Hidden Dragon Yoga

I’ve been practicing yoga for about a year and I have visited several studios across the country. I’ve never had anyone talk to me as a visitor the way this woman spoke to me. She was so rude and condescending. I’m currently practicing comfortably at level 2 and she sent me to the back and replaced me with one of her regulars before asking me anything about my practice and before the class started. I explained to her I was only new to the studio but not new to yoga. Her response was that «well if I tell everyone to get into lizard I don’t want two new girls (my friend was with me) looking around and not knowing what to do». I politely moved to the back. The class itself was fine and I got a nice workout but the vibe was terrible. It’s certainly not a way to attract members.

I loved my experience here.
I’m traveling across country, visiting yoga studios in each city I stop. I went to Hidden Dragon after a long, boring drive from Albuquerque. I was revitalized at Hidden Dragon.
First off, SICK space. The industrial atmosphere is refreshing from other stuffy studios I’ve been to. Shane was really welcoming. His class was great (I took the core workout followed by the cloud vinyasa series). I needed core work, and boy did I get it! It was a small class, so he had us circle up. He played great music and made me laugh a few times. By the end of class, I got into a handstand for a few seconds, something I wasn’t planning on doing that day. It was exactly what I needed.
I would go back in a second. In fact, I wish I could right now!

The studio is absolutely beautiful, just like a spacious garage warehouse with large windows and huge chinese lantern wicker globules suspended from the ceiling. The «office» is another large alcove with a square couch and a bathroom. Such a beautiful minimalistic space to get your lizard on (the new pose I learned).
Parking is pretty confusing as others have mentioned. They say you can park all around the building, but this is at random in no clearly marked spots, and I am not exactly sure where everyone finds a space, but I guess they did. There are 2-​hour parking spots on Broadway, so you could just park there and walk a short distance. But I would go early if I were you, your first time. And yes, you enter through an unmarked door in the back, which may be locked if you come a bit too early, so don’t leave. That is the door. Maybe this is all like a zen master challenge to test your persistence, and you get rewarded in the end by a yoga class. I am not sure.
MY experiences (which are limited), so take with a grain of Himalayan pink salt:
(Also, I loved ALL these yoga classes. But my aim is to be descriptive. Just imagine pink hearts drawn throughout):
The Ghost — your typical yoga session. I don’t know how else to describe it. And is was not really hot yoga, but more like warm yoga. People still brought towels to put on their mats though. Regulars commented it was harder than usual with the new instructor (not in a bad way).
The Mirror — a restorative class. Kind of like moving into resting poses (like child’s pose) with variations and just sinking in. Good if you are need to give your body some forgiveness and nurturing. Like sleepy-​time yoga.
The Dragon — not too different from The Ghost, but it might depend on who is teaching it. Actually I thought it was a bit «easier» than when I went to The Ghost. Not much heat — maybe less than The Ghost.

I took full advantage of the introductory «10 classes for $ 10» by going to a different class everyday and even trying the Edmond location. The ap they offer is fantastic, super convenient way to sign up for classes — that is if they don’t cancel them shortly before the class was scheduled to begin. There was no variety during my short tour. Every class I attended, except for the restorative, went through the same flow every time. The atmosphere also felt unwelcoming — only once did an instructor make the effort to address me individually. The only reason I might go back is if all the other studios in OKC are worse.

I think it’s safe to say Desiree is the best yoga instructor I’ve come across in Oklahoma City. Her classes were my favorite when she taught at a different studio a couple years ago, and when I saw she owned this studio, I was so excited. I will say it’s not what I expected as far as «hot yoga» goes (it is noticeably warm, but I don’t get extremely sweaty like I have at other studios… which can be good or bad depending on what I’m wanting that day), but Desiree is amazing. She is super strong and great at what she does, but also very friendly, helpful and a fantastic instructor overall.

The first day I took a class here was on Thanksgiving. I thought, «What better way to feel okay about overeating than by going to yoga?» I had the most enjoyable experience which put a smile on my face the whole way home! HDY has a great selection of classes and instructors for the new yogi as well as for experienced yogis. The only thing that can be confusing about your first visit is that the door is in the back of the building that is unmarked. I’d advise them to at least put a sign on that back door letting patrons know that this is indeed where you enter. Conveniently located just west of I-​235 and 10^th, HDY is easy to get to and you can always grab a bite to eat after your class next door at Kamp’s!

I don’t even know where to begin on how much I love practicing at HDY. Desirae, the owner, used to teach at another studio in OKC, and when I learned she opened up her own, I immediately started going to HDY. She’s a great instructor and wonderful at making all yogis walking through the door feel welcome.
As for the classes, there’s a variety of classes suited for different levels — core, postures, flow 1 & 2, and restorative. I personally go to the postures and the restorative classes the most. The Dragon is a great class for those starting out with yoga but want a bit of a challenge. But if you’re looking for something more low-​key, start out with the Mirror — it’s the restorative class offered on Monday and Wednesday nights. I like going on Wednesdays because it provides perfect relief from the work week.
Cool things I like about HDY: there’s an app where you can schedule your classes from your phone, instructors often bring their dogs, and while I have not had a chance to participate in these events, they do a lot of cool special events! Hikes, Halloween glow yoga, workshops. There’s really something for everyone.
So if you’re interested in working on your yoga practice, Hidden Dragon is a great place to do so.