Om Shala Yoga

I highly recommend this place, whether you’re dropping in for a single session or looking for your home studio. I dropped in on a class with Peggy (founder and owner) on a Wednesday morning and participated in what was probably the best yoga session of my practice thus far.
I love that they have you take off your shoes before you enter the space. The front desk girl was kind and exceedingly helpful. Peggy herself is master at demonstrating a thoughtful and holistic practice and I was amazed at how much my own practice grew that day. I also sat in the Sauna afterwards, and it was amazing, as saunas are apt to be.
I left that day trying to think of ways I could move to Arcata so I could come to Om Shala every day. A big thank you to the entire studio for a fabulous experience!

I love Om Shala Yoga. I began my practice here three years ago, and it changed my life. I love how there are «schedule seasons.» Every few months the schedule changes and there’s something new offered. They also offer wonderful workshops and bring guest speakers in. All of the instructors are so friendly and welcoming.
Sense of time. It slows down there (which I love in many ways). I know that might seem ironic since this is a yoga studio… time slows down there. This is great obviously to relax and practice; but to me it’s rude when an instructor goes over their allotted time slot. More than once I’ve had to wait 15 minutes after the class was supposed to begin. Some people are okay with this, but I’m not one of those people. I have a schedule.
Otherwise, I love this place.

Love this place!!! I would recommend it to advanced yogis and beginners. Amazing teachers, super clean studio, and overall great vibe. Drop in is a little pricey, but well worth it.

This place was fantastic! I am visiting for work from out of town and I googled Yoga in Arcata. This was the only studio that had a class that fit my schedule (so basically, anything after 5pm)
First off the atmosphere. It was easy to navigate when I walked in. The receptionist was friendly and attentive. And the space was beautiful, clean, and had excellent amenities.
Second: The class and the instructor. Lori was my teacher, and I took the Groove Yoga class (which was a Vinyasa class to awesome music). The energy was great. Lori knew her poses, gave clear instruction, and came around to make corrections. I left feeling that blissful balance between sore, exhausted, and relaxed. It was actually one of the better classes I’ve taken, and I’ve been practicing for years!
Third: The schedule. They’re open late, and early, and have a plethora of classes and styles to choose from. Plus you can go in for a sauna before or after class which is included in the price of your yoga class (a drop in is $ 14, very reasonable!)
Overall I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a reputable studio with flexible hours and friendly staff. In fact, I’m kind of sad I have to leave town and this little hidden gem!

I love Om Shala! I always feel enthusiastically welcomed even though I am older than most of the clientele. I love the teachers and the décor and the sauna. We are so lucky to have such a polished, gorgeous yoga studio that also has such warmth and expertise. It is one of the main reasons I never want to leave Arcata.

I think this is a good yoga studio in terms of the teachers. It’s worth communicating with these folks about what you’re looking for in your practice; they have a bunch of teachers with different sensibilities/​styles.
They do a good job of creating options for every body/​need.
I like Jodi’s approach– she teaches restorative & prenatal.
I have only been to around a dozen different yoga studios around California. This is one of the most grounded, beautiful & calm, serene environments. Very inviting in a non-​directly-​engaging way. Tea, books, couches, that sort of thing. Gorgeous & incredibly thoughtful with details (tampons in the bathroom, plenty of extra space for personal items, etc)
Haven’t used the saunas, but they seem popular.

i am IN LOVE with Om Shala!
This place is my home away from home… in fact, sometimes i am there more than i am at home! Jehfree Spirit rocks my world — sweat dripping off of every pore in my body, muscles engaged, spirit flying, ego checked out, chakras aligning, vinyasa flowing/​flying sublime!!! (and man does he have some crazy long lung capacity — whew i aspire to om ¹⁄₃ as long as him!) I feel my practice expand with every class I attend. Peggy Profant (anusara) makes my heart smile, helps me ground firmly in the earth while lifting my heart to the heavens, is amazing with alignment, and embodies the consciousness, sense of warmth, peace and lovin’ acceptance that i seek to cultivate in myself. Emily Trutt always says something i really need to hear and i leave her class ready to hug anyone and everyone i see. I can’t help but smile with every lunge and warrior pose and she reminds me that my practice is an offering. April (Agni Devi — Hatha Raja) is such a powerful presence that she reminds me of my own inner power and beauty. Her music/​singing/​chanting is a portal into the divine. Her class is a physically demanding, spiritually ascending, dance on the mat and seeing her flow through poses is moving art. Heather Woodman (hot flow) makes me tap into every ounce of physical and mental perseverance i’ve got — and i walk away more empowered as a being every time i leave her class. I am reminded that I am so much stronger (spiritually, physically, mentally) than i give myself credit for.
My 8 year old son has learned about his chakras and breathing techniques in their kids classes & work shops and loves Jehfree and the front desk staff. (Jehfree inspires him to be his more authentic self.) :)
I am a better mother, friend, being on the planet for my time on the mat at Om Shala. Just walking into this gorgeous studio makes me feel at peace.
On top of all that they have a dry sauna and showers (and the chillest lounge area with a yoga library) that are included with each class. Oh, they also have a massage room and Surya & Daruka both give quite an INCREDIBLE healing massage!!!
I have met some of my favorite people through this studio and have gained a larger sense of place in this community as a result.
Did i mention i LOVE Om Shala? I do. I do. I DO!