Uptown Yoga

I’m fairly new to yoga. This was my 6^th class overall, 1^st at Uptown Yoga. All of the other classes I’ve been to have been rejuvenating, inspiring and left me feeling centered. Unfortunately, this class did not.
I believe it started with my initial frustration in finding the place as it is very hidden (tip — turn on Tucker and then take the first left, pass Cane Rosso and you’re there!). The annoyance continued on as I checked in and let them know that it was my first time — this is typically the point where they give you a quick run down of the place and show/​point you to the studio. That didn’t happen and I had to just figure out where everything was on my own.
Now I’ll get to the REALLY unsettling part for me — as the class got started, the instructor, Janie, proceeded to give an «Inner Strength» speech. I was into it, until she started adding profanity including several «F words». I’m not offended by profanity nor am I against using it, but in a yoga session it seems out of place. That word, along with most other profane words, are typically used in a negative tone/​manner. I can’t really think of a time or place where that word is used for positivity or building people up.
It was downright unprofessional. I would never dream of using that kind of language with my customers. While I’m sure there were students there that are closer to this instructor that I was, we/​they are still the customer and, in my opinion, it was out of line.
Other than that, the class was ok. I agree with other Unilocalers in that it was mostly filled with lots of planks and downward dogs, nothing really challenging. I don’t think I’ll be back.

This studio is for people who just want to convert yoga into a workout. My goal is to feel more peaceful and balanced. I was hoping this would be a yoga workout that would meet my goals, but this was an epic fail.
The workout is a hot vinyasa style (a variation of Kest or Baptiste’s styles). The room is warm, but not ridiculously hot or humid. The new studio is larger but just as nice as the old studio. More of a drive from my home, though.
The workouts are not well balanced. The regular flow class I went to was 53 minutes of standing and balancing poses and 7 minutes of seated and reclined poses. This was with a teacher that another Unilocaler loved. I won’t bore you with the yogic theory of why a class should have a variety of poses to create balance, peace, bliss, etc. Regardless, due to the instructor’s chosen poses, the class built up a lot of aggression, not peace.
I tried a deep stretch class, too, but I can’t say that holding a plank is my idea of a deep stretch.

The number one reason the studio (at this location) gets 5 stars is because of the instructor, Mike L. He is by far one of the best yoga instructors I have ever had. Their uptown location (Thomas) is also good but I prefer the Lakewood studio.

Normally I go to the Uptown location because I work downtown, but occasionally I will visit this location if my favorite instructor is teaching a class at the Lakewood studio. On the plus side there is more parking at this location, on the down side there is only one bathroom so be prepared to wait if you need to change clothes before class. For a change of pace I attended the Deep Stretch class, and while not your traditional yoga class it definitely worked me over! The instructor was excellent about adjusting people (me!) that were not flexible enough to do the stretches.

This was my first time to actually go to a studio for Yoga. My forte is weight lifting and cycling so this was a great change. Yoga mats, blocks, blankets and cleaning supplies were made available to customers.
The mood or setting of the room was very nice. It felt very comforting inside with the smoked glass and candles in the room. One wall covered in mirrors to see what you were doing helped tremendously, and the instructor was very helpful to others during the session.

I have never been a huge fan of yoga (as I prefer more fast paced activities) but have never been to an actual yoga studio that I didn’t enjoy. I originally chose Uptown due to a friend who just started instructing there. I, at first, went to go support her but plan to be back for their beginner classes. It was challenging yet not impossible positions to try. Recovering from a broken foot there was only one move I felt I really couldn’t do but I did my best.
They have drop in rates at $ 15 per class and deals on unlimited months or sessions. They have mats and towels if you don’t have your own.
I totally recommend it. Try the beginner class if you haven’t done much yoga, it’s like nothing I’ve tried before.

You know when you buy a gift for a friend but like it so much you almost just want to keep it for yourself. Well thats how I feel writing this review. I love this place. I tried them by buying a 20-​class groupon. Such a great deal. Their classes are very… rich. You benefit in so many ways. The instructors are very easy to listen to and try to help your form as they move around. One even helped me do my first head/​hand stand. Very exciting. They offer many classes throughout the day so you will definately be able to find a routine that works for you. The studio is small but very clean and inviting. I also love the music they play during the class. In summary, I love that I found this place to practice yoga because they make it easy to benefit from yoga, no matter if you are a beginner or expert.

I attend the prenatal yoga class here and I love it. I have gone to some other classes in the area while pregnant and I get too hot and too uncomfortable. Not that many offer the prenatal so the fact that this place is close to home, has a whole foods across the street and a yumalicious next door is a pregnant girls dream :-) Class is 1.5 hours and is taught on Thursdays and Sundays. There’s a great group of girls that show up and the instructor is fantastic. I haven’t been here for the normal yoga classes but I’ve heard they are just as highly recommended.

