Portland, Oregon is a city with diverse culture. There is literally something for everyone in Portland – from live music to funky food, arts and crafts to incredible nature. Portland is also a city that embraces diverse types of health and wellness. Yoga studios in Portland tend to offer a wide assortment of classes and activities that embrace diversity and culture.
The community that is built around yoga studios are among the most inclusive and welcoming. The focus is on overall health and wellbeing. In Portland, you will find a variety of yoga studios offering incredible experiences to improve your health and wellness.
Types of Yoga Studios in Portland
If you are considering trying yoga for the first time, or are looking to try a new experience, Portland most likely has something for you! Here are some of the types of yoga studios in Portland and the type of experience you can expect.
Yoga for Wellness
Yoga as a means of easing symptoms and improving health and wellness is increasingly popular. What’s more, many medical institutions are now recognizing the health benefits of yoga, including:
- Pain relief
- Reduces stress
- Reduces inflammation
- Improves sleep quality
- Helps maintain a healthy weight
- Eases symptoms of diabetes and arthritis
- Lowers blood pressure
These are just a handful of the health benefits of yoga. There is no short supply of yoga studios that offer classes and workshops specifically geared toward wellness.
Hot Yoga
Hot yoga is an experience that many people enjoy and find relief in. During hot yoga, or Bikram yoga, the room is heated to between 90-105 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, each session lasts for 90-minutes, during which time you complete a series of postures and stretches. The poses and heat cause your heart rate to increase and your muscles to contract. This is a good way to burn fat and increase strength. Hot yoga is not for everyone, however. Talk to your doctor if you have heat intolerance, a history of heat-related illnesses, heart disease, or are pregnant.
Aerial Yoga
Aerial yoga is a practice gaining popularity due to the fun and easygoing style. With aerial yoga, you use a silk sling or hammock that is attached to the ceiling. These provide support as you move, stretch, and flow. Aerial yoga takes pressure off many joints and pressure points in the body, which makes it a good alternative for many people who struggle with mat-based yoga. If you are just starting out – don’t worry! Most aerial yoga classes won’t have you soaring in the air, unless you want to.
Affordable Yoga
Yoga is a practice that can benefit anyone. One of the great things about the yoga community in Portland is that there are facilities that specifically offer affordable and accessible classes. Check out facilities that offer free trials, on-demand services, or monthly subscription rates.
Shamanic Yoga
Shamanism is a very personal practice with a focus on Earth medicine and looking to spirits/guides for wisdom and direction. Shamanic healers use these tools to enter altered realities or states of consciousness. This type of yoga or healing can be extremely cathartic and can help heal the body and mind. Shamanic yoga or healing is something that should complement medical advice, not replace it.
Sound Healing
Sound healing is a method often used in conjunction with yoga. It involves music, beats, instruments, movement, breathing, and meditation. Each sound healing practitioner may offer a unique experience based on your needs and goals. You will find practitioners that use meditation, yoga, singing bowls, music therapy, tuning forks, and more.
As you can see, yoga studios in Portland have a lot to offer! So explore your community and try out different types of yoga to find what you love and what yelps you feel amazing!