Black Swan Yoga — Local services in Houston

A little story about communities, cultures, and people. First, the assignment of four stars is specific only to the business, Black Swan Yoga (BSY). Although they are close to five stars. The business is nothing special, but several key teachers working there redefine the common misconceptions and negative stigmas that are normally associated with Western designer yoga practices.

I will address the BSY Business later; however, I wish to give priority to a few very special people.

Candice Quino is the primary reason I attend BSY

While this review is supposed to be about the studio/business, my review of her has nothing but praise. She's a teacher's teacher, a true mentor with legitimate, authentic compassion and mindfulness. She is authentic, a real person being real and entering a place where she knows her path is to hold the light and elevate people. I can imagine her teaching classes at even the most advanced level with clarity, but where she shines is by making any class she teaches attainable and enjoyable for any attendee.

She has consistently demonstrated a willingness to go above and beyond the scope of her job requirements in order to engage the students of the class and impart training, wisdom, and support on physical, mental, and emotional/spiritual levels. She thinks of her class first and foremost. This means listening instead of talking, sharing only what is uplifting, and being an example to remind us all that we can lift others up even if we ourselves aren't having the best day.

She has an incredible knowledge of anatomy and the focus to walk through any flow with a clear, simple-to-understand narration of the movement, its history, and the impact it will have. The oration is so clear and easy to understand that even the most beginner (without needing to even see a demonstration) can confidently execute the flows and grasp the poses comprising them.

Recently she has begun expanding her teaching with new emerging styles. While already a master teacher, these new styles require significant training and practice. Not only has she studied the material well, but she has personally committed to as much training as possible for this. I can't even imagine the value she brings to the company, but it is tremendous and noteworthy.

I can speak highly of a few others. Namely, Inga Seals and Nosa Edebor both have set similar examples. I don't discount other teachers, but I don't yet have enough experience to speak of them.

The BSY business is pretty cliche. It's "a designer yoga studio." The facilities are nice. The rooms could be hotter LOL (I know I won't win this one).

Now a few blunders

This review. The business pressed on its instructors the need to solicit reviews. Knowing the instructors are the magic, the BSY sought to further exploit this, knowing that loyal students only speak highly of their teachers. The reviews incentivize staff by giving them credit vouchers to BSY for each review a teacher gets. Wouldn't it make more sense to incentivize instructions with actual pay bonuses..? This knocks down my impression of BSY.

Occupancy. In January, they call it "The BSY Challenge. It's a gimmick to cram new people in. It's shortsighted. The constant overbooked classes become painfully frustrating. As a regular attendee missing out on classes from overbooking is infuriating. I was open to the challenge, but cramming took away from the experience. I’m not even targeting primetime, and I can’t get a class without a waiting list.

Don’t get me wrong, I am open to sharing a large class, but the quality of experience is diminished, with the first few minutes of each class suffering the chaos of sliding in one or two more mats. Kudos to the instructors that kindly and compassionately try to accommodate everyone. I want to remain a champion. However, when those closest to me ask, I will be honest and say, “Don’t go in January; it’s a bad experience.” I often invite others to join me. In January, I direct...

I think Candace Q fell from the sky from the heavens and I am not the only one who thinks so. I’ve taken her class for several years and she has only gotten better as a teacher and as a person. She is soooo intelligent about the practice of yoga and does an excellent job of teaching the integrity of the poses. Also she expresses herself to the students in class with such humility and kindness. I imagine it can be tough to hold boundaries in class and give directives in such a tactful and cute way. The other day I took her class and the practice opened me up spiritually and emotionally and I had no choice but to cry tears of gratitude for everything I’ve watched her do for our community. To know Candace is to love her. To love her is a privilege to us all that we get to witness a real life angel in a human suit on earth. Thank you to Candace for your love and devotion to this practice and to your own actualization and wisdom that you gift to us. I think we should have a statue of her outside of black swan and we rub it for good luck. Thank you for always keeping my body and my spirit aligned. We love you so much and we are so grateful for you !!!!!

But also just a suggestions to the studio, more social events, kids yoga, and maybe investing in your teachers more who could use a little more guidance in their education in the practice of yoga. Sometimes I’ll be in a class and the teachers will give queues that are counter intuitive to what is the body’s natural position and can be detrimental. Black Swan is a great community staple and think together, we can make it...

HOT YOGA is the BEST!!

My first thought was that I wouldn’t be able to handle exercising in a heated room but after my very first class I was hooked. I spent my first 20 years in gymnastics and cheer but the last 20 years raising three kids and “jogging”maybe twice a year. When I found myself out of breath after a couple flights of stairs, I knew I had to find something. This was the perfect combo of strength and flexibility that I could manage and really look forward to each week! I’ve been going 2-3 times a week for 6 months and I’ve seen an improvement in my stress, anxiety, and even my sleep. My flexibility is almost back to where I was 20 years ago.

I would highly, highly recommend BSY to anyone interested in Yoga and open to awaking your mind, body, and senses. I have seen all ages, shapes, sizes, and levels in this class and every single instructor is welcoming and encouraging towards the entire class. They are all incredibly talented in creating fun and challenging flows, and I’ve yet to go to a class I didn’t enjoy. Remember that Yoga is a practice of understanding your own body, abilities, and limitations and you’ll do fine!!

Prepare to sweat… A LOT! Bring a water bottle and a small hand towel. Mats can be rented and if you’re worried about cost, don’t! I’ve seen people donate $5-$20 per class. After a couple weeks I signed up monthly and when Black Friday came around I purchased an annual membership… you’ll want to come back over and over again,...