As some of you may be aware, I've started the full-time MBA program at UT. With the hectic schedule and time consuming school work I've decided to end my search and finally commit to a studio. But...before I tell you which one I want to show you the final rankings:
1. Breath & Body Yoga: 4.25/5
2. BFree Yoga: 4.25/5
3. Yoga Vida: 4/5
4. Black Swan Yoga: 3/5
5. Castle Hill Yoga: 2.5/5
6. Sunstone Yoga: 2/5
7. Yoga Groove: 1/5
Of course, I've also sprinkled some other Yoga experiences in there but none that I wished to rank, as far as studios go. This process has been so enjoyable, and not only have I really started to understand what makes "good" yoga, I've also completely transformed into a dedicated yogi. My practice gets stronger every class.
That being said, this week I signed an auto-renewal contract with BFree! Although they were tied with Breath & Body for my favorite, I really like the owner, Shelby Autry, as well as the atmosphere in each class. They take yoga very seriously and employ fantastic instructors, while at the same time making yoga fun and enjoyable. I'm excited to have a home studio and I hope you all check it out.
Namaste!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
SUP Paddleboard Yoga!
This morning my friend Kelly and I went down to Town Lake and did some amazing paddleboard yoga. We didn't know what to expect, how the class would go, or really anything before getting started but by the end we were hooked and plan on going again soon.
The beginner class (this morning) is 90 minutes long. Even though it says beginner I would suggest that you've done yoga before in order to take the class because it's not as guided as a normal studio class. I think our instructor, Zach, had a certain plan for us but we had some more advanced ideas. In addition to getting used to the board we moved on to sun salutations, warriors, and I even succeeded in doing a headstand and wheel!
Some of the challenges were simple balance! Warrior one was probably the hardest because you aren't perfectly centered. It was awesome. The weather was also perfect with a nice breeze and some cloud cover.
The company we went through was called SUP ATX Yoga and they are doing complimentary classes the entire month of July so we're going to try and squeeze another one in. Our instructor was fairly sure that once a charge starts it'll be the standard $15 that comes with normal paddleboard rental.
I would highly suggest trying this out, it was SO much fun and such a new and different experience!
The beginner class (this morning) is 90 minutes long. Even though it says beginner I would suggest that you've done yoga before in order to take the class because it's not as guided as a normal studio class. I think our instructor, Zach, had a certain plan for us but we had some more advanced ideas. In addition to getting used to the board we moved on to sun salutations, warriors, and I even succeeded in doing a headstand and wheel!
Some of the challenges were simple balance! Warrior one was probably the hardest because you aren't perfectly centered. It was awesome. The weather was also perfect with a nice breeze and some cloud cover.
The company we went through was called SUP ATX Yoga and they are doing complimentary classes the entire month of July so we're going to try and squeeze another one in. Our instructor was fairly sure that once a charge starts it'll be the standard $15 that comes with normal paddleboard rental.
I would highly suggest trying this out, it was SO much fun and such a new and different experience!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
First Impression: Yoga Groove
Last week I signed up for my 2-week trial at Yoga Groove, and I have to admit I just don't like Bikram yoga. I'm not going to blame this totally on the studio but I really prefer Power Flow and Vinyasa style yoga so I don't know that I will continue with this studio, nor others that offer only Bikram yoga. If you want those write-ups you may have to find someone who loves it!
I had done Bikram previously but maybe only once or twice, and this experience just made me want to shun it forever. For some reason my body just did not cooperate with me and I left with symptoms mirroring those of heat exhaustion...chills, black out, etc. It was probably my fault for going to a 5:30pm class on a 100 degree day that was packed full, but still very unfortunate :(
However, I do want to talk to the studio. Yoga Groove is very large and almost comes across as corporate. I got a key card for just doing the 2-week trial! When I showed up it was a little hectic, I'm not sure if the woman at the front desk was new or what, but since class was starting I needed to leave my credit card with her so she could properly register me. As I walked in I saw that there was a nice locker room and rooms for massage...so I think they do those as well?
With the trial period you could get a mat and towel without being charged, but moving forward for members it is $1 each for rental, not too bad but no smaller towels...and you will need them. The studio was carpeted which I'm not a huge fan of, and I think that made it even more hot. I am well aware Bikram is supposed to be 105 degrees, but it was closer to 120...the instructor opened the doors and turned it down about half way through so that was more bearable.
Our instructor was Erin, and I have to admit that she was kind of harsh with the way she conducted the class. To me yoga is spiritual, relaxation mixed with strength and flexibility training but her voice and demeanor was similar to a boot camp instructor, and it wasn't very peaceful. I wasn't a fan of this style, she also stood on a pedestal above the rest of the class so that was kind of odd too.
Overall, I can see fans of Bikram liking the schedule since there are a lot of options for classes, the large facility and the open nature of the facility. Personally it's not my cup of tea, so I'll most likely skip any of the Bikram studios on my plan after now :( Sorry to disappoint but the experience just wasn't what I'm looking for.
I had done Bikram previously but maybe only once or twice, and this experience just made me want to shun it forever. For some reason my body just did not cooperate with me and I left with symptoms mirroring those of heat exhaustion...chills, black out, etc. It was probably my fault for going to a 5:30pm class on a 100 degree day that was packed full, but still very unfortunate :(
However, I do want to talk to the studio. Yoga Groove is very large and almost comes across as corporate. I got a key card for just doing the 2-week trial! When I showed up it was a little hectic, I'm not sure if the woman at the front desk was new or what, but since class was starting I needed to leave my credit card with her so she could properly register me. As I walked in I saw that there was a nice locker room and rooms for massage...so I think they do those as well?
With the trial period you could get a mat and towel without being charged, but moving forward for members it is $1 each for rental, not too bad but no smaller towels...and you will need them. The studio was carpeted which I'm not a huge fan of, and I think that made it even more hot. I am well aware Bikram is supposed to be 105 degrees, but it was closer to 120...the instructor opened the doors and turned it down about half way through so that was more bearable.
Our instructor was Erin, and I have to admit that she was kind of harsh with the way she conducted the class. To me yoga is spiritual, relaxation mixed with strength and flexibility training but her voice and demeanor was similar to a boot camp instructor, and it wasn't very peaceful. I wasn't a fan of this style, she also stood on a pedestal above the rest of the class so that was kind of odd too.
Overall, I can see fans of Bikram liking the schedule since there are a lot of options for classes, the large facility and the open nature of the facility. Personally it's not my cup of tea, so I'll most likely skip any of the Bikram studios on my plan after now :( Sorry to disappoint but the experience just wasn't what I'm looking for.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Final Rating: Yoga Vida
I've just finished my month-long trial period at Yoga Vida and really enjoyed it. Before I get into my final rating I'd like to go over the final two instructors that I've had since my last post.
Vic - he was great!!! The class was very challenging and he was very good giving us moderations to make the poses easier or more difficult. It was the most crowded class I've been to at Yoga Vida so that just proves that he has the attention of the members. His level of motivation was very high and I felt really good throughout the class that continued after I left. He definitely has a Baptiste style practice.
Zoe - this is the second time I've had Zoe, I had also taken her at Bfree. I have to say that she was just as consistent and well-practiced as I remembered. It was another very full class which just proves she's popular too! Her style is more yogi than some others but I think it really grounds you and requires focus on your practice.
I also heard from a friend that Carly is great, but unfortunately my month ran out before I got a chance to try her out, so I would suggest making it work if you do the trial or get a membership. Ok...moving on!
The classes at Yoga Vida overall were fantastic. I've learned that I really enjoy the consistency that comes from the Baron Baptiste trained instructors and the studios that follow his practice. They are generally very challenging and help you explore moderations that allow you to grow your practice instead of doing the same thing each class. I love to improve and test my strength and balance and the classes I've had over the past month all did that for me. I would have to say that my favorite instructor over the course of the month was Vic, his class appealed most to what I look for when I'm walking into yoga.
There are two facilities that you can use with your membership to Yoga Vida, one is located on 7th and West and the other off Bee Caves road in Westlake. I only went to the Westlake location once, but liked the downtown location better. The Bee Caves location is carpeted and doesn't have a shower which is a downer for me as far as a full-time studio is concerned. As far as I know, all instructors bounce between both studios so whatever times and classes are convenient for you will be enjoyed.
The downtown location does have a shower and a larger locker room area. This is helpful if you have to go somewhere (work, class, etc.) after the class, which is normally the case for me. There are a couple things that disappointed me about the studio, the lack of little towels and the lack of cleaning solution. With the heated nature of the classes you definitely need a towel, even just a small one, which I almost ALWAYS would forget. They don't have any hand towels to use during class so it's slightly difficult to focus if you can't wipe down. In addition, because you are sweaty if there is no cleaning solution you are putting your mat back into your hot car to sit...it would be an easy improvement to make!
A major plus is that even the downtown studio has decent parking behind the studio so you never have to worry about needing a meter or paying for parking. I really liked Yoga Vida and my time there flew by! I would definitely suggest it, especially the new one month trial for $40. You will enjoy the practice and the locations.
Ratings:
Classes: 4.5/5
Facility: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5
Next..on to Yoga Groove:)
Vic - he was great!!! The class was very challenging and he was very good giving us moderations to make the poses easier or more difficult. It was the most crowded class I've been to at Yoga Vida so that just proves that he has the attention of the members. His level of motivation was very high and I felt really good throughout the class that continued after I left. He definitely has a Baptiste style practice.
