Namaste Highland Park

Love Namaste for being down to Earth and welcoming to all! Just wanted to give a shout out also to Michelle Ma! I have taken numerous classes with Michelle and am always pleasantly impressed with her practice! She definitely knows her stuff and is really talented in her ability to provide clear and succinct instructions and somehow manages to provide such a graceful flow to each class. Very professional!

I’ve been coming here for a couple of months now and I am so happy I made the decision to do so. The studio has a warm and welcoming energy and the staff is always helpful and friendly. I love the way the instructors incorporate music, candles, art and scents to the environment. Evening classes are usually followed by a small cup of tea on your way out.
Some of my favorite classes are Restore and Meditate, Candlelight Flow and Hatha Yoga. I’ve also done a Reiki session, which was a wonderful experience. If you are on the fence I definitely encourage you to try it out. There are persons in all levels of experience so no need to feel intimidated. Yoga is a great way to get to know our bodies, find peace and absorb the positive energy around us. Hope you enjoy!

I’ve done yoga twice before going here. This place made me feel welcome and encouraged. They offer tea after class which is nice for students. I highly recommend shoshona’s healthy back class. She is amazing. All the teachers were great.

I took my first yoga class today along with a few of my classmates. Bethany was our instructor and she was absolutely amazing. Walking into the studio we were greeted with a friendly woman who directed us to our yoga class. The area is clean and feels really homey. I don’t usually take yoga classes but I would highly recommend yoga here. After a long stressful day of work or school, you would definitely feel calm and relaxed. Also, try yoga with some Rosemary scented oils.

Lovely studio, friendly staff and knowledgeable teachers. Very community oriented which I appreciate. Parking is pretty easy on weeknights. Awesome new student special. They have two separate rooms so depending on how you’re feeling you can usually find an easier class or a stronger class happening around the same time.

Fabulous teachers who are knowledgeable, helpful, and encouraging. The studio itself is a relaxing environment with two studios. Classes start and end promptly, which I appreciate with the timing on the parking meters and my busy schedule in general. It has also made me more aware of getting to class on time.
The Hatha class is challenging if you want a solid yoga workout, and Shoshanna’s back class is really interesting and helpful for postural problems. As a desk worker, I need this to help my back!

Really like this place, whole atomosphere is calming. Very zen.
I love hannah, she’s a great teacher, all about form but she doesn’t move too slowly through the class. It’s definitely a workout. I also really like Ani’s hatha yoga class, very calming but made me sweat a lot (and I’m not much of a sweat-​er.) It might not be the closest yoga studio too me, but it’s certainly the one I’d always prefer to go to.

Namaste is a gem of a studio and I have them to credit with instilling in me a true love of and respect for yoga. They offer one of the greatest variety of classes I’ve seen, a laid back, unpretentious vibe and wonderfully knowledgeable and supportive teachers. They also host frequent events (fundraisers, workshops, sound baths) not to mention they have free breakfast on Saturday mornings! Even if you don’t live in the area, this studio is so, so recommended; I drove 40 minutes each way to get there and it was more than worth the time! Thank you Namaste for being so good at what you do and thanks (I think) for setting the bar so high for future studios that I might regret having defected to NorCal. and ‘namaste’. Ps– they have a great intro deal, so stop reading this review and go over there asap. Pps — parking is free next door in the post office lot after 6 pm and on Sundays.

I’ve been wanting to have a cool authentic Yoga Place (nothing like a Gym Yoga place) close to where I live for a long time now, and my wish finally came true.
I’ve beed going to Namaste Highland Park for the past 8 months and I couldn’t be happier with the place. The instructors are all professional, warm and down to earth, the place has a great vibe and a community outreach like creed. I can’t help but feeling the progress on my now stronger and leaner body, I will continue to go there and recommend it to anyone who looks for a consistent place to go for their yoga practice.

I have attended classes as Namaste for two years and am happy to see it successful in the neighborhood. The location and building are both lovely. And I love the Health-​Aide Kombucha after a sweaty yoga practice!
I have been to a few different classes but one teacher stands out to me: Hannah. Her classes are my favorite at Namaste. She is down-​to-​earth and clearly a skilled yogi. I love her taste in music and her words of wisdom are organic and not overly cheesy.
I love the back garden and the airiness of the space in general but do feel that the overall aesthetic of Namaste is not yet complete. There is an emptiness I feel in the main room and hallway. But that’s the kind of thing I can easily focus on and it’s not that important.
Regarding attention to detail, the floor in the «sanctuary» is rather dramatically slanted at the edges which is somewhat awkward for balancing… Or maybe it makes you stronger? I’m not sure if other people notice it but it bugs me about that space.
All in all, I’m a fan.

