Yoga Refuge is our favorite yoga studio in Portland. Great teachers, beautiful…read moretemperature-controlled space with plants and lots of windows, and accessible and inclusive of people of all levels of experience and abilities. I started going here initially for the pre-natal yoga classes and loved it so much that I encouraged my husband to take classes here as well. Now we're regulars. I recommend: - Gentle Yoga classes with Birdie, Alison, Sascha, or Kat for beginners or to offset more intense classes - Vinyasa Flow classes with Birdie - fun, creative flows that feel well choreographed with great music. It's a more advanced class - Core Strengthening classes with Kat - fun for increasing your strength and fitness. Kat pushes you hard infuses her classes with humor and a sense of play - Hatha Yoga with Danielle - accessible and good for learning alignment ; lots of workshopping and instruction

I really appreciate the lovely space and welcoming community they've created. I have noticed,…read morethough, that there seem to be fewer experienced teachers offering classic Hatha or Vinyasa classes than when I first joined. I enjoy other forms of movement and dance, but they aren't what I'm expecting when I schedule a yoga class, and it can be disappointing when the class description doesn't match the actual format. Wednesday night Vinyasa with Birdie is excellent, and I'm clearly not the only one who thinks so--her classes are often waitlisted. Would it be possible to offer more classes in that style, or more opportunities to practice with Birdie?

This Theravada Buddhist, 'Insight' meditation community has gone through lots of changes in the…read morelast 18 months which is great to see. It is a very active Sangha (community) led group with both resident and visiting teachers from around the country who provide a variable teaching style while focused deeply on Dharma practice. They offer a bunch of different classes and on-site retreats and occasional social events. I found that the best way to see if this community was a good fit was to attend their Sunday program 10am-noon with a social hour following their service. (and there is no financial corruption or f. mismanagement which was suggested in a previous comment.). In Portland, we are so fortunate to have several other great Buddhist communities with very good teachers for practice.

Amazing place! Going through big changes! So many old…read morereviews and stories that do not reflect what is going on right now -be sure to check it out -a place of peace and acceptance

I came here for a meditation lesson on a Tuesday morning. I have practiced meditation before but…read morewas not familiar with dhammakaya meditation. First I had an introductory session where the practice was explained to me in some detail by a lifelong practitioner and we did some light stretching. Then monk Victor came to lead the session. He also provided some guidance and led a very pleasant very refreshing meditation. Afterwards we talked for a while and shared some additional advice. It was a wonderful way to begin my day.

Lisa and Monk Victor are incredible and I have found a wonderful safe space within their walls at…read morethe Oregon Meditation Center. I have been going weekly for the past 2 months and I look forward to it every week to decompress and refresh after the stresses of day to day grind of work and life.

My first experience with DRZC was a meditation class 10 years ago. I was impressed and appreciative…read morethat while it was very clear that the instructors (including one of the monks) were very concerned that we all left with a good understanding of meditation and how to create an ongoing practice, there was seemingly no attempt to convert anyone or even convince us to come back. This is a warm, caring, compassionate community offering meditation, classes, retreats, and social events such as movie nights.

A beautiful, legit, full service Buddhist temple. Interviews, chanting, fully ordained teachers and…read morepriests, temple garden, if you are serious about buddhism and want to see American Buddhism at its best come here. It's a bit off the beaten path but totally worth it.

Scott is amazing!! If you are looking to change your negative thought patterns, spiritually cleanse…read moreor get your life on track with the right train of thought, Scott is your spiritual guru. I recommend PDX hypnosis to anyone looking to better or enhance their life through a mental shift. Initially I attended the hypnosis sessions for anxiety but have continued with meditation because Scott provides such a warm and welcoming environment for his clients. I have referred several friends and family members to Scott because of how much he has helped me. Highly recommend! Thank you, Scott!

Scott Duvall is great. I went to see him in February of 2019 and have been a non smoker every…read moresince! Thank you Scott!!!

If I could give this place 10 stars I would. Traveling from Philly. Perfect way to end my full last…read moreday here. Tony's class was great! Super relaxed space. Zero pretension. Everyone is extremely nice. Wish we had a studio like this near me.

Finally an inclusive yoga studio. This is a place that unashamedly embraces and accommodates people…read morelike me, who are size 12 and not size two. Real yoga for actual human beings, some of whom are thin white girls, but not all. From the moment I entered the bamboo walled studio I felt safe and yummy. I Noted the soothing piano arpeggios,and sat on the free, comfortable yoga mats. There were props a go go to sit on, including blankets, blocks, wedge shaped blocks, bolsters both round and rectangular, and best of all: Eye pillows and sand weights for your ankles or abdomen. This is real restorative yoga, not what is advertised by other studios as "restorative" or "yin." The place is quiet, with no external noises, and only six or so yoga students. This means individual attention and individual attention. This is a hands on, prop intensive place that is authentically in touch with yoga philosophy and its roots in the yoga sutras.

