Embra Studio — Local services in Cincinnati

Update May 2021: Modo Yoga may have been rebranded to Embra Studio, but it is still a great place to workout. They've recently added aerial yoga into the regular class curriculum (photo attached of me during my first aerial class), which is a TON of fun. Jules is a fantastic instructor who I'd recommend to anyone. There are now more classes available during the afternoons (1-5:00 range), which is awesome for people like me who get up later in the day. I'd love to see more gentle flow and aerial yoga classes offered at more diverse times. Otherwise, Embra continues to be awesome and make you feel comfortable and appreciated each time you come in to sweat! On to my original review:

I was a casual yogi fifteen years ago and dropped the habit in high school. After months of going through two types of physical therapy recently (for weak legs and pelvic floor), I needed to stay in shape without making my issues worse. The problem? I hate exercising with a passion and need to plan a date and time to get myself to do it. I tried Modo Yoga because they had a good "first month" deal. The idea of hot yoga actually sounded really terrible. I hate being hot and sweating, but hey...it was cheap and the Cincinnati location is a nice scenic drive for me.

I won't lie: the first time I went to Modo Yoga I nearly passed out. I didn't eat beforehand and didn't have ice in my water. Thankfully, the teacher/class said nothing of my nauseated sway and I felt no pressure calming down and rejoining the moves on my own time. The class is kept around 95-100 degrees (with a break or two of fans/open windows depending on the teacher). After fixing my errors (icing my water before coming and eating a snack an hour before class), I've had no issues with this discomfort. I have attended three classes a week for three weeks now and plan to do the same for the last week of my first month before getting a membership.

The Cincinnati location is attractive, has a good parking lot, and the lobby has a selection of yoga mats, pants, towels, and other yogi goods for sale. Prices are a little high compared to what you can get on Amazon, but at least it's there and the selection is good. Modo Yoga has an online schedule where you can either sign up for classes up to a week beforehand. I sign up for every class online to make myself plan on it AND because I've attended every overbooked Roll and Flow class since I joined. It's a myofascial release class that is so overwhelmingly helpful for those of us who have particularly angry, knotted muscles. It releases stress better than a massage. This class really needs to be offered more often so more can experience it; it is EXTREMELY helpful and unique.

Save for one instructor who went a little too fast for my liking, they've all been friendly and helpful. Kathryn is by far my favorite hot yoga instructor (she consistently makes you feel welcome by reminding you to go at your own pace and take sips of water so you don't feel like you're the odd one out). Mary is great as a Roll and Flow instructor (again--seriously--offer this class more often than once a week please).

As for my hatred of exercise--I still hate being sweaty, and though I hate heat, hot yoga feels productive and soothing enough that I keep coming back. Sweating so much has made my skin noticeably softer to me and my husband, and the heat really helps soothe the muscles as you exercise to help you stretch farther and work harder with less pain or straining. Yoga is perfect for those of us who hate strength training, because you will get stronger and more flexible without the stress. The hour classes go by so quickly. Showers are available for after class if you'd like (sign up for a spot online).

Overall, I highly recommend Modo Yoga. If you're new and thinking about joining, try out the one month and I'd recommend a "Gentle Flow" or "Hot 60" class first so you can feel welcome while learning the way classes run. They have so many different lengths of memberships that you'll surely find something...

I’ve been to Embra before and have enjoyed it. Today, I signed up for a class and was running late due to being stuck behind a bus. I called them to let them know myself and a friend would be running late and the lady on the phone was kind, took our names, and said it was not problem and she’d see us soon. When we arrived 5 minutes past the start, the doors were locked and no one was answering the phone. After about 20 minutes someone who worked there walked in the door and I followed up to explain my experience. She poked her head out of the door and explained to me they couldn’t let anyone in past 5 minutes. I understand the policy, but I wish the person on the phone let me know the cut off time. I also wish the lady who explained it to me was kinder. I’m familiar with the unwelcoming nature of some studios, but I didn’t think this was one of them. The worst part about this was it was a class I was doing with my two friends who had never been before for my birthday. I couldn’t even let my friend who was already in the class know I wouldn’t be able to come in. Started my birthday this year with tears, being out $20 and waiting an hour in my car...

Hot yoga can be hit or miss. My experience with Embra has been nothing but hits! I’ve attended studios in Philadelphia, Charleston SC, and Appleton WI – Embra has so far been my favorite. Each class I took was significantly different—a great thing. In my experience, some teachers in the same studios seem to confine themselves to similar sequences and poses. By contrast, at Embra, each class kept me on my toes and had me learning something new. Each teacher—I had about seven or eight of them—commanded their own style. The physical space itself is clean, expansive, and airy, with showers and facilities. Thankfully, there was a minimum amount of cultural appropriative wisdom—nary a mention of chakras or ‘the Universe’—while still respecting the Sanskrit and Hindu roots of the practice. I attended the early morning sessions for most of August 2024, and the studio itself is beautiful, well-lit and homey. Classes can get very crowded, so be ready to get to know your neighbor! Classes also seem to assume a degree of familiarity with, at least, vinyasa yoga. If you’re new to yoga, strap in and get ready for a ride, but keep with it—improvement...