Gina Hsieh
October 20, 2017 11:21
I've been going here since 2012 for yoga, so even though a couple of my favorite teachers have left, I found replacement teachers to still love here.
I first came here to deepen my yoga practice after getting exposed to classes at the Y. I will admit I freaked out at my first class - some chanting in the beginning, and I could hear my neighbors all breathe! So I learned more things, like proper breathing and sanskrit, but it was all in a comfortable setting, small class size (4-12), and approachable teachers that happily talk to you after class. The teachers here are heavily alignment focused and give constant verbal cues to help you. A benefit of smaller classes is more opportunity for adjustments. The impact ranged from widening my perspective on what my body could do or bringing me back into a modification that was better and safer for my tight body that day. I particularly like the Forrest-inspired classes, which to me is a good stepping stone between the popular vinyasa flow classes and the slower paced with longer holds Hatha classes.
Some studios offer cheaper memberships or groupon specials, but the 20 class card (good for a year) makes the per class rate comparable.
It's best to bring your own mat - the ones to borrow are thin. The studio isn't as shiny as others in the area, but I keep coming back here for the teachers for their verbal cues and physical adjustments.
As for community, everyone there is nice and welcoming - I've had conversations after class with other participants on how much we liked that class or found the teacher's voice nurturing, for instance.
Lastly, the massage rates are more reasonable than spas. I've done a few deep tissue massages, and the therapists listened to me on where my chronic pain areas were and helped me loosen up.