Serene and beautiful area to pray, meditate and leave your worries…read more Parking & entrance is free to grotto. If you want to experience the garden and statues that is located on the cliff above, there is a $12 fee for entrance. Very helpful and cheerful young man inside the visitors center where you can learn more about the grotto and purchase candles to leave at the grotto alter. #BayArea (lol he was very knowledgeable about the bay )

I really wish I had more time here. This was one of the very last places to visited before I had to…read morefly home. I got here late about 30mins before closing so I only walked around for a little. It's so Beautiful, peaceful, & calm here. The Grotto is a 62-acres sanctuary founded in 1924. There are so many beautifully carved statues. All the statues are made from marble, granite, bronze, wood, polyester resin and fiberglass. On their webpage, The Grotto's Vision is To forever be a place where the human spirit can seek peace and consolation. The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother embraces and supports people of all cultures and all faiths who seek a place of prayer and meditation; The Grotto values the dignity of everyone. I'll definitely come back here the next time I'm in town so I can spend a bit more time exploring. There's a decent sized parking lot. It was empty as I got here close to closing but I'm sure it gets very busy here.

I am not a person who is into "woo," so I was surprised when I found myself curious about TM. But…read moreafter reading the studies showing what a profound impact it has on people, I decided to invest in learning. I appreciated that the TM Foundation now does sliding scale payment plans, so I could finally afford it. I went to an information session and decided to take the plunge. I am so glad I did. The steep payment covers one-on-one instruction, four days of in-person group coaching, and unlimited lifetime support wherever you are on the globe. The practice of TM itself is ridiculously easy-- I was able to do it the first time, and every time since. After literally thousands of years and millions of practitioners, the way it is taught and practiced is simply the way that has worked throughout the millennia. My kids have noticed such a remarkable shift in my own sense of calm and focus that they've been asking if they can learn how to meditate too. Every part of my life has been better as a result of TM, and I truly appreciate Renee and Michael's commitment to patiently walking us through the learning process. Both of them have taught hundreds of people how to utilize TM in their lives, and it shows. I would recommend TM and the Portland Transcendental Meditation Center to anyone who is curious and open to a new way of moving through their life!

Transcendental Meditation IS the most effective meditation, as proven by numerous scientific and…read moremedical studies. The reason it's so protected is to ensure the purity of the teaching - to make sure it's taught properly. As someone who's been practicing TM for almost 6 years now, I can say that it's the most valuable thing I've ever learned. It's by far the easiest and most effective meditation I've tried. Also, I've never been a part of the "cult." I just learned the meditation and went on about my life.

I took the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course at Pause Mediation.The studio itself is…read morebeautiful. In an old Portland brick building with amazing timber pillars and rafters. There are tall windows that let in a lot of natural light. I especially enjoyed getting there during dusk, when the crows outside were flying around discussing where the best place to roost for the night would be. Ryan Kenny is a compassionate, funny, and understanding instructor. It was suggested by my therapist to find this specific 8-week course. A friend of mine had been going to Pause Mediation classes for awhile, and had invited me several times, but I hadn't yet taken her up on her offer. The class is not easy, but it builds each week on practices. There are simple phrases and ideas that I remember that are very helpful in stressful situations. Being in the world today with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is so much to brood and worry about. Instead of obsessively reading the news and stewing in "what ifs?", I focus on what is right now. Right now my family (including my old parents) are healthy. I talk everyday to my brother and sister. I'm writing letters to other family members and friends. It has been a time for me to have the opportunity to slow down and that has helped with my practice. I am grateful for Ryan and his patient encouragement. If you are not ready to take the 8-week course, Pause Meditation offers many helpful classes, I've especially enjoyed the sound meditations and the aromatherapy.

Ryan and Raina really have it dialed in at Pause meditation. It's a beautiful space in downtown,…read moreeasy to get to, with a great vibe. They have a lot of meditation classes throughout the week that you can attend, even Saturday mornings. And they're also, from I hear, rolling out some corporate offerings, in line with corporate wellness. Ryan is even a local celebrity featured on the morning news in Portland. Not only is Ryan gifted at what he does and not only does he know how to cultivate community and make people feel welcome and connected, he is also deeply passionate about meditation and cultivating mindfulness. He lives and breathes what he teaches, walking his talk. Highly recommend Pause Meditation. You can't find a better meditation instructor in Portland!