More Yoga Studios
Do we need another yoga studio? Apparently, yes. Like the once hot franchise, Curves, it seems yoga studios keep popping up like the handstanders in Ann Austin's yoga classes. That's a good thing for some areas that need a place to practice. But, in downtown Sebastopol,
you can throw a yoga block and hit 4 studios offering over 80 classes a week. Really, no joke. You'd think the local Whole Foods would be inundated with post-savasana yogis all toting their colorful, Indian-inspired yoga mat bags, rehydrating with a kale green drink and GTs gingerade organic raw kombucha. Oh, wait, that true!
Contrast with Santa Rosa, with a population of over 160,000, (compared with Sebastopol at 7500), has just a handful of studios. Then there's San Francisco where, like the convenient corner market, there's a yoga studio--they're ubiquitous. It's so overflowing that YogaTree has spilled across the Bay into Berkeley. Here in the North Bay, we've got our own yoga scene that rivels New York, LA and San Francisco, with rockstar teachers, including Ann Austin. Anne O'Brien, Mirka Kraftsow and John Smith (to name just a few, of course).
Long ago, but not that long ago, four walls, a bare floor and a cigar box was all you needed to offer a yoga class. Today, hah! Here are a few new studios with their modern day accoutrements:
*** Brand, spankin' new in Terra Linda (near San Rafael) is Embrace, owned by Amanda Moran. Coined "a modern neighborhood yoga studio", it was designed by an architectural and interior design firm. It is small, minimally attired, and like Benjamin Moore's China white, it's crisp white, doted with colorful, gausey curtains, artisan jewelry, and a collection of cool yoga togs. A not-your-corporate coffee pot, holds hot tea for warming the soul and joints before (and after) class. The faculty has revered instructors Peggy Orr and Ann O'Brien. It's sweet, check it out.
*** Weeks new, Petaluma's YogaOne sits right on the Petaluma River. Owned by Shy Sayer, it also has a "designer" look (thanks to Shy's wife), with a white leather couch, faux fur rug and a Martha Stewart blue lobby. Being a former warehouse, the studio is huge and bright with a full wall of windows overlooking the water. Hot tea and ice water are always available to warm your vata or cool your pitta. The studio stays a reasonable 70 degrees and don't ask Shy to turn up the heat (see his informative article on heated yoga in Elephant Journal right here.) Want more? Shy delivers, literally, a tray of individual, neatly rolled, ice soaked, towelettes after savasana. Added bonus--Tony Briggs twice a week at 9.
*** Two studios have new ownership--Yoga on Center in Healdsburg and Yoga Community in Sonoma. Jenn Russo and Katina Knapp head up Yoga on Center. Thanks to Jenn and Katina, I've been able to attend some amazing workshops with Baxter Bell, Scott Blossom and others. They are offering a teacher training with the YogaWorks faculty starting in January (see below). YOC offers a great mix of classes ranging from strong vinyasa, New Mom and Prenatal classes, gentle flow and restorative yoga.
Lisa Murray took over the yoga reins this year at Yoga Community. With two large studios offering more class options during the peak yoga times and a stellar faculty, it's the studio of choice in the Sonoma area and beyond. A beautiful "boutique" area offers a fabulous selection of yoga goods--clothes, mat holders, jewelry, and incense. Special thanks to Lisa for stocking some of my favorite, yet pricey, organic Clary Sage treasures.
Regardless of what type of yoga you practice, what you wear, or where you do it, the important thing is to show up. Maybe it's at a new studio, maybe it's outdoors under your elm tree, maybe it's with your 1 year old on your bed. Hot, sweaty vinyasa can be your yoga. Washing dishes can be your yoga. Being extra kind to your neighbor can be your yoga.
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