Health & Fitness in Dover

Equipment: Yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, back care
Students should bring: Yoga mat, but if they forget or don't have one, we also have yoga mats available at the studio.
Average class length: 60–90 minutes
Number of Staff: 5–10 people
Class location: Indoors only
Established: 2013
Registration required: No
Good for beginners: Yes
Guests allowed: Yes
Parking: Parking lot
Pro Tip: Our meditative vinyasa yoga focuses on alignment for all levels, and is both challenging and calming.

Q&A with Deanna, Director

Exercise is challenging, and people frequently give up on their fitness routines. How do you keep clients motivated?
We offer alignment-focused vinyasa classes that challenge students while encouraging them to be mindful and listen to their bodies. These classes also teach them how to tailor their practices to their unique needs. We explore pranayama, chanting, meditation, and the deeper aspects of yogic philosophy. Students love how these practices help them connect to the physical world, as well as what lies beyond it.

Our teachers also walk the walk. They practice, and can therefore share and teach from a place of understanding, compassion, and personal experience. They provide a supportive, receptive space that is conducive to exploring time-tested practices in a way that helps students understand how the mental, emotional, and physical can work together as a whole. They invite students to take a good look at habits and patterns, to press boundaries, with the understanding that this helps to develop trust in our own experience and a healthy sense of self and discernment. The development of self trust—and the ability to flow with the ups and downs of life—is powerful.

What is the biggest mistake you see people make when trying to get fit on their own?
Beginners often become frustrated with yoga because they tried it without a good teacher. But the truth is, yoga welcomes everyone. It doesn’t matter what age you are, or whether or not you can reach your toes. It is a practice of awareness that nourishes the mind, body, and spirit. I also think that it's important to create a strong foundation in the basics so students take care of their bodies and their unique needs. This is especially important for beginners and is best achieved with guidance from a receptive, knowledgeable teacher during in-person lessons.

What is a typical session of your program or class like for a student?
We start with exploring some aspect of the ancient philosophy or psychology of yoga. Then through chanting and breathing, we warm up to focus the mind and add ingredients that we will be emphasizing in the physical practice. We do a meditative flowing vinyasa with mindful sequencing to challenge and press boundaries in a safe way. Eventually, we wind down with cooling, calming poses and meditation.

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