welcome to your yoga home.
We believe that all bodies are yoga bodies.
We work hard to make sure that every body that steps on the mat with us feels welcome, comfortable, + safe.
We teach you how to use yoga to feel your best: physically, mentally, + emotionally.
We love working with newbies every bit as much as we do experienced students.
We're more than just a studio; we're a community.
(and we always have chocolate.)
This is yoga for real life.
Come experience the difference for yourself.
We offer two types of yoga: Flow and Yin. (More on that below.)
We never "heat" our classes - the room is always kept at a comfy 72-74 degree temperature.
We offer props + options so that you can tailor the practice to your personal needs + goals.
We're totally secular - no religious music, chanting, altars, or references of any kind.
We keep our teaching down to earth and based on anatomical science.
We play great music to give your mind something to focus on instead of your to-do list.
In Flow (or "Vinyasa") yoga, we link our movements to our breath. This practice is designed to calm your mind and strengthen + soothe the body.
We offer Flow classes for all experience levels. Our sensible class names, clear descriptions, and strong studio standards ensure that you always get the experience you expect.
This style of yoga is fantastic for all levels of experience, and is focused on deep stretching + relaxation.
Yin yoga is a therapeutic practice that is an amazing complement to high intensity workouts (like running, triathloning, spinning, climbing, etc.).
It's also great for people whose bodies are stiff from sitting at a desk all day.
don't just take our word for it...
Best yoga studio I've ever been to. Everyone is so friendly and builds a trusting community. I've been going there less than 1 week and have already been 5 times and feel completely at home there. Incredible instructors, relaxing atmosphere, and just such a down to earth, kind vibe. It feels like a true oasis each time I go, and I feel like I can escape the hectic chaotic culture of city life. They embrace mindfulness and self acceptance. I couldn't recommend this enough!
-Shayna F.
I never thought I would do yoga, let alone enjoy it. I thought it was meant for a certain body type and that I would be immediately judged just stepping into the studio. I couldn't have been more wrong based on my experience here. The staff was warm and inviting and made me feel comfortable enough to admit that I had never done yoga and I was very intimidated. They eased my nerves and assured me that I was welcome regardless of my flexibility, strength, balance, or knowledge of any yoga poses or phrases. After just 3 classes, I already feel more confident about not just my yoga practice but also about my body. If you're a newbie to yoga or you've been intimidated by your past yoga experiences, I cannot recommend this studio enough for you.
- Emily H.
Great studio! Let's be honest, yoga studios can be intimidating environments. There are all sort of stereotypes for the "who" of yogis. I don't wear lululemon; I love cheeseburgers; and I have zero core muscles! With that said, I enjoy yoga and wanted a comfortable studio. Found it all here! A wonderful studio to clear your mind and heal.
-Sara F.
I'm Alia, owner of Oak + Lotus Yoga, and I just wanted to introduce myself and share a bit of my story with you. I'm a recovering attorney turned entrepreneur, and after a long and winding journey, found my calling as a yoga teacher and studio owner.
But first, I was a student. I began practicing yoga at the same time I began practicing law, and in the beginning, I kept coming back because I liked the way it made my body feel. Then I noticed that I was always in a good mood after a yoga class; and, perhaps more importantly, that when I skipped yoga, I was NOT in so good of a mood! And so began my journey into the stress-relieving benefits of yoga.
Welcome!
Ever since then, my yoga practice has been a crucial tool for maintaining my physical, mental, and emotional health. (To learn more about my yoga journey, click here.)
I practiced law for nearly five years before jumping ship to build a career that actually used my superpowers and passions. Two years - and a few other careers - later, I opened East Side Yoga, my first yoga studio, in Washington, DC in early 2015.
Four years later, I moved back to my hometown of Austin, TX and opened Oak + Lotus, my second studio, in the rapidly growing St. Elmo District of south Austin.
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to permanently close our DC studio. However, I was able to unite our community online under the Oak + Lotus umbrella, and am so grateful that the internet allows us to stay connected and continue practicing together from all corners of the world. I plan to reopen our Austin studio in summer 2021, and can't wait to return to teaching and practicing and connecting in person!
My mission as a teacher is to teach you how to use yoga to feel your best mentally, physically, and emotionally.
The mission behind my yoga studios is to create a community where all bodies feel welcome, safe, and included - especially those that have had negative experiences with movement or fitness in the past.
From the moment you walk in, you'll notice that we do things a little bit differently from other yoga studios. And I hope you love it as much as I do.
Welcome to Oak + Lotus Yoga - I'm so glad you're here!