Shanti Yoga Shala

I am so grateful I stumbled upon this studio while visiting my family last month. Road weary and stressed, I looked at several studio schedules, and no available classes seemed appealing to me– except one! Natalie was able to squeeze me into an amazing ashtanga workshop that was almost fully booked. Her kindness to me, a complete stranger, will never be forgotten. I learned SO MUCH from her. I almost wish that I lived back in Nola just so I can go to her studio regularly. She has extensive training and values the safety of our bodies. Her kind voice makes me feel at peace. Her bright energy commands the room and keeps classes interesting. I highly recommend this studio.
The space is indeed small. When yoga classes get crowded it can be an opportunity to practice patience and the idea of love thy neighbor. We’re all in this together folks! That’s my take on it lol, however I do value some personal space also– so I can understand why aware footage is an issue. If you are the kind of person that absolutely cannot relax in crowded yoga classes, find out which classes are low attendance and take those.

This place first caught my attention the same as others, with the Groupon 20 classes for $ 20 dollars. After my first class with Maryellen, I was hooked. She made it a very relaxing and enjoyable experience, which kept me coming back to Shanti for over a year. In that time, I attended classes with the other instructors and yes, some of them are a bit brash and unfriendly. I definitely had my favorites, which were Maryellen and Elle. Having never done yoga ever before in my life, I would say I learned a lot in my time there.
Now for the not so great aspects. It is in a shotgun house, so the physical space is rather small and for classes at popular times, such as the afternoon, it gets pretty crowded. But having learned this after my first couple of classes, I made sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before class to get a good spot, half the time I would be the first one. So, if you just show up early, you should be good. Also, yes the prices are a little more up there than other New Orleans studios. However, I will say, I often received emails from Shanti with discount offers such as 10 classes for $ 100 and they would allow you to purchase the discount deal and put it on hold until your current classes were done. So that was pretty convenient.
I would say to give it a try. Especially, if you’re a new student and get that great Groupon deal for 20 classes, which is A LOT more than you’d think. It took me a while to get through all 20. The only reason I am not currently attending Shanti is because of the pricing. But I would not discourage anyone from giving it a try at Shanti

I purchased the Groupon like so many others and was so happy I did! The instructors were amazing and would come by each of the students to tweak and give instructions. But, and I mean this is a HUGE but… during my last class, I finally had the opportunity to take a class with the owner! I was so excited! It started off awkwardly as she told my pregnant friend in the front to switch places with a different student as «everyone will be looking to the person in that spot for direction.» Then she had to help someone sign in and yelled at everyone that we «should be able to hold the pose for 7 minutes». After the class, she lectured my pregnant friend on practicing yoga during pregnancy. My friend had been running and practicing yoga throughout her pregnancy and knew all about the modifications, but the owner actually told her «she should be relaxing enjoying her pregnancy.» This was the most horrifying conversation to witness! My friend was enjoying being healthy and pregnant and this was her second pregnancy! The owner overstepped her bounds by yelling at her students and by lecturing! This last class will forever stay in my mind. I will not be returning.

My experience at Shanti Yoga Shala was a clear «you get what you pay for.» I purchased the $ 20 Living Social coupon and was excited to have found a place located so close to my house. However, after a few classes I realized that the good price wasn’t worth the hassle.
The classes were PACKED, the place smelled accordingly, the woman handling the sign-​in was abrupt, and, on the occasion I forgot my mat, I had to rent one. These things combined to make what should have been a relaxing, centering experience a mostly stressful and uncomfortable one.

