Hand hygiene compliance is the key to infection prevention efforts, but the hand-to-hand transfer of infectious bacteria remains a common public health hazard. Is it time to ban handshakes in healthcare settings? In an editorial published online in JAMA earlier this month, 3 clinicians from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles propose the prohibition of this familiar greeting between providers and patients in order to prevent passing pathogens, reduce infection rates and ensure patient safety. According to their proposal, hospitals, surgical centers and office practices would be designated "handshake-free zones, " in which open-handed waves, bowed heads, hands over the heart and yoga-style "Namaste" gestures would become the custom. Their caution is not entirely far-fetched. Last year researchers from the West Virginia University School of Medicine found that a fist-bump between providers was less likely to transfer bacteria than a handshake. The California clinicians admit that eliminating handshakes won't be easy, but argue that it deserves further study. "Removing the handshake from the health care setting may ultimately become recognized as an important way to protect the health of patients and caregivers, rather than as a personal insult to whoever refuses another's hand, " they write. "Given the tremendous social and economic burden of hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance, and the variable success of current approaches to hand hygiene in the health care environment, it would be a mistake to dismiss, out of hand, such a promising, intuitive, and affordable ban."

In a world where yoga studios seem to be popping up on every corner, it’s hard to imagine that when Rebecca Pacheco, ’01, first stepped on to the mat, she had to seek out places to practice. At 16, that meant classes in a Cape Cod community center, surrounded by retirees. As a college student, she spent Saturday mornings in a church basement, walking by classmates preparing for a day of tailgating and football. And while spending a semester at sea, maintaining a practice meant learning to teach. “We were on a boat and we had this recreation meeting, ” she says. “They asked us, do you want kickboxing? Do you want aerobics? Do you want tai chi? I went with a new friend of mine and we said, ‘we want yoga.’ They said, ‘great, do it.’ We looked at each other, quizzically, but we were out to sea. They weren’t going to helicopter in a yoga teacher. If we wanted to do yoga, that was it — we would teach the yoga.” As the semester went on, Pacheco’s class became a fixture, with more than a hundred faculty and students joining her on the ship’s deck for sun salutations. When she returned to dry land a few months later, something had shifted. The realization that she could lead her own disciplined practice — in addition to the Eastern philosophy and roots of yoga she studied while abroad — inspired her to find more ways to further her practice. Pacheco went on to earn her yoga teacher certification and studied under Baron Baptiste, founder of the power vinyasa style of yoga. She now teaches throughout Boston, including the occasional classes at Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium, the practice field for the New England Patriots. Pacheco also helps others find a place for yoga in their life — whatever that means to them. She started a blog, omgal.com, where the English literature major writes about poses, spirituality, food and fitness. When she was approached about writing a book, she jumped at the chance and this month she released Do Your Om Thing: Bending Yoga Tradition to Fit Your Modern Life . “I wanted to put a yoga book in the world that people really genuinely want to read, ” Pacheco says. “There are so many great yoga books out there, but many of them fall into the category of reference. They’re more pragmatic in terms of the physical postures and how to do them — and they’re awesome. But I didn’t feel like there was a yoga-in-real-life book. My goal was to do something timely and fresh that was more focused on your life and lifestyle as a yogi than your physical practice on the yoga mat.” While her book aims to help others find balance in a modern world, the process of writing it also helped Pacheco find her own equilibrium — as writer and yogi, teacher and student — in a yoga world that she sees as fluid and multifaceted. Even her approach to teaching nods to this union as she adds new classes that don’t even require a mat — just an interest in larger questions of what yoga means and how to incorporate its teachings in daily life. “I recently read that Salman Rushdie once said each book must teach you how to write it, ” she says. “That was certainly the case for me. This book began as an idea many years ago. It was headed in one direction and over time, over practicing it, living it, seeing how yoga has evolved, it shifted my voice and how I needed to explain things to people, and what maybe needed to be explained. It grew into its own thing, and it took me along with it.”

