Bill Clinton was our president…read more Everyone (and their mother) went to see Titanic. Eddie Murphy decided to pick up the wrong hitchhiker. And for some odd reason I decided to buy/try a VHS cassette of "Power Yoga" and was immediately hooked. Fast forward 15 years and I finally tried yoga in a studio setting - "Movement Journeys" (the first/original studio at this very location) which lasted for a few years. Fast forward another 13(ish) years (time sure flies by, huh?) and I was in need of a (new) studio to continue my practice so I signed up for a weekday "mixed yoga" class here at '108'. From the reception area to the studio itself... everything was so much nicer and warmer and inviting than from what I recall from the prior studio. The workers/instructors could not have been any sweeter or welcoming. And the class? After so much mileage on the mat I was pretty confident I'd be able to handle the hour but before you knew it the instructor had us attempting 'Bird of Paradise' pose and I was smitten. (To say it's a challenging pose would be an understatement.) A clean studio. Awesome staff. A class that's demanding and rewarding. (Not to mention class starts and ends on time - which was never the case at the last studio I used to go to a few towns over.) What more could you ask for? Consider me a fan. "Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are" ― Jason Crandell

The Perfect Studio for Beginners -- and Beyond!…read more As someone completely new to yoga, I was a little nervous walking into my first class -- but this studio put me at ease right away. From the moment I arrived, the staff and instructors were incredibly welcoming and kind. There's a peaceful, inviting energy to the space that immediately makes you feel comfortable, even if you have no idea what you're doing (like I didn't at first!). The instructors are amazing at explaining everything clearly and offering modifications without making you feel singled out. They strike the perfect balance between encouraging and supportive, and I never once felt out of place. I've already noticed an improvement in my flexibility, stress levels, and overall mindset -- something I never expected so quickly as a beginner. The classes are thoughtfully paced, and there's a wide variety to explore as I build confidence in my practice. What's even more special is the sense of community here -- people are friendly, down-to-earth, and genuinely encouraging. If you're new to yoga and unsure where to start, I can't recommend this studio enough. It's been such a positive and empowering experience, and I'm truly grateful to have found it!

Thoroughly enjoyed Becky's yin yang yoga class. What I forgot about Becky's instruction is that her…read morelove of yoga is infectious when she teaches which makes it an outstanding experience. Will definitely take more of Becky's classes.

Jody is a phenomenal yoga instructor and human being. I'm glad to see her continue to spread her…read morevision and impact by opening this studio.

I've lived in Rutherford for 4yrs now and my biggest regret was not coming to Shiva Shanti sooner…read more In the last year or so I've had severe back pain due to a herniated disc and four degenerative discs with arthritis. To say it's been stressful mentally is an understatement. Along with corrective chiropractic therapy, I decided to take up Yoga to strengthen not only my body but my mind as well. It's now been two months or so and Shiva Shanti has changed my life. The peace, strength, and positive energy I find in each class is amazing. Each teacher is unique in their own way and I've yet to have a negative experience with any of them. I've had class (please note I've only taken beginner and restorative classes) with Niomi, Mary, Sarah, Jordan, Rob, Kristy and Theresa and they are all phenomenal! All of them are knowledgeable, and caring; paying close attention to their students to ensure they are flowing properly. Each ask about injuries to ensure they can assist you in modifying poses so you don't injure yourself further. The space is not big but its never been so overcrowded that I felt uncomfortable. Both, Mary and Felise have dogs - Pipa and Buddha. The dogs are very small and extremely friendly. I personally enjoy their company and haven't had any negative experiences with them. They are adorable and I feel they bring a healing vibe to the class. Finally, I would suggest you take the negative reviews with a grain of salt and come to Shiva Shanti and experience it for yourself. If you don't like it, then you don't have to come back, but if your experience is anything like mine, you won't ever want to leave! Namaste ‍

Purchased a Groupon for this studio yesterday and had my first class at 9:30 am today with Iwona…read more She was an absolute sweetheart so encouraging and helpful! I haven't done yoga in over a year and Iwona gave me the best pointers. I was looking for a studio that would be physically challenging but a studio that left me feeling mentally clear was of the utmost importance. Shiva shanti is just that! Most NJ yoga studios I have visited tend to be very commercial but Shiva Shanti is authentic and has a community feel. The studio is small and quaint, I personally prefer more intimate classes. Tons of street parking outside the studio as well. I'm hoping to stick to my daily practice and hope all of the other instructors are as great as Iwona!