I’m basically obsessed with Pam’s classes. I didn’t realize how much until my Groupon ran out and I tried to venture to other studios and just wanted my Shanti back. Like I said, Pam is great. Her classes really challenge me mentally, spiritually, and physically. I’ve ventured out of my comfort zone in excellent ways since practicing at Shanti over the past year. My breathing and posture has improved in my daily life. The classes really kick my butt so I know I am getting an excellent work-​out everytime I go. The other instructors are fine, but I just really love Pam’s style.
I was thrown off by the small space at first. But, then I found out that is really just how yoga classes are done in New York, California, etc. Nathalie is not from here so I imagine she brought over what she knows.
This is NOT a prayer and chanting studio, which I am totally fine with. Places like Swan River have those kinds of classes if I felt I needed it (which I don’t.) When I go to yoga, I look to improve my physique, mindset, and connectedness with myself which happens everytime I go to Shanti. I will leave with a literal high from the stimulation of the classes.
The Groupon is an excellent deal to draw people in. The classes are super expensive afterwards, though. $ 18/​class?!! Goodness. That hurts. $ 140 for a 10 class series is even pushing it. But they do often have great deals, like 5 classes for $ 50 or 10 for $ 100. I jump all over those because I really just cannot justify spending more than $ 11 per class. So, as much as I adore and love these classes, I often have to wait until I can return until these specials run.

I have tried 3 studios besides Shanti here in New Orleans and they are ALL amazing. If you are a true yogi, you should agree with me in this: every teacher has something special to teach you. It will never be a waste of time if you go to a studio and dislike something about it, whether its the music, the smell, the air, the people, the floor etc. you WILL leave a wiser person.
It is important to respect all teachers & their methods. Its ok if you do not like a crowded, hot, sticky charming studio… no need to be mean about it!
That said–
Shanti Yoga Shala owns my heart. I love the owner Nathalie, she is an amazing person friend and yogi. Marge, MaEllen, Sam, Elle, Eddie, Peter & Aurora are all amazing loving teachers — there is something for anyone & everyone!
If this studio is meant for you, you will come no matter what. Just give it a try! I did 2 yrs ago with that $ 20 groupon everyone seems to complain about, and it was the best decision I made ever! Check out their online schedule before you do so and make sure it works for you– I hope it does! See you on the mat.
Namaste

I LOVE Shanti Yoga Shala. I have tried several yoga studios over the years and hadn’t found the practice worked for me until Shanti. The space is a little shotgun transformed stylishly into a place of clam and mediation.
I see other people commenting on the size rather than the quality if the instruction. The teachers at Shanti rival any of the finest studios in the country. The owner Nathalie brings in some of the most well respected yogis in the world because of her extensive knowledge and her worthy and beautiful practice.
Nathalie began with asking me if I had any injuries as well as any previous athletic experience. She was compassionate and her calming presence is encouraging for beginners such as myself.
There is a perfect winning balance between the spiritual qualities necessary for the work with the physical work-​out aspect. Personally I appreciated this as I can be finicky about too much prayer within groups.
The complaints about Shanti being full should speak to the incredible instruction and space given by Shanti.
Give Shanti a chance!

Yes the space is small. Yes the classes get «sold out» quickly and are usually very crowded. But they offer one of the best groupons in town fairly regularly. I do not get to attend classes very often here, but when I do I enjoy them and feel comfortable even as a chronic «beginner.» My favorite instructor is Jonathan. He creates a peaceful and relaxed environment and is knowledgeable and helpful without being pushy. Plan in advance and arrive on time (early) if you want to get a spot.

Way too crowded. I bought the Livingsocial deal 20 classes for $ 20 and only used one it was such a crowded nightmare!
Also whoever said they’re better than wild lotus here has very different taste in class/​teachers than I do. I infinitely prefer wild lotus.

Too crammed! To hot!!! I only like 1 instructor. One instructor used to be in class with me! And all of a sudden she was a teacher and she was rude! Too many people because everyone bought the groupon would not buy membership!

bought a groupon online.
I tried to like this place but I will not buy a membership. here are the pros and cons.
pros:
— definitely the online deal — available for first timers– 20 for 20
— great location/​character of the house
— better than wild lotus therefore the only good yoga you will find close to magazine /​Irish channel
— nathalie has great teaching skills, Pamela does too. don’t know jonathan
cons:
— nathalie seems to lack compassion and self awareness and therefore undermines her whole teaching — her yoga philosophy is weak. the teachers she trains are spiritually weak and therefore the whole vibe is off. Jessica is particularly awful — the Sargent type.
— as a reviewer mentioned, it’s a very LA vibe (and more silverlake LA or Hollywood LA than valley LA where you can find great low key studios. and for some that might be good). lots to do with body close to nothing with spirituality. and by that I don’t mean chanting or meditation, I just mean that the teachers are not the spiritual kind types.
— lack of space /​place is crammed
— nobody ever asks you if you have any injuries !! I’ve never ever been asked and I think that’s SO odd!

