When I moved into the Ann Arbor area about a year ago, I was on the hunt for some low…read moreimpact+strengthening exercise. I'd never really enjoyed yoga before, but the wonderful team at aUM Yoga has made me a convert! They do primarily serve the University of Michigan community, so you need to be ok with taking class with college students...but I'm totally fine being one of the few older townies amongst the 20-somethings! The teachers are welcoming, I've never felt out of place (in fact, they were greeting me by name by my 2nd or 3rd class!). I also appreciate that the teachers are always receptive to feedback - and even willing to stay after class to help folks with any poses or answer questions. The general vibe is friendly, open, positive, supportive, and empowering - which is really what keeps me coming back. You feel good all around, not just physically, when you leave class. Jessie, Chelsea, Annella, and Helena are instructors I've taken from the most often, and they all have been very knowledgeable and wonderful to learn from. Each obviously has their own style (each is aspirational for me!), but they clearly are on the same page philosophically, share best practices, and genuinely enjoy each other which is lovely to see. They are all deeply invested in the practice of yoga as well as the students in their classes. I enjoy the music (teacher's choice but generally not stereotypically "yoga"-y good stuff with a beat), the temperature (warm but not hot), and the space (the studio does have permanently installed poles since it's a yoga & pole studio - but I kind of enjoy how they establish lines and spacing for our mats). They don't do hands-on corrections (which is actually COVID-friendly); their approach is to talk you step by step through the poses and flows as well as demonstrating themselves. Vinyasa 1 was a great place to start as a beginner - shorter, more straightforward flows (usually 2 that you run through 3 times), a bit slower (though interesting enough for more advanced yogis to enjoy and add challenge as they see fit). Vinyasa 2 is a step up because the flows are longer and a bit more complex, have even more room for adding challenge based on personal choice, and give the class opportunity to do one more run of the flow on your own time and pacing. They have a whole range of pole dancing classes as well, which I'm trying to screw up the courage to get into, and offer some interesting yoga teacher trainings and retreats. As someone with a dance background, I've really loved the interesting, varied flows that the teachers put together - I would actually describe some of them as similar to dance combinations! And as one who is not so fond of balances and inversions, they don't include a whole lot into the usual flows, and when they are, I don't feel pressure to take those on if I don't feel it. I've found that over the year, I've learned the poses and correct technique pretty organically, and I've DEFINITELY felt the changes in my body. After 2 babies, I feel like I'm starting to get some core muscles back! And the mental/emotional benefits have been great as well. They have nice new client offers - discounted 1st class or one month unlimited classes. I started with class packs but quickly shifted to unlimited classes - and have enjoyed dropping in whenever I have the time. Though you need to pre-register for classes, I've never had problems getting into classes I've been interested in. Perhaps this is due to a post-COVID slowdown, but this has been the case even as folks have been more out and about. So - clearly, I'm a fan of aUM Yoga! I'd highly recommend anyone - novices and experts, students and townies - check out this warm community.

I have been looking for a yoga studio here in Ann Arbor and attended a free yoga class here to see…read moreif I would like the studio/instruction/etc. I registered early to ensure I could get a spot, assuming they would cap registration. They did not, in fact, seem to cap registration. There were 63 people in a a medium-sized room, and mats were laid out by staff ahead of time in such an array that there was no room between mats for people to walk through. During the class, the heat was cranked up, and with 63 people in the room, it was incredibly hot. In a hot yoga class, I was surprised to see you could not walk out of the room safely. People were so close together that their sweat was hitting your face. My friend got kicked in the face and chest three times. You could not even spread your arms in a warrior two. The teacher clearly recognized it was wild because she kept making jokes about it, which helped but not that much because it felt unsafe. I tried to tell the owner when she added me on Facebook (which was wild in itself) and she just said that their usual classes are not that busy. I could not believe that the owner would be fine with having such an unsafe environment for the class- having a hot room with no escape with people unable to even reach for their water bottles because of the lack of room!!! It felt like a fire hazard, or at least a medical one. Still looking for a yoga studio if anyone knows of a good one around here.

There are so many different types of yoga, and in Ann Arbor you can find them all. I've tried about…read moreevery type of yoga out there, and can finally say I have found my yoga "home" with The Yoga Room. Christy's Vinyasa style of yoga works for me, taking me right to my edge of challenge, always introducing something I need to work on, yet allowing me to flow through the movements without being so difficult that it becomes frustrating. Her use of low lights and great, low-level music allows me to focus inward and let go of any other thoughts. I also like how you need to remember the sequence because Christy frequently has you go through it a few times on your own. This is mentally challenging as well because the sequences can sometimes be complicated, but I love it! If I get lost I just do what feels right. Christy occasionally helps students to go deeper into the poses, but mostly you're on your own, so the Vinyasa class is for students who are familiar with yoga and do not need a lot of detailed instruction. The space is small, and the ceiling on the lower side, so one of my taller friends felt a little cramped. I like the intimacy, and being 5' 6", the room works fine for me. I guess my only complaint is that it doesn't last a little longer! I would enjoy a 1.25 hour class, with a little longer relaxation at the end, but overall, I am happy I found my yoga "home."