Be sure to check out the links and resources to the right. -> Military men and women returning home from active duty, of all eras, are faced with enormous stressors as they learn to re-adjust to civilian life. PTSD as a result of war is an especially toxic form of trauma. Mental health practitioners are learning more about the benefits of yoga practice and the positive correlation toward re-gaining emotional control over the body, releasing tension, increasing self-efficacy through relaxation, decreasing stress, and improving overall physical and emotional health. Physically, moving gently through the postures and engaging in flexibility and balance exercises helps strengthen the muscles that have been weakened from a lack of movement and can ease muscle tightness. Mentally, yoga trains the practitioner to turn their attention to the present and slow down the mind with the use of mindful breathing. By focusing on deeply inhaling and exhaling through different postures, the mind begins to center and relax. Over time, yoga decreases emotional reactivity and reminds the practitioner that even though they cannot control external events, they can control their reaction. Yoga gives the tools to become self-healing. What is yoga? Yoga is a mindful and physical discipline that includes breath control, simple meditation and the adoption of specific bodily postures. It is widely practiced for health promotion and relaxation. I’m not flexible – can I do yoga? Yes! Many think they need to be flexible, but that’s thinking you need to be able to play golf to take golf lessons. Come as you are; yoga practice will help build strength and flexibility. This newfound agility will be balanced by coordination and enhanced cardiovascular health, confidence and overall well-being. How is yoga different from stretching or other kinds of exercise? Yoga is unique because the movement of the body, fluctuations of the mind and rhythm of breath are synched during practice. Connecting these help direct attention inward with heightened sense of moment-to-moment experiences. Through this process, we begin to learn and recognize our chronic, often negative thought patterns. Only then can we begin to change those belief systems. The awareness cultivated is what makes yoga a lifelong practice with continuous improvement. Is yoga a religion? Yoga is not a religion. It is a philosophical practice developed in India about 5, 000 years ago. Yoga sometimes interconnects other philosophies such as Hinduism or Buddhism, but it is not necessary to study those paths in order to practice yoga. It is also not necessary to surrender your own religious beliefs. What do I need to begin? All you need is your body, mind and a bit of curiosity. It is also helpful to have a pair of comfortable pants or shorts you can easily stretch in, and a fitting t-shirt. No special footgear is required since you’ll be in socks or barefoot. VA will have mats and other props available for you. This is a drop-in class, so a referral from one of your providers is not needed. Will I have a co-pay? There are no co-pays for attending the yoga class at Milwaukee VA. Therefore, travel pay is also unavailable. What day and time is the class, and where do I go? The outpatient veteran-only yoga class is every Tuesday at 4:15 p.m. It’s located in Room B105 of Building 43 on the Milwaukee VA grounds. It is best to park on the VA grounds and walk over to the building or use the map to the right to locate parking. If you have any questions, please contact VA yoga instructor Stacy Olson, RN, at 414-384-2000, ext. 47221 or email

Applied during winter months Separate fee from membership Applied to account only if attended an indoor location Applied at the end of each month Applies to all members – no exceptions UNLIMITED | $65/MONTH Perfect for attending class often Pregnant moms may suspend membership when baby arrives You may cancel at any time with two weeks’ advance notice 10 CLASS PASS | $90 A great option for attending class once a week Expires 3 months after purchase 5 CLASS PASS | $50 Good for those planning to attend class once every or other week Expires 2 months after purchase SINGLE CLASS | $12 Single drop-in rate Best for attending class less than once a week Please click on each location’s tab to find specific indoor location details. If weather is nice throughout the winter months, we will go outside at much as possible to our parks. Please check Facebook for updates each morning. Additionally, you can register for classes via Front Desk in order to be emailed when classes are cancelled due to unsafe road conditions. TUESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY | 10:00-11:00AM SLAMKid Playgroup Every Tuesday after class! Parking & Entrance Information Free parking can be found in the lot behind the church and on the surrounding streets. Please use the handicap (stroller-friendly) entrance in the back of the church. Bring a jogging stroller, yoga mat or towel, set of dumbbells, resistance band, water, snacks and toys for baby, and a need to S.L.A.M.! VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS PARK | 1600 South Hayes St. Arlington Located just south of D.C., Virginia Highlands has everything we need to get fit and