I first learned about this studio and the instructors just a few weeks ago. I had practiced yoga for 7 years but stopped for some time due to injury. I recently decided to start practicing again, and wanted to find both a great studio and great instructors.
With Vive Yoga, I found both.
I contacted Vive via email to discuss private sessions to start, just so I could get back into the swing of things before taking a class. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't a disruption and that I could do all the poses. Alexis (co-owner) was very prompt in responding, discussing, and understanding my concerns. With that out of the way, she set up an appointment time for a private session.
When my appointment time came, Alexis was there and ready to go. Behind the desk they have bottled water for sale, a room to store your phone/shoes/keys, and the bathrooms. The studio is in the basement of a professional building and is laid out like a normal studio with plenty of room to practice. It's very clean and is enjoyable to practice in. They offer both yoga blocks and straps should you need them, and they have mats available too. Alexis quickly discussed the points I had mentioned in email and we were off. (It was nice that I didn't have to remind her, just confirm)
After years off from yoga, Alexis kept me working, and was doing a great job reminding me when to breath, gave me enough time to catch up when I was struggling, and offering modifiers. At the end of the session she sat and spoke with me about taking a few more private sessions and was empathetic and encouraging about my return. I signed up for a few more private sessions and she was truly wonderful about helping me return to Yoga. After a few more private sessions, (I still have one left), we discussed that I was ready for a group class.
I attended the Monday night Vinyasa Flow class with Felice (co-owner). I hadn't done Vinyasa before, I had always practicing Hatha. Felice was a wonderful instructor and was very good about walking around to make sure everyone was doing the poses correctly. It was so nice to have an instructor provide a great work out and yet make the class light and fun, she has a great sense of humor. One thing I want to point out, Felice starts the class by asking if anyone is opposed to an assisted adjustment, and if you are, you simply raise your hand. Alexis doesn't do hands on, but will demo next to you. This is a truly great thing, and I wish more Yoga studios asked first. Keep that up!
On Tuesday morning Alexis reached out to me to see how my first group class in years went, and to make sure I didn't have any questions/concerns, that's fantastic customer service!
I attended my second group class tonight with Alexis, Hatha this time and it was great. I will be returning for both Vinyasa Flow and Hatha classes (Nice that they switch up the day and evening classes so no matter your schedule, you get a choice). When I am back in shape, will be going to the Power Yoga class. There is also a Beginner class, but I haven't attended that one, and there is a children's class too. Oh, and they have lunch time Yoga once a week!
A couple other things to point out quickly; They have a really good Facebook/Website presence, so if you have questions or want to know what else is going on with the studio, it's a click away. They do also have a small section of tanks/yoga pants that they designed for sale and I have never heard them being pushy sales women like I have seen with some other studios. (They don't have shirts for men, but with our small demographic in Yoga, I'm NOT going to knock them for that, but I was told tonight they are looking into making a small batch for the guys). The prices of their classes are extremely competitive, so even people on a budget won't really have an excuse to skip class. To be fair, I do have to point out they are a new studio, so they may have a few quirts to work out in the system as time goes on, but I haven't seen any yet.
My last point is my most important point. They are good ethical teachers!
I have seen my fair share of yoga teachers that know the poses, and can lead a class, but they only really talk the talk. These women walk the walk. From their Facebook page alone you can see they are really interested in getting children involved in Yoga and helping people learn more about nutrition and health in general. They even lead classes' offsite that seem fun (I haven't attended one yet, but I've seen the photos). They are both very kind and encouraging with issues you may have. They are both Yogi's in mind, body, and soul.
I can't recommend them enough, I did serious research regarding studios and instructors in the area and I am happy to say they not only met my high expectations, but bested them. They opened a few months ago, but they have really done a great job, looking forward to more time in the studio
Nice job Alexis and Felice, keep up the great work! read more
