Relief to Renaissance - Yoga's benefits lead couple to open Yoga Renaissance studios in West County

Chesterfield, MO—Brian Rice never dreamed he’d ever take a yoga class, but intractable back pain led the Manchester businessman to give it a try in 2003. Twelve years later, the pain and stress relief he’s experienced in the practice of yoga led him and his wife, Lilyann, to open Yoga Renaissance, a new yoga studio at the intersection of Clayton and Baxter roads in Chesterfield.

“My experience with yoga began in much the same way, and for the same reasons that it does for most people,” Brian said. I began my practice in a YMCA class. I was very skeptical, but I was fortunate in that I recognized its benefits almost immediately. Within a few months my range of motion and resistance to re-injury was significant. I was able to manage my back pain without medication. I went from being very skeptical of yoga to being an advocate.”

The fact that yoga has steadily increased in popularity across America wasn’t lost on the Rices, either. A study titled “Yoga in America,” commissioned by Yoga Journal and Sports Marketing Surveys USA, revealed that in just four years (2008-2012), the number of people discovering the ancient practice of yoga leaped from 15.8 million to 20.4 million—a 29 percent increase.

Like Brian, people are drawn to yoga seeking flexibility, general conditioning, stress relief, overall health improvement and physical fitness. But research shows they’re not willing to drive more than 25 minutes to a class. So when the Rices sought space for their studio, they were thrilled to find their current premises in the heart of West County.

“It turned out to be a perfect intersection of Chesterfield, Ballwin and the adjacent communities of Town & Country, Wildwood and Manchester,” Brian said. Their four years of market research and two years of scouting locations convinced the Rices that yoga practice would grow in health-and-fitness-conscious West St. Louis County for years to come.

Yoga Renaissance, which opened January 5 of this year, features two beautiful studios, a schedule of 22 classes per week, special workshops and a staff of more than 12 Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) certified yoga instructors. “Getting experienced, certified instructors was an important consideration for us,” Brian said. “We think the quality of instruction and the studio environment is critical to providing our clients with the kind of experience that maximizes the benefits of yoga practice and keeps them safe,” he added.

All of which makes experienced yoga practitioners happy—but beginners will find a warm welcome at Yoga Renaissance as well. The open-level classes in a non-competitive environment, friendly staffers, and sense of community at the studios all make even your first class a great experience.

For more information about the benefits of yoga and Yoga Renaissance go to www.yrstl.com, or call (636)733-6070. Yoga Renaissance is located at 14833 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017.