strong: paved trails around and through the park for lunges, sprints, and runs, open grass areas for quick-moving stations, benches for all kinds of push-ups, both grass and turf soccer fields, and tennis and basketball courts. BONUS! TWO playgrounds and a splash pad for the kiddies (and us–to cool down!). Parking & Start Location Free parking can be found in the lot by the playground, while you will find metered street parking as well. Also, within walking distance is the Pentagon City metro stop on the blue line. Meet us by the playground and restrooms off of S. Hayes Street. Bring a jogging stroller, yoga mat or towel, set of dumbbells, resistance band, water, snacks and toys for baby, and a need to S.L.A.M.! MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY | 10:00-11:00AM Yoga classes will be EVERY Friday! Located in the Kings Crossing shopping center beside Chuck-E-Cheese and Walmart, there is ample parking in front of the building. Please enter using the main entrance and stop at the front desk to sign their waiver. Once you sign their waiver once, there’s no need to sign it again. Bring a jogging stroller, yoga mat or towel, set of dumbbells, resistance band, water, snacks and toys for baby, and a need to S.L.A.M.! Once you get set-up, take your shoes off – we will need to be barefoot (or in socks) at each class to protect the mats. Please keep strollers off the mats and take shoes off your kiddos if they are on the mats too!

More than 300 people marched in their yoga pants in Barrington, Rhode Island on Sunday to protest a newspaper letter by one man who told women to stop wearing their Lululemons Alan Sorrentino caused an uproar in the area after he said it was 'bizarre and disturbing' when adult women sported the tight athletic wear in a Letter to the Editor published in a local paper Alan Sorrentino (pictured) says he has received death threats since the letter was published in The Barrington Times 'Yoga pants can be adorable on children and women who have the benefit of nature's blessing of youth, ' he continued. 'However, on mature adult women there is something bizarre and disturbing about the appearance they make in public.' The scathing letter caught the attention of Jamie Patrice, of Providence, who blasted both Sorrentino and the paper and decided to organize the protest. 'So happy that with the national election, local election... and all the other serious s**t happening around us THIS s**t was given ink, ' she wrote on Facebook. Ellen Taylor, one of the protesters, said she found the column especially derogatory in the wake of Donald Trump's lewd comments about women, she told the Providence Journal. 'Not since the mini-skirt has there been something worn by so many women who should never have it on in the first place, ' he wrote in the ill-received column The column caught the attention of Jamie Patrice, of Providence, (pictured) who blasted both Sorrentino and the paper and decided to organize the protest Sorrentino has since claimed that the column was supposed to be a joke, and that the response it received was 'over-the-top crazy'. 'To target somebody's home for a letter in the paper is disgusting, ' Sorrentino said. 'A joke is designed to fool people; those people were fooled.' Sorrentino said he had 'assumed the character of a grumpy old man' for the letter, one who railed against what women wore because 'he was too tight to just relax and accept himself in his age and his own ways'. The column specifically targeted older women, with Sorrentino writing that yoga pants 'do nothing to compliment a woman over 20 years old'. 'Maybe it's the unforgiving perspective they provide...or the specter (sp) of someone coping poorly with their weight or advancing age.' 'Do yourself a favor, grow up and stop wearing them in public, ' he added. 'I struggle with my own physicality as I age. I don't want to struggle with yours.' Women at the protest argued that it wasn't just about Sorrentino, but also the anger they feel at being constantly told what to wear. Jamie Burke, one of the parade's organizers, said 'women are fed up with the policing of our wardrobe' and that Sorrentino's words had struck her 'in the gut', she told the Providence Journal. The group help up posters that read 'Love Yourself' and 'We Wear What We Want' as they walked by Sorrentino's house. A sign with the words 'Free Speech' had been hung up in his yard. Sorrentino has since claimed that the column was supposed to be a joke, and that the response it received was 'over the top crazy' Sorrentino, who claims he has received death threats, said before the parade began that it was 'vicious and intimating' and should not be allowed to happen. But the women argued they were well within their rights to stage the peaceful protest, which they said was meant to bring the community together. Women who attended the march donated items to The Sojourner Home, a local shelter for victims of domestic violence. The company Dear Kate also donated 100 yoga pants to the home and chief executive officer Hongjoo Sun attended the protest. 'Our brand is all about female empowerment, ' she told the paper. Sorrentino said that at the end of the day he has no problem with yoga pants and even owns a pair himself.

