Mandala Yoga & Wellness

It’s been a year! How wonderfully crazy is that?!

Come celebrate the Re-Grand Opening of Mandala Yoga & Wellness on Saturday, October 3rd, from 11:00 AM–2:30 PM!

Open House | 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Stop by, say hello, explore the space, meet our community, and enjoy some snacks and drinks.

Free Unity Yoga Class | 1:00–2:15 PM
Join us for a special Unity Yoga class, a welcoming practice for everyone and a wonderful way to celebrate this milestone together.

Come celebrate one year of Mandala Yoga & Wellness and the beautiful community that has helped make it possible. We’d love to see you there!

Registration is required for the Free Unity Yoga Class from 1-2:15!

https://www.mandalayogaandwellness.com/pages/ourofferings/events

Over the years, I’ve had many discussions with friends, family, and students about practicing yoga, and through those conversations, I’ve heard a lot of apprehension about practicing yoga or what to expect from certain yoga classes.

It got me thinking...

What is a "beginner", "intermediate", and "advanced" student in a yoga practice?

Are these labels something we print out and slap onto imaginary boxes, where we then sort certain postures and skill levels into those boxes?

But then I was like ...waitaminute...

Can class names unintentionally make students feel like they are being ranked on experience rather than invited to explore?

Yikes.

That made me feel uncomfortable because it seemed to directly conflict with Mandala’s mission, so I took some time to reflect on it and came to a conclusion.

"Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced" is subjective, at best. A student’s experience, strength, mobility, body awareness, and familiarity with specific postures can vary greatly, making these labels difficult to define universally.

Moving away from traditional labels creates a more inclusive and encouraging environment where students can focus on growth rather than comparison or perceived ability. These labels can sometimes make students feel that they need to reach a certain level to belong in a class or discourage them from exploring something new.

Using language such as Foundations, Exploring, and Evolving shifts the focus toward curiosity, personal development, and the individual experience of the practice. It allows students to challenge themselves and deepen their awareness without feeling defined by a level or expected to meet a particular standard.

This approach recognizes that every body and every practice develops differently, while creating space for students to continually learn, grow, and evolve.

At Mandala Yoga & Wellness, our mission is to cultivate a welcoming, inclusive space where individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities can come together to explore the transformative practice of yoga.

That’s what matters most. And that is what I hope is reflected in every ray of sunlight that fills the space with warmth and rainbow sparkles, and in every word written on the website.

Beginners → Foundations
Intermediate → Exploring
Advanced → Evolving

As you go to register for a class, you may notice that the names have changed, but the heart of each class remains the same. These new names are simply a way of helping you find the experience that feels right for you. Come as you are. Choose your practice pathway. Explore where you are today and give yourself permission to grow from there.

See you on the mat.

Tomorrow's class schedule is Unity Yoga at 9 am and the Community Offering Basics class at 11am! We are still taking hygiene donations for Marcy's Project! See you there!

Even though the donation class is canceled today, the donation bucket is always available in the atrium at the studio. Please feel free to bring in what you can and leave it there. Thank you all for your support of Marcy's Project!!

Good morning. Today's community yoga class has been canceled. The AC at my house died last night and we have an emergency tech coming out mid morning to service it. I apologize for the cancelation.

The official Marcy's Project donation bucket has arrived in the atrium at The Hub! Donations can be made as long as the building is unlocked, which is typically from early morning to about 9 pm. Or you can register for the Community Offering basics class on Saturday mornings at 11 am and bring your donation with you to class. Swing by and grab one of the flyers to learn more about Marcy's Project and the donations needed for this Back-to-School Hygiene drive!

https://www.mandalayogaandwellness.com/schedule/d37f0aa2-98b0-488a-be0f-78d9f2caa6a1_1783785600