Good for the Soul
The power of yoga at Wild Lotus, "It's completely changed my life," Ruby Spells said, sharing her experience at Wild Lotus as a community member and yoga lover.
"Something I love about Wild Lotus is it respects that āsana (physical posture) is only a fraction of yoga. Yoga is a way of life. It's not just a workout or getting hot and staying hot."
She said the studio welcomes everyone, regardless of appearance or age. "Wild Lotus is an incredible, diverse community. I do yoga next to an 80-year-old and a 16-year-old."
She added that attire at Wild Lotus shifted her perception of yoga. Wearing whatever she wants feels symbolic of the studio's approach. The anecdote that changed her perception of yoga from being at Wild Lotus is the teacher who wears bright lipstick to class. "It's integrating your everyday life and your whole self into your practice and that's why I love that some of my teachers show up with red lipstick on," Spells said. "It's because it's not a workout. It's about integration." Teachers sometimes wear fun earrings and glitter on their cheeks, too.
Lotus Flows, Serenity Yoga, Bhakti Flow, Roots and Reset, Sound Baths, and BIPOC Yoga are some classes offered. From mellow to spicy, you can find a class that meets your wants and needs.
Wild Lotus honors spiritual practices with workshops, religious practices, loud music nights, and readings. "I encourage people to forget what they think they know about yoga and enter with openness and curiosity," Spells advised.
Ways to Make Your Yoga Calendar
ClassPass is a subscription service app that many locals use for access to multiple yoga studios. Instead of buying a membership to one studio, you book classes with credits linked across many. If you find a favorite studio, monthly or yearly memberships are available. Drop-ins are great for occasional visits, with individual classes ranging from $10-25. Register for a class today.
Local Yoga Studios With Unique Classes to Visit in NOLA
Nola Vibe Yoga - Hotel Peter and Paul, Livaudais Hall, and Bayou Saint John
Nola Vibe Yoga hosts classes in several unique locations, including historic New Orleans churches. Visit Hotel Peter and Paul or Livaudais Hall to practice among stained-glass windows and resonant acoustics for a peaceful, spiritual experience. More information is available at nolavibeyoga.com.
Clown Yoga - Music Box Village
Yes, clowns. Dress up, clown around, and stretch out. Clown Yoga New Orleans is "Vinyasa with a Twist," run by Bambi Maloney. Classes have been held at Music Box Village and Clouet Gardens. This family-friendly experience encourages clown attire and costumes along with rubber chickens, face painting, red noses, and kid centered games. Stay updated on Instagram @clownyoga_nola or at clownyoga.com.
Live Oak - 6113 Magazine St.
For a true New Orleans homey feel, head to Live Oak, a shotgun house behind a huge oak tree on Magazine Street. Its cozy room is perfect for all levels. Classes include vinyasa flow, prenatal yoga, and candlelight flow. Prenatal yoga is for all stages of pregnancy and meets Thursdays at 5:15 p.m. with instructor Laura. For more info, visit liveoakyoganola.com.
Yes Yoga - 8338 Oak St.
Yes Yoga is known for providing hot yoga in a dark, ambient, spacious studio. Hot yoga is typically done at 105 degrees to warm muscles and increase flexibility. After class, you'll leave glowing with endorphins. Doors lock at the start, so don't be late. Classes include Hot Classic, Yin Yoga, Hot Vinyasa, and Lila Flow, offering deep stretches, restorative practices, and breathwork. More information can be found at yesyoganola.co.
Paradigm Gardens - 1131 S. Rampart St.
Need animal time? This studio invites baby pygmy goats to join your relaxing yoga class. Practice cat and cow stretches beside a real goat at Paradigm Gardens. A light breakfast from Empanola is included with your pass. Find out more about their goat yoga at
paradigmgardensnola.com/goat-yoga.
Swan River Yoga Mandir - 2940 Canal St.
Located in a 1911 public library, Swan River Yoga transformed the library's reading room into a meditative space with a 1930 mural by Edward Schoeberger. The spiritual space, mandir, has been Swan River's home since 2010. The studio offers sound baths, chanting, breathwork, massage workshops, hypnotic shavasana, and insight into yogic history. More info is available at swanriveryoga.com.
Sculpt Yoga - 514 City Park Ave.
Want a Pilates-infused practice? Sculpt Yoga focuses on strengthening, from high-intensity core and cardio to Pilates and restorative yoga. This studio blends traditional yoga with interval training. Classes are seven days a week and include HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) and MELT (Myofascial Energetic Length Technique). Visit sculptneworleans.com.
Bloom Yoga NOLA - 1225 Mandeville St.
A woman-owned studio, Bloom Yoga offers heated and non-heated classes. Its mission is to foster empowerment and authentic expression. Classes include Heated Yoga, Power Flow, Sculpt Flow, and a weekly class called Centering Black Voices in Practice. Find out more at bloomyoganola.com.
Spyre - 772 Prytania St.
Spyre Nola offers yoga, café bites, sound baths, dancing, and a pool. Additional services include hydrotherapy, dry float, massage, reiki, red-light therapy, and an infrared sauna. The space was once a Norwegian travelers' church called the Scandinavian Jazz Church. In fact, "spyre" comes from "spire," meaning steeple. Learn more at spyrecenter.com or @spyre_nola.
Wild Lotus Yoga - 4842 Perrier St.
Wild Lotus honors "Earth spirituality" and heart-centered teachings that include singing, creative movement, art, and poetry. Classes include Bhakti Flow, Lotus Flow, Serenity Yoga, Root and Reset, conscious breathwork workshops, and classic foundations. The studio also offers yoga teacher training (LYTT), which is a six-month-long program. Learn more at wildlotusyoga.com.