I am new to New Orleans and got the 20 for 20 $ deal. Some of the classes are crowded, but if you reserve your class on line you are guaranteed a spot.
Nathalie and the other girls are all great instructors! She walks around and corrects your poses if you are doing them wrong. Which is helpful to me because after doing yoga for years I am still doing some of the positions wrong.
The heat in the room doesnt bother me. Its definitly does not get as hot as bikram yoga which I can’t handle!
I also feel like everyone there are very personable and welcoming which is nice since I am new here.

I have mixed feelings. I liked the classes I took, sadly never with Nathalie! But I really hate the cramped space and the schedule of classes just doesn’t work for me.

Pretty sure I just lost 10lbs. Not advertised as hot yoga but a full class in Aug with no AC and all the windows open, turns into 90+ degrees in the room. Be forwarned.
Its a small space in an old home. The instructor packs 5 people to a row which is just too much. I was in a 4 person row and that was about as tight as it should be otherwise you will be on top of eachother.
The classes fill up fast but it was apparent that it was due to the recent groupon promotions. You really need to sign up online to garuntee a spot. With the online sign up is a $ 2 «fee». Classes are already pricey at $ 16 which is the highest price I’ve seen for yoga classes in NOLA.
The instructor could have been more friendly but class was challenging. I would go again but I wouldn’t make it my go-​to yoga spot.

I live in LA and this place is the real yoga deal.
I did my research and I took classes with Nathalie Croix, who is also the owner. She’s the real yogi deal with several trips to India under her belt and she trained and worked at the best studios in LA, that’s pretty cool. Her voice is very soothing.
The studio has a very intimate feel, everyone is there to practice yoga.
This is a place where you can truly develop your practice because Nathalie’s focus is proper alignment.

Technically my review is 2.5 stars: half a star for getting a great deal on Living Social and one star each for Anthony and Pamela. They are two of the best yoga instructors I’ve ever taken class with.
After my Living Social was used up, I did purchase a 10 class series at full price, but they upped their prices and I no longer felt I was getting my money’s worth. They run far too many Living Social/​Groupon deals, so the classes are CRAMMED and if you work full time it’s hard to get a spot in the evening/​weekend classes. I find the owner of the studio brusque and controlling… which doesn’t exactly help me relax, and as a young attorney relaxation is 90% of the reason I’m going to yoga in the first place. The customer service definitely leaves something to be desired.
I would say it’s worth it if you got a discount, not worth it if you’re paying full price for the classes.

I loved being able to take a yoga class here while on my vacation to New Orleans, especially on Magazine Street, an interesting and walkable neighborhood. For me, practicing in a studio in a quaint older home with high ceilings, a fireplace and wood floors was a real treat, especially as I am a former resident who used to live in a very similar historic shotgun duplex in the Garden District.
Other reviewers here complain about being crammed close together with fellow students, but personally this doesn’t bother me, as I always feel that yogis in a class feed off one another’s energy, and so being close together can be a good thing.
My only quibbles: The studio was on the chilly side, so my muscles and ligaments never felt warmed up, even by the end of class. Students weren’t let in until about 4 minutes before class started, so there was a bit of a scramble.