Suddenly, from the passenger’s seat, Ann started kicking the steering wheel and windshield with her feet as she and Alison, from the back seat, screamed at the driver. “They were like little kids throwing a temper tantrum’’ because Ann’s boyfriend, Keith Weiss, was ignoring their pleas to stop for another glass of wine, Weiss said. “I almost went off the road, ’’ recalled Weiss, who blocked the kicks with his right arm as he drove the twins in his green Pontiac Sunfire that day in 2001. “I said, ‘Are you kidding me? You guys are going to wind up killing all of us.’’’ Weiss said he eventually got the twins safely to their Broward County home. But the incident eerily foreshadowed a similar spat between the sisters that ended in tragedy 15 years later. Ann was killed May 29 when a car driven by Alison plunged 200 feet off a cliff in Hawaii. Witnesses told police they heard the 37-year-old sisters screaming at one another and saw the passenger pulling the driver’s hair just before the Ford Explorer smashed through a rock wall and launched over the cliff. “I was in bed when I saw it on TV. I told my wife I felt like that could have been me in that car, ’’ said Weiss, who told The Palm Beach Post about other fights between the inseparable twins, including some in cars. “They were great people when they were sober, but the minute they (started) drinking they were like Jekyll and Hyde.’’ Alison survived after the SUV hit a patch of jagged rocks sticking out the Pacific Ocean. Ann was pronounced dead at the scene. Alison was charged with second-degree murder, but she was released Wednesday when a judge in Maui found no probable cause to hold her on that charge. A common reaction from people who knew the twins in South Florida, where they lived from the mid-1990s until early 2014: The tragedy was no surprise. Most of those people knew the Dadows from Twin Power Yoga, the popular studios they set up in Palm Beach Gardens in 2008 and in West Palm Beach in 2011. “They were alpha females on top of being twins on top of being very dominating, ’’ said Victor Ayala, a physical trainer who met the twins when they were neighbors at CityPlace South, where they lived on the 16th floor of the apartment tower. “They were fantastic teachers, beautiful women, but I also know they were very competitive and very strong-willed. They seemed to have a lot of dark demons.”

