…have yoga mat will travel

Yoga Shala of Portland – North Williams

Researchin’, surfin’ and just plain askin’ our fellow bandana wearin’ brethren to point us in the right direction, always gets us straight to the “not to miss” yoga studios on the west coast. Today, we were lovin’ the guiding words…”Hey YoYo’s… if you miss Yoga Shala…you’ll miss yoga in Portland.” that came from “ready to lend a helping hand” Claudia, in Seattle.

North Williams Street

Located in outer Mississippi, or was that outer Alabama, or was that just north of south…seems the folks in this ‘hood have a slight identity crisis on what to call this area… so much so, they are actually holding a clever name contest for the strip of land that claims hip restaurants, coffee houses, small cafes and one-of- a-kind; toy, cooking and design stores. This surprising block in the NE area looks like an old warehouse with an ancient loading dock turned deck that opens to the sun. In the midst, shining like a beacon, sits Yoga Shala.

Yoga Shala

Antique, turned cutting-edge, glass garage doors open to expose the entire 1st floor of this unique studio where everything yogi awaited. The YoYos were blown away to see stairs leading to a 2nd floor open loft with; not one…not two… but three….killer studios. The “omg” ceiling was super giant rounded wood; the walls…a kaleidoscope of Portland urban and the offerings were off the charts!

World-Class Kirtan

Pranayama series in one room, a plethora of immersion classes from talented instructors in the other, and Kirtan performances in the mother of all rooms with walls that open to seat 250…yep, 250, are common in this Center for Yoga which regularly hosts coveted performances and workshops from renowned artists and yoga greats.

Located in outer –wherever, Yoga Shala NE is the expanded creation of owner Jodi Kurilla with the ever-popular original Yoga Shala remaining in the SE. Tonight, slowin’ things way down, the YoYos basked in an easy to follow, entertaining beginning class from Tracy Vogel, manager of this yoga nucleus to see just how this super successful studio kick-starts its community of loyal yogis.