If you’re likes every other yoga person who subscribes to living social, you probably bought their 20 for 20 deal. Great deal, hence the two stars… but it’s only a good deal if you actually get to go. They sold waaaay too many of these deals, so their classes book up a week in advance. If you get the idea to go, say Sunday, you’ll probably be waiting until next Sunday or Monday. They say they take walk-​ins, but they end up turning them away most of the time, because there is just too many people.
Also, this place is waaay too small for the amount of people they pack in. The studio is a tiny shot gun house, and you end up getting to know the people on either side of you pretty well.
I also think they should advertise this place as HOT yoga. In the dead of summer you’ll never catch them using their AC. No AC + 20+ people in a tiny house isn’t too pleasant. You will sweat a lot, not necessarily from the work out…
The yoga itself is a great workout. The instructors are great. They just really need to find a bigger facility with better ventilation. The yoga experience as-​is is not pleasant…

A very intimate studio with very helpful instructors who seem very focused on you’re getting all you can out of a class. Nathalie is warm, welcoming, and an amazing instructor.
They just added several new classes:
Monday
12:00−1:15PM Smart Flow Nathalie all levels
4:30−5:45PM Yoga Basics Nathalie level 1
6:15−7:30PM Vinyasa Yoga Katherine level 2
Tuesday
9:15−10:30AM Flow Yoga Lindsay all levels
12:00−1:15PM Smart Flow Nathalie level ½
5:00−6:00PM Yoga Basics and Restoratives Nathalie level 1
6:30−7:45PM Vinyasa Yoga Katherine level ²⁄₃
Wednesday
12:00−1:15PM Lunch Flow Bianca level 1
6:00−7:05PM Vinyasa Yoga Tucker level 1
7:15−8:15PM Vinyasa Yoga Katherine level 2
Thursday
9:15−10:30AM Flow Yoga Lindsay all levels
12:00−1:15PM Smart Flow Nathalie level ½
5:00−6:00PM
Yoga Basics and Restoratives Nathalie all levels
6:30−7:45PM Vinyasa Yoga Katherine level ²⁄₃
Friday
5:30−6:45PM Vinyasa Yoga Lindsay level ½
Saturday
11:00−12:15PM Flow Yoga Daria all levels
Special Events on Saturdays afternoons please check website
Sunday
4:00−5:15PM Vinyasa Yoga Nathalie all levels
5:30−6:50PM Relax Deeply Daria all levels
7:00−8:00PM Hatha Yoga Bianca level 1
If you love yoga you should really try a class at Shanti.

If you do one good thing for yourself today, make it a yoga practice which is good for your mind, body, and soul. Not sure where to go? Try the newly opened Shanti Yoga Shala.
Beloved New Orleans teacher, Nathalie Croix, recently left another yoga studio to start her own! Nathalie has practiced in California and has travelled to India to study under Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Most recently Nathalie was the director and primary teacher at New Orleans’ Life Yoga Studio.
Shanti Yoga Shala is currently housed on Freret Street above Cure (the bar) in a lovely room with great light from big gorgeous windows. Nathalie is keeping her usual schedule and has also brought on one other teacher to offer different types of classes. With classes offered at times like noon and 5:30/6pm (lunch and after work) yoga can be accessible to people working during the day. Nathalie also offers various types of classes from vinyasa flow, led ashtanga, and restorative classes. Classes are also the most affordable in the city at $ 10/​single class, $ 6/​student single class, $ ⁴⁰⁄₅ classes, and $ ⁸⁰⁄₁₀ classes. Private lessons are available, email
The current schedule is:
Tuesday–
12:00 to 1:15pm Lunch Flow with Nathalie (all levels)
6:15 to 7:30pm Vinyasa Flow with Nathalie (level ²⁄₃)
Wednesday–
6:30 — 7:45pm Led Ashtanga with Nathalie (all levels, beginners welcome).
8:00 — 9:00pm Yoga Sadhana with Nathalie —
Every other Wednesday there will be meditation and yoga sutras studies and open discussion– 11/​10, 11/​24, and ¹²⁄₈.
Thursday
6:30 — 7:45pm Vinyasa Flow with Nathalie (level ²⁄₃)
Saturday
11:00 — 12:15pm Vinyasa Flow with Nathalie/​Daria (all levels)
Sunday
4:00 – 5:15pm $ 5 community class with Nathalie (all levels)
5:30 — 6:30pm Restoratives Yoga-​Relax Deeply with Daria (all levels)