Yoga Studio Review - Yoga Power Studio Waltham, MA
On Tuesday I had the opportunity to visit a new to me yoga studio in Waltham. I don’t get up that way often and was conducting stress management trainings that ended at 4:30. I wasn’t going to get on 128 at rush hour and “stress myself out”, so I found a studio nearby to wait out traffic.
Yoga Power is located on Route 20/Main St in Waltham. A pretty busy place, but I found parking on the street across from the building with no problem.
I entered the reception area and immediately felt far away from the busyness I left behind on Route 20. A pretty room filled with an inviting couch, clothing for purchase, and to the left a check in desk. I approached and was asked if I had a class card. “No,” I replied, “It’s my first time here.”
From behind me I heard “Oh, welcome! Your first class at Yoga Power is free.”
Wow, great I thought! Turns out it was the instructor greeting me - Sheryl. She teaches the 5:30 class on Tuesdays.
She continued to engage in conversation by asking me about my yoga experience and if I had any, was I used to the heat, take it at my own pace. “Thank you,” I mustered. I’d never been greeted so enthusiastically at a yoga studio before - not as a newbie.
The changing rooms were down the hall - one group room for women and one for men. Restrooms at the end of the hall. The changing rooms were small and when class got out and others were waiting for the next class it was crowded. Some folks left their bags there -no locks or doors, just a tapestry - I chose to bring my wallet in the studio room with me.
The space was decorated in a simple yet calming way. The front area was a bit more decorative and the studio itself a little more plain - which was fine with me. The less distraction in a room the better.
The classes are power and they are heated. The website says the room is heated to 90 degrees but it didn’t feel that hot to me. The hot power yoga I’m used to though has steam heat, and I walk out dripping more than I do coming out of the shower. I preferred the heat at Yoga Power vs the steam. The dripping wet feeling is not a fun one.
I enjoyed the class a lot. Sheryl did some different things that I had never done - as an instructor I learned some new material! As a practitioner I was definitely challenged in my practice. Sheryl gave appropriate instruction, offered adjustments and even came to me during class to ask how I was enjoying it. I really appreciated the welcome I got. Even before class started Sheryl made it a point to introduce me to the owner who taught the class at 4pm.
Sheryl taught all of my favorite poses (by coincidence) and I felt fantastic. The only thing I was left wanting more of was savasana (corpse pose/relaxation). For an hour and a half power class we got max 5 minutes - I don’t think it was even that much. I would have preferred at least 10!
After class I thanked her and told her I really enjoyed it and mentioned that I would have loved more savasana. Her response was “that’s what you get in a power yoga class.”
Not always I thought to myself. I felt so good physically I didn’t let it get to me (that and I’m still coming off my Kripalu high). If you are one who enjoys savasana, you have been warned.
Location:
Yoga Power Studio
740 Main Street
Waltham, MA
Fees:
First class free. After that it’s $14 to drop in. Passes are available.
Other:
Web: www.yogapowerstudio.com
Classes are plenty - whether you go in the morning, lunchtime or evening, there is a class for you. Unless noted, classes are 90 minutes. They also offer a principles class, which I can only assume is geared to beginners.
Plenty of street parking. Check website for additional parking locations.
Bring water and a towel. Remember, this is a heated studio so drink plenty of water prior to class, during and after.
I would definitely recommend Yoga Power Studio to anyone in the Waltham area looking to practice yoga. In fact, I’ll be back in the area on Monday and plan to be at the 5:30 class.
Ever been there? What was your experience?
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