Zoe - this is the second time I've had Zoe, I had also taken her at Bfree. I have to say that she was just as consistent and well-practiced as I remembered. It was another very full class which just proves she's popular too! Her style is more yogi than some others but I think it really grounds you and requires focus on your practice.
I also heard from a friend that Carly is great, but unfortunately my month ran out before I got a chance to try her out, so I would suggest making it work if you do the trial or get a membership. Ok...moving on!
The classes at Yoga Vida overall were fantastic. I've learned that I really enjoy the consistency that comes from the Baron Baptiste trained instructors and the studios that follow his practice. They are generally very challenging and help you explore moderations that allow you to grow your practice instead of doing the same thing each class. I love to improve and test my strength and balance and the classes I've had over the past month all did that for me. I would have to say that my favorite instructor over the course of the month was Vic, his class appealed most to what I look for when I'm walking into yoga.
There are two facilities that you can use with your membership to Yoga Vida, one is located on 7th and West and the other off Bee Caves road in Westlake. I only went to the Westlake location once, but liked the downtown location better. The Bee Caves location is carpeted and doesn't have a shower which is a downer for me as far as a full-time studio is concerned. As far as I know, all instructors bounce between both studios so whatever times and classes are convenient for you will be enjoyed.
The downtown location does have a shower and a larger locker room area. This is helpful if you have to go somewhere (work, class, etc.) after the class, which is normally the case for me. There are a couple things that disappointed me about the studio, the lack of little towels and the lack of cleaning solution. With the heated nature of the classes you definitely need a towel, even just a small one, which I almost ALWAYS would forget. They don't have any hand towels to use during class so it's slightly difficult to focus if you can't wipe down. In addition, because you are sweaty if there is no cleaning solution you are putting your mat back into your hot car to sit...it would be an easy improvement to make!
A major plus is that even the downtown studio has decent parking behind the studio so you never have to worry about needing a meter or paying for parking. I really liked Yoga Vida and my time there flew by! I would definitely suggest it, especially the new one month trial for $40. You will enjoy the practice and the locations.
Ratings:
Classes: 4.5/5
Facility: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5
Next..on to Yoga Groove:)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Instructors: Yoga Vida
Before I get into instructors I wanted to mention that I went to the Bee Cave Rd. location one morning for a workout. Please note that location does not have a shower! I went to a morning class expecting it and there was none...this needs to be outlined on the website, maybe in an amenities section?
Another thing I've noticed is that they don't provide little towels. This is a disappointment because if I forget mine or decide last minute to practice I'm stuck slipping and sliding all over my mat, very sad. I would also like to suggest that they get some spray bottles of cleaner - my mat stays in my car = stinky car.
Okay, so I've had three different instructors so far. Yoga Vida seems to have a fewer number of teachers than other studios so I've taken a few classes from each. The first is Dean, who I think is the owner/manager of the downtown location. He is SO funny, everything he says in class is really quirky and a little out there, but it is entertaining! I have to say I actually laugh out loud in my poses...you would think it might distract but it makes it more light and I like that. Also, you can tell that he is trained through Baron Baptiste (same program as Breath & Body Yoga) because all of his classes are challenging and a good workout. He teaches a LOT of the classes downtown so there are a lot of chances to take a class with him, but sometimes I wish there was little more variety.
I took my class at the Bee Caves location with Kim, she was fantastic. Her cadence was really good, especially for an early morning yoga session. I sweat a TON in that class and I like the adjustments she made. I wish she would teach a couple classes at the downtown too since it's more convenient for me!
Finally, yesterday I took class with Lara and she made me feel good! Her class was a great balance of strength and stretching. So far, she's the only instructor who has asked if we had a preference for the class and I always take advantage of that and ask for hips. It was only 3 of us which was nice because she was able to give us adjustments as well as suggestions on how to make each pose more challenging. You can tell it comes naturally to her.
I look forward to mixing up my times so I can experience more instructors!! So far, so good.
Another thing I've noticed is that they don't provide little towels. This is a disappointment because if I forget mine or decide last minute to practice I'm stuck slipping and sliding all over my mat, very sad. I would also like to suggest that they get some spray bottles of cleaner - my mat stays in my car = stinky car.
Okay, so I've had three different instructors so far. Yoga Vida seems to have a fewer number of teachers than other studios so I've taken a few classes from each. The first is Dean, who I think is the owner/manager of the downtown location. He is SO funny, everything he says in class is really quirky and a little out there, but it is entertaining! I have to say I actually laugh out loud in my poses...you would think it might distract but it makes it more light and I like that. Also, you can tell that he is trained through Baron Baptiste (same program as Breath & Body Yoga) because all of his classes are challenging and a good workout. He teaches a LOT of the classes downtown so there are a lot of chances to take a class with him, but sometimes I wish there was little more variety.
I took my class at the Bee Caves location with Kim, she was fantastic. Her cadence was really good, especially for an early morning yoga session. I sweat a TON in that class and I like the adjustments she made. I wish she would teach a couple classes at the downtown too since it's more convenient for me!
Finally, yesterday I took class with Lara and she made me feel good! Her class was a great balance of strength and stretching. So far, she's the only instructor who has asked if we had a preference for the class and I always take advantage of that and ask for hips. It was only 3 of us which was nice because she was able to give us adjustments as well as suggestions on how to make each pose more challenging. You can tell it comes naturally to her.
I look forward to mixing up my times so I can experience more instructors!! So far, so good.
Friday, June 10, 2011
First Impression: Yoga Vida
Yesterday I had my first yoga experience at Yoga Vida. It was the next trial on my list and an added bonus is that they just changed from an unlimited $20 for one week trial to $40 for an unlimited month trial! They have two studios, one downtown and one in Westlake, and the trial membership can be used at both.
I took my first class at the downtown location which surprisingly has parking! There are a couple spots in the front and then some down the alley in the back (if you are going north on West Lynn you can turn left into the alley). The studio is really clean and nice. The bathrooms have one shower and some space to get ready, and you store your belongings on the shelves inside the bathroom area. There aren't any towels though for either sweating or showering...so I wasn't prepared for that and substituted my shirt.
The room itself at the downtown location is nice. It's wood floor with bamboo walls and fairly large. The one thing I'm not yet sure about is the lack of mirrors. I can see how some people would like no mirrors but I enjoy being able to self adjust because I can see my mis-alignment in the mirror...I'll let you know after a couple more classes how I feel about it (haven't had this experience before).
The purchase and sign-in seems to be headed up by whichever instructor is teaching the next class which is pretty typical. It was very easy and quick and they have both of the class schedules on nice small business cards so you can conveniently keep them in your wallet! You can buy water for $2 and it's a fairly large bottle, you can also rent a mat for $2 if you don't have one.
The class I took was taught by Sanieh. I was expecting more of a power yoga class and we focused mostly on core work, but I can't complain my stomach can also use more work during bikini season. It was good core work and very challenging. She definitely knew was she was doing and walked around to teach instead of practicing with us. I'll have more thoughts once I take a vinyasa style class.
Overall I'm impressed so far and look forward to the next month!
I took my first class at the downtown location which surprisingly has parking! There are a couple spots in the front and then some down the alley in the back (if you are going north on West Lynn you can turn left into the alley). The studio is really clean and nice. The bathrooms have one shower and some space to get ready, and you store your belongings on the shelves inside the bathroom area. There aren't any towels though for either sweating or showering...so I wasn't prepared for that and substituted my shirt.
The room itself at the downtown location is nice. It's wood floor with bamboo walls and fairly large. The one thing I'm not yet sure about is the lack of mirrors. I can see how some people would like no mirrors but I enjoy being able to self adjust because I can see my mis-alignment in the mirror...I'll let you know after a couple more classes how I feel about it (haven't had this experience before).
The purchase and sign-in seems to be headed up by whichever instructor is teaching the next class which is pretty typical. It was very easy and quick and they have both of the class schedules on nice small business cards so you can conveniently keep them in your wallet! You can buy water for $2 and it's a fairly large bottle, you can also rent a mat for $2 if you don't have one.
The class I took was taught by Sanieh. I was expecting more of a power yoga class and we focused mostly on core work, but I can't complain my stomach can also use more work during bikini season. It was good core work and very challenging. She definitely knew was she was doing and walked around to teach instead of practicing with us. I'll have more thoughts once I take a vinyasa style class.
Overall I'm impressed so far and look forward to the next month!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Final Rating: Castle Hill Yoga
So, I've taken a few more instructors at CH that I want to share before going into my final ratings. The first is Gioconda who I had taken classes with at BFree - I have to admit that I loved her there and she's just as good at CH :) However, since she's not unique to CH I don't know that it's a huge selling point for the studio itself. The second is Christina Sells.
I was told that Christina is famous. She has written books, been doing yoga forever, taught numerous current instructors, etc. I have taken one class with her and I will say she is very skilled. She also gives off an air of really loving what she is doing and getting excited at accomplishments that her students make in class. For example, we watched some demonstrations of things to try and when it was over we'd clap. Then if someone else tried...we'd clap again, a lot of clapping :) The disappointment I had was with how many times we stopped to watch others, I didn't feel like I got much of a practice in. I completely understand that there were a lot of instructors in the class and that they want to learn more, but as a practice it was slow moving and a little random, plus we did TONS of back bends (oooh shoulders!)
Those two instructors rounded out my evaluation of Castle Hill (CH for short). Overall, I felt the classes were OK. The problem I had was with the inconsistency, for example, one class with the same description was way too easy for me, while another one was very challenging...make it a total toss up until you got the hang of it. Unfortunately, once I got the hang of it I realized there were only two instructors I enjoyed in that I would come back on a regular basis: Jeremiah and Gioconda. One is leaving and the other teaches across a few studios.
