Broga Yoga LLC

I took up yoga for the first time in the Fall of 2013. I tried a number of other studios in the area (and some out of town while traveling) before discovering Broga. Once I did, I was sold.
Right away, I loved how the instructors explained the poses. As I’ve improved and become familiar with the poses, I find that I enjoy the slower pace, as it allows me to work on my form. And the instructors program their classes very well, such that 75 minutes flies by.
I’m also a big fan of how Broga tones down the spiritual elements. There’s a namaste at the end of class, but it’s really more about mind and body than spirit. I leave class feeling like I just had a massage and totally de-​stressed mentally.
If you’re intimidated by the idea of showing up to yoga class, I highly recommend trying Broga. And no, it’s not just for guys. Most classes are anywhere from 10 to 30 percent female.

If you haven’t tried Broga yet you should! The instructors and facility are great. I have been practicing yoga for about a year and love it but was missing the feeling of a strenuous workout– Broga is the best of both! Unpretentious and awesome

Been going on-​and-​off for over a year. Always glad to go when I can. Straight forward and very effective. Team Broga always brings a great, supportive vibe to this very accessible practice — much appreciated — Thank you!

Back in March I saw an advertisement for Broga. I started reading up on it and liked what I read. However, I was still apprehensive. I’m 37, and over the past few years I have gained weight. Due to a sedentary lifestyle, stressful job, and poor habits, I’m out of shape. I know it, own it, and am working on it. My doctors had recommended I take a yoga class to help relax my mind and get the exercise I needed. I emailed Robert and Adam and explained my situation. I wanted to take the course but did not want to be «that guy». The one in the room who couldn’t keep up and had no balance. They wrote back and explained that Broga was going to be a good fit for me. They encouraged me to come out and give it a shot. Seven months later, I’m still attending and haven’t looked back.
There are two levels of Broga and one R & R class. I’m still a Broga 1 guy but I find, though it is challenging, I am able to keep up with the class. It’s not easy and it’s a tough workout, but the class caters towards all levels. Robert checks in and makes sure each student is able to properly work through the poses. If needed, he’ll recommend slight tweaks so you are able to still get the effect of the pose if you can’t exactly nail it. You only do what you can do, but you’ll soon be pushing yourself to go farther. I still have goals that I haven’t met (damn crow pose!) but I am getting closer with each class. All of this is done to a killer soundtrack of anything from your typical yoga type music to Radiohead. Though the class is catered towards men, everyone is welcome. Everyone that goes is there to work on their own practice and no one cares if you stumble. They were there once.
Initially the classes were on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. I looked for a class to supplement my practice at the beginning of the week. I went to another studio and took a «beginner» course. It was awful. Had that been my first yoga experience I would have left and never gone back. Luckily, I found Broga first. They’ve now added a Tuesday class so I’m set.
The Friday night R&R session is a great way to unwind after a stressful week.
Their website tells the story of how Broga came to be. A couple of guys wondering why there wasn’t a yoga class for the guy that can’t exactly touch his toes, for the regular guy; a bro. These guys have created something unique and amazing.
Like the previous reviewer, I know once more people experience Broga, these classes are going to be packed. I’ll still be there though, and eventually I’ll nail that crow pose.

First Unilocal review for me, but Broga is the first thing I have felt that really earned my review. I have been going to various yoga classes for several years now, originally in Boulder CO, where I used to live, and I finally feel that I have found a class (Broga) and a teacher (Rob) that embody what I want to get out of yoga, without the pan flute music and deep spiritual nonsense that I left Boulder to get away from.
Rob teaches a great class. I show up on Saturday mornings after a long work week and sometimes a long night out, and by the end of class the stress that built up all week is gone, and my mind has spent 75 minutes focused solely on the practice. I walk away feeling refreshed and ready to tackle another week. Rob has a way of pushing his students beyond what they think they are capable of, without making anyone feel bad for not being able to stay in a tough pose for several minutes.
Broga really gives me what I (a guy) want out of a yoga class without the silliness that many other classes I have been to focus on. The class focuses on increasing strength (think pushups, squats, mountain climbers) mixed with flexibility (think stretching) and traditional yoga poses. You sweat, you grunt, you collapse a few times, and Rob never makes anyone feel like they did not have a hugely successful practice. He only pushes you to what you are capable of, but at the same time makes you want to do more. On top of that, Rob plays music, good music, the kind of music I listen to on road trips, and on my iPod, music that is inspiring, energetic, fun, and what I want to hear when I am working out. Honestly, I am not much into meditation, but something about this class does put my mind in a very good place, the rest of my saturdays are a lot more pleasant when I to go Broga in the morning.
I think that Broga achieves what many yoga classes fail to do, and that is make yoga accessible to men. I think guys are scared to go to yoga classes because guys don’t like sucking at things. When you start yoga, you inevitably suck at it, and sucking at something in a room full of women is not something guys enjoy. Broga alleviates this problem, partly because you aren’t in a room full of yoga-​ettes, but also because the class focuses on the parts of yoga that guys are good at without forcing you to wrap yourself into a pretzel. Do I wish there were more women in the class, as a single guy, yes, but there are a few loyal women who show up and what do I care, I am there to work out.
I hate to let the secret out, because then the classes will be crowded, but then, maybe, Rob will have teach more classes in Somerville and I can get my fix during the week as well.