Yoga

[dirty-devlin.livejournal.com]

I was thinking of getting my wife some yoga classes (probably beginner level) for her upcoming birthday. Can anyone recommend a good studio?

I was going through older entries and saw a few plugs for O2...

Thanks in advance! :)

Comments

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

What kind of yoga? I believe O2 is primarily ashtanga (power) yoga.

[dirty-devlin.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I'm not totally sure. But I *think* this is the form of yoga she's taken before.

[syntheticnature.livejournal.com]

I tried O2 when they first opened. They seemed like a pretty nice studio, but I have to say, the "beginner" class was out of my "beginner" league. If you're not sure whether your wife has done ashtanga yoga before, you might want to check before committing.

I liked the Kripalu yoga class with Eric Bornstein at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education (http://www.ccae.org/catalog/courses/course_details.php?id=530709) a lot. Or, if you have a car, you could take her to the Kripalu center in Lenox, MA (www.kripalu.org) for a yoga weekend in the Berkshires.

[syntheticnature.livejournal.com]

Oops, I misformatted the Kripalu Center link in the previous message - it should be http://www.kripalu.org (http://www.kripalu.org).

[dirty-devlin.livejournal.com]

Good to know. Thanks! :)

[androidqueen.livejournal.com]

well, as one of the people who has plugged o2 in the past, i'll step in and defend o2 here. :)

i will *definitely* agree that the difficulty and funness of the class depends on the instructor (for example, i really dig heather and emily. not so much a fan of elliot's style.), so if you think your wife can only make a couple of the time slots, getting her a gift certificate might be pretty risky.

you also might see if you can find out what she likes about the yoga she's done before. one of the things i really enjoy about o2 is that they do some of the "fun stuff" like modified head- and handstands in the beginner classes and otherwise make sure the class is more than just 20 sun salutations. but some of these poses *are* more challenging (some instructors emphasize that you can always go into child's pose if you need to; others don't), and also, they really change the flow of the class because they aren't poses that everyone knows. so if your wife is interested in something very fluid, she also may not like it.

thanks for reminding me that i need to get back into that again. it's been too long. :)

[dirty-devlin.livejournal.com]

Great info. Thanks!

She said she's interested in occasional weekend classes. Something more workout-oriented with maybe less emphasis on meditation/relaxation if there is such a form of yoga.

[joylewis.livejournal.com]

I take classes with Aaron Cantor at the Cambridge Dance Complex and thoroughly enjoy them (I think he's the best teacher I've ever had.) You can buy a class package through the complex or pay for classes individually. He and his wife teach at other different studios in the area, too. His information is found here: http://www.steppingintobalance.com/

[dirty-devlin.livejournal.com]

I'll check it out. Thank you!

[joylewis.livejournal.com]

FYI, today's was Aaron's last class at the CDC. He does teach classes at Yoga on the Square, which is in Davis above The Burren. (More info still on his site.)

[dani-namaste.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't recommend o2 for a beginner. If you can travel up to Porter, Om City Yoga (http://www.cambridgeyoga.net/) has a good balance of kripalu (very relaxing with a bit of challenge—great for beginners) and vinyasa (breath-based flow, good challenge, a bit more athletic) yoga, and they're reasonably priced. It's right up Mass Ave just a bit — I believe it's across from the Greek place.

[dirty-devlin.livejournal.com]

We're right around the corner from there actually. Good call. :)

Vinyasa sounds like that may be what she'd be into. Thank you.

[nomirena.livejournal.com]

I also recommend Om City Yoga. I've been going there for a year and really like it. The instructor/owner is having a 10 class card for $80 special right now.

[dirty-devlin.livejournal.com]

That's nice deal. Thanks for the info. :)

[la-ti-da.livejournal.com]

do you know how long the special is for? i'm thinking of trying it out. i didn't see it mentioned on the website. thanks!

[nomirena.livejournal.com]

it's through January. Usually it costs $120, so it's a really good deal. Do it!

[la-ti-da.livejournal.com]

sweet! i'll try a class and see how it goes.

[dani-namaste.livejournal.com]

No problem at all. I chatted with the owner once about helping her with marketing and design; it didn't work out, but she's a very nice person, and I know she needs more students. If your wife likes it, feel free to have her pass the good word around.

[xoynotsmilexo.livejournal.com]

definitely go to Om City, dee is awesome.

[nomirena.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad she's getting the support she deserves. She's so dedicated to making that place thrive.