Yoga Habit — Attraction in Philadelphia

I’ve been a member from October 2019 to July 2024 and spent the best years of my 20s surrounded by the most inspirational people both students and teachers!! ❤️

I found Yoga Habit while in undergrad at Temple Univeristy shortly after getting my first electric skateboard the Onewheel XR.

Riding through the Fairmount Neighborhood one afternoon I rolled past the sidewalk advertisement for “2 Weeks for $30” that sparked my curiosity. 🤔

Before this I had no prior experience in Yoga and decided to join because I was in the mindset to try something that I have never done before.

The first few classes felt HOT and I couldn’t keep my arms up in Warrior 2 to save me 😭😭

But remained determined to keep practicing to get stronger in my stamina and strength! 💪

I didn’t realize it immediately but now reflecting on my experience having a regular practice or workout routine at a specific time of the day, many times throughout the week helped with many parts of my student lifestyle ✏️

Time management for me before Yoga Habit was horrendous but, my academic success was in part due to a consistent circadian rhythm.

Best advice I can give is find an Instructor that moves you like no other and make it to that class every chance possible! Of course life can get busy but there’s something magical about growing your yoga practice along with an instructor that speaks to your mind and body unlike any other instructor. While I was taking my favorite instructor I tried to practice with as strict form as possible and imagined it being exam day! 🥇

Then the remaining classes of the week were practices of kindness with myself where I would try a new pose or two and just have fun 😄

Each day of the week has a Vibe to it and you’ll just have to take all the classes, week after week to get a feel for the Vibe 👌

If you’re in a relationship and want to have fun with your partner I’d recommend getting them involved too! It’s an especially relaxing feeling to hold hands in Shavasana with your better half ☺️

As for the Community… It’s The Best! 😍

In the beginning I was shy and kept to myself but all it takes is a smile in someone’s direction for them to smile right back at you! Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to someone new because chances are you’ll see them next week too 😆

Speaking of meeting new people, last year I decided to Adventure with Yoga Habit to Panama 🇵🇦‼️

Our vacation was phenomenally planned out and worth the money! On our trip we arrived to Panama City, Panama and stayed a night at an impressive hotel then the next morning traveled on a private bus with all of our vacation mates to Sansara Surf and Yoga Resort on the southern most part of Panama where we practiced yoga daily, learned to surf, and ate amazing family style meals together on a LONGGG table sharing stories while making memories! 📸

I would vacation with Yoga Habit again for sure 😎

The only reason I left Yoga Habit this past July was because I was blessed to begin my graduate program in Miami, FL. When I visit Philadelphia to see my family in the holidays I try to squeeze a drop in practice on the way to the airport before my flight to Miami ✈️

After I’m done studying I’ll be returning to Philadelphia because the feelings this place stirs just hits different! 💯

Special thanks to the owner Jen for crafting her vision because I don’t think I would have matured the same without the Community by my side! 😇

Happy...

Update from last review (changed from 4 to 5 stars): I love this place! It’s not fun to rush there, but everything else is amazing.

....

Wonderful experience, just don't be late!!

Update from last review (changed 2 stars to 4 stars): I was able to get to my next class early. It was great. Sweet and pleasant staff. Wonderful class. I asked them about the locked door policy- they actually lock the doors exactly at the start time- so you don't even have 8 minutes or 5 minutes, or even 1 minute. IMO, I still think it would be better to have someone at the door during at least the first 10-15 mins of class for those who may not be able to be exactly on time. But I can dismiss that as them have a different (but fully justifiable) philosophy on "stragglers". Now that I know how it works, I know that if I will be 1 minute late, I have already missed that class and I might as well not try to make it. It would have been nice to be notified of that in my welcome/confirmation email, but now that I know, it was a one time event. I will definitely return, as long as I know I can get there on time.

(Previous review:)

8 minutes late = locked out of class?

I arrived 8 minutes late for my first class because I work in healthcare and I don't always get off exactly on time, depending on the needs of my patients. Door was locked. Nobody at the front desk. Nobody answered the phone. I waited 15 minutes hoping someone would return shortly to let me in. Nothing.

I suppose I was warned... "Please arrive at least 10 minutes before class. We start PROMPTLY on time and end class on time to be respectful of your busy schedule and the rest of the community." Apparently "respecting my busy schedule" doesn't include a 8-minute margin of grace. My busy schedule doesn't allow me to be 10mins early to everything. I just wish they would have included the part where if you don't arrive on time you will be locked out. I would have known not to even try and make it to the class. Hopefully they refund my wife for the mat she rented and had waiting for me...

On the bright side... for the classes I don't get locked out of, it's nice to know there will be no "stragglers" joining the back of the room? It's never bothered me that much though to be honest. Not sure if it's really worth locking...

Pros: The instructors and staff are lovely people and it seems they have a nice community there… if you are looking for yoga inspired fitness in a hot room, this is a great fit for you!!

Every class here is basically the same sequence, with slight variations… While set- sequence classes can be transformative, this studio missed the mark with it because practically none of the poses are held for several breaths (unless you are breathing unusually fast, which is the antithesis to Ujaii and the opposite effect that yoga aims to achieve on the nervous system ).

Because the class moves so fast (the teachers won’t even hold Down-dog in Sun sal A…) the focus of the class feels lost and I was unable to fully arrive in any pose … the result of this haste for the class, is that the teachers emphasize movement over alignment. Individual verbal adjustments weren’t offered, transition cues were insufficient to nonexistent, and The teachers did not explain anatomical actions of the pose to engage/release..

Although this is an “open level” class, beginner students are not served because none of the poses are broken down in detail to facilitate alignment and understanding of the poses. This studio is also not a good fit for someone with an advanced practice, as the class’s sequence is not inherently intelligent and does not allow for progression of the poses, or for someone who practices pranayama to get more than 2 breaths in any pose= No learning or advancement..

My intention in this review is to inform practitioners looking for a yoga community of how they might enjoy a class here to see if it is a right fit.. if you are a middle-of-the-road practitioner who wants a quick hot flow, this is a great fit. If you are looking to more deeply understand yoga-body, breath, and mind - (regardless of lineage affiliation) you may be best served at a studio that offers more...