Salt Lake Power Yoga I love feeling like our little COLLECTIVE is living up to our mission. I love supporting locals who deserve the push, and I love it when said locals hire us to help them love where they live/work. Eventually, I love it when what they finally create is worth talking about. Enter Jen and friends. They’re pedaling the ‘hottest’ new yoga spot on 300 E and 300 S. It’s Hot Power Yoga, actually, and it’s best if I let her explain that. Last year, we helped Jen and co. find the perfect space for their passion. We singled it out, dreamed about what it could become, and they made it happen. The tone inside is perfect, and this is an awesomely sweaty addition to the downtown area. Big high fives and congrats to our client family at Salt Lake Power Yoga. Read on and then try for yourself… Kind of a technical question: what the hell is hot power yoga? * Laughing*…exactly what I thought the first time I saw a hot power studio in Pittsburgh. Hot Power Yoga is a physical flowing practice (very different than the other 26-pose HOT yoga) taught in a room between 90° and 100° with 40% humidity. Think about getting your Asana (yoga pose) handed to you in a tropical, jungle environment! It’s clear to us that you love this type of yoga. When and where did the love affair begin? I grew up in SLC and lived here until 2008. I was not a yoga fan…I had tried it at the gym and even at a couple of studios in town, and just remember thinking, “this is not for me, I am not flexible, and I feel like I need to run home from the studio in order to get my heart rate up”. It wasn’t until we moved to Pittsburgh (2008-2011) that I discovered the amazing energy of the Baptiste Power Practice. The love affair was a LONG, SLOW one…honestly, I disliked the practice for almost the first year. I had met some incredible girlfriends in Pittsburgh, and they all went to yoga, everyday. I was a total yoga brat. I had to have my mat in the space that was right next to the door and the wall (to make a speedy exit without stepping in any unknown “puddles” and to use the wall to help with my balance…I was constantly falling over). I had been practicing off and on for about a year when I decided to do a 30-day challenge with 2 friends. We committed to go to yoga every day for one month, and after about day 13, I stopped hating the practice and noticed huge changes in myself; physicality, strength, and a strange emotional calmness had started to creep in to my overactive, high strung brain. People think that yoga is a serious event, no smiling, no laughing and definitely NO silliness allowed. I think that yoga should be the opposite. I love creating an environment where people can have fun, remember that inner child, and quiet down the overactive, ever-planning minds. I had a chance to take a class and loved it. Your studio is approachable..no pretension or intimidation for newbies. Did I just get special treatment because we love each other? Of course we love you guys! The studio was intentionally designed to create a welcoming feel. I wanted something reminiscent of the bar in Cheers or the coffee shop in Friends. I know that one of the biggest reasons people do not go to a “yoga studio” is the intimidation factor, which we have tried our best to lessen. Yoga is such a social activity — community is really the center spoke of the wheel. We want people to enjoy going to the studio, with the expectation of running into old friends and making new ones. The downtown neighborhood is ecstatic to have you. Why? Downtown is turning into such a vibrant place (finally)! I think having a locally-owned, urban-esque studio was exactly what our city was missing. With our neighbors on Broadway, we really couldn’t have landed in a better location. The relationship with our landlord is incredible (added bonus). The local business owners have been so welcoming and supportive, and I have really enjoyed getting to know the folks in the Downtown Merchants Association, they have been fantastic! You had a lot of choices in a number of neighborhoods when we were looking at spaces last year. Why downtown? We looked at over 30 properties when trying to find this gem of a location (thanks to Chad & Cody for your patience). I think with the opening of City Creek and the revitalizing of the downtown area, SLC has finally arrived as a destination spot for fine dining, entertainment and nightlife. We loved the parking options in this current space, and when we walked upstairs and saw the view of the mountains we were sold. We really wanted walkability along with accessibility, which is a tricky combination. We knew the popularity of the practice in other cities/states and needed to find a place that could accommodate 50+ cars with preferably-free parking. The space itself is a bit unconventional — we love it. Why do you think it works? The contrast between the older exterior of the Broadway Plaza and the urban feel of the bright orange door and metal stairs creates the perfect prequel to what you find when you land on the second floor and open up the studio doors. We wanted to create an oasis of sorts in the studio space, with spa amenities; it was very important to us to dissolve the “ick” factor that so many have when thinking about Hot Yoga. The space and the studio itself are clean and immaculate. There is nothing more disgusting than using the restroom in a yoga studio and being grossed out by it!

