It seems like forever ago that I lived in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood of Charlotte. Plaza Midwood is an eclectic little part of town where our house retained its original charm of the 1940’s, we could walk to multiple bars, and their weren’t chain restaurants (like here in Mooresville). It was a wonderful place to live.
Living there I found a little gem called Yoga One. It was a yoga studio just down the street from my house that I decided to try out one day and instantly fell in love. The heat and movements seemed to wring my body out and I always left dripping wet, feeling rejuvenated and calm (and usually shaking somewhat, too).
When we moved here, it wasn’t feasible for me to drive to Yoga One anymore, and since Mooresville is almost void of yoga studios, I tearfully ended my love affair with hot yoga. Once I had Hailey and childcare became necessary, I pretty much came to terms with the fact that it would be years before I could practice again.
And then, I found Charlotte Family Yoga. A reader actually told me about the studio and mentioned that they offer FREE child care! Amazing. So I emailed the studio and they invited me in to try it out. Excited didn’t do my feelings justice.
The first thing I noticed when I walked in was Maryann’s brightness. She works the front desk and is full of energy and smiles. She even offered to hold Hailey while I got settled.
And the sassy lady beside Maryann? That was my instructor, Shanna, who also was bubbly and welcoming.
The studio felt fresh, clean and bright. There are windows all over, which lets in natural light, even in the childcare room.
I was pleased to see that the childcare room also felt sparkling clean, since so many can be dingy and smelly. They allow up to 8 kids in the room at once, with at least 2 adults supervising.
Feeling comfortable about leaving Hailey (just down the hall) was essential in allowing myself to really get soaked into the experience of power hour. I set up my mat so I could have a view out of one of the windows.
The room filled up (and it wasn’t all ladies, either, so men, don’t be scared to get your yoga on) then Shanna began to lead us into the practice.
Forgive me because I don’t know much about yoga terms and such, but a few minutes in, we did several sequences at a fairly quick pace and I felt the beads of sweat begin to pour out. I embraced the feeling of it dripping down my back and down my arms.
Throughout the hour I was challenged and in some poses I shook like a leaf. In other poses my ankles burned as they were forced to strengthen. And, if I’m being honest, I fell over more than once. They were all wonderful feelings that I had forgotten that I loved.
And at the end, the cool towel and savasana (laying flat on my back) confirmed it. Addicted again.
The power hour class worked out wonderfully for me because I max out at about an hour, plus childcare is offered for this class. However Charlotte Family Yoga offers a large variety of classes, including PRENATAL (if only I’d have known…), Ashtanga, Deep Stretch and many more. You can check out the options here.
The only downside is that they aren’t in Mooresville. They are located in the University area, and with traffic that day, it took my a solid 45 minutes to get to. If they opened a location closer (hint, hint! 
) I’d be there multiple times a week, but I’m hoping to be able to go once a week, maybe on Fridays when all classes are $8- woot!
For those yogis that live close by, you may be interested to know that they have a special Master Class taught by Mark White, a Top Baptiste Instructor, coming up on March 10th, so feel free to talk to them for more information. They also have a 40 day challenge coming up… why aren’t they in Mooresville again? Sniffle.
I just can’t explain how thrilled I am to have found a yoga studio with childcare. I’ve taken yoga at the YMCA, but yoga in a real studio with heat and cool towels is a completely different experience to me. Though I am challenged by my wogging, I believe I’m much better suited to be a yogi, and I’m going to keep my fingers (and yoga toes) crossed that Charlotte Family Yoga opens up a location in Mooresville because I might throw a party in honor of such an occurrence.
Have you tried hot yoga?
What did you think?
What qualities do you look for in a yoga studio?
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I have yet to try hot yoga…not gonna lie, I’m a little intimidated! I just started going to a yoga class at my gym about once a week, and I love it. Yoga challenges me in a way that no other workout does…I think it’s because it requires patience. 🙂
Layne says
I love hot yoga! Starting up this month after some time away. Looking forward to it!!
Cat says
I am so happy you tried Charlotte Family Yoga! I LOVE Shanna! Never tried her power yoga but her Tuesday morning Deep Stretch class is amazing.
Brittany says
Oh, I’d love to try a deep stretch- does it make you sweat?
Cat says
Not really but you’ll get a pretty intense stretch out of it. The first time I went I was sore the next day. They focus a lot on the hips & shoulders so imagine doing pigeon for 4 minutes. I usually want to curse the instructor half way through but once I’m out of it, it feels like heaven. 🙂
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
I was really really excited until you said University Area … Boo!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
I’ve never tried it, but you made it sound pretty cool! Hopefully we can find a gym where yoga classes are offerred (preferably ones for beginners haha!).
Lizzy says
Great option for Mom’s in the LKN area:
http://momsevolution.com/about/
Brittany says
I’ll have to check this out- THANKS!
