Spark Yoga

LOVE Spark Yoga! I’ve only been to the Mosaic location so far but I’m going to check out the Arlington studio soon. All of the staff, teachers and students are incredibly inviting and friendly. Ahmed is definitely one of my favorites at Spark. This studio and it’s teachers definitely stand out from others in this area!

Spark is amazing! The Vinyasa classes are the absolute best. Yoga + Weights is also fun, and I’m really glad they’ve lowered the temperature (it used to be a hot class). It’s still a tad too warm for me (I’m not a fan of hotter than warm classes, they don’t jive with my body), but I take it every once and a while. The Barre teachers are all excellent, and though the classes are really difficult, it’s a great workout. It’s a super clean studio and the air quality is great – I’ve been to other hot studios in the area (like Down Dog and Little River) and they just feel SO stuffy and gross; the air is suffocating. Full disclosure: I work as a concierge there so I may be a bit biased, but I wouldn’t work there if it wasn’t such a fantastic studio.

I love SPARK! I will caveat this by saying I am an avid yogi with 15 years of experience with Vinyasa (and lesser experience with Hatha, Baptiste, Mysore, Kundalini, Rocket and Acro). Arlington is one of the fittest cities and the patrons of this studio exemplify a high degree of both strength and aerobic fitness (seriously, just take one Yoga Sculpt class and you will understand). If you go to Yoga Sculpt, expect to burn those calories (both the heat in the room and the aerobic intensity). Each instructor brings their unique personality to the class but one thing is consistent with the teachers at SPARK, they are all very well credentialed. It is NOT uncommon to have a 400 or 500hr yoga instructor. I’ve taken a couple of Barre classes at SPARK and those too have been first rate. I also love that SPARK is so generous to the local community. I believe they hold more events for charity than any other local studio. I can’t give enough kudos for wanting to fill the food shelves of AFAC or accommodating free sessions for veterans on Veteran’s Day. I do realize some of their free community sessions are sponsored by Chelsea Collective and Lululemon (wise and well chosen partnerships).
The reception area is very tight at this location and often there is a jam up at the lockers pre-​post class as the switch happens. The doorways sometimes make the reception area «seasonally» cold which is a bit of a shock to the body post sweat session. I wish I could think of a design element to help isolate the door from the reception area but it doesn’t seem suited to a double door or curtain. There are a couple changing rooms but these often seem to be filled with stuff other than related to changing so I am not exactly sure as their purpose.
SPARK instructors will push you, but know you always have child’s pose should your body be unwilling to cooperate. The customer is in the drivers seat and like any good yoga instructor will remind you, the class is for you. Don’t do a pose because the neighboring mat is doing it, do it for you! If the pose does not suit you for today, keep your head above your heart and flow on when you are ready. SPARK is a no-​judgement studio! I love the cleanliness, friendliness and diversity of instructors!

I have been going to Spark yoga since Abril and I love it.
The studio is small but very welcoming always clean, the bathroom has toiletries that we may need in case of forgetting like hair bands and feminine needs.
I never used the shower, living close by, but there it is showers, and parking is available.
The front desk is always so friendly and greeting everyone by name and with smiles on their faces even at 6:15 on the morning.
The only class I do is Spark Barre and it’s a challenge and a amazing work out, even going for so long has not getting easy I definitely fell stronger, my posture and flexibility has improve, with my diet and mixing cardio, I have seen the change happening not only on my body but overall health.
They have two locations my it is in Arlington, I got to visit Merrifield location only once, it’s bigger with all the qualities.
Spark has challenges to keep us motivate the 30 day challenge and the most recently 25 Spark barre in 35 days was great, I just put my last sticker in, I now can endure a chair pose without came out of it, simple awesome!
I felt accept since day one and believe I have been in a lot studios, I enjoyed the sense of community.
The instructors are amazing every single one
Casi, Alexandra, Isabelle, Julie P, Natalie and Alicia M, I got only good things to say.
I’m moving and I get find another studio it’s has been really difficult to find place that will replace Spark yoga.

