Lila

If you want to laugh and learn, drift off to far-​away lands, mix your emotions with fantasy, all while learning more about the surrounding world… This is the place with expert guides!

I was happy to have found this yoga studio recently during a short visit to the Spokane area. I took a morning H20 Vinyasa class from Kelly Thielbahr and enjoyed her style. I typically practice yoga four days per week with fantastic teachers who integrate well the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of yoga; Kelly fits right in with them. She was clear in her guidance, skilled in constructing a sensible flow of poses, conscious of proper alignment, and helpful in making adjustments. I also was grateful that the heat and humidity were not as overwhelming and distracting as I have found them to be at some other studios.
Two things that I didn’t love about this studio were as follows:
1. Dogs freely wandered through the room during some parts of class. I’m guessing they belonged to the studio’s owner, but it wasn’t clear. Not being a big dog fan (and being somewhat fearful of large dogs), I didn’t feel comfortable when a dog would stop and stand right next to my mat while I was practicing. I also didn’t enjoy the dog fur that drifted onto my mat. If you don’t mind dogs, this aspect may not bother you.
2. I had to rent a mat, and it reeked. I wondered whether it had been cleaned. Even if it was clean, the odor was very unpleasant, especially in poses like child’s pose. If you visit this studio, I highly recommend bringing your own mat and not renting one.
These two negative points aside, I was glad to have had the opportunity to practice here while I was in town, and I recommend Kelly as a teacher.

Wow! Lila is the perfect name for this cosmically playful studio. Just wandered into an H2O Power class with Bear. Fun, inspiring, inventive, heart-​opening and much more. Friendly, open community, the heart in the heart of Spokane. Thank you all.
Brandy
Lake Tahoe, California

I love Lila Yoga. Coming here has improved my physical and mental health. Each time I feel relaxed, calm, and invigorated. I now have so much more flexibility, upper body strength, and a less stressed approach to life. Bear is a great instructor with a fantastic vibe. He has a few other people teaching one class a week, and they are good as well.
Bear’s classes are pretty intense, even after one year, I still have to skip out on some moves. If you are new to yoga, definitely go to the fundamentals/​beginner class at first.

Lara and Bear are great instructors, and they make sure that Lila Yoga has a great atmosphere to the classes. They have very different styles, but they compliment each other. Lara teaches fewer classes, mostly mornings and evenings. When I leave her classes, I feel calm and centered and clear and relaxed — her instruction feels very gentle while remaining rigorous. Bear does what my sister calls «Alaskan style yoga» (ha ha ha) … it’s just a little bit more intense than what you’d usually find in the lower 48! He’s really aware of student positions and how to maximize your practice, and I tend to leave his classes feeling ready to go for a run or a hike or something. Still clear and centered, perhaps less calm. Bear is just as kind as Lara, but I _​do_​find that his instruction can be a bit hard to gear up for at 6am … even if you feel really great afterward.
Either way, they’re both kick-​ass instructors, the studio has a great vibe, and the other students are nice. I went to Twist before and though their teachers are great, I think the overall atmosphere is cooler at Lila.