The other class issue I had was with the times. I explained this in my initial update but the morning classes are only the self-guided classes, which I strongly disliked. In addition, there is only one time for evening classes (6pm) so they were very easy to miss if I had to work late, with no extended or evening options. I did think though that the weekend availabilities were good. Black Swan was still my go-to for flexibility in my practice throughout my time with CH.
Castle Hill is a maze of exercise. There is a cafe, 2 yoga rooms (with a 3rd across the street in it's own building) and so much equipment. The yoga room in which I took most of my classes was upstairs...and next to another room where there were dance and martial arts practices. Numerous times the floor started vibrating in our relaxation due to the music of the other room. The studio across the street was great. It was perfect for yoga with all of the tools to use, good light, nice floor...but since it's separate you have to sign in at the regular desk and walk over...I think that's why there aren't more classes taught there. I was surprised actually because it was the nicest facility in the entirety of CH.
Going back to my initial post - there are perks to having a full gym, including shower, bathroom, lockers and space. The feel though was more of a gym than a yoga studio - I like the quiet, relaxed understanding that all yogis have before and after practice that is disturbed some by others who were just lifting weights to loud iPod tunes. Trust me I like that too...but not when I'm going to practice yoga :)
Overall, I can see how some would really like CH - especially if you are looking for a yoga + gym membership or if you are a big fan of Christina Sells (she is a fantastic influence on yoga). It wasn't for me so I'm done at CH and moving on to Yoga Vida...stay tuned.
Ratings:
Classes: 3/5
Facility: 2/5
Overall: 2.5/5
I was told that Christina is famous. She has written books, been doing yoga forever, taught numerous current instructors, etc. I have taken one class with her and I will say she is very skilled. She also gives off an air of really loving what she is doing and getting excited at accomplishments that her students make in class. For example, we watched some demonstrations of things to try and when it was over we'd clap. Then if someone else tried...we'd clap again, a lot of clapping :) The disappointment I had was with how many times we stopped to watch others, I didn't feel like I got much of a practice in. I completely understand that there were a lot of instructors in the class and that they want to learn more, but as a practice it was slow moving and a little random, plus we did TONS of back bends (oooh shoulders!)
Those two instructors rounded out my evaluation of Castle Hill (CH for short). Overall, I felt the classes were OK. The problem I had was with the inconsistency, for example, one class with the same description was way too easy for me, while another one was very challenging...make it a total toss up until you got the hang of it. Unfortunately, once I got the hang of it I realized there were only two instructors I enjoyed in that I would come back on a regular basis: Jeremiah and Gioconda. One is leaving and the other teaches across a few studios.
The other class issue I had was with the times. I explained this in my initial update but the morning classes are only the self-guided classes, which I strongly disliked. In addition, there is only one time for evening classes (6pm) so they were very easy to miss if I had to work late, with no extended or evening options. I did think though that the weekend availabilities were good. Black Swan was still my go-to for flexibility in my practice throughout my time with CH.
Castle Hill is a maze of exercise. There is a cafe, 2 yoga rooms (with a 3rd across the street in it's own building) and so much equipment. The yoga room in which I took most of my classes was upstairs...and next to another room where there were dance and martial arts practices. Numerous times the floor started vibrating in our relaxation due to the music of the other room. The studio across the street was great. It was perfect for yoga with all of the tools to use, good light, nice floor...but since it's separate you have to sign in at the regular desk and walk over...I think that's why there aren't more classes taught there. I was surprised actually because it was the nicest facility in the entirety of CH.
Going back to my initial post - there are perks to having a full gym, including shower, bathroom, lockers and space. The feel though was more of a gym than a yoga studio - I like the quiet, relaxed understanding that all yogis have before and after practice that is disturbed some by others who were just lifting weights to loud iPod tunes. Trust me I like that too...but not when I'm going to practice yoga :)
Overall, I can see how some would really like CH - especially if you are looking for a yoga + gym membership or if you are a big fan of Christina Sells (she is a fantastic influence on yoga). It wasn't for me so I'm done at CH and moving on to Yoga Vida...stay tuned.
Ratings:
Classes: 3/5
Facility: 2/5
Overall: 2.5/5
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Instructors: Castle Hill Yoga
So far, I've done 4/10 classes at CH. They have been interesting...and very diverse. I wanted to cover the 4 different instructors I've had thus far...
Eriko - for her I took the Ashtanga Mysore class and I didn't like it, but that isn't her fault. I just am not a fan of the self-guided yoga. She, however, was very helpful knowing that I hadn't done a Mysore class prior to that morning. She gauged my skill level well and was able to give me some more advanced sequences once she knew I was aware of the poses. I think if I did like Mysore I'd continuing going to her class...I know that if she has a regular class I would attend!
Dido - again, it was unfortunate that I got her for the Beginner Vinyasa class. I took it to check it out and was more advanced than the others attending. She was very into the feel of yoga and meditation, so that was nice after a long day. Dido was great...she did give me some options to make the practice more challenging and she definitely has a good presence in the class. Her patience with the new individuals was impressive and I know she has the capability to teach advanced classes.
Angie - I took her Vinyasa Flow class in the evening and really liked her personality, however the class was still feeling too easy for me. We did a lot of handstands and inversions which I like but it made the class not flow as much as I'm used to. She also had us line up on the sides of the room and face each other which made me feel a little self-conscious. I ended up watching the ladies in front of me more than I paid attention to my own practice.
Jeremiah - this has been my favorite class so far. I had never taken a strictly Anusara class before, but it integrated many poses I've done over and over again in other Power classes. He was very intent on the chanting and OM's at the beginning which was fun. It made me a little wary that the class wouldn't be challenging, but I finally got my workout! I definitely felt like I got something of strength out of his class, phew...good thing it was a 90 minute class. Sad to say that he's moving at the end of the month so won't be there anymore.
Six more classes to go, and hopefully 6 new instructors! On Wednesday I'm taking class with Christina Sell - who I'm told is the shining star of CH and the yoga world...so we'll see how it goes!
Eriko - for her I took the Ashtanga Mysore class and I didn't like it, but that isn't her fault. I just am not a fan of the self-guided yoga. She, however, was very helpful knowing that I hadn't done a Mysore class prior to that morning. She gauged my skill level well and was able to give me some more advanced sequences once she knew I was aware of the poses. I think if I did like Mysore I'd continuing going to her class...I know that if she has a regular class I would attend!
Dido - again, it was unfortunate that I got her for the Beginner Vinyasa class. I took it to check it out and was more advanced than the others attending. She was very into the feel of yoga and meditation, so that was nice after a long day. Dido was great...she did give me some options to make the practice more challenging and she definitely has a good presence in the class. Her patience with the new individuals was impressive and I know she has the capability to teach advanced classes.
Angie - I took her Vinyasa Flow class in the evening and really liked her personality, however the class was still feeling too easy for me. We did a lot of handstands and inversions which I like but it made the class not flow as much as I'm used to. She also had us line up on the sides of the room and face each other which made me feel a little self-conscious. I ended up watching the ladies in front of me more than I paid attention to my own practice.
Jeremiah - this has been my favorite class so far. I had never taken a strictly Anusara class before, but it integrated many poses I've done over and over again in other Power classes. He was very intent on the chanting and OM's at the beginning which was fun. It made me a little wary that the class wouldn't be challenging, but I finally got my workout! I definitely felt like I got something of strength out of his class, phew...good thing it was a 90 minute class. Sad to say that he's moving at the end of the month so won't be there anymore.
Six more classes to go, and hopefully 6 new instructors! On Wednesday I'm taking class with Christina Sell - who I'm told is the shining star of CH and the yoga world...so we'll see how it goes!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
First Impression: Castle Hill Yoga
I started Castle Hill "yoga" today but don't be confused, all of the specialty classes, etc. are still under the umbrella and in the same building as Castle Hill Fitness. To be honest, I was completely confused before I got there and it didn't get much clearer once I arrived.
Castle Hill Fitness is like an exercise city, it is windy and there are rooms, doors and random pieces of equipment everywhere, very Austin. To that point though, the yoga rooms are only 2 out of all that is going on at CH. Now, this can be good and bad. The perk is that you get the full locker room which is older but has all of the goods (hairdryer, towels, soaps, hair products, etc.) which is beneficial for showering after class. The negative is more a personal thing in that I already have a gym, so I'm looking to join a yoga studio.
As I said, I'm still a little confused at how it all works, but I believe with my trial class pass (1st timers get 50% off 10-class pass = $66) I can use the fitness facilities too but cannot attend other specialty classes and just yoga? They also have "community classes" for a drop in $7 where you don't need a membership at all, so I don't know that getting the class pass is really worth it?
As far as the schedule goes, there are options I have on Saturday and Sunday but during the week there are really only 2, the 6:30am Ashtanga Mysore and the 6pm Vinyasa Flow classes, that I can make. I'm disappointed at that...especially after the Mysore class this morning. What Mysore means is that you basically show up and kind of just go through the poses by yourself while the instructor watch/gives you some hints, but doesn't lead the class. The reason I take classes is because the instructors know more than I do!! I can see how some would like the peace and the calm that comes with going at your own pace...but it's not worth the cost and not really my preference.
