Rasa Yoga Shala Opens in West Hartford Center

The modest size of the newly opened Rasa Yoga Shala in West Hartford Center speaks volumes about the vision owner/instructor Christina Febbroriello has for her nascent studio.

Indeed, the 1,600-square-foot space located on the second floor at 36 LaSalle Road can comfortably fit 30 practitioners, which enables more personal, intimate instruction of the Vinyasa-style yoga taught at the studio.

Vinyasa yoga involves linking breath with creative, dynamic movement that is designed to create a meditative link between the mind and the body.

“It can be powerful and athletic, and it can also be gentle and slower moving,” said Febbroriello in an interview Wednesday, noting that she wants to bring a fresh, unique perspective to Vinyasa yoga to West Hartford.

The smaller classes will help create more of a sense of community, according to Febbroriello.

“I want to create a real close neighborhood here,” she said.

Rasa (which means the essence of our being) Yoga Shala currently offers 18 classes per week taught by four instructors in four different levels, ranging from beginner to advanced. Febbroriello said that she plans to expand the schedule as the studio gains more of a following.

Febbroriello and instructor Michelle Sutton both stress that Rasa Yoga Shala is not a sanctuary for yoga snobs.

“We should never lose sight of our first class,” Febbroriello said. “We can never forget that we were all beginners at one point, and we keep that perspective. You don’t have to be cool, or pretty, or rich or in shape” to take classes.

“Everyone at every level is welcome, from beginners to experts,” Sutton added. “What I love about the space is you can give dedicated, hands-on instruction in a personal, intimate setting. Not everyone is comfortable or ready for a studio that has huge classes.”

The studio’s roots go back 12 years ago, when Febbroriello took her first class during a particularly difficult point in her life.

Febbroriello credits yoga for keeping her centered both in mind and body during that rough time.

“Yoga has had such a profound impact on me personally, I wanted to share that and offer it to other people,” Febbroriello said.

Toward that end, she opened her own studio, Braveheart Yoga, 5 ½ years ago and ran it out of her East Granby home.

Febbroriello shuttered Braveheart last October and, with the encouragement of a friend, set her sights on opening a studio in West Hartford, which was “a big step – a big leap.”

The students in Sutton’s Wednesday evening class seemed pleased that Febbroriello took that step.

“The studio is beautiful,” Debbie Belaus said. “The teachers are well-trained and it’s more than just a physical practice. It’s the whole philosophy of yoga…I like the smaller studio because I get more out of it on a personal level.”

Classes cost $16 for drop-ins, $39 for a three-class card, $139 for 10 classes and $159 for a one-month unlimited plan.

There is a six-class kids’ plan for $65.

For more in formation, visit www.rasayogastudio.com.