Downtown Yoga Shala is a meditative and grounding haven in the bustling heart of downtown San Jose, a place to center the mind and move the body, a place to renew. Located in the gallery-filled SoFA District, this San Jose yoga studio welcomes persons of every shape and size to tune into their bodies and center their minds with one of many daily and weekly yoga classes.

A Downtown San Jose Yoga Sanctuary

Open since March 2009, Downtown Yoga Shala is a pristine San Jose yoga school. The atmosphere is serene with gorgeous bamboo flooring, private changing rooms, orchids, subtly beautiful and unobtrusive décor, natural lighting, and simple accents honoring the spiritual roots of yoga itself. Warm ginger tea brews for students to enjoy before or after the classes. Overall, the energy of this San Jose yoga studio is one that is welcoming, non-judgmental and safe. The instructors are friendly, privacy screens keep the actual classes from being visible to passersby on the street, and students will be able to see how much energy was dedicated to making this studio a harmonious space.

While many yoga studios boast only one dedicated yoga instructor, Downtown Yoga Shala features a number of different certified instructors offering an array of different yoga classes in San Jose. Traditional classes offered daily include vinyasa flow, gentle yoga, power yoga and ashtanga yoga; there are beginner and more challenging classes to suit students of varying abilities. There are also variations on traditional yoga classes that are designed to appeal to specific groups. Yoga for Athletes focuses on practices that are beneficial for athletes ranging from hikers to hockey players; Yoga Tune-Up combines yoga, calisthenics and body therapy for accelerated results; Prenatal Yoga is a wholly safe-for-baby class geared towards moms-to-be, focusing on practices that call awareness to the body, improve circulation, strengthen the pelvic muscles and increase overall comfort among other things. Some of the more unique offerings of Downtown Yoga Shala are the Slow Flow Candlelight class, an evening offering where students practice slow, calming yoga by candlelight, and the monthly workshops.

To keep the yoga experience affordable, Downtown Yoga Shala’s prices are more approachable than many studios around town. They offer 50% off the first class, as well as packages offering great rates on classes. Additionally, this San Jose yoga studio offers regular discounts for students, teachers, seniors, military members, downtown San Jose business employees and City of San Jose employees.

Bottles of water are available for sale, and towels and mats are available for rental. Downtown Yoga Shala sells an array of offerings that yoga students might enjoy, including yoga wear, skincare products from Pangea Organics and Ayurveda Ritual self-care oils and powders. They also sell Fair Trade products, instructional yoga DVDs, and eco-friendly yoga mats by Gaiam.

The Benefits of Yoga

In recent years, yoga’s restorative and healing benefits have become well known throughout the western world, but not everyone knows just how beneficial yoga can be. An essential part of yoga practice is breathing exercises, or “pranayama,” which helps to expand lung capacity and develop the flow of vital energy through the body. Through the varying positions, practitioners of yoga will enjoy improved flow of blood to the brain, restoration of elasticity of the spine, improved posture, increased flexibility, lubricated joints, toned muscles and even improved functioning of various body systems, such as cardiovascular, endocrine and digestive systems.

Most notably, rhythmic movements and focused breathing are a form of meditation that helps to calm the mind. This centering practice can decrease anxiety and depression, and help the practitioner to be more self-aware, cultivating a sense of inner peace so precious in the hectic modern world.