yoga studios in st. louis

I've lived in a St Louis for a couple years now, and I'm kind of a yoga nut (per yesterday's post, this is kind of turning into a yoga themed week!)  I've wanted to do a post on my favorite studios in St. Louis for a while, because I hate when a newbie has a bad experience on their first time out.  Whether you're new to yoga or just visiting and wanting to try a new class, here are some great studios, and their best teachers.  (In my humble opinion of course!)  

Urban Breath is the first yoga studio I tried in St. Louis, probably because I found it on so many "best of" lists.  They have an amazing first month deal, $30 for 30 days, and that's pretty hard to beat.  Any of the classes taught by Stacy Broussard are probably my very favorite in the city.  She teaches a lot of lunchtime classes, as well as some great beginner's classes in the evening, and prenatal yoga.  

Kim Winn also teaches here, and she's a St. Louis favorite.  Her lunchtime class on Fridays is an awesome way to start off your weekend.  Also, she will pretty much kick your butt!  

Laurie Brockhaus' classes are fantastic as well, and Mallory Nezam & Nathan Wolff teach wonderful vinyasa classes.  

If you want to zen out, Jee Moon's classes will leave you completely relaxed.  

I'd have to say that overall, Urban Breath has the best mix of teaching styles in St Louis.

Next up, for the adventurous yogis, my favorite hot studio:

This is the actual classroom in Yoga Six's St Louis studio.  Yes, it is that gorgeous, and probably holds the title of most beautiful yoga studio in the city.  When you first go to Yoga Six, you get 6 classes to try for free, and then your first month is 30% off.  

They offer heated yoga (not Bikram, just hatha in a heated space), which is my personal favorite, and most of the classes are done in series.  What I mean by that is, if you attend a specific class you'll always be doing the same series of poses.  Of course, there are lots of different teachers, and they each put their own spin on the classes.  They also offer Barre classes, and considering that they're included with a general membership, this makes Yoga Six a really great value.  Some Barre studios in St Louis charge upwards of $150/month for a membership, and with Yoga Six you get hot yoga, room temp yoga, and Barre classes for $110/month.  

Mel Bauer, Elle Potter, Rebekka Mars, Nathan Wolff, Carrie Martens, and Ashley Mastandrea are some of my favorite instructors at Yoga Six.  I should note, a lot of St. Louis area instructors teach at multiple studios.  For example, Carrie Martens and Nathan Wolff also teach at Urban Breath.  

Southtown Yoga has recently moved into a gorgeous new space in Lafayette Square, a charming old neighborhood.  Southtown Yoga is the only studio in St. Louis to teach Yogahour classes, which are, from my understanding traditional Hatha classes for only $7 that focus on a core grouping of poses.  I'll be taking my teacher training classes at Southtown starting in September because they offer a really flexible schedule for teacher training, and I think their instructors are all great.  My two favorites would have to be Brigette Finley and Candace Glass.  

Last, but not least on my list is probably Practicing Yoga.  I haven't been to this studio in person yet, because it's brand new, but I have attended classes in St. Louis taught by its founder.  I can't wait to go in person.  Roxanne Krummenacher has got to be one of the best instructors I've ever practiced under (she just led the 1500 person practice held at Busch Stadium with lululemon!) and I'm so glad she opened her own studio.  Also, how adorable is the the branding and logo?  

If you've ever have tried any of these studios or have other favorites let me know, I'd love to hear about them!  

*I also wanted to note - this is not a ranking of studios in St. Louis.  There are actually a few dozen places to practice yoga in St. Louis.  I've actually tried most of them, including a few of the gyms that just have yoga classes included in membership, but these are my absolute favorites!  

lululemon seventh inning stretch

On Thursday last week, I was lucky enough to take part in a yoga event at St Louis' Busch stadium.  As any Cardinal fan knows, this is sort of sacred ground.  My husband has never been so excited to accompany me to yoga class.  There was a lot of obsessing over how soft the grass is (okay, yeah, it was pretty soft.)  For me though, the excitement was getting to practice yoga with such a large group.  It was a pretty powerful experience.  If you've ever used Om as a mantra in a class, you know what power it holds, but imagine it with 1500 people!  

I think the best part had to have been when, mid class, the instructors stopped, the music turned up, and there was a 1500 person dance party on the field.  Silly to the max, we all started jumping around. 

 When class was over, the sun was just setting and it was a pretty perfect end to class, with a very loud Namaste.  So much good energy in St. Louis that night!  I hope they do something like this event every year, I would never miss it!  

weekend link love

Happy Friday!  Got any fun plans this weekend?  This weekend is our annual float trip, where about 30 of our nearest and dearest gather to camp by the river, a couple hours outside the city, and on Saturday we float down the river in rafts and tubes.  It is SO FUN, a little wild, and a totally perfect way to cap off the summer.  We're just praying it doesn't rain!  

A few fun links for your Friday...

This video is hilarious.  Blurred lines with preschool instruments?  

I'm always stealing everyone's stapler at work, so it's time I pick one up for my desk.  But why go boring when you can go grasshopper?

These and these are going to be my contribution to our food this weekend.  I kind of have a sweet tooth.    

The ultimate dinner - a floating pallet on a river.   How amazing!  

This week, I made my own ottoman following these instructions.  It was cheap, easy, and fun, and if you're looking for a weekend project I highly recommend it!  

I don't think I'll ever tire of cafe lights.  These are on sale for $23 and I'm seriously considering it.  Or, if you have a whole yard to yourself, this is a hell of a deal.  Think of the outdoor cocktail parties!  

style/beat the midwest heat

I know the September issues are officially out, but I am not giving up on our current season quite yet.  In the midwest, we usually keep it in the 80s until October, so flowy blouses and cutoffs are what I'm sticking with for now.  Swedish Hasbeens & Lotta clogs have been my favorite shoes this summer, but in the pic I'm wearing a pair I stole from my mom.  Speaking of which, I snapped this in my parents beautiful apartment, isn't it dreamy?  That chandelier...I just die.  

my outfit: nordstrom top/ae shorts/ralph lauren wedges

similar: blouse/shorts/clogs/necklace

wishlist - urban gardening

rope handled planter/herb scissors/plant mister/apartment gardening

I've been doing an increasing amount of gardening around my little apartment, and next up on my list is really expanding my herbs.  I need a cilantro plant, stat, because I go through a ridiculous amount of those little bundles from the grocery store.  Cilantro is the BEST.  I'm so glad I wasn't born with that gene that makes it taste like soap - although I suppose that if I had been, I wouldn't really care, because then cilantro would be the height of ick.  

That rope handled planter is where I'd like all my herbs to congregate, and those pretty scissors would keep me from crushing them when I cook.  I have a plain old spray bottle for a fern mister right now, but sometimes pretty things are worth quite a lot in life, and this brass version is so adorable and SHINY.  

And of course, so that I actually learn how to keep all these plants ALIVE, I'm continuing my education in horticulture.  Next up, this little apartment gardening guide I've heard so many good things about.  

I know it's inevitable that summer will end, but I'm going to keep it going indoors as long as I can.