my morning routine
How a new mom (who’s the CEO of Y7 Studios) breaks into a sweat the first thing she does
Author: Megan O’Neill
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Published On: January 19, 2023
Sarah Larson Levee | CEO & Founder of Y7 Studio Yoga
A new mom to a baby girl and an “old” mom to a two-year-old boy, Sarah Larsen LeVay has less time than ever. “It’s changed my practice for the better,” says the CEO and founder of NYC-based Y7 Studio, the adorable yoga mecca that she and her husband first launched as a pop-up in 2013 in Brooklyn (It’s expanded to a national platform, offering hundreds of classes online at $20 a month). “I can’t do yoga often, but when I’m practicing, I’m focused and inspired—I know it’s a sacred time to focus on myself,” she says.
When she was pregnant, LeVay implemented new habits in anticipation of the whirlwind of juggling with two young children: “I felt a lot more prepared this time, even though some pregnancy complications threw me for a loop,” she says. She says “I focused on what would make me feel best: more protein and greens to keep my energy up and a really great, easy, safe skin routine.” I knew I’d be sustainable after giving birth—a complicated routine is hard enough Without A newborn My goals, pregnant or not, are the same texture and tone and of course, a healthy glow—using GOPGLOW Sleep Milk before bed has really worked for my combination skin.”
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The former fashion executive’s emphasis on fitness and fun is what has made Y7 so successful; She started it after feeling unsatisfied with the classes she was regularly toiling through. “Our studio is dimly lit with no mirrors,” she says. “I wanted a space where people could feel free to make mistakes and not fall into the trap of comparison.” She’s brought the party online, with the same pulse-raving music that made her IRL classes a cult sensation. “The playlists are designed to carry you through class in peaks and valleys of energy, as well as to match the breath with the pace,” she says.
In addition to an easy, glow-boosting skin routine, Levee has been doing online classes most mornings since its launch.
Sarah’s morning routine
at 6 am
Leela, our newborn baby, starts to stir. I’m definitely not a naturally morning person, but a two-year-old girl and a newborn have forced me to be so—I’m actually trying to lean into it with pleasure. I get up, brush my teeth, make a cup of coffee, change his diaper and feed him.
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7:45 am
Once baby recovers, I wash my face with this great daily exfoliating face wash. I get oily in my T-zone and dry everywhere else, and this leaves my face feeling clean, not stripped—surprisingly hard to find in a daily exfoliator.
I honestly don’t know what kind of sorcery they did with this toner. My face looks and feels like glass after using this.
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8:15 a.m.
I make myself breakfast — either oatmeal or a smoothie — while I help my husband get our two-year-old ready for preschool.
9:30 am
The baby is ready for another meal—this girl can eat.
10:30 AM
Most days I get moving in some form – either going for a walk or logging on to our new platform for on-demand classes. Lately this has been our 30 minute power Vinyasa.
11:05 am
After work, I take a quick shower—and do the whole Crown Affair hair routine in there. I have finally given my hair a great place. I wash with shampoo and conditioner twice a week, and my hair looks and feels so clean and shiny.
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11:20 am
I step out of the shower and apply this face cream. It makes my skin look like my baby’s – plump, hydrated and smooth. Seriously, it’s a superhero.
I always finish with sunscreen.
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11:30 AM
I’m technically still on maternity leave, but I do get some emails and check in with my team. I’m trying to get better with my boundaries this time around work.
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