ROOT TO RISE YOGA — Local services in Denver

I’ve been a student at Root to Rise Yoga for almost a year… Time to contribute my honest review!

All the teachers are talented, but my favorite BY FAR is Natasha. Her classes are disciplined and intentional. She adds so much depth to her instruction with imagery, anatomy and demonstrations. While every teacher at R2R brings something unique, some follow the Bikram style of cueing more rigidly and add less variety to the 24+2 sequence. But I learn something new about alignment or how my body expresses postures every time I take Natasha’s class. I appreciate that she discourages fidgeting, unnecessary movement and modifications, fostering a focused, meditative and collective environment. Natasha can be firm, but it comes from a place of love and dedication to helping students grow.

In general, I notice that the heat and humidity levels can vary depending on the instructor so it’s important to try multiple teachers to decide what suits you best. Some instructors have prominent music other subtle, which is also a matter of personal taste.

One thing to note is that the studio doesn’t offer hot yoga classes specifically tailored for very beginners or an advanced-level class for those looking to push their practice further. While the beginner friendly/intermediate classes are accessible to many levels, having these options could add more variety and meet a broader range of student needs.

My one negative critique isn’t about the studio or instructors, rather the atmosphere before some of classes. There are groups (cliques) of regular students who have built a community, which is wonderful, but I find their loud laughter and chatter disruptive. This is especially challenging at 6 a.m. when tiredness is an added challenge. I would love to see the studio encourage low volume socializing in the lobby and promote silence in the room before and after class to honor the shared meditative space.

That said, I’m incredibly grateful for this studio. It’s a welcoming, transformative place, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a deeper connection to their...

This is a newer studio, having just opened in May. The management and ownership have made a concerted effort with this studio to provide an experience which is both professional and personal. They have been very intentional in selecting instructors who are both knowledgeable and approachable. Similarly, they have worked to create an overall studio environment which is both welcoming and responsive.

Full disclosure: I am an instructor for this studio. However, I am writing this review as someone who is both a student and a teacher of movement. I believe that Andi (the owner) and her management team are really trying to run the studio for its clients.

The studio has curated a variety of classes in order to try and offer something for everyone. Obviously, they offer yoga, ranging from "gentle" up to a "level 2" practice. They also offer the hot series practice and a hot-vinyasa fusion class, as well as aerial yoga (done with the assistance of ceiling-suspended silk hammocks). Finally, they balance the slower movement of yoga with plenty of faster-paced barre classes, which will burn calories and build tone if that's something that interests you.

Given the studio's internal environment, its location, and its variety of classes, I believe the pricing provides really good value. The studio's initial offer is 30 days for $30 - I'd really encourage anyone who lives or works in the east side of the Denver-Aurora metro area to find a month for themselves and see if they like what's being offered. If you sign up for auto-bill during your initial month, the studio rate is $99/month, otherwise it's $109/month. There are other options as well, including drop-ins, class packages, and single-month purchases (without auto-bill).

Yoga Pod Lowry is working hard to build a place and a space where you will be welcomed, recognized, and thanked for your presence in their community. Reach out to the studio with a call or a visit and see for yourself...

You have lots of choices for yoga in Denver but I can assure you none have the warmth and community (and fun!) of Root to Rise. My first hot yoga class ever was here, and I've been back for 250 more.

Yes, there's literal warmth with a state-of-the-art radiant heat/humidity system that will keep you challenged during hot yoga with a consistent experience. But truly, you become part of a family. And it is beautifully diverse one - you'll practice with women and men of all ages, levels, and backgrounds - everyone can feel at home. Each instructor brings their own personality yet weaves in the consistency of their own training. And every instructor is absolutely committed to helping you grow in your practice.

The schedule is consistent with some seasonal variations and offers plenty of options for early risers, candlelight, and in between - I suggest trying a variety of different classes to find what fits best in your life.

One-hour hot classes fit into busy schedules, and longer, more traditional sequences (75/90 min) are offered as a great way to mix things up and really grow in your practice. In addition to hot, here's restorative, flow, aerial, and lots of special offerings as well.

The facilities here - showers, lockers, etc. - are super nice and very thoughtfully appointed. The owner is a wonderful person who puts her everything into making this experience great for you day in and day out. Pro tip: an annual membership will result in you really wanting to take full advantage of all there is to offer at...