Buddha B Yoga, 1115 U Street, NW,
#202, Washington, DC
My specifics:
I’ve attended several classes at Buddha B taught by Krista Block (Jivamukti), Caitlin Van Hecke (Vinyasa), Gopi Kinnicutt (Prana Vinyasa), and Katie Fox-Boyd (Vinyasa).
The location & space:
I like Buddha B’s location because it is very close to the U Street metro (13th Street side). Although I don’t mind a good walk after yoga, I come straight from work and don’t normally have time for a walk before yoga and I also don’t like to get all hot and sweaty before yoga. It can be a little difficult to find because the door is actually on 12th Street and then you have to take an elevator or the stairs up one floor, but the space is really nice.
As Chesti mentioned, the reception area is quite small, but the check in process is a breeze with the key tag. There is very limited seating space (one small bench) and because of my recovering ankle I still need to sit down to put my shoes back on so it often takes me a few minutes to get out of there after class, which isn’t that much of an issue except that the reception area has no access to the AC vents and it gets really, really stuffy in there, especially if there are more than 4 people milling about. Anyway, that is just a very small annoyance. I really do like the space.
There are only two studio rooms, but they are both fairly spacious. As I learned the hard way, you can “fit” 20+ people in the big room. As in, there is room for 20 mats on the floor, but that does not mean there is room for 20 people to practice yoga. More on that below.
The classes:
If you recall from my Meridian review, I love Caitlin. She’s one of the reasons I bought the Buddha voucher from Groupon in the first place. Indeed, I’ve enjoyed all of the classes I’ve taken at Buddha B with one exception. First, the good:
I love Gopi’s Prana Vinyasa class.
My specifics:
I’ve attended several classes at Buddha B taught by Krista Block (Jivamukti), Caitlin Van Hecke (Vinyasa), Gopi Kinnicutt (Prana Vinyasa), and Katie Fox-Boyd (Vinyasa).
The location & space:
I like Buddha B’s location because it is very close to the U Street metro (13th Street side). Although I don’t mind a good walk after yoga, I come straight from work and don’t normally have time for a walk before yoga and I also don’t like to get all hot and sweaty before yoga. It can be a little difficult to find because the door is actually on 12th Street and then you have to take an elevator or the stairs up one floor, but the space is really nice.
As Chesti mentioned, the reception area is quite small, but the check in process is a breeze with the key tag. There is very limited seating space (one small bench) and because of my recovering ankle I still need to sit down to put my shoes back on so it often takes me a few minutes to get out of there after class, which isn’t that much of an issue except that the reception area has no access to the AC vents and it gets really, really stuffy in there, especially if there are more than 4 people milling about. Anyway, that is just a very small annoyance. I really do like the space.
There are only two studio rooms, but they are both fairly spacious. As I learned the hard way, you can “fit” 20+ people in the big room. As in, there is room for 20 mats on the floor, but that does not mean there is room for 20 people to practice yoga. More on that below.
The classes:
If you recall from my Meridian review, I love Caitlin. She’s one of the reasons I bought the Buddha voucher from Groupon in the first place. Indeed, I’ve enjoyed all of the classes I’ve taken at Buddha B with one exception. First, the good:
I love Gopi’s Prana Vinyasa class.
I
think it might be one of the best yoga classes I’ve ever taken. I’m not really sure what it is that makes the
class so good because when I try to think of specifics, I can really only think
of negatives. For instance, at the
beginning and end of class Gopi always tries to sell her India trip. I don’t love the sales pitch. Also, she seemingly cannot figure out how to
work her mp3 player as the music blasts and it can be hard to hear her. Also, the music doesn’t really fit the
practice. But, there is something very natural
about the way she teaches and I feel very refreshed at the end of a session
with her. She focuses a lot on breathing
and, although it is a flow class, we tend to hold poses for a tad longer which,
to me, feels like a better work out.
Also, she explains certain poses in a way that has made me realize I’ve
been doing them wrong for years (hello correct upward dog that doesn't hurt my back or neck!).
It’s no surprise that I enjoy Caitlin’s class. She too focuses a lot on breathing and, like Gopi, has explained poses in a way that more helpful than instruction I’ve received in the past. Caitlin offers a really solid class. A good work out, excellent breathing techniques, and flow and poses that work for practitioners of all levels. I leave feeling stronger, healthier, and more centered.
