Asha Yoga, Sacramento

The word asha translates to "alive and well"—a phrase that fits Asha Yoga's mission to provide the community with a place to cultivate a healthy, well-rounded yoga practice. Founder Cori Martinez expounds on this vision in a virtual orientation, explaining that although the studio does not promulgate a particular style of yoga, it does adhere to basic yogic principles: the integration of breath and movement, the practice of meditation, and the balance of effort and ease. The studio incorporates these facets into classes for students of all ability levels. "We know that each person has different needs and we support that," Martinez explains. Seven days a week, a dozen teachers, including Martinez, guide students through poses that lengthen and strengthen muscles. They also offer a teacher-training program for aspiring instructors or students who want to deepen their practice.

Beyond classroom hours, a handful of teachers maintain blogs that break down common myths about yoga. One recent entry shed light on the misconception that yoga is for flexible people, while another busted the myth that yoga is a dairy product made of fermented milk.