I purchased a 1 month intro class here a while ago and have been struggling to write a review because I really wanted to leave a 5star positive one- but I unfortunately can't. I finally decided to write this because I think if I had read this before going I'd have known what to expect, and what to avoid, and maybe would still going here.
Annie, the owner, is lovely. My first BlueSky class was with her. I had been practicing yoga for about a year in another state at a studio I LOVED, moved to STL and was hoping this would be my new spot. Annie gave me hope. I was disappointed that she did do more corrections with us on poses. For example, I struggled to understand some direction she gave and missed a pose entirely. But as a new student, I understand not wanting to offend me/not knowing me so I don't hold that against her at all. She took time after class to get to know me and some other new folks and overall made the vibe feel very welcoming.
A couple of days later I attended a 'basics' class led by Nancy. This is experience is why I stopped going and am struggling to decide if I'll go back. I arrived early and shared some physical issues I have, something I'm used to doing with new teachers should I fall out of pose or need to take a break since I have some pretty serious chronic issues from a major accident. She had a great peace and light about her, but was so dismissive of me that I felt foolish for approaching her. I was taught to share my limits bc it helps instructors instruct you but she just completely dismissed me like I was being a whiney child taking up her time. Then class started - when I say this woman never got up or moved, seriously the only thing that was moving was her mouth. She just verbally guided us, in a basics class mind you, with absolutely no examples or instruction aside from the traditional name of the pose we were to hold. I felt so uncomfortable and lost, constantly having to crane my neck to see what other students were doing. I should have walked out, but I pushed through and actually ended up aggravating an existing injury so bad I was in a knee brace for the next month. It was the worst class I had ever experienced. I left close to tears and filled with frustration. How was this a basics class and how does she get away with teaching like that? Where is the oversight from the owner? I was blown away and not in a good way.
Practicing yoga balances me but also pushes my boundaries. I have some self esteem issues and that class set me back so much that I haven't practiced in the close to a year it's been since I've taken it and that anxiety is still flowing throw me as I search the limited options of yoga studios here in STL to try to get back into the practice that was once so healing for me.
Would I suggest going here? Had I never taken a class with Nancy, I would say yes in a heartbeat. Unless having someone just recite poses to you is your thing (why pay $30+ a month for that though??) just avoid her classes. Give the owner a try, she is so warm and caring and I very much recommend her. read more