When management is run this well you have a great studio. Been a member over 13 years, Many great…read moreinstructors and always clean.

I've been coming here on and off for about two years. I started with a Groupon (unlimited classes…read morefor a month), and I buy their class passes every now and then if they're on sale. Otherwise, it's too expensive for me to continue regularly. Tommy is the best yoga instructor at this location. He demonstrates the poses in his Blaze class and does a great job helping you through your practice whether you're a beginning or intermediate yogi. He's polite as well - if something is wrong with your form, he'll ask you if it's alright to touch you where you need adjustments. I know some instructors just adjust you without asking and it makes people very uncomfortable. If I were to base my review on just his class, I'd give this location a 5 out of 5. He does a Flow class too, but I've never tried it. Sue Z. is great. She has a very sweet voice that definitely helps to relax you during your practice, but she doesn't demonstrate many of the poses so if you're new, you'll have to look at other yogis around you to know what's going on. Try her Blaze and Flow classes! Kelly's Flow class pretty good too. No one else has really stuck out to me, and I've gone to 3 or 4 other instructors' classes. The main reason why I'm only giving this location 3 stars is because the management is AWFUL. They almost NEVER answer the phone because no one seems to be around unless there's a class, and when there's a class, no one picks up because the yoga instructor is instructing and whoever should be at the front desk is participating in the yoga class. I know there are other gyms and yoga studios that are closed during certain hours, but management should at least change their phone system so that business-related calls can be redirected to the manager's phone or something so there isn't only a 5-minute window that someone could MAYBE answer. I bought two 10-class passes on Memorial Day 2015 - one as a gift for my boyfriend and one for myself. Because I bought them both, they were both under my account. I wanted them to transfer one pass to my boyfriend's account, so when I went to the studio, I asked if they could transfer it but the woman who assisted didn't have the authorization to transfer passes (only the manager could do that). I tried to come in when the manager was in, and she said she'd do it for me but never got around to it. It's February of 2016 and they're STILL not transferred, so my boyfriend has to call in every time he wants to book a spot in a class because he can't do it online through his account since there's no classes available under his name. And of course, if he calls, no one picks up. They either need to change their phone system to redirect calls to a manager's cell phone or have someone there even when there isn't a class going on. Once my passes are up, I'm going to see if Tommy instructs at another yoga studio and try to join that instead if it's a reasonable distance from me.

A number of the regulars here are quite knowledgeable patient and kind. Some are cliqueish and…read moregenerate the sense that you are not welcome after a certain point unless you pay for a class or workshop

My weekly routine in order to get myself stress free, calm my mind, fill my heart and soul with…read moresweetness. The place teaches meditation for peace and illumination. Its open for public and its a donation based event.

Linda is an extremely knowledgeable and effective instructor for the variety of classes that I have…read moretaken over the last couple  of years.  (Pilates mat, Barre, Spin, Cardio Sculpt). She provides excellent verbal and visual instruction for both the in person and virtual classes that she has been doing for almost a year now.  She reminds you what muscles to concentrate or focus on for a particular move to be more effective.  She always calls out modifications for anyone that may have an injury, joint or back issues. If a class is a mix of skill levels she is mindful that each person is getting the appropriate instruction so the beginners don't feel overwhelmed and the more experienced are still challenged.  She will call out adjustments to an individual so they have the opportunity for maximum results. Linda has a general concern for your overall health. She is very personable and makes you feel comfortable in the classes. I highly recommend anyone who is interested to give a call to Pulse Pilates.

I love Pulse Pilates! I've been to other studios where the instructor is reading instructions off…read moretheir phone! But Pulse is different. Linda is knowledgeable, personable, and hands on. Your workout is personalized, even in a class. Great group and great workout.

I joined G Force about 2 months ago and I'm so glad that I did. There's an awesome variety of…read moreclasses - TRX, boxing, yoga, Crossfit style - really something for everyone! Also, there are classes at all hours of the day. As someone who works full-time in Manhattan, I appreciate that G Force has classes at 8pm that I don't have to rush to get to. I've been an athlete my entire life, but G Force is the first gym I've gone to where I really enjoy the classes. The coaches are challenging but encouraging. The classes are always different, but consistent enough that I feel like I'm making progress. I feel so much stronger now than I did 2 months ago, and I thoroughly look forward to going to class. I highly recommend G Force!