I'm looking forward to trying the Vinyasa Flow class and possibly some of the Community classes on the weekends. I think moving forward if I were to do CH (again I've only been once) I'd just go on a class by class basis, similar to Black Swan. Who knows though...I could change my mind, I have 9 classes left to go!
Castle Hill Fitness is like an exercise city, it is windy and there are rooms, doors and random pieces of equipment everywhere, very Austin. To that point though, the yoga rooms are only 2 out of all that is going on at CH. Now, this can be good and bad. The perk is that you get the full locker room which is older but has all of the goods (hairdryer, towels, soaps, hair products, etc.) which is beneficial for showering after class. The negative is more a personal thing in that I already have a gym, so I'm looking to join a yoga studio.
As I said, I'm still a little confused at how it all works, but I believe with my trial class pass (1st timers get 50% off 10-class pass = $66) I can use the fitness facilities too but cannot attend other specialty classes and just yoga? They also have "community classes" for a drop in $7 where you don't need a membership at all, so I don't know that getting the class pass is really worth it?
As far as the schedule goes, there are options I have on Saturday and Sunday but during the week there are really only 2, the 6:30am Ashtanga Mysore and the 6pm Vinyasa Flow classes, that I can make. I'm disappointed at that...especially after the Mysore class this morning. What Mysore means is that you basically show up and kind of just go through the poses by yourself while the instructor watch/gives you some hints, but doesn't lead the class. The reason I take classes is because the instructors know more than I do!! I can see how some would like the peace and the calm that comes with going at your own pace...but it's not worth the cost and not really my preference.
I'm looking forward to trying the Vinyasa Flow class and possibly some of the Community classes on the weekends. I think moving forward if I were to do CH (again I've only been once) I'd just go on a class by class basis, similar to Black Swan. Who knows though...I could change my mind, I have 9 classes left to go!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Final Rating: Bfree
Well I'm sad to say that my time at Bfree is over for now. I had a great experience there each time I went. The atmosphere is very welcoming for yogis of all levels and there was a great variety of clientele. As I've explained before the studio is only a couple of months old and that makes me even more impressed with Shelby, the new owner. She is constantly meeting members, hosting interesting guests and supporting her staff. The changes she has made even since I began are fantastic; just recently she has decided to go "free" in another way by integrating all green products, energy efficient lighting, and more.
My classes have been a mixed variety at Bfree, which I personally liked but others who are new may find slightly frustrating. Since there are instructors who have come from different backgrounds and teacher training there isn't a ton of consistency between them, however since you never know what to expect with a new instructor it is a lot of fun to try new days and times. I experienced yoga that I never knew existed, with songs, music, unique poses, etc. Therefore, as someone who is using yoga as relaxation, fun and exercise it was great. Because there are so many teachers they have a great schedule. Anytime I wanted to go to yoga I was able to find a class to fit in. This is very nice because I generally don't know until that day or the day before when I'll be free.
Overall, I liked the instructors and the classes. I have to say before coming to Bfree I never really needed a towel during class and I definitely did multiple times over the past month. My favorite instructor was definitely Iva, I really liked her flow, cadence and instruction, I would recommend her class to any of you who are going to try out Bfree. I also loved G'Nell, she was one of my last classes. I had missed her at BBY, but was able to fit her class in at Bfree...she rocks! I was actually SORE the day after her class which is a huge rarity and she was able to talk me through eka-pada kundinyasana pose for the first time ever and now I can do it. She really, really knows her stuff and you can tell she is completely comfortable teaching and enjoys every minute of it. Final note: they do lavender towels on your face after classes which I love.
The facility at Bfree I really liked. Since some of the instructors that I wanted to try were during the work day I was really happy that they had two showers equipped with soap and shampoo. In addition, sorry guys, but Shelby puts out free lady products in the bathroom, I know this is silly but it's such an easy way to make someone's day :) She had the place re-tiled as well. The instruction rooms are very roomy, and not because no one came to classes. The ceiling is very high so even when it was packed it wasn't overwhelming. In addition, there is a LOT of parking in the garage behind the studio as well as a huge blackboard that gives you information on upcoming events, classes and changes.
There are free mats to use and small hand towels. Shelby has water bottles available for $1.00 that you can purchase when you come in. Everything about Bfree is open and inviting...if you want to check it out for yourself they are having the Bfree Yoga Festival this Saturday April 30th with all day FREE yoga!
Ratings:
Classes: 4/5
Facility: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.25/5
The more carefree, relaxed feel of the studio was a real draw to me! Feel free to leave any comments or thoughts :)
My classes have been a mixed variety at Bfree, which I personally liked but others who are new may find slightly frustrating. Since there are instructors who have come from different backgrounds and teacher training there isn't a ton of consistency between them, however since you never know what to expect with a new instructor it is a lot of fun to try new days and times. I experienced yoga that I never knew existed, with songs, music, unique poses, etc. Therefore, as someone who is using yoga as relaxation, fun and exercise it was great. Because there are so many teachers they have a great schedule. Anytime I wanted to go to yoga I was able to find a class to fit in. This is very nice because I generally don't know until that day or the day before when I'll be free.
Overall, I liked the instructors and the classes. I have to say before coming to Bfree I never really needed a towel during class and I definitely did multiple times over the past month. My favorite instructor was definitely Iva, I really liked her flow, cadence and instruction, I would recommend her class to any of you who are going to try out Bfree. I also loved G'Nell, she was one of my last classes. I had missed her at BBY, but was able to fit her class in at Bfree...she rocks! I was actually SORE the day after her class which is a huge rarity and she was able to talk me through eka-pada kundinyasana pose for the first time ever and now I can do it. She really, really knows her stuff and you can tell she is completely comfortable teaching and enjoys every minute of it. Final note: they do lavender towels on your face after classes which I love.
The facility at Bfree I really liked. Since some of the instructors that I wanted to try were during the work day I was really happy that they had two showers equipped with soap and shampoo. In addition, sorry guys, but Shelby puts out free lady products in the bathroom, I know this is silly but it's such an easy way to make someone's day :) She had the place re-tiled as well. The instruction rooms are very roomy, and not because no one came to classes. The ceiling is very high so even when it was packed it wasn't overwhelming. In addition, there is a LOT of parking in the garage behind the studio as well as a huge blackboard that gives you information on upcoming events, classes and changes.
There are free mats to use and small hand towels. Shelby has water bottles available for $1.00 that you can purchase when you come in. Everything about Bfree is open and inviting...if you want to check it out for yourself they are having the Bfree Yoga Festival this Saturday April 30th with all day FREE yoga!
Ratings:
Classes: 4/5
Facility: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.25/5
The more carefree, relaxed feel of the studio was a real draw to me! Feel free to leave any comments or thoughts :)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
More Bfree Instructors
I am nearing the end of my trial month at Bfree and have had so many fantastic instructors! I really like the variety that I get with each class, I have yet to know what to expect from a new instructor that I haven't had before.
What I have learned as I've gotten further into my Yoga Tour is that many of the instructors teach at multiple studios - so I'm lucky to have a chance to try out G'Nell's class at Bfree tonight because I missed her at BBY!
Rebecca - The class I attended by Rebecca was a BHot class, the first that I've taken at the studio. Although I'm not the biggest fan of bikram that is not the fault of the instructor. She was very thorough and even though I didn't know the pose names (they were slightly different from vinyasa) I didn't feel lost or out of place. The class was also VERY full but I didn't feel a lack of attention or distraction from Rebecca. I walked into her class feeling overwhelmed by life and left with a new attitude. Her manner was very professional!
Gioconda - my friend Sami has been talking about Gio's class since I started at Bfree...and I finally made it. Whew, I didn't know I could sweat that much. The class was challenging and the pattern of the class was unique to her. I really liked the variation options that she gave for each balancing pose, it allowed me to play when I felt strong enough but know what the next best option was since I was really tired (long day)! Her class was packed full and you could tell that she has quite a following of yogis. I was really impressed with her cadence and instruction, she lives and breathes yoga :)
As I explained, Friday is my last day at Bfree. Since I will have one class in me after G'Nell's class tonight I'm going to hit up Shelby's 9:30 on Friday since we have off for the holiday (hopefully they are open). Then I'll be sure to give my final thoughts on Bfree!
What I have learned as I've gotten further into my Yoga Tour is that many of the instructors teach at multiple studios - so I'm lucky to have a chance to try out G'Nell's class at Bfree tonight because I missed her at BBY!
Rebecca - The class I attended by Rebecca was a BHot class, the first that I've taken at the studio. Although I'm not the biggest fan of bikram that is not the fault of the instructor. She was very thorough and even though I didn't know the pose names (they were slightly different from vinyasa) I didn't feel lost or out of place. The class was also VERY full but I didn't feel a lack of attention or distraction from Rebecca. I walked into her class feeling overwhelmed by life and left with a new attitude. Her manner was very professional!
Gioconda - my friend Sami has been talking about Gio's class since I started at Bfree...and I finally made it. Whew, I didn't know I could sweat that much. The class was challenging and the pattern of the class was unique to her. I really liked the variation options that she gave for each balancing pose, it allowed me to play when I felt strong enough but know what the next best option was since I was really tired (long day)! Her class was packed full and you could tell that she has quite a following of yogis. I was really impressed with her cadence and instruction, she lives and breathes yoga :)
As I explained, Friday is my last day at Bfree. Since I will have one class in me after G'Nell's class tonight I'm going to hit up Shelby's 9:30 on Friday since we have off for the holiday (hopefully they are open). Then I'll be sure to give my final thoughts on Bfree!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Bfree Yoga Instructors
I've been with Bfree yoga now for about 2 weeks and have experienced a variety of yoga styles and teaching! It's very interesting because each of the teachers has a different background so I never knew what to expect. I'll give some highlights...
