Jai Yoga, Braintree

If you had asked Brian Culkin years ago what he planned to do after an injury brought his professional basketball career to an end, he probably wouldn't have mentioned yoga. Culkin had graduated as the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Skidmore College basketball program, and he went on to play in the European circuit before returning to his native Boston to heal and recover his American accent. But despite success as the founder and CEO of a commercial and residential mortgage firm, Culkin felt unfulfilled. He abandoned his career in finance and moved to the renowned Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, where he studied meditation, yoga, and gestalt therapy from 2008–2009.

Inspired by what he had learned, Culkin then worked as a consultant and trainer leading workshops at the OpenMind Training Institute. He traveled the globe to speak on topics such as peak performance, creativity, and human potential, and opened Jai Yoga to share his vast knowledge with others.

In addition to relaxing Hatha sessions and heated power Vinyasa flow classes, Culkin and his team offer age-appropriate yoga classes designed specifically for kids and teens. They also lead strength and conditioning classes, fusion-style barre classes that combine ballet and yoga, and meditation sessions that promote self-awareness better than an afternoon spent trapped in a house of mirrors.