This is my kind of studio! Besides a variety of classes, they have events and workshops. I like to attend the crystal bowl sound baths with Shane Chenuphisal who plays at Lightning in a Bottle. No need to travel far to the festivals or The Integratron, I can just come here whenever I’m in need of a sound bath! They make it affordable with family plans, $ 10 specials, newbie specials, and some classes are by donation only.
Instructors that I love. -
Bethany Eanes! I followed her from when she taught at UFC Gym a few years back. She is one of the best instructors I have ever had. She really knows how to get your heart rate up.
Krysten Clark — her Yoga Sculpt class is amazing! The moves are so subtle, you do not realize how intense it is until all the sweat comes pouring. It will definitely have you burning calories in your sleep.
I’ve also had workshops with Sondra Sun-​Odeon who is great. I’m sure all the instructors are which is why I keep coming back! Even though it’s a 50 minute drive for me, round trip.
Parking — In the evenings, you can park in the lot of the post office to the left of the studio. Otherwise, you will have to do metered street parking. I just go one street over and park in the residential area.
This is right across the street from Donut Friend and Scoops ice cream for days you want to indulge. It’s also down the street from a few cute bars and thrift stores.

I finally found a yoga studio where I feel at home. I’ve been at namaste for over a year, in that short time I’ve watched it grow– the community feels the same way as I do — this place is the best! Super clean & welcoming — no frills, no judgements– just really fantastic people and instructors that love what they do and want to share it w/​their community. I really love all the teachers — Hannah, Matthew, Nora, Holly — and some new teachers have been recently added that I’m excited to try out their classes as well. You can’t go wrong at namaste!

Of all the yoga studios accessible to the east side, I really prefer this environment. Restorative yoga, hatha, and flow classes all provided by compassionate and strong teachers who communicate well and seem very present for their students. I find myself increasing my commitment based on how easy it is to feel at home in the space. Super happy to have finally sought out this space’s offerings.

Namaste will make you feel at home! I’ve been taking classes regularly since July 2013, increasing my commitment each time (I now have the $ 850/​unlimited year, which is a killer deal!) The instructors each have a unique style but all make a serious effort to get to know your name. The whole studio is also always improving the space/​schedule and is extremely responsive to feedback– they often send email polls around when updating the class offerings. I also once told Hannah that the scented candles gave me a severe headache (and figured it probably did the same to others) and she switched to unscented from then on! Classes are all great, try a few different ones.
Namaste is a friendly and hard-​working small business that puts a lot of effort into being a good neighbor and I am grateful to be able to go there. Vanda has clearly done a lot to cultivate this warm and inviting space and the whole team lets it show! Fun workshops, meditation sessions, and lovely teas are the icing on the cake, but the cake tastes pretty damn good without icing. Last but not least, packages are beyond fairly priced.

I started yoga just taking free classes at my school gym. NHP is my first «real yoga studio» and I absolutely love it. The 2 week unlimited new student deal is amazing. I’ve tried so many classes in the last 10 days and enjoyed all of them.
I’ve taken a workshop with Bethany (arm balances) and classes with Shoshana (healthy backs), Ani (flow), Michelle (flow) and Steve (Advance!). Steve’s Advance! class was my favorite — great workout, challenging poses, but really approachable and supportive environment.
I particularly appreciate that they don’t charge you to borrow a mat for a class if you forgot yours (as far as I can tell). I’ve looked at a couple of other studios that charge $ 2 – 3 for a rental and it just seems less generous/​inviting that way.
If I lived closer to Highland Park, I would be here every day.

I love that this place is in the middle of a growing community. There are lots of cool and hip shops and restaurants around and I’m tempted to go back and explore.
The street parking was not that bad (granted, we did go the day after Christmas) and it was pretty easy to find parking in the residential neighborhood side streets nearby. The studio was easy to spot due to its distinct sign.
The studio is a very clean and cozy space. The reception desk area flows into the studio space, so it’s easy to interrupt a class in session. They’re also good about putting up a sign on the outside door warning you that there is a class currently in session. There are also limited cubbies located in the reception area, so if the class is a popular one, I can foresee a bit of crowding going on around the cubby area. I also liked the tea selection display in the front window. I felt that the option of buying tea fit well with the yoga studio feel.
The lady at the reception desk happened to also be the yoga instructor. I had tried to call earlier about reserving a class for me and my friend and was met with several failed attempts to contact the yoga studio. I also did not receive a call back when I left a voice mail. The best way to get your questions answered is going there asking the questions in person. I don’t know if this poor phone contact is due to us coming in the day after Christmas (most of the staff may be on vacation) or if it is normally like that.
The hatha yoga class that my friend and I attended was a good pace for all levels. I liked the more upbeat music that the teacher played (although I can see how that can be a bit disruptive to people who prefer the calm, relaxing, and soothing music). I also liked that the teacher offered tea after the yoga class. Again, I’ve always though that tea and yoga compliment each other very well.
Overall, I really like the place, but I wish contacting the studio via phone was easier. It’s definitely one of the smaller and cozier studios I’ve visited.