Workout fads come and go, but virtually no other exercise program is as enduring as yoga. It's been around for more than 5, 000 years. Yoga does more than burn calories and tone muscles. It's a total mind-body workout that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation or relaxation. There are more than 100 different forms of yoga. Some are fast-paced and intense. Others are gentle and relaxing. Examples of different yoga forms include: Hatha. The form most often associated with yoga, it combines a series of basic movements with breathing. Vinyasa. A series of poses that flow smoothly into one another. Power. A faster, higher-intensity practice that builds muscle. Ashtanga. A series of poses, combined with a special breathing technique. Bikram. Also known as "hot yoga, " it's a series of 26 challenging poses performed in a room heated to a high temperature. Iyengar. A type of yoga that uses props like blocks, straps, and chairs to help you move your body into the proper alignment. Intensity Level: Varies with Type The intensity of your yoga workout depends on which form of yoga you choose. Techniques like hatha and iyengar yoga are gentle and slow. Bikram and power yoga are faster and more challenging. Areas It Targets Core: Yes. There are yoga poses to target just about every core muscle. Want to tighten those love handles? Then prop yourself up on one arm and do a side plank. To really burn out the middle of your abs, you can do boat pose, in which you balance on your "sit bones" (the bony prominences at the base of your pelvic bones) and hold your legs up in the air. Arms: Yes. With yoga, you don't build arm strength with free weights or machines, but with the weight of your own body. Some poses, like the plank, spread your weight equally between your arms and legs. Others, like the crane and crow poses, challenge your arms even more by making them support your full body weight. Legs: Yes. Yoga poses work all sides of the legs, including your quadriceps, hips, and thighs. Glutes: Yes. Yoga squats, bridges, and warrior poses involve deep knee bends, which give you a more sculpted rear. Back: Yes. Moves like downward-facing dog, child's pose, and cat/cow give your back muscles a good stretch. It's no wonder that research finds yoga may be good for relieving a sore back. Type Flexibility: Yes. Yoga poses stretch your muscles and increase your range of motion. With regular practice, they'll improve your flexibility.

3051 Mount Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22305 (571) 312-0527 Searched yelp for Yoga near Old Town Alexandria and found this inviting Yoga studio with cafe in Del Ray. Though there was not a class at the time, I did enjoy a great avocado toast and friendly conversation with Owner Tara and Manager Becky. Will come back to try out a class and a healthy snack and hang out at the cafe :). Great friendly, open atmosphere ( not intimidating or snooty :))) While I have not exercised here, I have eaten and had smoothies here more than once and the selection is great, and healthy. Highly recommend. Just moved to Del Rey and was so excited to find a yoga studio and a healthy juice bar-in the same place! Tara's yoga class was exactly what I needed after 2 weeks in the car driving from California. I was spoiled in Santa Monica at a yoga studio where I practiced with a tight knit group led by an incredible teacher. I felt the same vibe here at Ease. Tara even took the time to explain all the different types of yoga and wellness classes offered at her studio, which I greatly appreciated. My decision to keep coming back was easy. I signed up for a 5 class package and I am looking forward to my next class and my next juice! I recently completed a blissfilled month of unlimited classes at this amazing yoga studio. Ease is a very inviting yoga community with lots of classes and great teachers. If you want to change your mind, your body, and your life...give yourself the gift of unlimited yoga at Ease. I was jones'n for a juice and yoga after a two week cross country trip. Ease was perfect. Tara's class was amazing. Great mind body connection that led into some great flow. When I come back I will definitely Ease back in. This summer I decided it was time to get off of the couch and realized that I needed a welcoming and empowering atmosphere in order to be motivated to create and maintain a routine. Ease was running a special, 5 classes for $50, with beginners classes at accessible hours, so I decided to give yoga a try. I was extremely nervous and I scheduled and cancelled a number of classes before finally becoming brave enough, to first purchase a yoga mat, and then actually show up for class. Tara's welcoming smile and demeanor set me at ease when I checked in and then Rachel's welcoming and calming presence gave me the reassurance I needed to make it through my first beginners class. I left that class, in which I sweated more than I had in a very long time, stretched, relaxed and eager to learn more and begin a regular practice. I've attended both of the beginner's classes and enjoy both Colleen and Rachel's styles of teaching. I've also ventured out of beginner's class for