I frequent Spark Yoga at the Mosaic District and attend classes at this sister location (Arlington) a few times a month. The studio is immaculately clean, teachers and staff are friendly, and I always feel great after a class at Spark. Some perks of Spark Yoga are free garage parking behind the studio, lockers, showers, and convenient classes and location to fit anyone’s schedule. Please give them a try if you’re looking for yoga/​barre/​pilates classes. You will not be disappointed! Tip — *New students pay only $ 20 for unlimited classes for a week*

I love love love Spark! I have been going to barre and yoga and weights classes for almost 2 years now and have seen so many changes. I’ve lost weight, am leaner, and much stronger! The community is wonderful and everyone knows your name :) I will never go to any other studio or gym. Spark is the best!

I started in January 2015 with the $ 20 unlimited week and was hooked for 8 months until I moved to the West Coast… and I’m STILL looking for something like Spark out here in San Diego. I miss this place. Did the unlimited package most every month. Was a great deal for the amount of times I went (most months). Tons of great teachers, some still there, some not. Do yourself a favor and at least try this one if you’re interested in yoga, Pilates or barre.

I can’t say enough positive things about this studio. I purchased the 1 week pass for $ 20 and took 4 Barre classes this week, all with different instructors. First, the studio itself is spotless and welcoming. Everyone that I came into contact with was extremely friendly. As far as the classes, all I can say is the first class I took left me so sore, but so energized and ready to take another class that next evening. All of the instructors introduced themselves to everyone in the class and exuded great energy! I was particularly impressed how each instructor connects with each student, encourages them by name and corrects postures as needed. Each class left me sweaty but energized and with a big smile on my face. I’m completely addicted!

I tried Bikram a few times over the years and didn’t enjoy it. I bought a Gilt voucher to try Spark for a month on a whim and loved it! It’s not a Bikram studio, but it is a hot yoga studio that teaches a variety of yoga practices. It’s super clean and doesn’t smell. They use hospital grade ventilation and clean the floors after every class. I’ve brought a few friends and they commented that the teachers are very approachable and the class is not intimidating like in other studios. The barre classes are good too, but not as stand out in my opinion. Still they are very solid and more reasonably priced than popular name barre studios. I’ve gone to a couple of aerial yoga classes — Diana is a great teacher! What I also like about Spark are their workshops to dive deeper and other activities (book club, karma classes) that create community. This is by far my favorite yoga studio so far!

I have thoroughly enjoy my experience at Spark Yoga over the past 6 months. My favorite class are barre with Anne, Daphne, and Casi; Pilates with Rebecca, and hot vinyasa with Erin. I like how easy it is to use their app to sign up for classes and to cancel classes. They are also super helpful if you’re running late to save a space for you in the room for the class — just call and ask. I go about 4 – 5 times a week and I’m seeing a big difference in my body being more toned and stronger. I also feel a lot better physically.
The studio is very clean and spacious and it’s doesn’t carry a smell in it from all the hot yoga classes. I like that they provide you with cleaning towels and sprays.
My only improvements are: I would suggest 7:45am classes after the 6:30 am class. I was also very disappointed when I heard Jordan and Marion left — they were AMAZING in teaching their practice — so relaxing. They were the people that sold me on having a monthly membership there. Then I found out they left. I don’t get the same vibe with the new instructor teaching the replacement yoga class — I think it’s called Hatha yoga. It’s on Monday nights at 7:45.
But overall, I am still thoroughly enjoying my experience there — I just wish we could bring Marion and Jordan back.

