Highland Yoga - Virginia Highland — Local services in Atlanta

One day last fall I visited the studio by chance. Every week that has followed, I have visited the studio as many days as I can by choice. If you attend any given class, I would bet you would understand why.

But, should you need a little more of a nudge toward the door, I can continue: Every instructor at Highland is excellent. I thought I would have a favorite in time (don't we all?), but that's no such case. It's impossible to pick! Lindsay will inspire, motivate, and guide you. I feel like I come back in to connection with my breath in such a powerful way in every one of her classes. Tracy will push you, work you, and make you so satisfied with what your body and mind accomplished in 60 minutes. Elsie will flow you through sequences that remind you why you can fall in love with yoga every day. Brooke makes you feel challenged, restored, and grateful to be a part of such a loving community. TJ will realign your body and have you feeling like slumping over your computer was the habit of a lifetime passed. And that's just to name five specific instructors. All of Highland's teachers possess these qualities and so many more. I'm a sappy yogi with a desktop thesaurus, so I could go on all day.

Highland has also provided me with the kind of physical results that no other workout has. There is specific attention to core every class, and the muscle groups are worked on without conflict. Regardless of teacher, I can come into class knowing that whatever workout is ahead of me will fit nicely into all the other practices I have been through that week.

The mental aspect of Highland must also be mentioned when reviewing the studio. Not just because I have so many positive things to say, but because it's a big part of the practice. Highland will teach you how to breathe, how to connect to your breathe to power you through your work, and to how to find control in the moments before, during, and after panic in poses or sequences. The inspiration to honor yourself while exploring what is possible outside your comfort zone is never lost in Highland. I feel like I have become more positive, open, grateful, and present since coming to Highland. I don't just feel that way during practice. I feel that way most all of the time, and it's wonderful!

If you've read this far, please trust me and listen when I say go get in there. You will not be...

Alright, I have been waiting to write this review for awhile. please read if you're considering attending one of these classes. people get discounts on classes to write dazzling reviews, safe to say i am not one of those people.

As an e-ryt myself (been teaching for the majority of the past decade) I feel like I have a decent amount of credentialing when it comes to observing the energy of a yoga studio.

the flows are consistent. and by consistent, I mean you're going to get the same sequencing in every class you go to. the classes are TOO FAST. i was a gymnast for 10 years, and i'm above average limber/strong, and i can't keep up while maintaining safety in my body. there is something to be said about a teacher that makes you sweat from strength rather than from speed. i dont think they give enough alignment cues to be able to go this fast. if you don't know what you're doing, and you go to these classes over and over, you will get hurt. beginners=beware. the majority of classes are taught at hyperfast pace and aside from a few dainty words in the beginning, there's not much encouragement to go at your own speed, or take child's pose if you need to. that being said ^, i think this studio is so focused on aesthetic. on the lululemon pants and the flat abs and the ability to bind in whatever pose you're in. YOGA IS AN UNRAVELING, A DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT, A REALiZATION THAT WE ARE ONE. these classes are FITNESS that take yoga postures. they give you a discount if you write a nice google review if you're 5 mins late to a class, you've missed the class. if i were a beginner and i was trying out this studio (ESP if i was not: thin, able-bodied, white & privileged, like all of the teachers at this studio) i would feel unwelcome. so much of this, i believe, could be amended by making the classes more accessible, down to earth, creative, and connective.

start lying down, progress into down dog, and it doesn't stop from there. you're guaranteed to find shiva squats, standing splits, boat pose/ab sequence. multiple rounds of the same sequence, and "fitness-type" cues from the teacher.

giving stars because i genuinely think Georgia, Lindsey, and Sam are wonderful teachers. Was not a fan of the others (i went to a class by almost...

I had a membership for a year. I really liked how many class times there were and they were very nice. However, classes would get super packed, particularly the evening classes. Even after the class would fill up, they’d sometimes stick more people in to the point where you’d only be a couple of inches away from the person beside you. I had people have their feet less than ~2 inches away from my face while in happy baby pose at times so not ideal and kinda gross. I’ve done yoga for 5 years and their classes were fast paced even for me. I wouldn’t say this studio is beginner friendly as there is no real instruction on how to do poses so there is a risk of injury. If you’ve never done yoga before, you’ll most likely be lost the entire class. The teachers mainly call out the poses and flow pretty fast (some teachers were better at this than others). I also did not feel a sense of community at this studio and felt that they were a business first rather than a yoga studio. The check in process is done through iPads so the teachers will maybe recognize you but probably never learn your name. Overall, Highland Yoga was okay. They had classes all the time and parking was easy (VAHI location). Prices are reasonable, they have a great intro month deal. I felt like my practice did not really grow throughout the year I was a member there but it was a good workout. I recommend them if you’re looking for something to make you sweat but probably not the best for an actual yoga practice or if you’re...