Stoughton Yoga made a lasting impression at Stoughton High School when it became a nonprofit organization in 2016, offering affordable and accessible classes and even free classes to the community.
After hearing comments in the halls and friends asking me if I’d been to Stoughton Yoga, I decided to give it a try. The studio is located in the downstairs building at 101 Silverado Drive. The parking lot is not the most convenient, but I eventually found an angled parking spot. I entered the building and was met by an unattended entrance desk. There was a small seating area and a few signs naming all the different businesses in the shared building. I followed the signs for “Stoughton Yoga,” which led me downstairs and past BD Aesthetics. An open door at the bottom of the stairs welcomed me to a small room where I left my personal belongings. There were already shoes on small batches of rocks that added a comforting touch to the room. Hooks lined the walls, and a small yoga figure sat next to a soft-lit lamp. I dropped my shoes and coat, exited the room, and entered the studio to my left.
Clearly, I was not a regular. This Saturday morning walk-in class consisted of mostly middle-aged women. The instructor, who I later learned is Christine Cook Mania, asked if I had ever been to a Stoughton Yoga class and had me fill out a waiver.
I placed my yoga mat on a marked spot on the floor. The studio was a wide, open space with soft lights that calmed the room. Small swirls decorated every wall, with a few plants in each corner and a tapestry hanging in the back. A shelf held class materials, like, yoga mats, foam blocks, and yoga straps.I grabbed two foam blocks and a strap as the teacher instructed.
The class was not full, but it felt cozy. Unlike most yoga classes, there was no music playing. While some believe music can cloud your brain while practicing yoga, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the silence mixed with the sound of people breathing.
Christine began to lead the class with basic breathing exercises that helped loosen our bodies.One of the breathing exercises the class did involved positioning our hands in the shape of a lotus flower and folding our hands in on the inhale, and out on the exhale. Next, she guided us through some basic stretching, which was later followed by more challenging poses that made me realize my flexibility was a joke. I would laugh at myself as I could barely do the exercise correctly without falling over.
Christine did an excellent job allowing each individual to move at their own comfort level. She asked before making adjustments and constantly gave alternate versions of exercises that may be difficult.
The yoga studio is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It offers a variety of special events, including Friday Family Fun Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Acoustic Yin. Their weekly schedule features classes like Slow Flow Yoga, Mindful Flow Yoga, Gentle Slow Yoga, and more. Participants must be at least fourteen to attend a class unless otherwise stated. Christine teaches the Saturday class every week.
I enjoyed learning new yoga techniques that I hadn’t experienced at pricier yoga studios. Despite the limited space and money put into the studio, Stoughton Yoga truly creates a welcoming space for people to relax without the stress of paying for an arm and a leg for a class. The business has a variety of sponsors who provide financial support and all classes operate on a pay-what-you-can basis. Donations go directly to the instructors.
The environment at Stoughton Yoga was welcoming to all experience levels. Whether you’re a beginner looking to try something new or a regular, Stoughton Yoga provides classes for all. I highly recommend this for people of all ages; taking time to decompress from the stress of daily life truly can make a difference.