Hate to burst the aerial yoga bubble, but I have to be real about my experience.
I have visited this studio twice– once for a Saturday morning warm Vinyasa and once for an aerial yoga class.
First about the studio– it is rather tiny, particularly when classes are starting/​ending at the same time. There are lockers right next to the front desk, and others closer to the bathroom, but since the tendency is to drop your crap when you enter, I think most people use the front ones, and then essentially stand there putting on full gear while others wait to access their lockers. I felt like salmon swimming upstream just trying to get to a locker. The main yoga studio is quite spacious… maybe a little too spacious. If you are a full on yoga person who shows off with your headstands and such, then you’d probably be fine here. If you are accustomed to a more homey studio where the instructors will walk you through poses instead of shouting out the yoga name as they walk around, then this is not the place for you. On that Saturday, hands on adjustments were minimal, and I had no idea what I was doing half the time. By the way, apologies to my neighbor on the adjacent mat when I kept staring– I guess I got spoiled at my last studio. The instructor was perfectly fine, I just felt like a drop in the bucket.
And my real reason for writing the review… the aerial yoga class. I had been looking to get back into it after some time off. I had taken aerial yoga for a year in Chicago but winter kept me from getting to the studio– and my favorite instructors– as much as I would have wanted to go. With that experience, I was able to skip the basics class and go into the next level– which may or may not have been a good thing. Unlike my last studio, the classes are tiny (number of students-​wise), but unlike my last studio, the hammocks are relatively low, hook on to carabiners, and are really close to each other (and a mirrored wall). Also unlike my last studio, I was essentially told that everything I was doing was wrong. Literally everything. It has been ages since I was in elementary school, but I was right back in there. The militaristic style is NOT my cup of tea, and the slow pace nearly drove me out of my mind. I realize that with a new studio not everyone has the same level of experience, but I was expected to progress at the same snail pace as everyone else, without given any options if they were available for me. Previously in all classes I had taken, usually the instructors would ask if I knew how to do something, and if I did, I could get in it on my own and not wait for everyone else. Or if that particular pose was too basic, I’d be offered progressive modifications. Oh no, not here. I HAD to do it a certain way and was told– not in a comfortable way– that I was doing it wrong. I may or may not be doing it wrong, but most likely it was the way that I learned or the way that was comfortable for my body. For example, we were doing downward dog, and I prefer to wrap up my legs in the fabric since it’s more comfortable on my hips. OH MY GOD NO I COULDN’T DO THAT. BLASPHEMY. HAD TO KEEP MY FEET DOWN ON THE FLOOR. I was also chastised in the beginning for doing a relatively simple harness trick, but not before being told the fabric was wrong.
Needless to say, I walked out of that class as I refused to be treated like a naughty 5 year old. I was offered a private class to make up for my bad experience, but I really would not want to spend an hour being told my year’s worth of experience was crap.
If you’re new to aerial yoga, you may be fine here. If you have any prior experience in the hammock or on silks, stay away.

I went for aerial yoga (basics) and really enjoyed myself. However, I felt like we could have done more poses and/​or more difficult moves. Everyone in the class seemed to be getting the hang of things fairly easily. I’m not sure if it was because the instructor (who looked and acted more like a librarian than an aerial yoga instructor) didn’t know additional/​difficult moves, or what, but I am willing to go back to the next level up.
At the beginning of the class our instructor asked us all how we heard about the class. I said it was because a friend had posted a photo online of her doing a pose in the fabric. So at the end of class, my friend and I asked her if she could take a photo of us. She was visibly annoyed that she had to do this, even though I specifically told her the way I found out about it (thus — the way she is MAKING $$$) was through a photo. When we asked her to take a second photo (GOD FORBID!) she was even less thrilled.
Like I said — I’ll go back, just not to a class with her as the instructor.

I couldn’t have picked a better studio to become a member of.
I had been practicing at another DC area studio for some time, but they didn’t frequently provide the challenging classes I sought out. After much researching, I came across Spark’s website. That in itself caught my intention, as I’m a sucker for a clean and minimalist design. It was easy to navigate and fun to look into. I instantly knew that this was the place for me, with them offering hot power yoga, vinyasa, barre, pilates, dharma, and even aerial.
The studio itself is just like the website: clean and minimalist. Besides that, it’s also a green studio and has amazing ventilation. I have taken many, many hot classes and the place has never once smelled. They also provide lockers with built in locks, changing rooms, showers in the bathroom (as well as extra hair ties for the ladies), and all the essential yoga props. A few people have mentioned the pricing of the studio, but if you plan on going to a class at least 3 times a week, it’s 100% worth it for the quality of what you’re getting.
When it comes down to the classes, there is really not one favorite. I love them all. I adore hot vinyasa with Erin (graceful flows), hot power yoga with Amy (who is super fun and challenging), and yoga + weights with Daphne (possibly the most ass-​kicking class they provide). I also love their barre classes which can make me feel like putty right after. I have yet to try their Aerial classes since it’s not apart of my memebrship, but definitely in due time. All in all, their instructors are wonderful, talented people that make you feel just at home. Love this place.