Laura says
I have tried soo many different yoga types. Hot yoga is not one of them. I always wanted to try it but the thought of a really hot crammed room kind of puts me of, and I wonder back to the classes I know 🙂
Brittany says
I felt that way at first about the heat. I thought it would be stuffy. But surprisingly, I find it invigorating now. Give it a try! 😉
Jenny says
I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you found a hot yoga studio that offers child care!!! There is a great little spot here in Huntersville but unfortunately no child care. I will Definitely be trying out this little place sometime soon. It sounds great and like you the yoga classes at my gym just don’t challenge me enough. I truly leave hot yoga feeling cleansed and refreshed and like I just got a great workout in!!
Jen says
Oh wow! It would be quite the drive for us, too, but I’m tempted to try it! Can’t beat free childcare! I miss yoga so much!
Tiff says
Yay – I’m glad you got your yoga groove back. 🙂
I need to explore more of CLT. I rarely ever (okay, never) explore other areas of town, like Plaza Midwood.
Brittany says
I loved Plaza Midwood! Have you been to Zada Janes? It’s incredible. And I used to frequent Thomas Street and The Philosopher’s Stone… o the good old days 😉
Lauren B. says
Never done hot yoga ( I dont like the idea of dripping sweat all over the place!) but I do yoga flow at least 1-2 times per week. As my belly gets bigger, it’s now getting a little more difficult to do certain things, so I am looking into prenatal classes in my town or even DvDs. Any suggestions out there for a good prenatal yoga DVD?
Tina says
I live right on the line of Davidson, Concord and Huntersville (our address is Concord though). I used to work uptown and would sometimes go to Yoga One as well. I LOVED their classes and miss them so much now. I sometimes go to Gotta Yoga that is off Mallard Creek church Rd., but there times aren’t always convenient for me. I am going to try Charlotte Family Yoga this weekend as it is about 6 miles from my house! I had heard about this place before, but didn’t know anyone that had every been and wondered if they were any good. I’m so glad you posted about them!
Brittany says
Let me know what you think after you try them out! I wonder if we were ever in the same class at Yoga One… small world! 🙂
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
LOOOVE hot yoga, hate the price!
Sarah says
A yoga studio with CHILD CARE?! That is a dream come true! (Maybe I’m a little jealous.)
Christie says
Oh wow, great find!!! I would love it if we had a place like this up here in Mooresville. What do we have to do to convince them to open a location?! 😉 University is still a bit far as, like you mentioned, you never know with traffic around here. I have a place I love in Huntersville, but no daycare.
Brittany says
I seriously keep bringing it up- Mooresville NEEDS this. Badly. I’m going to start a petition 😉
Katie @ Legally Fit says
That is so cool that they offered free childcare! I would love to find a yoga studio like that. I took my first hot class yesterday after a year and I am so sore! I miss Bikram and need to get back into it!
Pure2raw twins says
awesome that they offer free childcare.
i need to get back into hot yoga. miss it!
Jen says
brittany – i teach with shanna at y2 and she is WONDERFUL! i’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience at CFY. so nice that they have childcare. definitely sounds like a good once a week or so treat for you! 🙂
Brittany says
Any chance I can talk you into teaching a class there so I can finally attend on of your’s?? 🙂
sara @makingsofabetterlife.wordpress.com says
I’m looking to try out hot yoga for the first time today! I did a little google search about it and many first-timers said that they felt sick afterwards. I guess due to the heat? Did you ever feel that way?
Brittany says
Hm, I never really felt that way, but I also start pounding water the day before I go because I sweat so much and I imagine if you were dehydrated at all, it could make you feel sick.
Did you try it out? What did you think??
Suzana says
I joined a Yoga 101 class this semester and I love it!! It’s hatha yoga, so a lot of stretching and balancing. I have tried a demo slow flow yoga class, which I enjoyed because I could compare the two styles of the instructors.
I would think that hot yoga would make some poses sweaty and slippery? There’s no basis to this though, as I haven’t tried it before!
Brittany says
Actually the sweat helps you stick to the mat! I have a thin towel that I put over the yoga mat and I find myself slipping on it until my hands get sweaty enough to stick (sounds real attractive, right? ;)) They even provide spray bottles of water to spray your towel with if you’d like so that you start off sticking.
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rama says
I love Hot Yoga,and I am a great fan of Bikram Yoga. Unfortunately In India, his classes are not there.But I know about his classes and really love them. My son who is very good in Bikram yoga gave me his book with the 26 poses and Bikram’s own CD( audio), and I have been doing BY for almost a year now. It is very difficult, but that is because I don’t have a heated room. Our country is anyway quite hot and I do it , and try to get whatever benefit I can by practising this type of yoga.
My son says that heat is very good and ideal for yoga, as it helps you to stretch a lot and also brings out all the toxins from the body.
My son has participated in two Yoga competitions and has managed to come 3rd in both of them. He picked up very difficult poses in just about 5 months
I also watch some Youtube videos where they have some Bikram classes, and I also have the video of Rachel Welsh, who was a student of Bikram.
It is so good you found a class that has a day care center. However, the time it takes to reach the class is really too much, I am surprised you have so much traffic in some cities in the US.
In India, traffic is a major problem, what used to take us only 15 mins. to reach can now take us minimum 1 hour.
Hope a nice hot yoga class comes near y our place. All the best!
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