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The Famous Guide to Fresno Yoga
- Jun 10 2004
- 1
FAMOUS RECOMMENDS Katie Flinn, Director of COIL Yoga, has created a warm, inviting space to practice downtown. Opened in April 2002, COIL Yoga (an acronym for Conscious, Open, Integrated Life) offers daily classes of various levels to a diverse and enthusiastic clientele. In contrast to the strip mall studios on the north side of town, COIL's exposed brick and persimmon walls offer an escape from the outside world and produce an organic energy that prefab simply can't.
The female instructors place an emphasis on the non-competitive nature of yoga and stress to students they should only do what they are comfortable with. Each class is conducted over soothing music and ends in relaxation pose, when the instructor will gently align your neck and shoulders with aromatherapudic hands.
COIL offers Hatha and Ashtanga classes daily. Unique classes include restorative yoga, which is a soothing, meditative series of motions, and partner yoga, offered once a month. Restorative yoga helps release toxins in the body and will relax you into a state of Jell-O. Plus it involves eye pillows! Partner yoga is an energizing Flow workshop, where you and your friend or loved one can twist, intertwine, and bend together; think spiritual Twister.
"Yoga Mamma" pre/post natal classes and a quick lunch-hour class are also offered.
Fees: Drop-in rate is $12; discounts are given for eight or more classes. Classes average around 10 people and include a good mix ages and sexes.
Address: 764 P Street, Suites F & G Phone: 270-4709
Aikido of Fresno
Aikido of Fresno is primarily an Aikido (a Japanese martial art) dojo, but they do offer yoga and meditation classes several times a week. Located in the Tower District, the dojo is also has an uchi deshi program, which houses pupils from around the world who live, study, and maintain the space. Members may join the dojo for a monthly fee, and can then attend as many classes as they want. If you are looking to combine more meditation and flexibility into your martial arts practice, this is the place for you.
Address: 1130 N. Wishon Phone: 237-2454
Yoga for Living
With a location in Fresno and one in Clovis, Yoga for Living is the budding yoga empire of the San Joaquin Valley. The flagship Clovis location offers a decent selection of classes, from Powerflow to yoga with an exercise ball. Pre-natal classes are also available, and they have a massage therapist (and trained birth doula) who does fancy things like herbal wraps and ear candling.
If you're looking for a male yoga teacher, the Fresno location is your space. Located in the shopping center at Bullard and Marks, Director Michael Downing teaches all classes, expect one on Sunday. Yoga for Living Fresno has one large studio and small assortment of yoga wares available for sale.
Fees: $15 drop-in rate; discounts given for five or more classes. Monthly membership available with one-year commitment.
Clovis studio: 1175 Shaw; Phone: 323-4513
Fresno studio: 3017 W. Bullard; Phone: 432-9642
Perfect Balance Yoga
Perfect Balance Yoga, located in the shopping center on the Northwest corner of Fresno and Shaw, offers the widest array of yoga classes in Fresno. In addition to traditional Hatha, Flow, and Ashtanga teachings, the studio has Tai Chi, belly dancing, a bilingual English/Spanish class, "Mommy and Me" yoga, and a part-time masseuse. Perfect Balance has both male and female instructors.
Perfect Balance's "Hot Yoga," is a take on the famous Bikram yoga that heats the room to 100+ degrees. The heat helps to expel toxins through sweat, and helps muscles heal faster. It also makes the Bikram yoga studio smell like the basement of the downtown YMCA. Not for the faint of heart or vain, as you will emerge as if you had been caught in a torrential downpour- of sweat.
Fees: $14 drop-in rate; discounts for 5 or more classes. Monthly memberships also available with one-year commitment.
Address: 5091N Fresno Street, Suite 133 Phone: 222-6212
Fig Garden Yoga Studio
Nothing too intimidating at Fig Garden Yoga Studio, located on Palm just south of Bullard. Co-directors Nancy and Audrey Tan offer standard Hatha and Ashtanga classes daily, many mid-morning (for the ladies who lunch?). Both are trained in Iyengar Yoga, which emphasizes proper alignment. Nancy is also a licensed psychotherapist and Ayurveda student. Pre-natal classes are offered in a seven-week series, and the duo is available to do office yoga by appointment.
Fees: $14 drop-in rate; discounts for 5 or more classes.
Address: 5707 N. Palm Ave., Suite 102 Phone: 222-5100
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http://www.sistersyoga.com
Located in NE Fresno on the border of Clovis, Sisters Yoga is Fresno's first all-female yoga studio. Unlike traditional yoga studios, Sisters focuses on a happier, looser, less traditional form of yoga which includes music that runs from R&B to pop to World. Instructors also incorporate props such as blocks and straps to help students attain correct alignment regardless of their skill level. Classes range from Happy Hour Yoga which incorporates contemporary music and is a workout, to "chill out" which is restorative, gentle yoga. Also offered are a pilates/yoga mix, "Yo-God" which is free to the community and half of donations go to the Marjaree Mason Center. "Belly dance" and pole dancing workshops are also offered, and if you are looking to relax and be pampered a bit, try yoga massage.
Fees: $15 drop-in rate, $12 for students, teachers & 65+; discounts given for five or more classes. Monthly membership available with one-year commitment.
2940 E Nees Ave, Suite 103 ; phone: 298-1444
NW corner of Willow/Nees
Montecito Plaza