I've been going to G-Force for a little under a year and my body has never been in more shape and…read morestrong at that! All of the classes are amazing. Stephanie, Ricky, Manny and Justin all have their unique styles of training. Everyone lifts each other up and the environment is super welcoming and accepting! You can always challenge yourselves and they promote that. Love love love. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to write this!! :-))

Lives up to its name and offers such a great amount of serenity into lives. She has a…read morecounseling/therapy service in which she does separate yoga and integrative yoga and I think that's a very unique thing to have. She individually gets to know you, and truly offers a strong and patient approach to moves, growth, and thinks beyond the class. Highly suggest you try this place out!

Sage & Serenity has become my safe haven since I discovered this place more than 6 months ago. When…read moreI am not in my bi-weekly session with Faiza, I am in her yoga class. I feel absolutely comfortable in her studio and look forward to many more great sessions and classes!

Visited here while on a mini vacation, took hot yoga classes and every class was unique and…read moresatisfying. Everything from the incense, essential oils and cold eucalyptus towels made my experience at this studio. The cold eucalyptus towels felt like a reward after a hot practice. All instructors were amazing, each different and they did a great job at guiding through practice. I highly recommend this studio!!!

After a few years of sterile and bland yoga at The Y (that's not meant as a knock) it was nice to…read morejump back in the deep end at a place that's whole hog when it comes to incense burning, the trippy and atmospheric music floating through the building, and all sorts of 'new age' doohickeys decorated throughout.  (My very first class and the instructor pulled out a Shruti box to play at the very start and end of our practice... that was a first for me.) The entire biz looks great (front/store, the studio itself, the locker room in back).  It's clean and inviting and you can tell the entire staff cares about the place. I love that the class doesn't face the mirrors for class (the absolute worst) and every few feet there's the 'STUFF' bucket (napkins, tissues, cleaning solution for your mat) which is such a great 'cherry on top' that I never saw in other yoga studios I've been to. Pricing is solid (I was originally lured here through a deal over at Groupon). To date I've bounced between four different classes/levels/instructors.  Each class was unique and challenging and every teacher has been welcoming, supportive and a total pro. The studio is right by a busy intersection - metered parking on the street (I believe an hour max) and a municipal lot behind the studio (metered till 6pm, I think) for more than one hour. Even if I'm officially long in the tooth and nowadays Child's Pose and Shavasana are more my jam instead of Bhairavasana or Eka Hasta Vrksasanav - I'm just glad to have found a cool place to get on the mat and zen out for a spell.  (Will I ever advance up to their 'P3' hot yoga class?  Not even with some help from Ganapati and Hanuman!)

Last weekend my daughter attended a birthday party here. It was AWESOME!!! The kids enjoyed…read moreswimming in the pool before heading to the party room. I plan on getting the schedule for the swim class, and enrolling my children. The pool was kept very clean, and the life guards on duty were attentive. This was definitely a fun experience for the kiddos.

I recently attended a Pilates class with Liz, and I continue to be deeply impressed by her…read moreexceptional instruction. Liz is a phenomenal teacher whose precision, attentiveness, and capacity to tailor her guidance to each student's body are nothing short of extraordinary. Her corrections are subtle yet transformative, and she leads with both authority and empathy, creating an environment of confidence, safety, and growth. It is regrettable that Liz's talents are not more broadly acknowledged within the gym. Her classes do not receive the same visibility or promotion as many of the more mainstream group activities--and that is a disservice both to her as an instructor and to potential students who would immensely benefit from her expertise. This is especially poignant during the season of Diwali, a sacred time in September/October that honors light over darkness, spiritual renewal, and the triumph of knowledge and mindfulness. Liz's approach to Pilates--centered on balance, breath, focus, and inner strength--resonates powerfully with the spiritual symbolism of Diwali. In fact, her class would have been an ideal program to promote during this period, as it aligns so beautifully with the themes of illumination, inner harmony, and self-transformation. Liz is not just a capable instructor--she is an extraordinary asset to the Pilates community. She deserves far greater recognition, support, and promotion so that more students can discover the profound value she offers. YMCA management needs to be open to your members needs. The diversity and age audience has changed. Idea - perhaps incorporating yoga class nights for couples while their children are being taken care of? Or maybe promoting Pilates evening class with "a thriller night with Pilates"?