Brienne - Her style was very confident, she has a lot of knowledge and you can tell. I liked her class because it felt nurturing and there was a lot of motivational speak and "good jobs". In addition, it was a different spin on vinyasa in that the flows were in unique patterns.
Zoe - I walked in a little late and was a little surprised to hear singing...but when we did the same pattern of song at the end of class it was surreal, kind of taking you outside yourself! She is definitely more earthy and "free" in her practice.
Victoria - She was young but knows a lot of details. I did feel like she needed to be more confident, her class was great but I could tell she was a little nervous. I would suggest picking one or two poses on which to inflect and show more emotion.
Iva - Great! She had a fantastic voice and the flow was very natural. The hour went by quickly and I was sweating like crazy...very challenging and strong class. She had a good balance of each body part so we hit on arms, hips, etc.
I look forward to trying more instructors. There are so many at Bfree that I will definitely have more updates :)
Brienne - Her style was very confident, she has a lot of knowledge and you can tell. I liked her class because it felt nurturing and there was a lot of motivational speak and "good jobs". In addition, it was a different spin on vinyasa in that the flows were in unique patterns.
Zoe - I walked in a little late and was a little surprised to hear singing...but when we did the same pattern of song at the end of class it was surreal, kind of taking you outside yourself! She is definitely more earthy and "free" in her practice.
Victoria - She was young but knows a lot of details. I did feel like she needed to be more confident, her class was great but I could tell she was a little nervous. I would suggest picking one or two poses on which to inflect and show more emotion.
Iva - Great! She had a fantastic voice and the flow was very natural. The hour went by quickly and I was sweating like crazy...very challenging and strong class. She had a good balance of each body part so we hit on arms, hips, etc.
I look forward to trying more instructors. There are so many at Bfree that I will definitely have more updates :)
Monday, March 28, 2011
First Impression: Bfree Yoga
My second official studio trial began at Bfree Yoga on Friday. I'm doing a one-month trial for $60 and have friends who are excited to do the $20 10-day trials throughout my month, so we should have some guest bloggers!
My first class was Friday during lunch, I knew this would extend my lunch hour but since everyone else at work was out having drinks and watching the NCAA tournament I was still ahead! The classes are organized very well and are very clear, they offer BFlow, BHot, BGroove and some others. I have to admit I LOVE her branding strategy. It is easy to remember and allows for a lot of play on words, for example, she could add BAge-less for an older crowd or BMommy for pre-natal yoga..you see where I'm going with this. Anyway, I think it's genius and the marketer in me went to town :)
The class schedule is very flexible which I really like. There are 6-7am classes everyday which is great for early risers like me, but also multiple evening classes to choose from, including a new 9:30pm class on Thursdays. There seem to be many instructors, some of which teach only at BFree and others who I've seen on the schedule at various yoga studios around the city. Shelby, the owner, just purchased BFree a couple of weeks ago (it used to be Bodhi Yoga).
Because the name has recently changed I had a little trouble finding the place. I had the address and all but the sign isn't on the building yet so I wasn't sure how to find the studio...I would suggest putting a quick blurb on the location portion of the website that explains it is "on the San Gabriel side, on the first floor by the stairs." Just for us who are easily confused :)
So, on to the studio. My first impression was a good one. It has a lot of space which I like and is very open. There is a small locker room with two showers (which was perfect for going back to work Friday). It is clean and has an earthy feel, very yoga. The hot studio is huge, so when practicing there is enough room not to be on top of each other, I personally enjoy the space. There is another studio but I'm not sure yet if it's used...Shelby has a huge blackboard right when you walk in with announcements and information which is fun to read while you are waiting for class to start. April is bring a friend free month!
It seemed as if there were mats that one could use for free if you forgot and hand towels for during class. The one thing missing was a water cooler or a small refrigerator to buy a bottled water. I am not one who likes water typically so I tend to forget and be the person who buys a bottle or finds an empty something in my car...so maybe just having a small fridge and water for purchase would be simple improvement.
The classes I've taken so far were both taught by Shelby. She was substituting because a few of the other instructors are traveling. Both were great, and very hot! I sweat more in her classes than I ever have before, so I walked out feeling like I lost 5 lbs. Her classes seemed more focused on strength than some other Flow classes I've taken, which I liked. There were quite a few holds, various versions of plank, and a lot of back bends. The music was great, especially in the Sunday class...she played songs like "Like A Prayer" and "Handstands" which were very fitting.
Overall, I'm excited to really get started and try out the different instructors at Bfree, as well as classes other than just BFlow. I'll hopefully get some friends to check it out with me and give their thoughts over the next couple of weeks!
My first class was Friday during lunch, I knew this would extend my lunch hour but since everyone else at work was out having drinks and watching the NCAA tournament I was still ahead! The classes are organized very well and are very clear, they offer BFlow, BHot, BGroove and some others. I have to admit I LOVE her branding strategy. It is easy to remember and allows for a lot of play on words, for example, she could add BAge-less for an older crowd or BMommy for pre-natal yoga..you see where I'm going with this. Anyway, I think it's genius and the marketer in me went to town :)
The class schedule is very flexible which I really like. There are 6-7am classes everyday which is great for early risers like me, but also multiple evening classes to choose from, including a new 9:30pm class on Thursdays. There seem to be many instructors, some of which teach only at BFree and others who I've seen on the schedule at various yoga studios around the city. Shelby, the owner, just purchased BFree a couple of weeks ago (it used to be Bodhi Yoga).
Because the name has recently changed I had a little trouble finding the place. I had the address and all but the sign isn't on the building yet so I wasn't sure how to find the studio...I would suggest putting a quick blurb on the location portion of the website that explains it is "on the San Gabriel side, on the first floor by the stairs." Just for us who are easily confused :)
So, on to the studio. My first impression was a good one. It has a lot of space which I like and is very open. There is a small locker room with two showers (which was perfect for going back to work Friday). It is clean and has an earthy feel, very yoga. The hot studio is huge, so when practicing there is enough room not to be on top of each other, I personally enjoy the space. There is another studio but I'm not sure yet if it's used...Shelby has a huge blackboard right when you walk in with announcements and information which is fun to read while you are waiting for class to start. April is bring a friend free month!
It seemed as if there were mats that one could use for free if you forgot and hand towels for during class. The one thing missing was a water cooler or a small refrigerator to buy a bottled water. I am not one who likes water typically so I tend to forget and be the person who buys a bottle or finds an empty something in my car...so maybe just having a small fridge and water for purchase would be simple improvement.
The classes I've taken so far were both taught by Shelby. She was substituting because a few of the other instructors are traveling. Both were great, and very hot! I sweat more in her classes than I ever have before, so I walked out feeling like I lost 5 lbs. Her classes seemed more focused on strength than some other Flow classes I've taken, which I liked. There were quite a few holds, various versions of plank, and a lot of back bends. The music was great, especially in the Sunday class...she played songs like "Like A Prayer" and "Handstands" which were very fitting.
Overall, I'm excited to really get started and try out the different instructors at Bfree, as well as classes other than just BFlow. I'll hopefully get some friends to check it out with me and give their thoughts over the next couple of weeks!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Breath & Body Yoga: Final Rating
I have officially completed my month-long trial period at BBY. I have to say that it was an enjoyable month that sped by. My experience was with various instructors which I think was absolutely necessary to get a good grasp on the studio, their teaching methods and their techniques.
My initial positive reaction to the classes at BBY only got stronger as I continued. Each and every teacher was intelligent, attentive and well-trained. The classes were very challenging and I never left feeling as if I didn't get a good power yoga workout, and although I was scared of 1.5 hours to begin with, not I don't know how they cram any yoga into an hour...must be very challenging for the teachers. I'm not sure how to explain it but the classes had a great flow...we started out slowly with stretching and warm-up, moved into very intense poses (inversions, etc.) then ended with floor work including hips, back, etc.
I will definitely give credit to Desirae for not only being a fantastic teacher but also constantly parlaying her knowledge on to the other instructors that work for her. You can tell they are well aware of the human muscular and skeletal systems and have a good knowledge of how to do proper adjustments and corrections. In addition, the mental awareness came very easily in each of the classes. The message and intent for each of my sessions was well guided and spot on. For example, one morning there was construction right out the window and Desirae used it as our "music" and as a way for us to re-focus our practice on the poses instead of the environment around us.
As you know from past posts I rate the classes, the facility and my overall opinion of the studio. BBY has a small facility and that was a bit disappointing at times, for example, because there was only one bathroom and the shower was back inside the studio, so I didn't know if it was for students...I knew I'd have to go home after class instead of right to work in the morning. This can definitely be a negative for some, I luckily could balance around that since I live close, but others may not have that luxury. However, the studio was always very clean and tidy, with water available for purchase and through a cooler, in addition to small towels that were complimentary to use.
What I did notice is that if you forgot a mat or towel (the good yoga kind) you did have to pay to rent them. I think the prices are high enough at BBY that they could lend them to people. The type of individuals that I witnessed practicing there were fairly seasoned so I think everyone owned a mat...and if they forgot one it should be easy to borrow once in awhile. The prices for rental were $2 for each.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience at BBY. They are knowledgeable and I completely trusted their judgment. The teachers seem to be learning and improving all of the time through workshops, traveling, etc. and it's good to know they aren't working with old material. I definitely think that the option of having a one month or one week unlimited as a new student is ideal. Some/most studios offer just a week or 10 days and I found that I did get somewhat "attached" to the teachers I met and the style...there is definitely an emotional tie to yoga!
