OG Yoga

OG Yoga was one of those things I didn't know I needed. It has been a lifeline throughout the pandemic and through recovering from a brain injury. The instructors truly make me feel taken care of. And it's not just them. I feel part of a community when I sign on and see other participants. I recommend their classes to anyone and everyone. If you don't want to read a long review, here are my top three reasons for joining: -You can do it anywhere! Outside, in your living room, sometimes even in your bed - You can do every pose (but you don't have to). Every instructor offers multiple modifications and options and they encourage you to listen to your body and only do what's right for you. -You're supporting a great cause! OG Yoga is a non-profit providing accessible, trauma-informed practices to marginalized communities. OG Yoga is not a typical fitness yoga studio. Their mission is to make yoga accessible to everyone. Instructors go through extensive trauma-informed training and truly make everyone feel welcome. This is the first time I've ever felt truly comfortable (and encouraged!) to take modifications of poses, to prop myself as much as possible, and to take breaks whenever I need. I truly feel in control of my body in these classes. I've tried almost all of OG Yoga's classes and I have loved every instructor. They offer a range of classes - some get your heart beat up (qi gong) and some work on specific areas (yoga for back health). I tend to go for the gentlest classes. My favorite classes are Restorative Yoga with Joann and Yoga for Healing with Jean. Joann is the founder and she feels like a long lost friend. I have learned so much about the value of slowing down and letting my body open as it is ready - and it really does! I have never felt so much of my back on the floor before and at the last doctors appointment, I grew a half inch! Joann is so knowledgeable and she shares this wisdom about yoga and her own experiences with you during classes. Jean's voice is like a warm hug. She originally developed Yoga for Healing for cancer survivors who needed a gentle practice. It's more of a moving meditation - you literally lay on your back the whole time. You can do it from bed! Jean does an amazing job of helping you reconnect with your body. I really appreciate how she holds space at the beginning of class for everyone to check in if they want to share what they are bringing to class. One of the reasons I come back every week because the class feels so much like a community.

I love OG Yoga and feel fortunate to have completed a 200hr yoga teacher training with such a wonderful nonprofit dedicated to bringing diversity- and trauma-informed, mindfulness-based yoga to underserved and vulnerable communities. I've also enjoyed being guided through sequences by several of OG Yoga's teachers who are all skilled at presenting poses with multiple modification options so that each practitioner can decide what works for their body in that moment. The team at OG Yoga is truly dedicated to providing affordable and accessible yoga to all people and I find their approach to yoga respectful of my autonomy as an individual and especially appreciate the use of verbal suggestions rather than physical cues.

Had an absolute blast. The Studio was super comfortable and clean, with plenty of props for those who don't have any.