Yoga in Boulder, Colorado
1. Richard Freeman’s “The Yoga Workshop.” http://www.yogaworkshop.com
Richard Freeman was one of the first Western teachers to be certified by K. Pattabhi Jois to teach the Ashtanga vinyasa form of Hatha Yoga, and has extensive training also in the Iyengar tradition. Add to this his deep understanding of Buddha Dharma, and training in Sufi practices, and you can begin to see why he is considered to be one of the country’s most accomplished Yoga practitioners/teachers. Richard’s teaching is infused with humor and compassion, and makes free use of metaphor as a tool for guiding students into direct experience of the internal terrain of yoga asana. I’ve been studying with Richard for about six years now, and my practice has matured in ways I never would have imagined!
The studio is located downtown, on 21st Street between Pearl & Spruce, right next to the Spruce Street pool. Most classes are held on a drop-in basis. If Richard is in town, a good class to begin with is his level 1 on Sunday mornings, 9:30 – 11:30 am. All the teachers, however, are excellent, so if you’re a Boulder native, or planning to be in town for a while, I’d encourage you to see what each of them has to offer.
2. Wendy Bramlett’s “Studio Be Yoga.” http://www.studiobeyoga.com
Wendy Bramlett was one of the first Western students of K. Pattabhi Jois, and has studied also with a number of senior Iyengar teachers. More recently she has been inspired by Angela Farmer and by the continuum work of Emillie Conrad. Her teaching combines anatomical precision with a wonderfully organic approach to inhabiting and exploring human embodiment. I participated recently in a retreat with Wendy at the Shambhala Mountain Center, and felt deeply nurtured and inspired by her gentleness and fluid approach to the practice.
The studio itself ( located on 30th Street between Pearl & Walnut) is arguably the most beautiful in Boulder: truly an inspiring space within which to practice. A good place to begin, in terms of the class offerings, is with one of the “Foundation” classes.
3. Laura Allard’s “Iyengar Yoga Center.” http://www.boulderyoga.com
The first yoga class I attended in Boulder was at the Iyengar Yoga Center. At that time it was located in a little annex off of an alley-way. Since then they’ve moved to a more spacious & light-filled studio on Pearl Street & 22nd. Laura Allard is a certified Intermediate Junior III Iyengar Yoga Instructor, and the studio, for the most part, aligns itself clearly with the Iyengar tradition. Laura’s teaching is, as one would expect, precise, but also relaxed and compassionate, and laced with an infectious sense of humor. Aside from teaching Yoga, Ms. Allard offers “Anatomy In Clay” workshops, in Boulder and nation-wide.
Also teaching at this studio is Norman Allard, who offers classes in YMBA: Yoga, Movement, Breath-work, Awareness. In these classes, he adds to his expertise as a Yoga instructor his training in Feldenkrais and Chiropractic, creating a gentle and deeply healing experience for his students. While the Iyengar classes are held on a drop-in basis, the YMBA classes require pre-registration.
4. Sofia Diaz’s “Prasad Yoga Studio.” http://www.prasadyoga.net
Along with her training in the Ashtanga and Iyengar systems of Yoga asana, Sofia Diaz has been traditionally apprenticed to dance and music masters of the Balasaraswati lineage of Bharata Natyam (Indian sacred dance). This energy of the temple arts of southern India makes her classes quite unique among the Boulder offerings. She also is committed to offering women-only classes ~ an experience which, for the women in attendance, can be ~ and very often is ~ deeply empowering. The physical & emotional intensity of the classes I’ve taken with Sofia has almost always required me just to lay down for a couple of hours afterward … allowing the effects of the class to percolate through and be integrated into my system. Not for the faint of heart, but if you want to be deeply challenged in a very unique way, this may be the perfect place for you!
The studio is located on 30th Street between Walnut & Canyon, and most classes are held on a drop-in basis.
5. “Om Time Yoga.” http://www.omtime.com
For a more Anusara or Flow approach to practice, check out Om Time Yoga, where instructors Cindy Lusk, Jeanie Manchester and others offer a “flowing with grace” asana experience inspired by John Friend’s Anusara system. Om Time also has Boulder’s most extensive Yoga boutique, for all of your yoga fashion needs.
6. City Of Boulder Department of Parks & Recreation.
Because Boulder is so rich with Yoga teachers, it’s possible to find truly first-class teachers in very humble settings. The City of Boulder’s Recreation Centers are among such places. The Parks & Recreation department offers both registered and drop-in classes, in just about any style/school of Yoga that you can imagine. If you live in Boulder, you can choose the Recreation Center nearest to where you live. If you’re just visiting, and wanting a drop-in class in a more casual environment than a Yoga studio, the Parks & Recreation classes are a great option.
Have fun exploring and … Om Shanti!
