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Dhyana Yoga
Rating Details »
Neighborhoods: Rittenhouse Square, Penn Center
1611 Walnut St
4th Fl
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 496-0770
1611 Walnut St
4th Fl
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 496-0770
- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sun. 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- No
16 reviews for Dhyana Yoga
I have enjoyed all the classes I've been to at the Rittenhouse studio, even though they were very different. Dhyana's Kundalini class was my introduction to the studio, and it absolutely rocked my world. The energy is incredible.
Weekend classes tend to fill up, so get there early and don't be shy about brushing up against your neighbors. My only complaint about the lovely studio space is that the ladies' locker area is crowded with things and people before and after classes.
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I have loved my experience at Dhyana studio. I took a three week class that kicked my ass in all the right places. The teacher spoke a little too much for me but i had a great time anyway. I can't wait to take another class.
You should check it out!
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I go to the West Philly location as it is a five minute walk from my place. Beautiful studio, big windows, good teachers. The best deal if you practice more than once a week or so is the "unlimited" 3 month pass for 250.00.
They do a little retail in the studio but I found the products very expensive and not especially worth it.
The teachers are excellent--I especially recommend Justicia and Kevin or Leila. Justicia is very alignment focused which is great for injury prevention during a more "athletic" flow class.
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Take Jonathan D.'s all levels hatha class at west philly at DY (3945 Chestnut). He has an outstanding capacity to convey important information about each pose and at the same time is able to be very entertaining.
With Jonathan, you will understand how to approach each pose with confidence and safety. You will learn more from him about a pose than from most any other teacher in philly.
My own knowledge of yoga has been completely redefined and improved and I have only taken his class a handful of times. Lastly, I feel like a million bucks after his class.
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Since returning to Philly (Thought it was temporary, but it looks like it is for good)...Have visited two Dhyana studios, the new one in West Philly and the new space in Rittenhouse.
West - The space is perfect for the area. It was still somewhat under construction when I went, but it still had a great vibe and welcoming faces. It was a basic Vinyasa class, packed because it was free opening weekend. Lots of room though to move, no bumping into other people. Looking forward to revisiting as it reaches completion.
Rittenhouse - Took Dhyana's class for the first time, a more advanced Vinyasa flow that was lots of fun, very cleansing. Just getting used to the double rows facing each other to practice, used to everyone facing the same direction. Dhyana is a gifted teacher. Beautiful, wise, soothing, but challenging. Left feeling refreshed and sweaty. Great space. The only issue for me is the parking if you have to park...But Philly is always a bitch with parking. Se la vie.
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This is a great studio in an awesomely convenient location. Four floors up there's no sign of the busy streets outside, warm colors and the sweet smell of incense, with a staff that is very friendly and helpful. They offer a lot of classes throughout the day and week (here and at their Old City location), as well as frequent weekend workshops, retreats, teacher trainings, and special guest instructors. They have discounts if you buy multiple or monthly class cards.
I wholly recommend their $30 two week unlimited to try it out; each instructor has a slightly different style so try a couple different classes to see what suits you. I frequent the all-levels class which is true to its name, tho if you've never tried yoga before you'd prolly be more comfortable starting with a beginner's class or workshop.
A few other things:
- new poses get mixed in every now and then, which (coming from strictly Ashtanga) was a little jarring but refreshing to get to try out new stuff. They encorporate breath and flow, but not as strictly as I've found in Ashtanga
- they play music thru most of the class, which I'd never encountered before and found really distracting at first. Now I hardly notice, and when I do it can be really soothing while trying to hold a difficult position. It was also explained to me that they practice music therapy as well, believing music can have as much benefit as the physical practice.
- for most of the classes I've been to there is a period of meditation at the beginning of class, some yogi teachings and chanting is involved. Try to be open minded and take from it what you will =)
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Preface: To anyone looking to try yoga or needing a new yoga buddy, send me a message or comment! I'm always looking for more yoga motivation and would love to meet more people interested in going.
Now for my actual review...
I haven't been to Dhyana since they moved to the 16th and Walnut location, but I have no doubt that the space is just as nice (if not better) than the 18th and Chestnut studio. I went three times with the new student pass and it was a really wonderful introduction to yoga. The space is clean and calming, the instructors are thoughtful, and the others in the class seemed engaged and focused. The schedule is also really amendable to those with a 9-5 as well as a less traditional work day.
Kundalini is my favorite class in particular -- it's a more stretching/breathing-centric yoga as opposed to exercised-based Vinyasa poses. In the Kudalini classes, they encourage you to close your eyes as to not focus on others', which I really appreciated.
I've been practicing for a year now, although instead of Dhyana I go to a friend's house once a week (they bring in an instructor and we each pay $5). Anyway, that is going to end soon, so I'm looking to find a weekly course (I'm still in the beginner/intermediate-ish level) and my sights are set on Dhyana. I'd highly recommend you try it out if you're looking to explore yoga or if you need a new studio in Center City!
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I went here a few times when I was with the Obama campaign; it's mostly Vinyasa and even the "beginning" classes I found really challenging. Definitely dynamic and emphasizing movement!
It's a beautiful studio up a few floors. The teachers were great. I was very pleased! Prices comparable to other studios.
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I've practiced yoga for years at different places, and I really appreciate the variety of styles of yoga all offered under one roof-- The atmosphere is friendly and warm, yet serious and rooted in the traditions. The facility is clean and peaceful and the practices are rigorous. I used to do only power yoga, but I've found my body seems to prefer a variety of styles of yoga.
I brought a first-time friend to a Dhyana's Sunday morning class and she loved it. She admitted it was just as physically intense as pilates and she found it refreshing to hear Dhyana's words echo the great spiritual leaders.
