AM Yoga,

555 4th Street Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

"Ok, for perspective. I've been doing yoga about 16 years and go to studios often enough. I move a bit but generally have a studio I go to wherever I may be. So, I have some tonal awareness of how a class is instructed. I bought a three day pass and went once. The first day was really put off. The owner seemed to split the class time into three unrelated diatribes about her week and then queuing poses for us. It was a one sided bad stand up, rant, therapy session? I wouldn't call it teaching yoga or instructing people in anyway. It was more like she was giving us directions between her venting to a friend who gets this all the time. One about a friend of hers who called her drunk, is an alcoholic, and that alcohol is something we all have to deal with whether we drink or not. But it was more about them being annoying and gross. I was trying not to focus cause it was pretty personal. The second was on how Christmas is something we also all need to in someway be a part of. Granted, this was near the holiday. But the monologue/rant seemed to be pretty aggressive towards people who didn't participate in any fashion in the holiday and that they need to. Ok, that's weird. Maybe they mean it in a way I'm not getting as a non christian. Then the third was more or less a threat; she said something along the lines of "if anyone has an issue with class or any of the instructors please come to me." OK, I thought. Fair. Good open door policy. She went on, "Cause I know my instructors and I will stand by them till the end. And you can't take us down." There was another about her birthday and whether or not the class would come if she had a party at the studio. But I think that may have been the root of her Yoga Instruct but As Therapy schtick and I don't want to poke fun at that. It felt sad. Happy birthday. It's a cool space and they didn't charge me for a mat rental. Kinda weird instructor. When I realized it was the owner it sorta helped me feel out the overall vibe. The class itself didn't offer any direction in any pose aside from "go further." And yeah, there wasn't really much emphasis on form or flow but speed. Wasn't my scene. Though, I can't really do 60 bicycle sit-ups while being threatened by a yoga instructor on the verge of a birthday anywhere else I can think of. And bicycle sit-ups, as we all know, are how you end a vinyasa class. If you like drama while you're stretching, sure. Do it up. Maybe I was there on a weird day."

"Hidden gem of a yoga studio! I mainly did the vinyasa classes. The instructors taught at a good pace, and made a point to remember our names. The classes seemed to be pretty consistent from week to week, which was helpful for my work schedule. Kind of has an “urban east GR fitness mom” vibe inside. As a beginner, I felt that the vinyasa classes were a solid “intermediate” level… challenging, but not to the point where I felt I didn’t belong or couldn’t do it. I just finished the trial month, and I’m thinking I’ll probably come back to this place again."

"Visited on a recent trip to experience a yoga class. I was surprised at the donation based charity class which was for PRIDE month. The class was amazing, the staff was uber friendly, and I really enjoyed the facilities."

"The studio is clean and devoid of clutter and distractions. The instructors and staff are friendly, courteous and professional. Their candor fosters a sense of trust. The classes are simultaneously challenging as well as accessible. I had never practiced yoga in my life and was able to comfortably immerse myself without feeling awkward or out of place. I highly recommend giving this studio a shot whether you are advanced or new to yoga. I always leave with a feeling of accomplishment, levity and a clear mind (as well as a limber and well honed body)."