just the beginning … I would like for the studio to be teaching all day and all week long … in the future, I want to have yoga workshops so you can go home and do yoga at home after the [studio] classes.”

The benefits of yoga were underscored by Sisou, who stated personal experience as his case in point. “I’m 56-years-old and you wouldn’t believe it,” he said. “[Yoga] makes you skinny and stronger, and it works on internal organs … it is physical, and if you do yoga regularly, you start to feel less stress.” The meditative side of yoga is also a significant component, Sisou said. “The benefits of meditation are just amazing … it gives the body more of what it needs. Yoga and meditation helps you be more flexible and gives you more energy.”

Sisou, who was born in Morocco and moved to the United States a year and a half ago, considered opening his studio in Woodstock, but finally decided on Harvard. “[Harvard] is such a nice little town to live in,” he said. “I thought about opening in Woodstock, but I made it happen here because I live and work here.”

Sisou’s previous business and art experience has enabled him to open Sisou Studio. His first business was a handmade sandal store, and he has worked as a handyman for the last twelve years. He also taught yoga classes in Israel. “It was such an amazing opportunity. For me it was more challenging to teach, because they were so flexible and so open. It was a neat opportunity.”

But his dream has always been to open a yoga and art studio―and to be on the radio. This unique combination of aspirations is coming together for Sisou, who also will soon be on Harvard Community Radio. Sisou is excited and thrilled to have a radio show. “I’ll be talking about art, yoga, my experiences, emotional/physical health and exercise,” stated Sisou. “This studio [and radio show] is my dream come true – having a gallery, being an artist, opening it to the public.”

At 6:30 p.m. Friday, August 3, the studio will have an art opening for the public to view and purchase assorted artwork from Sisou. “All are welcome to come and look and buy the art.” There will be musicians providing entertainment while the art gallery is open. Sisou Studio will hold yoga classes from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Salsa classes will be held 7:15 to 8:15 p.m., Monday and Wednesday, and 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday.

To contact Sisou Studio, call 815-517-2174.