Arlington Yoga Center

Born in the late 1930s, Sri Dharma Mittra studied the eight branches of yoga under guru Sri Swami Kailashananda, the man largely responsible for introducing the healing practice of yoga to the Western world. Through years of selfless teaching, and focus on building a community of healthy, spiritually-centered yoga practitioners, Dharma Mittra developed a devoted following of students throughout the United States. Arlington Yoga Center's instructors stay true to the yogi’s teachings by welcoming pupils into an oasis of soothing pastel-colored walls and an airy practice space, guiding students through a roster of classes for all skill levels. A quick perusal of the studio's schedule yields ample opportunities for rejuvenation in a variety of sessions, including the restorative sequences of Gentle Dharma, which invigorates minds and bodies alike with gentler, less demanding poses. Targeting the muscles that support the spine, Dharma 1 and 2 sessions incorporate the eight limbs and 40 phalanges of the style's philosophy into a series of asanas that promotes stamina, graceful flexibility, and the ability to imitate a statue. More advanced classes bump up the thermostat to 80 degrees in order to ensure a more invigorating workout with deeper stretches, and aromatherapy sessions encourage students to purchase pure essential oils before class and practice amid the calming scent of lavender or other botanical extracts. As a precursor to attending yoga classes, Arlington Yoga Center requires all new students to fill out a waiver and leave their pet howler monkeys at home.