Ahana Yoga — Local services in Miami

Space: 5 star Variety: 5 star Classes/Teachers: 2-5 star, depending on teacher

Was a member here for over a year and overall, Ahana does an excellent job of having classes nearly 24/7 with options for everyone, and at all time of a day. That being said: if you don't know what you're in for, you can be disappointed or annoyed.

Most of the classes are what I'd call Miami yoga -- teachers yelling "happy baby, happy husband" while cueing booty shakes in poses (especially weekend classes). Fun if that's what you're going for, but if you're expecting a spiritual and conscious breathing flow with a focus on proper alignment and to feel a sense of grounded connection of mind and body (the meaning and purpose of 'yoga' when translated), go for the classes taught by Debbie, Jessica, Caro, or Vanessa.

For the beginners: Ahana isn't a particularly beginner-friendly studio; flows are fast in most classes and there's little attention to proper alignment. Gentle yoga is a class to start with if you're new to yoga.

One of the most annoying things about this studio is that there is always at least a few people recording themselves in class (not for training purposes). It's like the onlyfans of yoga.

There is also zero respect by staff/front desk and classes outgoing when the other classes are incoming. It is one large open space, and you'll have people sticking around after class talking while a new class is starting. Disappointing because the people speaking are usually the actual staff who should know better (not class lingerers)

Don't go to weekend classes if you enjoy breathing space, you'll be packed into a room like sardines. Arrive early if you want a good spot.

Temperature: I like that it's not heated, but it's not cold (there are heaters in the front if you...

Friends of color: Be very careful when dealing with this studio. They are turning BIPOC into a money-making scam. I contacted the studio because they advertised a scholarship for a YTT program. They disclosed that it was reserved for BIPOC (see pic), which I am. I am a non white-presenting Nicaraguan Latin with dark skin & features.

I met with Carolina Velazquez, the studio manager, a white-passing, light- skinned Latin woman with green eyes for my purported BIPOC scholarship interview. She was incredibly unprofessional, distant & careless during our 6-minute interview. She continued to type on her laptop during the first few minutes of our interaction, ignoring my presence. She didn't even have the decency to stand up and greet me or shake my hand. She did scrutinize me from head to toe and asked me to sit down on the beat-up floor pillows they had.

She flat out told me that they don't offer BIPOC scholarships because they don't have money: this despite the fact that the Web site still mentions the scholarship (see pic). She then told me the only option available is work study. That is, one has to pay $500 as a "deposit" and then work for $20/hr to pay for the rest of the training for a total of $1750

I believe wholeheartedly that if I were a light-skinned Latin or more racially ambiguous like most of the instructors, Carolina would have been more receptive. I also believe they fabricated the "BIPOC" scholarship as a race-baiting scheme to lure minorities into fake interviews in which they are encouraged to give them money rather than receive it.

It is unconscionable that they would feign concern for the BIPOC community when instead they are operating what feels...

WOW. This place is home. This place is love, community, all things bhakti. It is magical.

I was on the quest to find a place to feel welcomed, at home, part of something. Ahana has given me so much love, light, knowledge, and a sense of belonging. Dawn leads classes with the goal of showing you the true yoga. She incorporates philosophy with a focus of the month that changes every month. Her classes are warm and fun, but extremely powerful. Expect to break a sweat.

This is your studio if you are seeking to advance your yoga practice and be part of a beautiful community. Take every teachers class, they are all AMAZING!!!!!!!!

Also, may I add this studio is also kid friendly? And they love animals too!!!!!

Thank you Ahana yoga,...