I have been several classes now at UWS Yoga and Wellness. I hope this review will be helpful to my…read morefellow yogis. Overall, this is a wonderful studio with a lot of potential.
Firstly, the space has an incredible energy, as do the instructors. It feels clean, fresh, open, and is filled with the gentle scent of tea tree oil. The space is flooded with light. You can tell all the instructors are quite dedicated to their practice.
I also see they are have put quite an effort into accommodating their students in these changing times and all classes are offered via Zoom. It is a noble effort. That being said, there is a large screen in the middle of the studio, they might consider changing to a projection/screen setup to make more floor space, but again, I think they are indeed doing an excellent job and their best to continue to offer yoga instruction to individuals who are unable to come in person. We are all doing our best do adjust in these difficult times and there are no best solutions. The current setup leaves the instructor a bit more focus on their Zoom students rather than their in person students (in my opinion), but they are really making an effort to accommodate both.
I find that the classes are not as mentally, spiritually, or physically demanding as I would typically prefer. I hope they might consider challenging their students a bit moving forward. They might be more of a "beginner" crowd for now, but if you don't give them an opportunity or vision of growth, they might not be able to reach their full potential. These beginner students might not be familiar with the full expression of a pose, but they don't have the opportunity to get there if you do not show/teach them.
For the classes I have been to, there isn't too much of a focus on the breath as a central part of the yoga practice.
There is no meditation, prayer or reading before/after class or intention setting.
Classes are well structured, well taught, and instructors are indeed concerned with their students. Due to the Zoom aspect, there is limited adjustment.
This studio indeed brings a spiritual aspect to the way they practice, and the teachers are all well qualified. I hope they find a way to accommodate more advanced practitioners, by providing options during all level classes for example, or helping their "beginner" students further develop and go deeper into their practice. I see they are teaching to "the level presented to them". I hope they will consider challenging this level.
