PeaceBank Yoga Studio 4.3 1 review

I was really curious and excited about taking my first class at the newly-opened PeaceBank Yoga Studio in Redwood City ... not only because the studio is gorgeous with its dark hardwood floors and beautifully engraved "yoga" window (which looks out onto the yoga boutique chock full of goodies), but also because it seemed like great yoga had finally come to Redwood City! It gets tiresome driving the 20 minutes or so to take yoga at all the wonderful studios in the Palo Alto area, and I was keeping my fingers crossed that I could finally start a meaningful yoga practice just five minutes from home...

I decided to try the "Restorative Flow" Yoga class, because it seemed like it would be a good introduction to the studio and I am not ready yet for the Power or Hot Yoga classes. I have never taken a Restorative class, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was a late evening class with about half a dozen people; a really relaxing atmosphere. The studio was warmer than what I am used to, but after awhile I actually liked it, especially as I started to notice that I could sink deeper into my poses. Michelle, the instructor, led us through a quick series of flow movements, and if you have never taken a yoga class, this might be too fast. But she also emphasized time and again to do as much as you can and gave options on how to adjust the pose if it was too difficult. No pressure at all. The only thing I wish there was more of would be an anatomical guide of how to position one's body in certain poses, as I tend to forget about my tailbone and such in the Warrior Pose, etc. and like to be reminded ...

Just as I was thinking that I must have misread the schedule and was taking a fast flow class, we hit the halfway mark and it was time for the restorative bit of the class, which was great. We sat in a number of restorative poses with bolsters and other props for long periods of time. At first I wasn't sure how I was going to like it, but it was heaven. It was nice to unwind after the fast-moving flow poses and my body kept whispering "thank you"; somehow I felt like I was getting a really good massage. One of my favorite poses was lying sideways onto a bolster with my legs bent under me, as it really opened up my hips and gave a good, yummy, cat-like stretch. It was so relaxing (in an active way) that I felt my body sink and sigh into happiness, and I even thought about trying to sleep in that pose for a full eight-hours.

It was a lovely juxtaposition, going from flow to the restorative poses, and Michelle was perfect in leading us from one to another. I liked the music she used as well (though some said it was a bit distracting for them).

I really look forward to taking more classes at my new "home studio", especially as I purchased a new student 30-day package for $40, which is a real treat. Yippee! Unfortunately I think that that deal has ended, but it's really motivating me to try out all that PeaceBank has to offer. A great first impression and definitely recommended!

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