Active, health-conscious professionals have spurred a yoga renaissance in this Colonial city.
By Carol Connare
Settled in 1630, Boston may be old in spirit but it's young at heart. Active, health-conscious professionals have spurred a yoga renaissance in the second half of the 1990s. Travelers to Boston have never had so many options for continuing their practice while on the road.
Somerville, a northwest burb, is home to the renowned B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Center, cofounded by Patricia Walden (well known for her acclaimed videos) and Karin Stephan, founder of Yoga Macrobiotic Vacations and owner of the nearby Macrobiotic B&B, (617) 497-0218.
Opened in 1985, the Center is located on the second floor of an office building in lively Davis Square, conveniently right off the Red Line of Boston's subway system, the "T." The space is immediately soothing, decorated in earth tones and accented with fresh-cut flowers. Of all Boston's studios, the Center offers the most classes for drop-ins and the most Iyengar-certified teachers—many of whom regularly travel to India to study with Mr. Iyengar.
Walden's annual study with Mr. Iyengar's daughter Geeta has given her teaching a special focus on women. All-level classes are offered seven days a week in asana and pranayama. Special weekend workshops tackle specific health and exercise issues such as depression, menopause, and spinal alignment.
Located in the heart of downtown, Barbara Benagh's Yoga Studio of Boston was the first yoga center in the city. Benagh founded the studio after her introduction to yoga in England 25 years ago and is known for her distinctive teaching style that employs vivid imagery and breathwork. Introductory, intermediate, and advanced hatha yoga classes are offered seven days a week, with a special class for breast cancer survivors.
Just outside the city in Medford, Mystic River Yoga is the work of Arthur and Kate Kilmurray. Arthur, a former Yoga Journal columnist and 20-year yoga veteran, opened the studio in 1993 just off a main interstate highway, around the corner from Tufts University. The Kilmurrays teach Iyengar-style yoga with a concentration on breathwork. "We try to teach about ecology and how yoga is interconnected with the Earth," says Kilmurray.
Beacon Light Yoga Center is a bright, sunlit studio in Allston, a funky neighborhood west of Boston. The studio is close to the "T" but there is also a free parking lot beside the center—a real bonus in Boston. "Beginners hatha yoga is our specialty," says Director Angelena Craig, "but we also offer open-level classes in Kripalu, Iyengar, Bikram, and Ashtanga styles. We've found that the more types of yoga we offer, the better, but we concentrate on meditative styles with lots of stretching." Offerings include "Hot Yoga," a combination of Ashtanga and Bikram that's quite vigorous (be prepared to sweat) and Power Yoga. Drop-ins are always welcome as long as there's room.
If you're due to visit anywhere in the compact, six-state region of New England, check in with the New England Yoga Alliance, a region-wide association of yoga teachers. The group's Web site features a directory of yoga instructors and a calendar of events.
To find a studio in Boston, search our Google
By Carol Connare
Settled in 1630, Boston may be old in spirit but it's young at heart. Active, health-conscious professionals have spurred a yoga renaissance in the second half of the 1990s. Travelers to Boston have never had so many options for continuing their practice while on the road.
Somerville, a northwest burb, is home to the renowned B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Center, cofounded by Patricia Walden (well known for her acclaimed videos) and Karin Stephan, founder of Yoga Macrobiotic Vacations and owner of the nearby Macrobiotic B&B, (617) 497-0218.
Opened in 1985, the Center is located on the second floor of an office building in lively Davis Square, conveniently right off the Red Line of Boston's subway system, the "T." The space is immediately soothing, decorated in earth tones and accented with fresh-cut flowers. Of all Boston's studios, the Center offers the most classes for drop-ins and the most Iyengar-certified teachers—many of whom regularly travel to India to study with Mr. Iyengar.
Walden's annual study with Mr. Iyengar's daughter Geeta has given her teaching a special focus on women. All-level classes are offered seven days a week in asana and pranayama. Special weekend workshops tackle specific health and exercise issues such as depression, menopause, and spinal alignment.
Located in the heart of downtown, Barbara Benagh's Yoga Studio of Boston was the first yoga center in the city. Benagh founded the studio after her introduction to yoga in England 25 years ago and is known for her distinctive teaching style that employs vivid imagery and breathwork. Introductory, intermediate, and advanced hatha yoga classes are offered seven days a week, with a special class for breast cancer survivors.
Just outside the city in Medford, Mystic River Yoga is the work of Arthur and Kate Kilmurray. Arthur, a former Yoga Journal columnist and 20-year yoga veteran, opened the studio in 1993 just off a main interstate highway, around the corner from Tufts University. The Kilmurrays teach Iyengar-style yoga with a concentration on breathwork. "We try to teach about ecology and how yoga is interconnected with the Earth," says Kilmurray.
Beacon Light Yoga Center is a bright, sunlit studio in Allston, a funky neighborhood west of Boston. The studio is close to the "T" but there is also a free parking lot beside the center—a real bonus in Boston. "Beginners hatha yoga is our specialty," says Director Angelena Craig, "but we also offer open-level classes in Kripalu, Iyengar, Bikram, and Ashtanga styles. We've found that the more types of yoga we offer, the better, but we concentrate on meditative styles with lots of stretching." Offerings include "Hot Yoga," a combination of Ashtanga and Bikram that's quite vigorous (be prepared to sweat) and Power Yoga. Drop-ins are always welcome as long as there's room.
If you're due to visit anywhere in the compact, six-state region of New England, check in with the New England Yoga Alliance, a region-wide association of yoga teachers. The group's Web site features a directory of yoga instructors and a calendar of events.
To find a studio in Boston, search our Google
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