Twist Yoga comes to Shoreline

Photos courtesy Twist Yoga

My Favorite Places: Twist Yoga comes to Shoreline!
By Shari Winstead

Shoreline is now home of Twist Yoga’s newest location, 20019 Aurora Ave N. This studio originally opened in 2008 as the Sweatbox, (an authentic Bikram Yoga studio), then became Yoga for Life, offering Bikram and other types of yoga. In September 2017, Jen Mitchell, owner of Twist Edmonds, invested in our community by purchasing this studio. It’s great to see an established studio owner work to keep yoga fresh in Shoreline.

Your membership (or class pass) with Twist includes access to both the Edmonds and the Shoreline studios. It might seem strange to have two studios in such close proximity, but as a student, it’s awesome. No matter what you might need out of yoga, you are likely to find it at either the Shoreline or Edmonds location.

So why is this my favorite place? It’s no secret that I love yoga, I’ve been practicing for almost 20 years, on and off. Hopefully you caught the key word in that previous sentence – “practice”. Every student is in a different place in their personal practice. I know with certainty that I won’t be judged in any way if I can (or cannot) do a posture. We respect one another, and mostly, we respect our bodies, working to find our personal edge, but not pushing to an injury, as so commonly happens in other group setting workouts.

Photo courtesy Twist Yoga

I’ve heard many people say they aren’t flexible enough to go to yoga, but that is the point. It’s like saying you aren’t dirty enough to take a shower. I go to yoga because I’m not naturally flexible and because balancing is a challenge for me. We are all aging, and the most important things we will need to age successfully are flexibility, balance and strength. Yoga will help you improve all of those things.

Whether you are looking for a hot room on a wet, cold day where you can be warm and break a sweat, or you’re looking for a faster paced, more athletic Vinyasa (flow) yoga, you’ll find it here. All you have to do is show up with an open mind – and leave your ego, and any sense of competition at the door.

If you’re a beginner, you can start your practice by joining a Sunday 9am basics in Edmonds, or even better, commit to once a week with the four-week intro session (check the Twist website for the next session).

Photo courtesy Twist Yoga

All of the Traditional Hot Yoga classes are suitable for beginners – you’ll practice the same 26 postures each class in a 105-degree room. You’ll be surprised how well you adjust to the heat, and even find comfort in it (and pride in the fact that you can stay in the hot room for 60-90 minutes!) The repetition will teach you about your body and your mind will learn to focus and relax at the same time. If you are worried it’s going to be too much – you are more than welcome to take a rest on your mat for as long as you need. Remember, nobody is judging you. Just come on in!

Check out the website for all the details, and more information, including new student specials and various options for committing long-term (or cautiously). Either way, the pricing is in line with other studios, and you will get value for your money. This is not “gym yoga”. It’s so much more!

I hope to see you in the studio!

Shari