Small Biz Spotlight: Seacoast Power Yoga

An instant calming effect washes over you when you walk into Seacoast Power Yoga.

A lime-green back wall with a grassy outline sprouts above the warm wood floor of owner Tara Whitney's studio, which looks out onto the Squamscott River.

It's a hidden gem, situated at 109 Water Street on the riverside business block.

Whitney opened the studio in July 2011 and has been encouraged by its growth. Last month, over 50 new people signed up for to take yoga there.

"We've had people from Portsmouth, Kittery ... a woman even came in from northern Massachusetts," Whitney said. "I've been really pleased with how to community has embraced this yoga."

Whitney teaches Baptiste-inspired Power Vinyasa Yoga, a total-body yoga program that uses heated rooms to maximize workouts. It's inspired by yoga guru Baron Baptiste.

Whitney heats her studio to between 86 and 90 degrees. It obviously makes people sweat a lot, which Whitney said has a detoxifying effect on the body.

To promote her business, Whitney has leveraged social media. She has a Facebook page, Twitter account, and recently posted a Foursquare sticker on the front door to encourage users to check-in when they take a class.

As a Valentine's Day special, Whitney is offering a deal where people who bring in a new student can practice for free from Feb. 13-19.

In addition to teaching classes, Whitney has used her business for charitable work. She recently to donate to a program that provides meals and fuel to needy Seacoast families.

Below are some vitals about the business:

• Web site: http://seacoastpoweryoga.com
• Owner: Tara Whitney
• Founded: July 2011
• Hours: Class times vary. A schedule can be found here
• Cost: Varies. Drop-ins are $14; a monthy pass is $120. Various discounts are offered. A fee schedule can be found here
• Latest deals: People who bring in a new student can get a free class from Feb. 13-19

Are you a small business in Exeter that would like to be featured in this column? E-mail jason.claffey@patch.com