Yoga Refuge PDX

Have you ever noticed your teacher encouraging a specific hand position during meditation or the end of class?

Those intentional hand gestures are called mudras.

In Sanskrit, mudra means "seal" or "gesture." These subtle hand positions are believed to help direct energy, support concentration, and deepen the mind-body connection. While they may seem simple, mudras can become a powerful tool for cultivating presence and intention.

One beautiful gesture to begin with is Jnana Mudra.
Touch the tip of your index finger and thumb together while allowing the other fingers to soften. This classic mudra is often associated with wisdom and inner awareness.

Sometimes the smallest shift, even in the way we hold our hands, can transform the way we experience our practice 👌

📸: Lauren LaBarre Photography

Wednesday morning refresh at the SE studio ✨

Cary Spaeth is taking over Wednesday mornings with two ways to move:

9am · Vinyasa Flow
10:30am · Gentle Yoga

A true wordsmith with a thoughtful approach to movement, Cary brings curiosity, creativity, and attention to the subtle shifts happening within a practice.

In her words:

“In my classes you can expect a blend of the styles I have been fortunate to learn through practicing them. I share what is alive in me at a breathable pace, with a keen curiosity about the subtlety of real-time change.”

Come spend your Wednesday mornings with Cary starting 8/26!

Growth doesn't always happen where everyone can see it 🌿

Just like a thriving garden, our practice is built through consistency — not perfection. Yoga reminds us that growth isn't about rushing to bloom, but about creating the conditions that allow us to.

Every breath.
Every moment of presence.
Every time you return to your mat.

You're growing, even when you can't see it yet.

We are grateful to be growing right alongside you!

📸: laurenlabarrephotography

Happy Birthday to the lovely Isabelle!
Wishing you all the joy today 🎂✨

Practice with .salzmann
Mondays at NW & Online
7:30pm Flow + Restore

Have you made it to our NW studio yet?

Practice under soaring beams and stained glass windows casting color across the floor. A candlelit altar with fresh flowers.

The best part? Your Yoga Refuge membership isn't tied to just one location. Whether you're drawn to the light-filled sanctuary of our NW studio or the vibrant energy of our SE space, your membership grants you access to both.

One community. Two beautiful studios. Endless opportunities to practice.

We'd love to see you there!

Need more props? We got you!

Blocks, straps, therapy balls, blankets, and bolsters can offer stability and support to your practice.

Don't be afraid to reach for a prop or ask your teacher how one might deepen your experience. Using props isn't a sign that you're doing less, it's often a way of feeling more.

The SE and NW studios are stocked with these props for class, and even available to purchase for your home practice!

📸: .rad

Yin yoga is a slower, quieter practice that targets the deeper layers of your body—connective tissue, fascia, and joints.
Poses are held for longer periods while you stay supported with props, steady breath, and a gentle meditative focus.

As the heat of summer picks up, Yin offers a counterbalance. A chance to downshift your nervous system, release tension held deep in the body, and restore what the season's pace can wear down. Where more active practices build heat, Yin invites an opportunity to cool down and slow down.

7 opportunities to practice Yin with us each week 🤍

SE Studio:
Sunday 5:30pm
Tuesday 12pm
Thursday 7pm

NW Studio:
Sunday 5:30pm
Wednesday 7:30pm

Online:
Wednesday 7:30pm
Friday 4pm

📸: .rad

Downward Dog is one of the most familiar yoga poses, but small adjustments can make a big difference.

Try these tips:

• Bend your knees first to create length in your spine
• Tilt your tail towards the sky
• Rotate your upper arm bones outward
• Broaden your shoulder blades to create space
• Draw belly button towards your spine to engage your core
• Remember: your heels don't need to touch the mat. Focus on length before depth

Every body looks a little different in Downward Dog, and that's exactly how it should be! Find the version that allows you to breathe deeply and feel both grounded and spacious ✨

📸: .rad

There is something powerful about moving, breathing, and growing alongside others. A yoga studio isn't just a place to practice poses, it's a place to be witnessed, supported, and reminded that you belong.

Whether you're brand new to yoga or returning to your mat after time away, we invite you to step into our community.

Our New Student Welcome Special is just $59 — an opportunity to explore classes at both locations, meet our incredible teachers, and discover a practice that supports you exactly where you are. 🙏

📸: .rad

“Without the steadiness of concentration, it is easy to get caught up in the feelings, perceptions, and thoughts as they arise. We take them to be self and get carried away by trains of association and reactivity.” - Joseph Goldstein

Join us Thursdays
7am Pranayama and Meditation
with Laura Li Fong Yee
In studio and online

Whether you are new to meditation or have an established practice, this class offers simple breathing techniques and guided meditation to help you feel more focused and present.

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