Have you noticed that most yoga studios are closed on Sunday evenings, just when you’re looking to wind down before starting the work week? Well, here’s your chance.

Bend and Bloom (Sackett St. between 4th and 5th Ave) has graciously offered us both their lovely space and their talented instructors.  That’s right.  You get a great yoga class AND all proceeds go directly to Team in Training.

$25 for one class–$80 for 4 classes

Sundays at 7 p.m.:

March 21

April 4

April 11

April 18

Spaces are limited.  RSVP to www.brooklynlandsharks.org/yoga

BYOM(at) if you can.

On Saturday we had our first BRICK, or bike immediately followed by a run. This Landshark was nervous about biking outside for the first time, especially when wearing bike shoes and remembering how to change gears. I called Jed the night before for a little advice on what to expect and what to wear.

Good thing we have such a helpful mentor who could tell me about his first BRICK last year in which he was stuck in the hardest gear the whole time and didn’t know it. He was going so slowly up the hill that a mediocre runner passed him. Now look at him moving along like Kermit the Frog, along with the rest of the Landsharks who are quite a force.

Now let me tell you about MY first BRICK. I bought my first bike the night before practice and took it home on the subway. I couldn’t bear to leave it in the basement with all the other bikes, so I brought it up to my fourth floor apartment. The next morning, I dutifully walked my bike across Grand Army Plaza at 7 am (following my mom’s sage advice, “Honey, I’ve seen you ride a bike. Just stick to the park, okay?”). When it came time to actually ride it, I couldn’t get on. The seat was adjusted for riding height, which means you can’t expect to sit on it and still have your feet on the ground (but then, you probably know that already. I didn’t). I was stuck.

After a moment of struggle, who should I spot walking toward me but someone wearing a red t-shirt, not unlike those sported by TNT Coaches. Phew, it was Ed. He stabilized my bike the way my mom did the day she took off my training wheels and away I went.

Bike practice was so fun. Jed was kind enough to ride with me for the first loop around the park. While I was no speed demon—I’m pretty sure all of the Landsharks lapped me—I successfully stayed on the bike for seven loops around the park and even changed gears and handlebar positions as needed. Next time I hope to balance well enough to reach down for my water bottle to actually drink while riding.

After biking, running feels more like shuffling while wearing Mafioso shoes, which is, perhaps, the other reason for naming the workout BRICK. But then you’re done and you have a whole team around you to stretch and eat and chat with. I’m actually looking forward to the next one.

The Landsharks are also on a fundraising roll. Be sure to keep checking our Web site for the arrival of the 2010 Olympics-inspired Landsharks t-shirt! It’s pretty rad. We also have onesies this year for all the tiny Landpups out there (Mirabelle, for one).

In addition to t-shirts, we’re putting together a yoga and Pilates series featuring talented Brooklyn-based instructors including:

Toni Melaas

Fran Darnell

Kara Martin

Check back for details and prices.

Thanks for continuing to spread the Landshark love!