I’ve been here twice because my friend had free guest passes, so I was excited to try out a new yoga place! The location is awesome and there’s plenty of parking in the garage right next door, which is a plus. When you walk in, you check in and then place your shoes in the cubby and there are lockers where you can place your personal belongings. There are two studios — one smaller one that is mirrored and padded for barre and aerial classes, then the other big studio which was very open and spacious.
I came in for a heated pilates class with the owner during their open house and it was fun. It was my first time taking a pilates class, so it was slightly different as it was more aerobic and a lot of core workouts, but not as bad. You definitely sweat in the class and feel the burn. I loved how the big studio room was very open and well lit with all the natural sunlight coming through (I came in on an early Sunday morning). There was tons of space and you can really get a lot of students in the room. The heated class was just fine too — not too hot at all.
The second class I attended was for a barre class. This was in the smaller, mirrored room and I’ll tell you that my thighs were burning! What a workout. It was short but the instructor was great and enthusiastic and great at motivating everyone to keep going. Not too sure if I could do that workout everyday, but hey — it’s awesome that they offer such a variety of classes here.
What I didn’t like so much was how the lobby area was very, very small and cramped. In between classes — I can see how that the area can get very crowded. Other than that, the staff is very helpful and I love the variety of classes that they offer here. They offer aerial yoga, pilates classes, different types of yoga classes, meditation classes, barre classes, and several workshops and events each month it seems.
I, however, am very satisfied with my current yoga studio and have come to learn that some of the teachers at my current spot also go to Spark yoga and teach or take classes, which is awesome. Should I choose to do another pilates or barre class, Spark Yoga is definitely my first pick and if I decide to switch studios later on — this will be my next one. I highly recommend doing the week long pass with them for newbies!

Spark Yoga is more than just a yoga studio, it’s like being a part of a community! I’ve been a member at Spark for several months now and before that, I was attending on a drop-​in basis.
The instructors are great and all of their classes vary, so it’s easy to switch up your schedule accordingly. They remember your name quickly, and are always so positive, friendly, and helpful.
I’ve tried all of the classes — hot power yoga (pretty challenging), warm vinyasa (more like your typical yoga class), vinyasa II with Sima (more arm balances/​inversions/​challenge poses), aerial yoga (more expensive, but fun and slightly challenging), barre (typical barre aka tough stuff), barre blend (no weights and still tough), yoga & weights (crazy hard sweat fest of cardio/​strength training), barre box (insanely tough cardio workout with short strength training breaks). There’s a little bit of everything there, which makes the $ 138/​mo membership worth it.
I also love how many additional events Spark has. They do 30-​day challenges a few times a year, workshops all the time, donation-​based classes for charity, etc.
As many mentioned before, the space is beautiful. The showers are very clean. There’s some essentials in the bathroom in case you forget them, like ponytail holders. There’s free lockers in the lobby & cubby holes in the bathroom. Filtered water fountain is available, so you just need to bring your water bottle.
The 6pm weekday classes in the yoga room are about as crowded as it gets, and even then you still have plenty of space to practice. The barre classes are intentionally small & therefore harder to get into — you should sign up a few days to a week before to get in.