I love what the Hatha classes at the Yoga Room have done for me since I started in early 2013. In…read morethe past I tried Pilates, Crossfit, Personal Trainers, Walking, Ellipticals... and I have never had the same results and transformation I have seen in my body in the past months with Christy's classes. If you had asked me 9 months ago about doing yoga I would have laughed and said, me? not going to happen... in fact, I have known Christy for over 13 years and had never considered doing one of her sessions... little did I know what I had been missing on all this time! After going through a really hard year 2012 and putting on a considerable amount of weight (60+lbs) I had hit rock bottom and needed to make some changes to my lifestyle. I started to modify my diet and make some other changes outside of my comfort zone with positive results, so I thought, well, why not, let's give Christy a call and see if she has a spot in her class for me (man was she surprised!). All it took was one class and I was hooked! Christy's gentle instructions walk you through a routine with ease even if it is your first class. The low lights and intimate setting make it all about you and your practice and encourage you to focus on yourself, not your surroundings, and work at your own pace. Now I do not miss a class for anything, and that is a commitment I have never made to any other type of "exercise" routine.

I was anxious going to hot yoga as an out-of-shape, not-at-all-flexible guy. First visit I was…read morewelcomed and immediately placed at ease. I found an incredibly clean studio with experienced caring instructors. Nurturing, supportive people. Happy to continue to practice. Namaste.

The cleanest Bikram Yoga studio I've ever been to. The nicest facilities. Disciplined teachers like…read moreLora and Amanda (and one other but I forgot her name - I think Heidi). It is a bit more expensive than the other BY studio in AA, but worth it. Better facilities, teachers, more disciplined. You'll learn a lot more here and get better individual attention. Taking off one star because they're offering shorter classes. I get that it's a business decision but be faithful to the practice, not the customer. Bikram himself does not endorse these shorter classes, which is why you won't find this studio listed on his official website. Bikram Yoga is a 90 minute class, period. Thankfully the majority of what they offer is still the 90 minute class. It's also very annoying that they don't let you see who is teaching each class. It's ultimately the students' practice. Students often know how they best learn.

This place deserves 5 stars for one reason, and 3 stars for another…read more I've only tried yoga a couple of times, but have to say it was really a positive experience at A2. Some places can be way too "hippied-out", but for the most part that isn't true here. And, the instructors seem to really know what they're doing and care that you have a good experience. The ONLY thing that's keeping the extra star off is the fact that we had a bad experience with the billing process. We bought a couple of multi-passes, and the woman selling them to us told us that we might as well get the ten-session pass, cause they're good "forever". Had she actually used the Dr Evil "laser" quotes, I'd have not bought the multi-pass, as "forever" was actually only "six months." To her credit, the owner gave my wife 6 or 7 free passes, but I still lost over $100 in the deal. Buyer beware, just ask the question before you assume "forever" is actually "forever." Other than that, good place. I, for myself, will stick to lifting, cardio and classes at my "normal" gym.

I hate to say it because I had high hopes... but this studio really doesn't have anything too…read moregreat. Mediocre teachers and classes... and I do agree with some of the below reviews that the attitudes there aren't the most "yoga-ish"... I'm still looking for a great yoga studio... for now... and this is not it. Floors kind of dirty, disorganized and not very calming, they send out e-mail spam, not great instruction, kind of weird vibe all around, felt kind of rushed in and out. Bummer.

I am new to yoga and took 2 beginning classes (one gentle yoga and one beginner's class). The…read morewebsite was easy to navigate and signing up for classes was easy. The teacher Laurie was skilled, professional and kind. The school is well equipped and immaculately clean and has a pleasant atmosphere and the others attending the class were friendly and welcoming. Classes begin with chanting and there is a spiritual aspect to the proceedings that was charming and sincere but not quite right for my personal style and goals for an exercise regime. If you are looking for a physical strength/flexibility discipline that has a spiritual side to it, this would be a great choice.

This is a really nice studio in an old church, a nice community of people who do Yoga, a really…read moreskilled teacher who is very safe for learners of all levers and gives good instruction to advanced students. The studio has ropes on the wall, which enables you to do all sorts of cool things! It operates a bit like a school with programs, but I only did drop-ins. I have done a lot of yoga in a lot of places in my life, and this was one of the best I've seen! Ann Arbor you are very lucky!

I could hear the instruction/movement queues. The music was…read moregreat. It's clean. The environment is peaceful. The instructor is calming, knowledgeable, and pleasant.

Very frustrating that you can't contact them. No phone number listed and they don't respond to…read moreemails sent through their "contact us" form. It's just bad business to be unreachable.

The best yoga community that I've ever experienced. Highly qualified and talented teachers!…read morePractices can be quite a workout but I feel so great afterwards.

Clean studio with lots of class offerings, some hot and some not. A great group of instructors…read more Feels like home after just a few visits. If you are considering becoming a yoga instructor or just want to deepen your practice, they have the best YTT (Yoga Teacher [and lifestyle] Training) around. If you are not from the area, it's definitely worth a trip across town. YTT is not offered year round, so be sure to sign up as early as you can.