Business Profile: Local Yoga Studio Offers Classes That Overlook The Hillsborough River

Twenty years ago, schoolteacher Maggie McLean envisioned a place in which people could learn more about yoga and how to experience healing in a safe, calming environment.

She made that dream a reality in 1991 when she opened TreeHouse Yoga Center in her home, where yogis in Temple Terrace can meditate, practice yoga and heal through yoga therapy and individual sessions. TreeHouse includes a yoga room and a garden room, and it overlooks the Hillsborough River.

Maggie served as instructor for several years, and then passed away from pancreatic cancer. Now, her daughter, Elizabeth Holland runs the center in an effort to keep Maggie’s dream alive.

“How many chances do you get to practice yoga in a setting like this,” Elizabeth said as she looked around her home. “We are really secluded back here, and its like we are in our own little oasis.”

According to Elizabeth, TreeHouse is one of the oldest yoga communities in the Tampa area. But because of the studio’s secluded location, it’s not as popular as it once was.

“This used to be one of the only places to practice yoga around here,” she said. “By standing here, you would have no idea that we are so close to Busch Gardens, and a lot of people don’t know about us unless they knew someone who practiced here.”

TreeHouse has a wide variety of ongoing classes. From beginner’s classes to invigorating Ashtanga classes, there is something for everyone, Elizabeth said.

And, the center offers free, donation-based healing sessions for people in the community experiencing stress. The sessions are run by Katy Prats, who is trained in the Pilgrimage Teachings and experienced with Reiki practice.

“People come to the sessions because they are very stressed out, and they feel like they are out of options,” Prats said. “Other people come because they need emotional healing, and others simply have health-related problems; the sessions help them feel a sense of peace.”

Prats said a typical healing session involves an hour of guided relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and a prayer of the individual’s choice.

“It doesn’t matter to us if someone is an Atheist, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, or anything else for that matter,” she said. “Whatever spiritual path they follow is the prayer we offer them in.”

There are also many upcoming events and sessions taking place in June, including a beginning yoga series that will be offered every Saturday for four weeks starting June 4. The class will run from 10:45 a.m. to noon and costs $50.

Also starting soon is a beginning Tai Chi class that will be offered every Monday for six weeks from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. starting June 7. The cost is $75.

TreeHouse is also offering a “Kitchen Sink Yoga” class that will take place on June 12 at 4:30 p.m. This is an eclectic hour-long class designed for all levels that will involve a little bit of everything. A vegetarian potluck will follow, and people are encouraged to bring a covered dish or $5.

Single classes are $15 but are offered for $12 for students and seniors. Multiple classes can also be purchased in a package. TreeHouse also has a work-study program for anyone who cannot afford yoga classes. Garden and cleaning work can be done in exchange for classes.

For more information and a detailed class schedule, visit www.treehouseyoga.com or call 813-932-5456.