This great yoga studio is known mainly for being the first studio in the D.C. metro area to offer aerial yoga, but also has a lot of other great offerings. I’m here to review those other great offerings, since there’s plenty of information on the aerial.
Studio Fundamentals: Overall, beautiful space. Locker rooms, changing rooms, bathrooms, and showers. Filtered water for your water bottle. Two rooms: a small one for aerial yoga, pilates, and barre (unheated), as well as a large heated one for hot/​warm yoga. Free parking. Friendly staff.
Barre: You do the typical moves and use the typical equipment. One nice thing is that they have a barre «basics» class that’s good for beginners if you want an introduction without having to dive right in (as a lot of other studios make you do).
Hot/​Warm Vinyasa Yoga: Went to three of these, with three different instructors – Sam, Erin Nichole, and Sima. All three classes were completely different and completely awesome, which speaks nicely to the studio’s consistency. If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be Sima. FYI, I don’t think the room is quite as hot as either Bikram or Baptiste yoga.
Yoga with Weights: This is not yoga. This is a killer sculpting workout that features some high-​intensity cardio and resistance training in a hot room. You do things like mountain-​climbers, push-​ups, jumping jacks, lunges, and squats, with some down-​dog and planks sprinkled in. It’s sweaty, fun, and hard!
Things to Know: It’s on the pricier end, even for yoga in the D.C. metro area at $ 20 for a drop-​in. If you become a member, $ 135 unlimited might be worth it, though. Also, it’s not super-​accessible without a car since it’s far from the metro – I happen to live in the Clarendon/​Courthouse area, but even then it’s a 20 minute walk.
In general, though, this is a wonderful studio with great classes in a really nice space – especially if you drive!

This was my first Aerial Yoga experience, so I can’t compare to anything else, but I had a great experience!
First off, this is really really fun. If you’re looking to try something new, do this! I was worried because I really am not that flexible or anything, but I did fine!
The instructor was great. She was energetic, very friendly, remembered all our names — so the class seemed very hands on and personal. She was very thorough with her explanations, and I really appreciated how much we did in a 75 minute period. It felt worth the money. I loved it so much, if I lived in the area I would totally do it again.
If you’re on the edge between going or not. just go! Fabulous time

Great yoga studio, accessible parking, what’s not to love? Staff is friendly AND helpful.
Last night I had a problem and they solved it quickly and efficiently and without me making a big deal about it.
It’s really great to see a yoga studio that’s also so customer oriented, will definitely be back!
And if you’re a manager of this place Danielle at the front desk is an absolute gem! She was incredibly helpful and I’m so grateful.

One lazy Saturday, I got sucked into an episode of «The Fabulous Life Of…» where they featured an entire segment on aerial yoga, fitness craze of the stars. Aerial yoga, they promised, was an easy and relaxing way to stretch your entire body naturally and easily due to your weight being supported by silk wraps.
Spoiler alert, they lie! Sure if you are Gwyneth Paltrow who sustains herself on a diet of virgin swan tears and ground unicorn horn this *MAY* be easy but if your favorite food is carbs and Prancercise is your only form of of physical activiity… this will one of the most painful beginner yoga classes you will ever attend.
Even standing on a piece of silk suspended in the air felt like a knife cutting through my tender, freshly manicured tootsies.
It wasn’t all bad though, por ejemplo:
Pros:
+ As soon as you walk in you are greeted immediately. The space is very clean and inviting plus they have free lockers for you to use.
+ Our instructor had a very upbeat and had a great positive attitude. She also let us pose for camera phone photos at the very end which is all we came for anyways.
+ Shavasana — The whole class was worth it for the few minutes at the end where we got to lay in our silk cocoon pad and slowly sway back and forth.
+ One class is $ 30 which is way cheaper than anything else I found in the DC area. It’s totally worth the photo op!
+ The stretches with the aerial silks are heavenly! I loved stretching my body side to side in slow, relaxed motions. Apparently they have an «aerial bliss» class every once in a while, which I would be willing to take.
+There’s a Bön Chon next door.
Cons:
+ The class was marketed as a beginner’s class but I think there should have been a warning that if you do not have past yoga or aerial instruction you will probably have no idea what is going on.
+ It is hard to pay attention to what the instructor is doing since you may not be technically facing her like a typical yoga class.
+ Unlike regular yoga, there is not a lot of modifications for newbies. You will just hang there and look confused if you don’t know what to do.

Spark yoga is a welcomed resort, the teachers are attentive and the staff is very accommodating and welcoming! The warm and hot yoga experience is very clean and centering in the new studio and I really like the hard wood floors. I haven’t taken a barre, pilates or aerial yoga class yet but I did see they have a special studio for these classes with a really cool foamy floor.
The prices are good and I would even say a bargain since a monthly membership will give you access to all classes (except aerial ones).
There is plenty of parking, showers, changing rooms and a lovely modern bathroom to boot. It’s really a resort tucked away in the corner of Arlington!