Yoga is one of the most effective ways to develop a mind-body connection and improve health and flexibility. Following are five of the top yoga studios in the Charleston area.
Charleston Power Yoga: www.charlestonpoweryoga.com
A Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga affiliate studio, Charleston Power Yoga promises to provide a “challenging, dynamic combination of strength, sweat, and flexibility sure to push you to your edge, yet accessible to all body types.”
In addition to an amazing yoga experience, Charleston Power Yoga offers a unique boutique with One of a Kind Yoga Bags from The Rose Knot and handmade jewelry from yogi Stella Maris. Yoga gear includes Manduka mats and Yogitoes.
Bikram Yoga Charleston: www.bikramcharleston.com
With two locations in downtown Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, Bikram Yoga offers hot yoga for all levels and abilities. Bikram yoga consists of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises and works every muscle in your body.
Many clients say they feel more positive and have strengthened their bodies and calmed their minds. Others say yoga has helped them lost weight and change their spirit and soul. Between the two studios, over 50 classes a week are available.
Daniel Island Yoga: www.danielislandyoga.com
Diane Zalka’s YogaFit® and Sadhana Yoga Chi holistic style flow in her sessions, which according to the website “strive to create holistic balance, personal growth, and harmony by focusing on flexibility, strength, balance, breath, body awareness, alignment, relaxation, healing the body, calming the mind, and lifting the spirit.”
Zalka, a retired teacher and Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher, believes yoga is for everyone and offers a range of classes at Pierce Park Pavilion, Daniel Island Park Club, and The Field House. Sessions include YogaFit for Kids, Sunrise Yoga, and Restorative Therapeutic Yoga.
Holy Cow Yoga and Artistic Center: www.holycowyoga.com
Holy Cow Yoga has been a fixture in the Charleston area for 12 years and offers a variety of yoga classes including Vinyasa flow, gentle-restorative, yin, children’s, and prenatal. These classes range from challenging to relaxing, and the environment is supportive and dynamic.
Workshops offered include Hip Helper with Steven Willard, Meditation Immersion with Trace Sahaja Bonner, Yoga and the Pelvic Floor with Leslie Howard, and Food for Life with Ayla Sarnoff. Holy Cow Yoga’s Om Store features organic yoga clothes, Kulae eco mats, and eye pillows.
Serenity Now Yoga: www.serenitynowyoga.net
Located near Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, and downtown Charleston, Serenity Now Yoga focuses on not only yoga, but also offers free meditation instruction and special workshops and events. Their philosophy is that yoga should be accessible to anyone, no matter the fitness level or the age, and their mission is to serve all students who wish to develop a yoga practice.
The instructors at Serenity Now recognize the spiritual component of yoga and are careful to respect that everyone has a different spiritual path. While every session includes the traditional aspects of yoga such as yama, niyama, and pranayama, every instructor leaves room for students to include them in their practice as they wish.
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