Ratings:
Classes: 5/5
Facility 3/5
Overall: 4.25/5 - classes hold a little more weight for me
It'll be hard to get a perfect score out of me, but here I go...the next stop BFree Yoga Downtown.
My initial positive reaction to the classes at BBY only got stronger as I continued. Each and every teacher was intelligent, attentive and well-trained. The classes were very challenging and I never left feeling as if I didn't get a good power yoga workout, and although I was scared of 1.5 hours to begin with, not I don't know how they cram any yoga into an hour...must be very challenging for the teachers. I'm not sure how to explain it but the classes had a great flow...we started out slowly with stretching and warm-up, moved into very intense poses (inversions, etc.) then ended with floor work including hips, back, etc.
I will definitely give credit to Desirae for not only being a fantastic teacher but also constantly parlaying her knowledge on to the other instructors that work for her. You can tell they are well aware of the human muscular and skeletal systems and have a good knowledge of how to do proper adjustments and corrections. In addition, the mental awareness came very easily in each of the classes. The message and intent for each of my sessions was well guided and spot on. For example, one morning there was construction right out the window and Desirae used it as our "music" and as a way for us to re-focus our practice on the poses instead of the environment around us.
As you know from past posts I rate the classes, the facility and my overall opinion of the studio. BBY has a small facility and that was a bit disappointing at times, for example, because there was only one bathroom and the shower was back inside the studio, so I didn't know if it was for students...I knew I'd have to go home after class instead of right to work in the morning. This can definitely be a negative for some, I luckily could balance around that since I live close, but others may not have that luxury. However, the studio was always very clean and tidy, with water available for purchase and through a cooler, in addition to small towels that were complimentary to use.
What I did notice is that if you forgot a mat or towel (the good yoga kind) you did have to pay to rent them. I think the prices are high enough at BBY that they could lend them to people. The type of individuals that I witnessed practicing there were fairly seasoned so I think everyone owned a mat...and if they forgot one it should be easy to borrow once in awhile. The prices for rental were $2 for each.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience at BBY. They are knowledgeable and I completely trusted their judgment. The teachers seem to be learning and improving all of the time through workshops, traveling, etc. and it's good to know they aren't working with old material. I definitely think that the option of having a one month or one week unlimited as a new student is ideal. Some/most studios offer just a week or 10 days and I found that I did get somewhat "attached" to the teachers I met and the style...there is definitely an emotional tie to yoga!
Ratings:
Classes: 5/5
Facility 3/5
Overall: 4.25/5 - classes hold a little more weight for me
It'll be hard to get a perfect score out of me, but here I go...the next stop BFree Yoga Downtown.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Breath & Body Instructors: Sami and Desirae
As you may have noticed I've chosen to try out the different instructors and classes at BBY. Writing about each one individually would cause me to get behind in my blogging so I'll continue to review two at a time. The two following instructors were both amazing. There was a similarity between Sami, Kaley and Desirae, which I'm sure is attributed to the fact that Sami and Kaley went through training at BBY, and Desirae is the owner!
Sami -
Sami is fairly new to teaching yoga (she got her certification in December) but she teaches like a seasoned professional. Her class was at 6:30am which I loved!! It was a new class that was recently added and I'm a big fan. Sami took this into consideration and made sure that we got the most out of our hour. She led the class so that it would prepare us for the week ahead. The opening and twisting poses really woke me up. I was surprised that an hour went by so quickly since most of the classes I've been taking lately have been an hour and a half.
Sami is very consistent with her instruction, which is helpful for those of us who aren't as familiar with the poses and flow patterns. She always speaks through each pose and makes sure to notice if anyone isn't doing it properly...she doesn't call them out but reiterates to the entire class how to make corrections. She talks through corrections and adjustments the entire time which improves my practice and technique. Even those who feel confident in their poses benefit from the reminders! Her music choices were fun and upbeat and went with the speed of the class. I saw similarities between our corporate class with Sami and the studio class - but the studio class was definitely more challenging...she was in her element and it was fantastic! Added bonus: we got lavender towels on our foreheads!
Desirae -
I learned a new yoga word today in Desirae's class, and it is "cadence". As I explained to Sami how I enjoyed the way that Desirae spoke throughout the class and how I was impressed by her points of inflection and the ease of her instruction, she informed me that it's known as cadence and it's a skill that all yoga teachers strive to perfect. It was motivating! As I explained in the intro, Desirae is the owner of BBY and I was told ahead of time that she had just gotten back from a bootcamp in Hawaii...so she was ready to kick our butts!
The class was definitely a challenge, whew. I really liked the integration of ab work into the class as it set the tone for the core work that comes from the flow portion of the class. She seemed to stay one step ahead of us as far as the next pose or adjustment was concerned, which I liked because it allowed us to go through the vinyasas and keep breathing at our own pace. Desirae knows her stuff, and it was obvious that others feel the same...she had many of the other instructors in her class as well as the most people I've seen attend a BBY class since I started!
I know I have yet to experience every instructor at BBY, but I am confident that I will enjoy and feel challenged by each and every class to come based on what I've seen so far :)
Sami -
Sami is fairly new to teaching yoga (she got her certification in December) but she teaches like a seasoned professional. Her class was at 6:30am which I loved!! It was a new class that was recently added and I'm a big fan. Sami took this into consideration and made sure that we got the most out of our hour. She led the class so that it would prepare us for the week ahead. The opening and twisting poses really woke me up. I was surprised that an hour went by so quickly since most of the classes I've been taking lately have been an hour and a half.
Sami is very consistent with her instruction, which is helpful for those of us who aren't as familiar with the poses and flow patterns. She always speaks through each pose and makes sure to notice if anyone isn't doing it properly...she doesn't call them out but reiterates to the entire class how to make corrections. She talks through corrections and adjustments the entire time which improves my practice and technique. Even those who feel confident in their poses benefit from the reminders! Her music choices were fun and upbeat and went with the speed of the class. I saw similarities between our corporate class with Sami and the studio class - but the studio class was definitely more challenging...she was in her element and it was fantastic! Added bonus: we got lavender towels on our foreheads!
Desirae -
I learned a new yoga word today in Desirae's class, and it is "cadence". As I explained to Sami how I enjoyed the way that Desirae spoke throughout the class and how I was impressed by her points of inflection and the ease of her instruction, she informed me that it's known as cadence and it's a skill that all yoga teachers strive to perfect. It was motivating! As I explained in the intro, Desirae is the owner of BBY and I was told ahead of time that she had just gotten back from a bootcamp in Hawaii...so she was ready to kick our butts!
The class was definitely a challenge, whew. I really liked the integration of ab work into the class as it set the tone for the core work that comes from the flow portion of the class. She seemed to stay one step ahead of us as far as the next pose or adjustment was concerned, which I liked because it allowed us to go through the vinyasas and keep breathing at our own pace. Desirae knows her stuff, and it was obvious that others feel the same...she had many of the other instructors in her class as well as the most people I've seen attend a BBY class since I started!
I know I have yet to experience every instructor at BBY, but I am confident that I will enjoy and feel challenged by each and every class to come based on what I've seen so far :)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Breath & Body Instructors: Omar and Kaley
Every class I've taken at BBY has been awesome - these two included! Each of these two instructors has their own style and definitely made their classes unique. Again, I'm impressed so far with the BBY staff and cannot wait to practice with the remainder of the instructors during my trial period.
Omar:
His class was a little 'easier' (still very challenging) than the others I've taken, but I think it's because he seems to have a much more relaxed approach to his class. I would say that Omar has the best "mat-side" manner that I've ever experienced...he seemed to remember everyone's name and use that to call out adjustments in the class. This was great because you knew that you needed to pay close attention to that change and didn't have to look up or lose focus. I liked the floor work that we did, it was a good closing to the class after the heavy flow portion. We also did a lot of optional inversions which I liked (handstands!). My only critique, and this is a personal preference, is that he didn't have any music and I prefer music during all exercises.
At the end of the class during our final meditation (I always forget the fancy name) he came around and put cool lavender cloths on our foreheads...this was sweet! I did learn that they try to do this if there is time at the end of each class, but it was a nice surprise. I have to say that during a morning or daytime class it wouldn't be as great, but at 8pm when you are preparing to go home for shower/dinner/bed it feels wonderful.
Kaley:
Tonight I took Kaley's class, and loved it. At the beginning she let us know that it was a basics class, which meant less flow, so I was hoping it was still challenging...and oh was it. She did a great job explaining at the start of the class why the basics are important and that many times it is more challenging because you are holding poses longer and really focusing on the technique. She continued to remind us throughout to keep our bellies tucked in which was a nice change. Many people tell me that yoga is great for the core, but I have a fairly strong core to begin with so I don't notice...but by being consistently reminded it made me realize that I just haven't been focusing my muscle energy properly to feel it.
The class was great for me because it was more light-hearted than some. Kaley was conversational while still instructing consistently. She made us feel that although yoga is a serious practice and it is important to focus that it is still just yoga and to have fun with it. I liked her choice of music (Edward Sharpe) and walked out feeling refreshed. I look forward to trying out one of her classes that focuses on flow and power!
______
One more thing I noticed about the studio tonight. I think that for trial periods, even for those who have done some yoga, it would be good at the beginning of the class to know if the instructor thinks we'll need a block, strap, blanket, etc. I have noticed that in each class the individuals gather a number of these things (haven't needed any until tonight) and because I'm new to these instructors it isn't something I'm prepared for. Just a thought!
