Yoga Studio celebrates 35th Anniversary

From Carolyn Heines

The Yoga Studio,Grand Rapids’ first, started when I returned from studying at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in San Francisco in 1978 and 1979. My first classes took place in a small room which accommodated 6 students in my Heritage Hill apartment and also in the original UICA on Front Street. That began a series of places where I brought my props and taught in innumerable spaces, mostly in the Uptown area. Some that come to mind are Community Counseling, Planned Parenthood, Fountain St Church, LaFontsee Gallery, UICA plus sharing space with others...Gaia, an gallery, a futon store, a hair salon and various storefronts and basements, looking for cheap rent. We jokingly called it the mobile Yoga Studio. In 1993 I bought a house that enabled me to teach there for 5 years, no longer having to drag my blankets all over town When parking became an issue, I moved to a building on Carlton, and began to hire other teachers. There are currently 6 teachers at our present location, 955 Cherry SE, in the wonderful East Hills neighborhood. I now have a partner, Kat McKinney, who is buying the studio over a 5 year period and we are now about halfway through that time. I could not find a better person to whom to leave the studio. She is pursuing certification in the Iyengar system of classical hatha yoga is also a PTA. She brings much knowledge and passion to her teaching. We are having a celebration on Saturday, April 13 from 5-8 to which the community is invited. Refreshments will be served. It has been an interesting journey, with LOTS of change in the yoga movement. We still teach classical hatha yoga, paying attention to alignment and the use of props to accommodate students of all abilities. Breathing and relaxation are part of the program and the philosophy pervades the teaching. I’m extremely grateful to the community for their Many more details available if you are interested.  Thanks

Carolyn Heines

616 389-7608 (cell)