Spotlight on the Boulder,CO yoga scene — where to take yoga class, who to take class with and what to do in between.
Boulder, CO, known as “The People’s Republic of Boulder” — a nod to the eclectic mix of residents and university students that live at the base of the Rockies — is statistically the happiest, healthiest city in the U.S. If you’re not hiking, biking, climbing, running, paddling, skiing/snowboarding, or checking out some of Boulder’s awesome live music offerings, it is one of the best yoga scenes in the USA. Nestled 5,000 feet above sea level, Boulder, CO has boundless opportunities for inward adventure — what a perfect place to get down with your down dog.
Where to Practice
Om Time Yoga
Steps off Pearl Street is Om Time, where partners, Jenifer Hadraba and Diane Washburn, and founder, Shannon Paige, share their love of yoga. Top-notch teachers encourage students to connect with their intention on and off the mat in an array of styles (Prana Flow, Jivamukti, Kripalu, Anjali Restorative Yoga, Anusara, Iyengar and Om Flow). Don’t leave without perusing the boutique for yoga goodies.
Yoga Pod
Nicole and Gerry Wienholt own Yoga Pod the studio with a view — The Flatirons. Take Yin Yoga (focus is on joints and connective tissues) to unearth the strength of your lumbar and the openness of your hips, the key to meditating comfortably for hours. Need more energy? Sunrise Flow is full of salutations, backbends, binds and balances that wake up the mind and body.
CorePower Yoga
CorePower Yoga’s three Boulder locations have something for everyone — vinyasa, hot yoga, restorative yoga, Yoga Sculpt, bootcamps, cleanses, workshops, trainings, lifestyle programs and morning hikes.
“The community here at CorePower creates a safe and energetic environment for our beginner and longtime practitioners alike,” says Cara Fogel, Regional Manager and Yogi Training Lead at CorePower Yoga. “We are here to support individuals’ challenges and breakthroughs, on and off the mat — the proof of true transformation!”
Studio Be Yoga
Wendy Bramlett, one of the first western students of K. Patthabi Jois, is Founder and Director of Studio Be Yoga, where she teaches a style of yoga that focuses on the natural intelligence of the body. Come to Studio Be for heart-opening Anusara or to surrender and allow the spirit to rise in a Kundalini class. Need a studio to teach your friends? Studio Be Yoga is happy to rent you one.
Who To Practice With
Shannon Paige Schneider
An activist, author, eternal optimist and the founder of Om Time, Shannon Paige is smitten with the vibrancy of the yoga community in Boulder.
“Yoga is integrated into the common culture,” says Shannon Paige. “On any given hour I have the choice of literally dozens of yoga classes in a ten-mile radius. People are ready to beginor deepen their conversation with yoga without feeling like their friends will think they are crazy — chances are a friend will take them to their first class.”
Shannon is also the founder of Anjali Restorative Yoga, a nurturing style with remarkable physiological effects that deepen any practice.
Brandon Cox
Brandon Cox has been with CorePower Yoga since he and Trevor Tice opened the first two studios in 2002. Today you’ll find him at the South Boulder studio practicing, teaching teacher trainings and workshops and heading up CorePower Lifestyle programs.
“Living and teaching in Boulder does not suck,” says Brandon. “80 degree, sunny days, mountain air, and a CorePower community packed full of love. Besides the beauty, Boulder has so many different yoga classes and resources — any style to fit your yoga needs. Come play with us!”
Check out CorePower Yoga 2 with Brandon for lighthearted yoga paired with intense asana.
Nancy Kate Williams
Nancy Kate Williams recently studied Maya Yoga (with Nicki Doane and Eddie Modestini), and has since returned to Boulder where she teaches deliberate asana sequences in tune with the sutras.
“I moved away for about a year and could not stay away,” says Nancy Kate. “I truly missed the community, quality of teachers, diversity of studios, variety of styles and abundance of daily classes. Boulder is beautiful and attracts people that are very active and interested in living consciously — an awesome place to call home and teach yoga!”
Try her FREE Foundations class at Yoga Pod on Tuesday evenings.
Yoga Happenings Year Round
Hanuman Festival
Dance, devote, rejoice and rejuvenate at Hanuman Festival at the foot of the Rockies.
“If there’s a town in yoga heaven, it would be Boulder,” says Yoshi Aono, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Hanuman Festival. “Boulder’s natural beauty inspires, and Hanuman Festival provides a place to raise the vibration of the conscious-living, national yoga community. Our feeling is that ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’”.
Yogathon
Yogathon is where Boulder’s youngest yogis share their love and top teachers lead 108 sun salutations to raise money for The Wellness Initiative,an organization that improves the lives of low-income youth through yoga.
Shoshoni Yoga Retreat Center
Just a few miles outside of Boulder, is Shoshoni Yoga Retreat Center, a residential ashram in the mountains. Stay as many nights as you like to recharge. Need a serious break? Wear a badge to let others know you are practicing in silence.
In such an eco-friendly, foodie city, where can you find the best snack? Hit up the Boulder County Farmer’s Market!