Omar:
His class was a little 'easier' (still very challenging) than the others I've taken, but I think it's because he seems to have a much more relaxed approach to his class. I would say that Omar has the best "mat-side" manner that I've ever experienced...he seemed to remember everyone's name and use that to call out adjustments in the class. This was great because you knew that you needed to pay close attention to that change and didn't have to look up or lose focus. I liked the floor work that we did, it was a good closing to the class after the heavy flow portion. We also did a lot of optional inversions which I liked (handstands!). My only critique, and this is a personal preference, is that he didn't have any music and I prefer music during all exercises.
At the end of the class during our final meditation (I always forget the fancy name) he came around and put cool lavender cloths on our foreheads...this was sweet! I did learn that they try to do this if there is time at the end of each class, but it was a nice surprise. I have to say that during a morning or daytime class it wouldn't be as great, but at 8pm when you are preparing to go home for shower/dinner/bed it feels wonderful.
Kaley:
Tonight I took Kaley's class, and loved it. At the beginning she let us know that it was a basics class, which meant less flow, so I was hoping it was still challenging...and oh was it. She did a great job explaining at the start of the class why the basics are important and that many times it is more challenging because you are holding poses longer and really focusing on the technique. She continued to remind us throughout to keep our bellies tucked in which was a nice change. Many people tell me that yoga is great for the core, but I have a fairly strong core to begin with so I don't notice...but by being consistently reminded it made me realize that I just haven't been focusing my muscle energy properly to feel it.
The class was great for me because it was more light-hearted than some. Kaley was conversational while still instructing consistently. She made us feel that although yoga is a serious practice and it is important to focus that it is still just yoga and to have fun with it. I liked her choice of music (Edward Sharpe) and walked out feeling refreshed. I look forward to trying out one of her classes that focuses on flow and power!
______
One more thing I noticed about the studio tonight. I think that for trial periods, even for those who have done some yoga, it would be good at the beginning of the class to know if the instructor thinks we'll need a block, strap, blanket, etc. I have noticed that in each class the individuals gather a number of these things (haven't needed any until tonight) and because I'm new to these instructors it isn't something I'm prepared for. Just a thought!
MyEdu Corporate Yoga
Once my friend Sami got her yoga license we started discussing the idea of having yoga at MyEdu in the evenings. Corporate yoga is a growing phenom so we worked through the details on our own and based the general timeline and pricing after some of the programs Sami had been introduced to. I knew that we had quite a few yogis in the office, as well as a number of newbies so it was a no brainer to bring her in.
We've just started our 2nd session and it's going well! Our first session had 8 regulars and we're recruiting for others to try it out this time around. There is a huge area in the center of the office that serves as our studio...and it works out perfectly because once it's dark the windows serve as mirrors!
Sami was trained by Breath & Body Yoga here in Austin (see my earlier post for website) and is leading us through power vinyasa classes. She's a great teacher and helps us explore the different aspects of yoga while putting work behind us...even though we're still in the office :) She is especially good at working with all levels of practice - doing a thorough job of explaining the mechanics and proper form of each position. Over the course of our first 6-week session she definitely increased the difficulty-level as everyone got stronger and more familiar with yoga. I'm doing my current trial period at BBY so I'll cover Sami and her classes in more depth after I experience her in the studio!
Our pricing was:
6 weeks for $60
5 weeks for $55 (in case you need to miss one)
Drop-in for $14
It's a great deal and so convenient! I know that a lot of people find it easier to simply stay here then have to commute to a studio; we can even go back to work after if necessary! Definitely reach out to Sami if you think this is something your company would like sami@samilea.com.
We've just started our 2nd session and it's going well! Our first session had 8 regulars and we're recruiting for others to try it out this time around. There is a huge area in the center of the office that serves as our studio...and it works out perfectly because once it's dark the windows serve as mirrors!
Sami was trained by Breath & Body Yoga here in Austin (see my earlier post for website) and is leading us through power vinyasa classes. She's a great teacher and helps us explore the different aspects of yoga while putting work behind us...even though we're still in the office :) She is especially good at working with all levels of practice - doing a thorough job of explaining the mechanics and proper form of each position. Over the course of our first 6-week session she definitely increased the difficulty-level as everyone got stronger and more familiar with yoga. I'm doing my current trial period at BBY so I'll cover Sami and her classes in more depth after I experience her in the studio!
Our pricing was:
6 weeks for $60
5 weeks for $55 (in case you need to miss one)
Drop-in for $14
It's a great deal and so convenient! I know that a lot of people find it easier to simply stay here then have to commute to a studio; we can even go back to work after if necessary! Definitely reach out to Sami if you think this is something your company would like sami@samilea.com.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
First Impression: Breath & Body Yoga
My first official studio trial is with Breath & Body Yoga in north-central Austin. They have two deals available, $20 for the first week unlimited or $60 for the first month unlimited. I did the month because I think I'll get more out of it with my current busy schedule!
The first thing I did when I decided to start with BBY (their own abbreviation) was to look at the class schedule. I have to admit I was a little disappointed because there is only one class per day during the week that I would be able to go to (6:30-8pm) and most of my other yogi friends would be in the same boat. The others are during work hours and I am not able to get out for that amount of time to attend. The weekends are better with 3 viable class options per day. I am a big fan of the morning classes, it wakes you up/stretches/all kinds of good stuff, but there is only one on Wednesday mornings when we have MyEdu corporate yoga at night so that's out for me.
Anyway...moving on from that was my first impression of the studio. It was small, but intimate, which I like. The facility is very clean and everything is neat and put together. They don't have a locker room which is a bit of a bummer because the one bathroom gets backed up when everyone must change into their yoga clothes. I did experience this problem :( There are cubbies and because the entrance is in the back of the center it seems safe to leave things there, in addition you can see out into the foyer while you are in class. The actual room where you practice was nice...it was open with a lot of windows and a high ceiling - this was great because it made the room and the amount of people attending seem less crowded and stifling.
A few more notes before I talk about the class...if you are a new trial member you can use mats and towels for free, but if you become a member you need to rent or bring your own. I figure if you buy a membership to a yoga studio you should have those things anyway. They have water for purchase but also a water cooler for you to fill up your bottles.
The class was AWESOME. I have to say it was one of my favorite yoga classes to date. The instructor was Georgette and I was told she was great but of course always want to form my own opinion. The hour and a half class flew by and was hard yet do-able. I loved the speed of her power flow, it was fast and rigorous, which really gets you sweating! The last half hour or so was dedicated to more floor work with strength integrated for the arms and core. She didn't do any adjustments which would've been my only critique. The class was made up of a variety of people, a little older crowd than I'm used to at Black Swan, but they had blocks and straps to help them so everyone could develop their practice.
Overall it was a good experience and I look forward to attending the classes of all instructors over the next month and will definitely keep you updated! I won't rate the studio until the very end so stay tuned...
The first thing I did when I decided to start with BBY (their own abbreviation) was to look at the class schedule. I have to admit I was a little disappointed because there is only one class per day during the week that I would be able to go to (6:30-8pm) and most of my other yogi friends would be in the same boat. The others are during work hours and I am not able to get out for that amount of time to attend. The weekends are better with 3 viable class options per day. I am a big fan of the morning classes, it wakes you up/stretches/all kinds of good stuff, but there is only one on Wednesday mornings when we have MyEdu corporate yoga at night so that's out for me.
Anyway...moving on from that was my first impression of the studio. It was small, but intimate, which I like. The facility is very clean and everything is neat and put together. They don't have a locker room which is a bit of a bummer because the one bathroom gets backed up when everyone must change into their yoga clothes. I did experience this problem :( There are cubbies and because the entrance is in the back of the center it seems safe to leave things there, in addition you can see out into the foyer while you are in class. The actual room where you practice was nice...it was open with a lot of windows and a high ceiling - this was great because it made the room and the amount of people attending seem less crowded and stifling.
A few more notes before I talk about the class...if you are a new trial member you can use mats and towels for free, but if you become a member you need to rent or bring your own. I figure if you buy a membership to a yoga studio you should have those things anyway. They have water for purchase but also a water cooler for you to fill up your bottles.
The class was AWESOME. I have to say it was one of my favorite yoga classes to date. The instructor was Georgette and I was told she was great but of course always want to form my own opinion. The hour and a half class flew by and was hard yet do-able. I loved the speed of her power flow, it was fast and rigorous, which really gets you sweating! The last half hour or so was dedicated to more floor work with strength integrated for the arms and core. She didn't do any adjustments which would've been my only critique. The class was made up of a variety of people, a little older crowd than I'm used to at Black Swan, but they had blocks and straps to help them so everyone could develop their practice.
Overall it was a good experience and I look forward to attending the classes of all instructors over the next month and will definitely keep you updated! I won't rate the studio until the very end so stay tuned...
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Black Swan Yoga
So, I have to admit that this is my go-to yoga studio because you don't have to purchase a membership or certain number of classes, no auto-withdraw from my bank account...just simple donation. Overall, I'll say that this is the major draw to Black Swan, for those of you who don't want to fully commit to yoga or a studio.