I’ve been giving Namaste a chance for about 6 months now, and I really want to love it. But, I really don’t, and I think it’s time that I look elsewhere even though this is one of the closest studios to me. I will say, read my review with a grain of salt, because I have been practicing yoga for about 15 years and am extremely picky. I know many folks love this studio, but I wanted to add my personal opinion.
Pros? Pretty nice environment (the back sanctuary is pretty cool, the front gallery is okay– part of it is kind of like a hallway). A few good/​interesting teachers and classes (Hannah’s are good). The end-​of-​class tea is lovely, as is the rosemary oil pressed into your hand during savasana.
Cons? The vast majority of the teachers are pretty boring, in my opinion. I have actually fallen asleep in some classes– not during final savasana either. I expect variety and challenge (and a good playlist) in my classes, and it’s hard to get those here. It’s your typical series of sun salutations with a yoga chanting CD in the stereo. I could do better at home by myself.
Most of the teachers are nice, but rarely remember my name, even though I’ve come several times a week for the last 6 months. One teacher, Bethany, over-​corrects in my opinion– is it possible that every single posture I did in her class was wrong? I really don’t think so, but yet she physically adjusted me in each pose. I usually enjoy getting adjusted, but not being made to feel that I am doing nothing correctly. I actually talked to her about it after class, and she shrugged me off and said that I had good form… I was confused, and have not wanted to attend her classes since, even though they are my right challenge level.
On the other hand, some of the other teachers don’t adjust/​correct at all, and a few actually encourage practices that will promote injury in the long-​term, such as doing chaturanga incorrectly. (This understanding of what will lead to injury comes from my having practiced for 15 years under many teachers).
I also enjoy when my yoga teachers tie my practice into the larger life arena– for example, giving a dharma talk at the beginning of class or talking about how the challenge on the mat parallels the challenges we face in life. Not in a cheesy way, but in an interesting, big-​picture way. None of that here.
Most of the classes are sparsely attended, and then seemingly randomly, they will be overflowing full, and you can’t get in unless you arrive early. I’m not sure what that’s about, but I would guess the groupon specials that run regularly.
So, I might give it a few more tries, especially considering I have unlimited monthly currently. But, I think I’m pretty much done trying to love Namaste. Hopefully I can find a studio I love near me!

Namaste is amazing, great teachers and a great vibe! We feel so lucky to have such a great studio so close to home. We ‘be been taking classes for almost a year and plan to continue with no end in sight. Krisen’s yoga sculpt class is amazing and a real butt kicker, if your looking for a Hatha yoga class you’ll love Matthew
I love the special attention, like the rosemary oil and tea at the end of class. Got to get back to Namaste!

I purchased a two week new student deal for $ 30, and after my two weeks passed, I immediately signed up for a monthly membership. This studio is bright, clean, and welcoming; and they have numerous classes throughout the day taught by knowledgeable instructors. I’ve tried other studios in the area that also had great instructors, but those studios didn’t offer enough classes or I couldn’t get in because the classes were too full. That’s not the case at Namaste so I’m thankful for that.
Overall, this is a gem for yogis. Bonus that after each class, they offer free tea.

Meeting up with a friend inevitably ends up being a meal, so lately I’ve been trying to meet up for something active in addition to the food part :-) My friend was in from out of town and her in laws live nearby so we checked out Namaste on Saturday morning. The yoga classes are $ 17 each, so buying the Unilocal $ 10 deal really made sense and was reasonable. It was easy to call and sign up for the class we wanted and no hassle about using the Unilocal deal.
The studio is bright and airy and there are tea samples in the front. Our 9:15am class was small to medium amount of students, with just enough space to fit everyone. The teacher, Alissa, had a bubbly personality and took time to check on everyone. She broke down poses and had lots of advice on modifications and ways to improve.
Overall I enjoyed the class and atmosphere, I wish I lived closer to attend more often! I may consider coming on weekends.