Krista’s class was a wonderful surprise. Chesti and I decided to try Jivamukti yoga as sort of a dare to each other because we had no idea what it was. It was awesome.
It’s no surprise that I enjoy Caitlin’s class. She too focuses a lot on breathing and, like Gopi, has explained poses in a way that more helpful than instruction I’ve received in the past. Caitlin offers a really solid class. A good work out, excellent breathing techniques, and flow and poses that work for practitioners of all levels. I leave feeling stronger, healthier, and more centered.
Krista’s class was a wonderful surprise. Chesti and I decided to try Jivamukti yoga as sort of a dare to each other because we had no idea what it was. It was awesome.
The class opened
up with a spiritual yoga lesson and then Sanskrit chanting. Although it’s not really my brand of
spirituality, I do find that if I put my judgments aside it does help me focus
on my upcoming practice and let go of the day.
Once we got moving, though, the class was unbeatable. Krista was tough and she pushed us, but it a
very encouraging way. It was the first
yoga class that I’ve ever taken where the instructor set the intention for
everyone. For my class, it was “play.” And we did.
We worked our kiesters off, but it was fun! Krista was a phenomenal instructor and I
found myself pushing myself without really knowing I was doing it. Krista seems to have the most amazingly
positive attitude and outlook, at least
with respect to her yoga practice and instruction. Just being around her was motivating.
Okay, now on to the one less than enjoyable class. I don’t think it had anything to do with Katie, the instructor, but the class was just over-full (20+ in the big room). Katie did a good job choosing poses that providing modifications so we did not hit or bump into each other, but it was still just too full for a good practice. I had maybe 12 inches of space between my mat and the mats to either side of me and less than that between my mat and the one in front and the wall behind me. AND, the worst part is that they kept letting people come in late. So, not only was the class interrupted by the opening of the door and someone getting equipment and setting up their mat, but we had to reshuffle several times to make more room. I was so agitated by the time we started class that it was really hard for me to focus on my practice. In addition, I had to be cognizant not to hit or kick the people next to or in front of me. Katie could be the best teacher in the world, but a class like that is just not going to be fun or useful. Ostensibly Buddha B has a policy of not allowing late students into class during the opening meditation, but it was certainly not enforced on that day.
Bottom line:
I really like Buddha B. A lot. It’s pricey though and they seem to favor new students over current ones (which is certainly not a fault reserved only to Buddha B) by providing the really good deals for new students only. If, however, you’ve never been to Buddha B, I’d highly recommend taking advantage of one of their current Groupon or Amazon Local deals. It’s a fantastic studio, the office staff is great (shout out to Darin!), and the instructors are awesome. If you are really into learning more about yoga either practically or academically, this is the place. Oh, and they have a Kermit Buddha, what more could you possibly want?!
Okay, now on to the one less than enjoyable class. I don’t think it had anything to do with Katie, the instructor, but the class was just over-full (20+ in the big room). Katie did a good job choosing poses that providing modifications so we did not hit or bump into each other, but it was still just too full for a good practice. I had maybe 12 inches of space between my mat and the mats to either side of me and less than that between my mat and the one in front and the wall behind me. AND, the worst part is that they kept letting people come in late. So, not only was the class interrupted by the opening of the door and someone getting equipment and setting up their mat, but we had to reshuffle several times to make more room. I was so agitated by the time we started class that it was really hard for me to focus on my practice. In addition, I had to be cognizant not to hit or kick the people next to or in front of me. Katie could be the best teacher in the world, but a class like that is just not going to be fun or useful. Ostensibly Buddha B has a policy of not allowing late students into class during the opening meditation, but it was certainly not enforced on that day.
Bottom line:
I really like Buddha B. A lot. It’s pricey though and they seem to favor new students over current ones (which is certainly not a fault reserved only to Buddha B) by providing the really good deals for new students only. If, however, you’ve never been to Buddha B, I’d highly recommend taking advantage of one of their current Groupon or Amazon Local deals. It’s a fantastic studio, the office staff is great (shout out to Darin!), and the instructors are awesome. If you are really into learning more about yoga either practically or academically, this is the place. Oh, and they have a Kermit Buddha, what more could you possibly want?!
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