So I was taking a long break from yoga. I was frustrated with hot/Bikram yoga, yoga schedules weren't working for me, my ankle was healing from being twisted (I don't think the immediate hike through the Guadalupe mountains helped that process)... Then I went rock climbing with some of my friends who are yoga teachers. And they climbed those rocks like monkeys. Me? You could say I was more of an elephant trying to clamber up a steep hill. I made a resolution to do more yoga. Robert Boustany developed the Pralaya Yoga System to help develop maximum functional strength. The instructors excel at isolating the parts of the body that require most attention and working through exercises with you to strengthen them. The studio is one room, usually flooded with soft natural light. It's in the Montrose area, serene and beautiful for practice. The instructor made me feel at ease. Unlike other yoga studios where you start to feel like it's a fashion and flexibility competition, Pralaya makes you feel like you are there for your body and mind. And isn't that what yoga is all about? The instructors don't take themselves too seriously, and there are moments when you have to just laugh at frustration about the challenge- in a good way. I won't divulge the powerful secrets of Pralaya yoga, but after my first and second classes quietly and resolutely kicked my a$$, i lay on the ground in savasana and felt restored. My back felt happier, my mind felt peace. Even my fingers and toes felt like they were smiling. FYI- This isn't your typical vinyasa or hatha class. Expect to work hard on strength training and flexibility in muscles you didn't even know you had. read more

I totally agree with reviews describing a cultish vibe. It's close to me, so I thought I'd try it anyways despite reading them, but have not been back after one class. If you want a typical yoga studio/community, this is not it. The class I took a few months ago was with Robert Boustany and he rubbed me the wrong way, with his constant talk about his time with monks in the Himalayas and singling me out during the class. It's also delivered as a hybrid class, which means that there are laptops set up in front of him as he teaches, which took me out of the moment. The people were definitely friendly though. read more

You ever see True Stories? There's a scene with John Goodman, a lonely bachelor, out on a date with a yogini. She has him in the lotus position, then he falls flat on his face. To which she remarks, "oh, that's actually a different pose." If I'm ever in a class with you and you hear me giggle, it's most likely because I've tried something and realize I need a bit more practice. I too have probably fallen over and that commentary is going through my head. This sort of humbling is a good thing; it means you're learning, you're pushing yourself. And no, I was not the only humbled person in the room at Pralaya. I'd never seriously attempted inversions. "How scary! What if I fall over and blood shoots out of my nose?" After taking a class with Robert Boustany, I now realize I was just being silly. I was over-thinking. I took the beginner/intermediate class, and it really gave me quite a bit to think about. I learned more than I accomplished, but that's always a good beginning. He walked us through quite a few approaches to a myriad of inversions and also peppered this with theory. Crow pose, side crow pose, hand stands, arm stands. I think at one point, he was trying to get us to hover upside down over the floor. Then in between each pose, he had us up against the wall with our hands on the floor, and our feet walking up the wall*. This built arm strength, but really (like he kept telling us), the strength comes from the muscles on the sides of your torso that extend down (or up if you're upside down) your rib cage. He showed us some exercises to strengthen these muscles, then others to open our hips. All this practice led back to preparing us for safe and strong inversions. I do have a way to go, but not as far as I thought before I took this class. I pushed myself. My muscles ached the next day. The ones that Rose mentioned not knowing she had? I was reminded how many tiny muscles our upper bodies have thanks to this class (and a quick google search of a diagram of musculature). A drop in class runs you $15. I highly, highly recommend you take a class. Yes, the "random" yoga studio over on Dunlavy with just the sign in front that says "Yoga." An old school Houstonian yoga instructor owns and teaches at this white cork floored studio. In fact, many of the yoga teachers whom you may love and adore studied under his guidance. $15 is a steal. *I almost got into a full hand stand. I was upside down, I just had one foot in front, wedged against the wall for dear life. (When I realized this was the case, my arms started buckling and I carefully lowered my legs to the ground.) read more

I was introduced to this studio by a friend in the teacher training program here. She raved about Robert Boustany--the main yogi here--and for good reason. I imagine this studio being unlike any others because they teach you so much about each pose... Although some classes are mostly about working out, all the classes teach you how and why you should be in each position. Regardless of where you practice you should mix in a class here every once in a while to learn how you should be practicing! You can get a yoga exercise class anywhere but you can only get Pralaya Yoga here. Go find out what I mean, I'm certain you won't regret it. read more

Reiterate another reviewer's opinion: this place is on the brink of cultish. I wholeheartedly appreciate the focus on anatomy and prolonged health for all bodies in classes. However, the main teacher (Mr. Boustany) talks mostly about the ability to meditate in the cold of the Himalayas for days on end. That's all well and good, but I live in Houston, TX, and do not sit for days on end in meditation. Hard to relate. Wish it was a matter of teaching the practice, not the hypothetical. Also, if you're offering a "by donation" class, there shouldn't be a minimum "donation". That's just tacky. read more

Kim is AMAZING. I'm usually quite skeptical about yoga because the few classes I have taken have never really compared to the intensity and excitement I've experienced with barre classes. The class with Kim was beyond that. She was fun and had a quirky personality that added to the practice. It was strengthening and rejuvenating. She is well versed in yoga and understanding that people vary in terms of level. She challenges you without pushing you beyond your limit, unless you want to! Kim ROCKS! Props to this strong MILF, woman, person, spirit. Love it!! Thank you for an amazing class! read more

