Redmond Yoga Studios Posed For Change

Today marks a new sun salute for two local yoga businesses that are moving to new locations.

Flow Yoga opens in its new location today at Health Within, 8226 196th Ave. NE, and will offer free classes through June 6, according to its Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Discover Yoga prepares to move into Flow Yoga’s previous location at 15744 Redmond Way, in Redmond Center. Discover Yoga will officially open in that space on June 18, said Alison Eliason, owner of Discover Yoga.

It will be a step forward for the business, which was founded in 1997 and has been in its current location at 16615 Redmond Way since about 1998. Eliason, a former student, bought the studio in 2005 and said she hopes the business will benefit from its new location, which will provide increased space and greater visibility.

“Our clientele has not grown a lot, though it’s been steady,” she said. “We’ll have room to grow.” Discover Yoga also is seeking additional teachers.

Flow Yoga has occupied its space at Redmond Center for about six years and told its members in a newsletter that the new location will be less expensive and offer a serene setting for classes.

Discover Yoga, which has been located in the same building as a children’s music school, will be expanding its space from 700 to 2,100 square feet, and Eliason said its members will benefit from the hardwood floors for standing poses. Discover currently occupies a space that is fully carpeted.

Eliason said the yoga studios in the area tend to have different offerings and often work together to make yoga practice accessible to clients.

“It’s a nice community,” she said.

Discover Yoga is purchasing some of Flow Yoga’s equipment and fixtures, and the Yoga Barn of Issaquah has been working with other companies while it seeks a new space after losing its lease, Eliason said.

People typically for different things in yoga, Eliason said, from the meditation piece to balancing other sports regimens.

“For some, it’s used to balance other sports; they are looking for flexibility. For others, it’s their primary activity,” she said, adding that many are also seeking a physical challenge.

What most practitioners seek overall, however, is balance.

“It’s the practice on the mat that helps us be who we are off the mat,” she said.