The payment works as a donation, like I said above, and this means that at the end of class you give Black Swan however much you feel like it was worth to you. You'd think that people would skirt the system and I'm sure some do, but everyone I know is honest and really appreciate the trust they have for their visitors. I know of people who will give for instance $20 one night and then go two or three times on that donation. Or, if you only have a couple bucks one day, you can fill in the gaps on the next visit. Mats can be rented for $2 and water can be purchased for $.50 - this they also don't track but rely on the honor code. There are computers available too for those of you who like to swipe.
Now for the classes. Some will say (many actually) that the guy instructors are much better than the women, I however have had positive experiences with all of the lady instructors so I will not testify to that. I personally have tried the Vinyasa, Power Yoga and Sweaty Yoga classes which are all a good level of challenging. They do a great job of giving options for poses so that the beginners and more advanced have a good practice. To be honest I've found that these three classes are very similar depending on who the instructor is and the weather outside (we'll talk about facility later) but my favorite remains the Power Yoga, and that seems to be a favorite of a lot of friends as well.
The Black Swan facility is it's downfall, simply because it is not large enough to house the demand for the most popular classes. Most times there is a hand's width between mats at the early and late evening classes and even the early mornings are fairly full. This is negative for me because you have to be very comfortable sweating and breathing all over a stranger and the instructors don't have as much time for adjustments. In addition, because it is donation everyone must wait at the end of class in line to use the computers and for a large class this can take up to 10 minutes. They have two bathrooms but there are only public facing cubbies for shoes in the main lobby, so nothing resembling a locker room like many other studios.
Overall, I really do love Black Swan for the flexibility and ease of scheduling. Knowing that you are not committed is a great feeling for those who are new to yoga or who aren't sure about it yet.
Ratings:
Classes: 4/5
Facility: 2/5
Overall Experience: 3/5
The payment works as a donation, like I said above, and this means that at the end of class you give Black Swan however much you feel like it was worth to you. You'd think that people would skirt the system and I'm sure some do, but everyone I know is honest and really appreciate the trust they have for their visitors. I know of people who will give for instance $20 one night and then go two or three times on that donation. Or, if you only have a couple bucks one day, you can fill in the gaps on the next visit. Mats can be rented for $2 and water can be purchased for $.50 - this they also don't track but rely on the honor code. There are computers available too for those of you who like to swipe.
Now for the classes. Some will say (many actually) that the guy instructors are much better than the women, I however have had positive experiences with all of the lady instructors so I will not testify to that. I personally have tried the Vinyasa, Power Yoga and Sweaty Yoga classes which are all a good level of challenging. They do a great job of giving options for poses so that the beginners and more advanced have a good practice. To be honest I've found that these three classes are very similar depending on who the instructor is and the weather outside (we'll talk about facility later) but my favorite remains the Power Yoga, and that seems to be a favorite of a lot of friends as well.
The Black Swan facility is it's downfall, simply because it is not large enough to house the demand for the most popular classes. Most times there is a hand's width between mats at the early and late evening classes and even the early mornings are fairly full. This is negative for me because you have to be very comfortable sweating and breathing all over a stranger and the instructors don't have as much time for adjustments. In addition, because it is donation everyone must wait at the end of class in line to use the computers and for a large class this can take up to 10 minutes. They have two bathrooms but there are only public facing cubbies for shoes in the main lobby, so nothing resembling a locker room like many other studios.
Overall, I really do love Black Swan for the flexibility and ease of scheduling. Knowing that you are not committed is a great feeling for those who are new to yoga or who aren't sure about it yet.
Ratings:
Classes: 4/5
Facility: 2/5
Overall Experience: 3/5
Sunstone Yoga
For my first review I'll go ahead and cover a studio that I tried through a Living Social Deal. It was $30 for a month unlimited, they have a variety of classes that are all based on the elements, so they call them Earth, Fire, Water, etc. They are based out of Dallas, TX but I went to the location at the Triangle in Austin.
I tested out the Fire, Wood and Earth classes, and found that Earth was the only one I really liked. Fire was a 98 degree class and that is too warm for me so I only went once...Wood was good definitely more like pilates than yoga. Earth is what you would think of as a typical power yoga class so it was my favorite.
The entire month I only had 2 different instructors...and wasn't super impressed with them. They were a little rigid and not very helpful, I never received an adjustment during my practice or any real guidance as far as improving my poses. They were not very "good" at their practice either as far as I can tell from what I've seen. So, the classes themselves were fine, definitely a step-up from the ones at Gold's Gym (duh) but not near the caliber of others.
Now for the facility, etc. They had a locker room which was nice, with showers, towels, etc. but it wasn't always very clean. The mats and towels were complimentary and there were always enough but the towels were a bit ratty, many had holes in them and were fraying at the edges...it would probably be worth it for them to invest in some new towels. I like the rooms, they had carpeting instead of wood or concrete floors so that helped for the poses on our knees and elbows.
Overall, it was a fine experience, I don't know that I would pay their pricing structure, especially with some of the iffy things I mentioned above. As far as marketing, they never followed up with me after my trial or tried to get me to sign up...bad business but I appreciate not being bothered! If there is another deal and you want to try yoga, go for it, but I wouldn't suggest a membership there.
Ratings:
Classes: 2/5
Facility: 3/5
Overall Experience: 2/5
Website: http://www.sunstoneyoga.com/
I tested out the Fire, Wood and Earth classes, and found that Earth was the only one I really liked. Fire was a 98 degree class and that is too warm for me so I only went once...Wood was good definitely more like pilates than yoga. Earth is what you would think of as a typical power yoga class so it was my favorite.
The entire month I only had 2 different instructors...and wasn't super impressed with them. They were a little rigid and not very helpful, I never received an adjustment during my practice or any real guidance as far as improving my poses. They were not very "good" at their practice either as far as I can tell from what I've seen. So, the classes themselves were fine, definitely a step-up from the ones at Gold's Gym (duh) but not near the caliber of others.
Now for the facility, etc. They had a locker room which was nice, with showers, towels, etc. but it wasn't always very clean. The mats and towels were complimentary and there were always enough but the towels were a bit ratty, many had holes in them and were fraying at the edges...it would probably be worth it for them to invest in some new towels. I like the rooms, they had carpeting instead of wood or concrete floors so that helped for the poses on our knees and elbows.
Overall, it was a fine experience, I don't know that I would pay their pricing structure, especially with some of the iffy things I mentioned above. As far as marketing, they never followed up with me after my trial or tried to get me to sign up...bad business but I appreciate not being bothered! If there is another deal and you want to try yoga, go for it, but I wouldn't suggest a membership there.
Ratings:
Classes: 2/5
Facility: 3/5
Overall Experience: 2/5
Website: http://www.sunstoneyoga.com/
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The Plan...
My tour of Austin yoga will start in 2 weeks...why you ask? I'm running the Austin Half Marathon on the 20th of February and don't think it'd be the best idea to jump into a brand new project until it's over...
So, once the excitement of the marathon slows down I'll be ready to dive into my new project, testing out all of the studios in Austin to find the best teachers, most comfortable setting and really what I feel is the best atmosphere for a new yogi.
I have done yoga in the past and currently do it now, so I'm not a true beginner. I've got my headstand, can hold a pretty good warrior 3 and my bridge is getting close to a wheel...however everyone approaches yoga differently. Not just the poses but the mind set and mental aspect as well. Yoga is not just about stretching your body and helping it explore new ways to grow, but also to calm your mind and have you put into perspective the troubles that you face every day.
Currently, I'm a frequent visitor of Black Swan and love it! I'll do a review later but just want to make sure you all know it won't be part of the tour because I'm already familiar. I've also tried SunStone Yoga in the Triangle and in addition, my good friend and recently certified yoga instructor Sami Lipman has set up a once/week yoga class in our office. Again, I will cover all of these in later posts.
My "tour" thus far includes the following location and I urge any readers to help me set a schedule, narrow down, or check them out with me!
Wish me luck!
So, once the excitement of the marathon slows down I'll be ready to dive into my new project, testing out all of the studios in Austin to find the best teachers, most comfortable setting and really what I feel is the best atmosphere for a new yogi.
I have done yoga in the past and currently do it now, so I'm not a true beginner. I've got my headstand, can hold a pretty good warrior 3 and my bridge is getting close to a wheel...however everyone approaches yoga differently. Not just the poses but the mind set and mental aspect as well. Yoga is not just about stretching your body and helping it explore new ways to grow, but also to calm your mind and have you put into perspective the troubles that you face every day.
Currently, I'm a frequent visitor of Black Swan and love it! I'll do a review later but just want to make sure you all know it won't be part of the tour because I'm already familiar. I've also tried SunStone Yoga in the Triangle and in addition, my good friend and recently certified yoga instructor Sami Lipman has set up a once/week yoga class in our office. Again, I will cover all of these in later posts.
My "tour" thus far includes the following location and I urge any readers to help me set a schedule, narrow down, or check them out with me!
- Breath & Body - $20 for first week, $60 for first month
- Bodhi Downtown - $20 for first week
- Castle Hill Fitness Yoga - $20 for first TWO weeks
- Yoga Vida - $20 for first week
- Eastside Yoga Coop - $45 for first month
- Yoga Groove - $20 for first TWO weeks
- Dharma Yoga - $30 for 4 classes in one month (a little confusing)
- Empower Yoga - $20 for first week
- Austin Kula Yoga - 6 classes for $65 to be used in 2 months (again a little confusing)
- PURE Bikram Yoga - $49 for month
- Yoga Yoga - must purchase class package 9 for $110 (ehh, not super convincing)
- Austin Yoga Institute - 6 classes for $120 ( not much option for trial)
- Sundara Yoga - $25 for first week
Wish me luck!
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