What an awesome place! Robert's style is totally unique and his guidance is quite a special thing. But all of the instructors are experts in their own style and they are tremendous. The amount of community is unbelievable; it's like a close family that is totally supportive. I will definitely keep coming back, even if it's an hour drive each way for me. read more

This is the best yoga studio in the city, in my opinion. Robert Boustany and Andrew Dugas are two of my favorite teachers. The people here are welcoming and kind and the yoga top notch. read more

Excellent teachers, staff knowledgeable and very helpful; Robert is a true yoga. We have a golden nugget right in our own backyard. read more

I thought this place was a little weird / not my cup of tea as far as yoga classes go. Teachers / staff were very warm and welcoming at this studio -- but to the point that it kind of creeped me out... The sequence is unique to this studio and wasn't for me (but it seemed as though everyone else there really loved it -- which also kinda creeped me out). Worth checking out to see if you are one of these people. read more

Robert is by far the most knowable and experienced yogi in Houston (over 40 years), and one of best yoga instructors anywhere. I've taken "advanced"workshops with some of the most famous anywhere, like Shiva Rea, Ana Forest, John Friend, Johnny Kest, Baron Baptiste and not one of them is better than Robert. He teaches advanced techniques for developing strength that he has tried on himself first. In almost 20 years of practice with him, I've never experienced a "yoga injury." Robert's techniques are suitable to take any practice further. His knowledge of anatomy and physiology is astonishing. PLEASE NOTE: This review applies ONLY TO ROBERT. I am not qualified to comment on any of the other teachers in his studio. I sent a friend to Robert and someone else in the studio convinced her to get a private session with someone else at Pralaya. That was a BIG MISTAKE and a terrible waste of her money. read more

Since I moved from the west coast I've been searching for a yoga studio that would meet my high expectations. And I am grateful to say I've finally found it! This is REAL yoga. You won't find many people here wearing Lululemon and with expensive Manduka mats - this is down to earth actual nuts and bolts yoga. If you really want to learn yoga, this is the place to go. Have you ever been frustrated in a yoga class because the teacher simply says do this next complicated pose and you have no clue how to get into it, or you get frustratingly close and wonder what you are missing? Well, Robert breaks down each pose into stages. You will be able to do poses you weren't able to do before because he will teach you how to get into them slowly and correctly. And as a bonus you will learn about anatomy and maybe even some Chinese medicine. As another reviewer pointed out, this is not a vinyasa or flow class. At times you may wonder if what you are doing is even yoga since you are not in an obvious pose. So maybe it's not for everyone. But I enjoy learning more about the poses and how the human body works. I recommend at least giving it a try and seeing what you think. read more

I'm a newbie at yoga, I've been researching the seven chakras and yoga for a few years and I've decided it's time to take action in my journey to enlightenment. I took the Active Beginner & Intermediate class this evening with Erin and she was wonderful! She explained the class to me, when I needed assistance with certain positions she was more than happy to assist and show me the proper positioning of my body and limbs. I felt welcomed and so relaxed here. I loved the decor and ambiance and will definitely be making this my yoga practice home. read more

PRALAYA IS THE BEST STUDIO IN HOUSTON!!! I genuinely believe this. Hands down! I have taught + attended countless classes at various studios in LA Houston and Austin and I have to say this is the best studio yet. Robert is legendary. He is brilliant in anatomy and has a gift with helping people transform their practice. He has devoted much of his life to practicing and it shows! Any interaction with him is genuine and full of light. The teachers here are the cream of the crop. Alyx Valentine Jones is a gem! She's inspiring and her classes are bound to leave you feeling lighter and brighter. If you have yet to take her class- check it out! Her Tuesday morning @ 6:30 am is a must. Plus, I'm pretty sure she works with Wanderlust and is known to hook up devout students with free festival tickets (don't quote me on this) but you may get lucky! All in all, Praylaya is where it's at (which btw it's located near the corner of Dunlavy + Fairview in Montrose). From one Yogi to another: Go go go, you will be happy you did :) read more

Pralaya Yoga Studio - Yoga Near Me - Houston, Texas

I'm new to town and to real yoga, but I have fallen in love with this yoga studio. The teachers actually teach you how to do every pose! (I have been doing downward dog wrong for years...I just found out) they are all super sweet and knowledgeable! It's not a super packed, just wing it kind of place. It's a place to really learn true yoga and how and why you do each pose. They have lots of different classes for different levels. I feel blessed that I found it :-) read more

Stephanie Boullt class was absolutely amazing I hope she gets to teach more classes in the week to follow her. I'm really love her class!!! If I could take her class everyday I will be extra happy read more

There is a difference between taking a yoga class for exercise and using yoga instructions to inform your life, the way you move and the way you inhabit your body. This place is for those interested in the latter. My favorite instructors are Robert Boustany and Christin Harper. I leave every class feeling more integrated physically and mentally. And as an added benefit, I'm inspired by the people who take these classes-super conscious, kind and incredibly fit. Wow! read more

I got in a yoga session here on my last night visiting Houston. It's a beautiful studio with great vibes. My instructor was Ellen, whom I didn't have the chance to thank her (so thank you!). She had asked what my body ailments were and tailored my entire session around fixing my problems. I learned a ton of new mobility exercises I never knew existed. Wish this place was in Los Angeles... read more

Sleeper yoga school. am constantly amazed at how much the main guy boustany knows and how intuitive he is working w people individually and groups. cant go wrong w this school, mainly focused on rehabilitation and recovery. the feeling of open hips, come on feel the heat ! "he who feels it knows it" check them out you wont be disappointed and will walk away re charged and energized read more