I'm trying to get back into a fitness routine after gaining some weight recently and Joyful Yoga Studio is who I have turned to once again. Their Zumba classes are the most intense cardio I have ever experienced in a group exercise class. And the teachers keep the class fun so your energy level stays high! I absolutely love the fact that there is a Zumba toning class on Monday nights. I only use the two pound weights but you'd be surprised how much you feel it after an hour of dancing around with those things! That class is taught by Kisha who is a great teacher. She breaks down the moves in an easy to understand way and also keeps everyone in the class smiling with her boisterous attitude. It really is a party. I also attend the Thursday night class which was taught by Meredith who is another fantastic teacher (she really knows the latin hip moves!!) but was taken over by Catie when she went on maternity leave. Catie is a young teacher with a TON of energy so she really challenges her students to keep up with her. Both classes are at 7:30pm and so I appreciate the fact that they fit right in with my schedule since I work full time.
Joyful Yoga really fosters a very laid back and friendly atmosphere. Even though the classes are challenging, they are not competitive and beginners are always welcomed by the staff and teachers with open arms. It is a great opportunity to take some group exercise classes without having to commit to joining a gym. They have no membership fees and most classes are just $10 (and a few are only $5!). You can buy monthly unlimited passes or punch cards; those will save you some money if you visit regularly. Check out their website for the schedule and take a look also at their special workshops. I finally decided to take a 6 week Yoga 101 series about a year ago and it was a lot of fun and very educational. I still haven't started attending Yoga classes on a regular basis but I hear from my friends who to partake that Joyful is pretty top notch in that area, too!