It took me years to find this place in Dallas that I call «real yoga». I have found many places in Chicago but nothing here until I found this place. The people are awesome, the classes are awesome, and the music is awesome. While you are getting in a good stretch and workout on the mat they help keep a large amount of focus on breathing correctly. When you lose breath you lose your practice which was my problem finding a place that could coordinate them together correctly. So many places i have found here just have people bouncing around on mats sweating like jazzercize with yoga poses thrown into it and I wanted more than that. I’m happy I found this place and the amazing teachers. Janie is one of the most amazing teachers I’ve ever taken from and Mike L. is right there next to her. I have also enjoyed the classes from Mike M., Jenn, and Katherine and they are all great! Leave the pretentious and judgmental attitude at home this place has loving open arms for everyone willing to share the energy with other yogis!

I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to write a review for Uptown Yoga Lakewood, as I’ve been practicing yoga here for over a year now.
Having never been much of an exerciser — I had a brief stint trying pilates back in 2006, and that was pretty much it since high school gym class — I decided last year shortly after my 29^th birthday that it was time to start doing something physical in earnest. I’d seen this location many times as I live in the neighborhood, and one day I picked up a schedule and looked them up online. They have a 10 days for $ 10 deal for new students, so I figured I’d give it a try.
This is a fantastic studio for beginners. I started out taking beginner’s classes with Nicole and Katherine, as well as a Strictly Core class with Lisa (who’s no longer there), and immediately fell in love. The space is small and unintimidating. I was nervous, at first, that it would be full of super young, fit people wearing tons of makeup, but that is not the case here. The students come from all walks of life and it is a very welcoming environment.
After my 10 days expired there were a variety of different membership plans to choose from. For the physical and mental benefits I was already feeling, all of the prices seemed reasonable. I started with a 20-​class package (which takes a year to expire), but eventually found that I was beginning to attend 3+ classes a week and signed up for the monthly unlimited membership (which is a steal if you go to class 3 – 4 times a week).
The style of yoga here is Vinyasa Flow. I have never tried any other style, but from what I’ve gathered this is a more physically-​oriented type of class, which I like. You still have time to wind down at the end, but your muscles and body feel like they’ve gotten good use at the end of each class. This is NOT a «hot yoga» studio, but trust me, you will still sweat! They set the temperature to be warm enough to keep you loose but not so hot that anyone starts to stink.
I am 7 months pregnant now and continue to attend classes here. The instructors are great at helping with modifications so that I can continue to practice safely. I did try a prenatal class, but found that it was geared more toward someone who is pregnant but not very experienced with yoga (so if that is you, absolutely give it a try).
Coming to Uptown Yoga Lakewood was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I highly recommend coming here, whether you are brand new to yoga or already practicing somewhere else.

Great for beginners and the ‘unpretentious’ yoga lover. Small intimate studio which means you get hands-​on instruction and build rapport with your fellow downward dog friends. You have to bring your own mat and towel, but they do let you borrow one if you forget. I’ve tried 3 different classes and really enjoyed them all.
A heads up, one of the instructors is a doula, so you’ll see lots of pregnant ladies. Pricing is standard for yoga. My favorite perk is the next door Yumilicious – perfect way to end your practice :)

I was surprised to realize that there were no reviews for this location («first to review» –woot!). This is a place that I have driven past for two years on my way to work. It’s near Whole Foods and in Lakewood, you’d think some soccer mom real housewife would have reviewed this location by now.
Fear not– I will tell you the secrets of this location.
You can park on either side, of the building but you should choose the Abrams side since that is the door they keep unlocked. It appears to be more the «back door.» However, the front door goes directly into the studio and they keep that locked.
Unlike the Uptown studio which can fit probably 60 people tightly packed in, this one is about a third the size. The space is long with just enough depth for two rows of yoga mats. The mirror is expansive, and I think this layout means you’ll almost certainly get some mirror to contemplate as you effortlessly balance on one foot in tree position.
Uptown Yoga has a variety of classes in their schedule– beginner, advanced, core… I’ve tried a few. It reminds me of how many styles and how many different reasons there are to practice yoga. My personal experience, is that Uptown Yoga feels most like a workout to me. I sweat, am pushed, and feel a little warn out at the very end. It is a nice feeling, but not in the same manner as some more rejuvenating practices I’ve done.
They offer a cheap introductory special– $ 10 for 10 days. I think this would provide a great sampling of what they have to offer.
Mats are available to use at no charge.