East Meets West in Vienna offers a variety of classes in the “energy arts” of China and India to strengthen and open the body. A community-based studio, East Meets West has become a studio where people congregate. The studio offers a weekly Mommy and Me yoga class, and a monthly Family yoga class. No advanced registration is required and students are encouraged to drop in at any time.

Double Dog Yoga specializes in yoga classes for the beginner-level, adult student. Their philosophy is that yoga is for every body, and should always be a happy experience. Recognizing that beginners have different needs from experienced practitioners, Double Dog offers students a safe non-intimidating environment with other beginner-level students. The classes are small, and students get individualized attention and the opportunity to ask questions both during and outside of class. There are two levels of classes: beginner, for people who have never before taken a yoga class, and advanced beginner for people who have some yoga experience or have taken Double Dog’s beginner level classes and want to continue. The group yoga classes are held at two locations in Herndon and in Reston. Double Dog offers multi-week sessions of classes and the classes are progressive. They suggest that you sign up for the entire session to enjoy the full benefit of the session, however drop-ins are always welcome.

The Great Falls Yoga Institute is part of the All Is Well family of centers for integrated mind and body wellness. The vision and mission of the members of All is Well is to improve the overall wellbeing of each individual it serves. You can purchase a “Wellness Everywhere” card that can be used at all participating studios. The Great Falls Yoga Institute offers a variety of yoga classes, including Mommy and Me and kids (ages 5-12 years) classes. The Institute has the only “Great Yoga Wall” in Virginia, which is an adjustable wall rope system that is used to enhance your practice. The practice space is cozy and there is a substantial boutique that sells yoga clothes, books, music, and jewelry.

Beloved Yoga (formally Warrior Yoga) offers a variety of classes in different styles of yoga, which gives their students the opportunity to expand their yoga experiences. The most popular classes are the “vinyasa flow” and “hatha flow” classes. Vinyasa flow classes can vary by teacher, however they all include flowing sequences in which one posture streams into the next as the student moves with their breath, creating a “moving meditation.” Hatha flow classes are gentler than vinyasa flow classes, and may be more appropriate for someone practicing yoga for the first time. Beloved offers prenatal yoga classes on Thursdays and Saturdays where moms to be not only practice yoga, but also learn to prepare for birth and beyond. Kids yoga classes for infants on up are also available. The practice space is large and spacious, with inspirational messages painted on the walls and there is a small boutique where you can purchase mats, yoga clothes, and other supplies.

It’s probably the oldest and largest yoga studios in the area. Class typically begins with a centering posture, such as lying on your back over a rolled up blanket, and then may or may not move into an active sequence (namaskar) to warm up the body. The teacher usually has a “peak pose” for the class, and most of the class is spent preparing to practice the peak pose. The body’s alignment is highly emphasized, and many props such as mats, blocks, belts, blankets, and chairs may be used to help the student get into a posture. Time is taken to get into each posture, and then the posture is held to extract its full benefit. There is soft music played in the background. HAYC offers four session of yoga each year. Students are encouraged to sign up for a session; however dropping in is ok only if the class is not already full. Always call ahead to find out if there is room for you to join the class.