Tara's Ease Signature, Pamela's Gentle Therapeutic, Hilary's Curvy, Shari's Restorative, and Ashley's Rise and Shine. I have enjoyed them all and most are a part of my routine/practice. I find that all of the teachers are encouraging, offer a challenge, make adjustments to your posture as needed, and also show modifications as needed. If you are looking for a yoga studio that only asks you to meet yourself in your practice by doing your best in that moment, encourages you to let go, and greets you with a smile and encouragement then Ease is definitely the studio for you. Street parking is available, I haven't had any issues finding a space. The cafe offers healthy and yummy food and beverages. You can order from the cafe before class and your order will be ready and waiting for you when class is over. A great new yoga studio in Del Ray. The place has a wonderful vibe, very relaxing and nourishing for the body and the soul!! All the instructors are very welcoming, a great place to start a yoga practice and a fun place for experienced yogis. So glad they are in our neighborhood!! The café is also a fun addition. I love their peach and regular gazpachos! I have so many wonderful things to say about Ease - both the studio and the cafe. It is the perfect addition to family- and dog-friendly Del Ray. The studio opened at a very hectic time in my life - my then-fiance started chemo that same week, we were in the final stressful months of planning our July wedding, work was crazy for me, and I had high blood pressure, despite being in pretty good health. I purchased the introductory $50 for 50 days package and started going to as many classes as I could. Those classes were the only time of the day that I could completely clear my mind and "reset" my system. The teachers all have their unique teaching styles and they are all fantastic (Julie and Ashley are my personal favorites - I am getting stronger every day because of these powerful ladies). The owner Tara is there almost all of the time and she is always a bright point in my day, even if I am just walking past with my dog! She has made a point of really getting to know the clients and the community, which goes a long way. I love her class and always leave feeling challenged, refreshed, and nourished. I've gotten compliments on the physical changes to my body after doing so much yoga, but the real difference for me has been spiritual and emotional. I don't care if that sounds cheesy - it is the truth. Do yourself a favor and check out Ease, even if you already have a favorite studio! Such a great experience! I am brand new to yoga, but since this studio is so close to my house... I decided to give it a try & wow! The owner was such a beautiful person inside and out! I felt very welcome. I was nervous because I haven't worked out in YEARS. I don't have a "yoga" body. I was pleased to see I wasn't alone in the beginners class. All different shapes and sizes. Everyone was so welcoming that I felt immediately comfortable. I'll be coming back for sure! Ease Yoga and Cafe is a great Wellness addition to Del Ray, Alexandria. My wife and I have taken several yoga classes so far and we are very impressed with the teachers and the environmental-thought into the buildout of Ease. The Cafe menu continues to grow with more delicious and healthy foods everyday. Bring your water bottle and fill it up at the cold filtered water-fountain station (similar to the one's at airports now)!

Yoga and Martial Arts for Everybody Classes are non-competitive and friendly. We offer a comprehensive programs in Iyengar Yoga, Capoeira, TaiJi, QiGong, BaGuaZhang, XingYiQuan and DaBeiQuan. Portland Yoga Arts is also an active member of our community. Our Thanksgiving Day benefit raises thousands of dollars anualy for the Oregon Food Bank. Most of our teachers and many of our students are dedicated volunteers with community non-profits including the SUN youth empowerment program. We regularly host fundraisers for other community groups. Building health. Supporting community. Making movement accessible for all ages and body types. History Established in 2002. Todd Jackson and Barbara Fergusson launched Portland Yoga Arts in 2002 as a yoga studio dedicated to serving all ages, body types and skill levels. In 2014 Portland Yoga Arts was purchased by Josef Haber and a new series of classes were added in Internal Kung Fu and Capoeira. Today Portland Yoga Arts offers a truly collaborative teaching environment drawing form a multitude of movement traditions. Portland Yoga Arts is the rare studio that ensures teachers make a living. All student tuition is paid directly to the teacher, not the studio or studio owners. Meet the Business Owner Josef Haber L.Ac began his study of the martial arts 1988. In the years since he has been consistently dedicated to his training. In 2010 Josef graduated with honors from Emperors College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Santa Monica and returned to Portland. Later that year he founded his schools of BaGuaZhang and Capoeira. Josef teaches with an emphasis on student empowerment utilizing the deeply transformative qualities of the arts he teaches.