The workshops and immersion courses are wonderful! Even if you're completely new, the environment is very inclusive and warm-- just dive right in!
I've been to a few yoga studios in Philly and Dhyana Yoga is by far my favorite. While their prices are comparable to other places ($15/ 90-minute class, discounted rates if you purchase a class card), the studio is clean and can hold a lot of people, the staff is welcoming, and the instructors I've had are friendly, attentive, and helpful. Most of their classes are in the Vinyasa and Kundalini styles, but there are also a few Yin and Ashtanga classes scattered throughout the week. On average, there are four or five classes a day, so it's really easy to find a class that fits your schedule. Also, they offer a teacher certification course for those interested in going down that path.
My only gripe about this place is that they don't offer student discounts or 1 discounted class a week, but this seems an unfair criticism since very few studios in Philly seem to offer these options.
That being said, I was happy to find out that they're currently offering a new student deal, $30 for two weeks of unlimited yoga...pretty sweet, considering that one class at the regular price is $15.
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Dhyana yoga has two locations; 16th & Walnut (right next to American Apparel) and 2nd & Arch and both spots are wonderful and welcoming with caring, spirited, good-energy teachers.
If you are a new student, your first class is FREE on a Friday. And then you can sign up for two weeks of UNLIMITED yoga for $30. Even if you've never tried yoga before, I highly recommend you take advantage of this deal and get immersed....your whole life will change!
Everyone I've ever encountered at both studios has been very friendly and warm and I would recommend Dhyana yoga to everyone! Beginners should not be intimidated and experienced yogis will love the unique sequencing and varied styles of the many teachers.
I would recommend every class and every teacher! This place is heaven on earth!
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Best yoga studio in Philly. Ive been to both the Old City location and Center City and they equally welcoming and beautiful with lots of natural light. The instructors are amazing as well, demonstrating a true love for the practice and complete attention to the students. The general atmosphere is calm and pleasant without any competitiveness or judgment. I also recommend checking out the weekend workshops as they offer some really fun and interesting activities with guest teachers.
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5 minutes of frogs. That was my introduction to Kundalini Yoga at Dhyana Yoga. If you are unfamilar with the frog, it is an intense deep squat in which you bend and extend your knees (over and over again for FIVE MINUTES). Doesn't sound like yoga? It's Kundalini, an intense, spiritually rich style of yoga that incorporates highly concentrated periods of activity (aerobic, holding a deep yoga pose, breath of fire) interspersed with periods of relaxation. The point? To raise the practitioner's level of creative energy. I don't recommend Kundalini before bed time (at least I could never sleep) but it is my absolutely favorite form of yoga and is the specialty of Dhyana Yoga.
Dhyana also has yoga flow, yoga 101 and gentle yoga which are the bendy-twisty routines to which many yoga practitioners are accustomed. Other features are meditation classes, yoga teacher training classes and Thai Massage (assisted yoga).
Dhyana is a sweetheart and the studio is stunning with huge windows and high ceilings (don't worry, it's up a few levels so nobody can see you struggling into downward facing dog).
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i usually start new years resolutions with a force that scares people. yoga every day. last year (different place) i often went a little overboard with two classes a day. so i want to review this place before my resolve withers away into "i had resolutions??" which will surely happen in about three months, which is what it took last year. still, after three months of obsessive yoga last year i was in the best shape i'd been in in about a decade. so i signed up for the 3-month class card at dhyana yoga in hopes that i'll take full advantage of it through the end of march, and then we'll reevaluate my yoga obsessiveness.
they sell per-class memberships as well as unlimited monthly or yearly ones. i definitely prefer and recommend the unlimited memberships because it's more motivating of a mentality to go often, since the more classes you go to the cheaper each class ends up being. whereas with the single class cards, i'd probably easily talk myself out of many a yoga class, if i just didn't feel like walking the mile and a half there in this bitter winter cold to pay $15 for a class, whereas i could just stay home and troll yelp & the internet and save $15. :)
anyway. i was very worried going in that i'd be up against a bunch of uber-fit yuppies who all manage to look flawless in spandex while performing various inversions. not the case. the classes i've been to have all been very diverse, and i've never felt like the least adept in the class. while there's no way i'm doing a headstand anytime soon, i've found that there are different poses where i excel, which make it OK that i can't stand on my head. this is not a competitive place. i don't get the impression that anyone really judges or shows off here. once i realized that it really helps me push my own competitive instincts away for the duration of the classes. i prefer the noon/daytime weekday classes to the evening weekend classes for this reason - there's a very relaxed spirit when you are stretching your stress away while the rest of the world is at work.
i've only been to the old city location and it's beautiful, with natural light and heated floors. all of the teachers i've met so far have been wonderful, all challenging and each class is different. there is a good bit of chanting which i am learning to get used to. all of the teachers play music (some better than others) and some light incense, which i do personally like but i know might bother others. most of the teachers will walk around the room and adjust you so it helps if you don't mind being touched. i never mind being touched. :) the all-levels classes are open to everyone, however it's probably best to have a basic understanding of the postures as they're often called out as the teacher walks the room. they do offer beginner classes, though i haven't tried one of those yet. i also haven't tried (want to try) the kundalini classes but these seem to be offered only at the rittenhouse location which isn't really walking distance for me. at least not in this cold weather. there are a couple of 'vinyasa plus' classes which generally means just a quicker flow sometimes with a couple of strength/pilates moves thrown in, however i've not seen any advanced classes offered. not that i'd need them anyway! i still can't do a headstand!
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Great yoga studio with excellent teachers. In the summer turns into hot yoga by osmosis. WE like d flow.
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good yoga. nice space. john v is hot
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