When I moved into the Ann Arbor area about a year ago, I was on the hunt for some low impact+strengthening exercise. I'd never really enjoyed yoga before, but the wonderful team at aUM Yoga has made me a convert!
They do primarily serve the University of Michigan community, so you need to be ok with taking class with college students...but I'm totally fine being one of the few older townies amongst the 20-somethings! The teachers are welcoming, I've never felt out of place (in fact, they were greeting me by name by my 2nd or 3rd class!). I also appreciate that the teachers are always receptive to feedback - and even willing to stay after class to help folks with any poses or answer questions. The general vibe is friendly, open, positive, supportive, and empowering - which is really what keeps me coming back. You feel good all around, not just physically, when you leave class.
Jessie, Chelsea, Annella, and Helena are instructors I've taken from the most often, and they all have been very knowledgeable and wonderful to learn from. Each obviously has their own style (each is aspirational for me!), but they clearly are on the same page philosophically, share best practices, and genuinely enjoy each other which is lovely to see. They are all deeply invested in the practice of yoga as well as the students in their classes.
I enjoy the music (teacher's choice but generally not stereotypically "yoga"-y good stuff with a beat), the temperature (warm but not hot), and the space (the studio does have permanently installed poles since it's a yoga & pole studio - but I kind of enjoy how they establish lines and spacing for our mats).
They don't do hands-on corrections (which is actually COVID-friendly); their approach is to talk you step by step through the poses and flows as well as demonstrating themselves. Vinyasa 1 was a great place to start as a beginner - shorter, more straightforward flows (usually 2 that you run through 3 times), a bit slower (though interesting enough for more advanced yogis to enjoy and add challenge as they see fit). Vinyasa 2 is a step up because the flows are longer and a bit more complex, have even more room for adding challenge based on personal choice, and give the class opportunity to do one more run of the flow on your own time and pacing. They have a whole range of pole dancing classes as well, which I'm trying to screw up the courage to get into, and offer some interesting yoga teacher trainings and retreats.
As someone with a dance background, I've really loved the interesting, varied flows that the teachers put together - I would actually describe some of them as similar to dance combinations! And as one who is not so fond of balances and inversions, they don't include a whole lot into the usual flows, and when they are, I don't feel pressure to take those on if I don't feel it. I've found that over the year, I've learned the poses and correct technique pretty organically, and I've DEFINITELY felt the changes in my body. After 2 babies, I feel like I'm starting to get some core muscles back! And the mental/emotional benefits have been great as well.
They have nice new client offers - discounted 1st class or one month unlimited classes. I started with class packs but quickly shifted to unlimited classes - and have enjoyed dropping in whenever I have the time. Though you need to pre-register for classes, I've never had problems getting into classes I've been interested in. Perhaps this is due to a post-COVID slowdown, but this has been the case even as folks have been more out and about.
So - clearly, I'm a fan of aUM Yoga! I'd highly recommend anyone - novices and experts, students and townies - check out this warm community. read more
