I had been meaning to start yoga in earnest ever since getting back to MN (you know, three years ago...), and finally decided to take the plunge at One Yoga.
They just acquired a new space behind the CC Club and I have to say, it's beautiful. Soft soothing colors, cork flooring downstairs/soft wood upstairs, plenty of mood lighting, and good changing space. They also have great art and comfy furniture to rest on if you're around for more than one class.
I've so far tried: Vinyasa (with Margie), Yin (with Amanda), Restorative (with Margie as well), Basics (with Jessica), and I've had Ben as a sub for a couple of classes as well.
Classes:
Holy variety. There will be something for everyone here. Total beginners will be inspired by new styles they may not have heard of before, like Yin (5 minute supported poses to stretch connective tissues), Restorative (a relaxing nap-time for big people), Ashtanga (dying to give this a go), Yoga Nidra (quite literally nap-time), Sivananda (amazing), and also gentle yoga for rehab or people who need an ease-into-it approach. There are also meditation and chanting (mantra) classes. I haven't gone to any of these; I'm not sure I will, as I dunno if I'm that in need of some sattva.
Teachers:
Margie's just frickin cool. The woman is OM-incarnate, and she's super sweet and helpful. Jessica is very dedicated to helping you get your alignment just right and helping you establish your comfort zone. Amanda's Yin class is revolutionary; her calm soothing voice really helps you stand all 5 minutes of each occasionally excruciating asana hold. Though I haven't gone to one of his classes on purpose, Ben's a very mellow and sweet person. I'll admit to being a bit leery of dudes as hands-on teachers, but he's so gentle and full of metta that I just can't help but love him a little. I'll be going to his classes from now on.
Cost/value stuff:
They give new kids a free week, so try everything. I mean it. Go to whatever you can. It'll totally be worth it. After the free week, they have a reduced price for your first month pass, and then if you elect to auto-pay from then on, it's cheaper as well. I honestly think it's a great value. Unless you're totally sold on doing one specific style of yoga and only one, you can't find a better place.
Atmosphere/other students:
People are just really nice. There aren't those people I like to call yoga bitches (both males and females can be, FYI) and there really aren't the uber-athletes just there to show off either. Everyone's pretty calm and collected, and you probably will make a couple friends, or at least some smile-back peeps. Considering how crowded it can be on a weekend, you will have to shed some inhibitions of putting your ass in other people's faces, but hey. That's what yoga's about. Bringing your awareness inwards (so you really won't care!)
Etc:
Great mix of workshops. Nice series classes to get you familiar with styles, alignment, mediation, insight energy work (a little woohoo for me, but it's still kinda cool), and also some interesting stuff about the yoga of eating and other things.
Hints:
Get there early-ish if you can, especially on a weekend. They have pretty much everything you'll need to practice, so don't let lack of a mat keep you from going. Wear socks because you take your shoes off at the door, and this time of year it's pretty soggy by the shoe racks. Stick around through the whole of savasana (corpse pose); your body will thank you for the rest and you will feel nice and relaxed on your way home. read more