The Studio DC

This is a really great yoga studio conveniently located in Adams Morgan. I’ve been a few times and always feel great after going to a class here.
The studio doesn’t get as hot as a bikram hot yoga class as they don’t raise the temperature in the room as much. It is especially nice if you do not have heat tolerance and are not looking to be in a 100+ degree room for 90 minutes. You will still sweat and get a great workout.
Instructors are very nice too. Before class starts, they usually go around to each person to introduce herself/​himself, ask about injuries and whether you’re ok with hands-​on assists. I like that they do that, as it seems more personalized than other yoga studios. I also like the lavender oil they give you. Great studio. Great classes. Definitely worth dropping in here.

The Studio DC — Adams Morgan has been my yoga home for a couple of years. I came on the recommendation of a friend and have yet to find another studio that consistently meets my needs. They have a good mix of class types and instructor personalities. The staff are friendly and attentive. Some teachers are more popular than others, and their classes fill up fast. Book online and show up at least ten minutes early to get a good spot. Try the 5:15 classes to avoid the crowds.

Hot yoga at Adams Morgan is cold on cold days… and the place smells like subway sandwiches. Most instructors are not terribly experienced. The «staff» are usually volunteers who know nothing about the business’s policies, and the owner is difficult to reach by phone. In general, just terrible customer service.

In DC, I practiced with a teacher who didn’t belong to a studio. Every Saturday morning, around 10 other students and I would meet in a small community space in Columbia Heights to practice for 2 hours with a teacher that was humble and inviting yet challenging. Afterwards, we would all share tea and food that we brought for the class. This felt like a true community class. She unfortunately moved, and I have been craving this sense of community in yoga and in studios around DC for years.
Every studio I have walked into felt sterile, posed, not community-​based or just (for lack of better terms) not right.
I took a few classes at the Studio DC in Adams Morgan and felt a hint of what I have been missing. I saw reviews about cramped classrooms and yogis flooding in and out between classes. I’ve had those same experiences — and frankly, don’t mind. I feel bad ass practicing in a room with other dedicated people, regardless of whether or not the space is «perfect.» It excites me that there are tons of people ready for the next class — to me, there is a good vibe in that.
All in all, I’m excited to find a studio that feels a little more down to earth.

Great hot yoga classes with kind and instructive teachers and a relaxing atmosphere. The staff is also friendly and there are tons of discounts to make the classes affordable. The music could be more relaxing or motivating — it’s somewhere in the middle now– but I wouldn’t change anything else.

This is one of the best studios in DC. What makes a huge difference here is that they don’t just preach, but embrace, the philosophy of yoga. I was very put off by Flow’s at-​times cliquish, holier-​than-​thou vibe (though a handful of wonderful and genuine teachers also teach there) so I gave this place a try. I really like the welcoming community and the intention-​setting aspects. This place does more to lead by example than most studios I’ve encountered.
Also a plus– the main studio has bathrooms inside. Never realized how handy the feature is until I got here! This place is also far less militant than Flow about late arrivals (a big deal for those who, like me, are constantly hustling between work, yoga, and back). I just wish there were more unheated classes here. I find hot yoga to be largely a gimmick, and for that reason I will unfortunately continue to split my time between here, for the yogic mindset, and Flow, for the variety of classes.

There was a time when I used to think yoga was just for stretching and trying to contort your body in unnatural ways. Ok, so this may still be partly true, but there is so much more that can be gained through the practice of yoga. I’m an obstacle race junkie, so I’ve put my body through lots of rigorous training such as parkour, crossfit and distance running. Although that keeps me in pretty good shape, I still felt like something was missing.
I’ve been coming here almost every Friday for the past 5 months or so on a drop-​in basis. To do so cost me $ 10 a class. I like this option, because if I go out of town or can’t make it for any reason, I’m not just paying monthly fees that go to waste. I attend heated vinyasa flow. Why? I started because my girl made me check it out to see if I could handle it. I think it was a dare, and I’m not gonna lie, I was I little skeptical at first. Why would I want to be in a heated room, sweating my bollocks off? I mean, what’s the point? I don’t even like staying in a sauna for more than 10 minutes and I gotta be in a heated room for an hour? Is you crazy?
We’ll, the fact that I’m still coming is a testament that I really enjoy it. Not only for the health benefits, but the way it seems to calm and balance me spiritually. I’m no expert on the subject but not only does the stretching ease my aches and pains, but I get a great core workout and actually work on muscles I didn’t know I had. The instructor that usually teaches my classes is Courtney. She’s pretty awesome. She speaks with a calm authoritative elegance. Just listening to her is like chicken soup for the soul.
They usually start us off by spraying a eucalyptus-​like fragrance on our wrists to bring to the nose and open up the sinuses. Then as we get ready in a seated position and have a little talk with the yoga topic of the week and kick off the party with some ohms. «OooooOOOOOM» I don’t know why, but that seems to settle the mind. Then it’s game on. Position after position. The heat really makes one concentrate on the moment and ones self. Every now and then someone will accidentally pass gas and it’s funny, but you just let it go. Try not to laugh and just ignore it. By the end of the class I think I’ve sweated away a couple of pounds, along with my stress and anger from daily DC work life and am feeling amazing. So if you are a seasoned practitioner or have been curious about yoga, check this place out.

Sunday nights class was very energizing. Prior to this class all of my yoga training had been via DVD in my home. The instructor provided a very welcoming environment and provided excellent guidance during the hot yoga session. I will be back.

Studio DC is a very impressive and excellent yoga studio. There is a strong emphasis on mindfulness, breathing and the history/​philosophy of yoga. The classes are physically demanding and rewarding. The teachers are very knowledgeable, welcoming and supportive. The buildings are beautiful and conveniently located in Dupont and Adams Morgan. The pricing (including their $ 50 intro pass) is reasonable. Highly recommended!

3.75 stars. The Studio DC was the last stop of a 24 hour exercise rendezvous that featured a Crossfit workout, a mid-​distance run, and yoga. The long and short of it is that I’m totally looking forward to eating as many servings of hot chicken and pimento cheese sandwiches as I can possibly stuff into my stomach this weekend. I deserve it.
What should you know about this yoga studio? It’s a little more expensive than Yoga District (YD), but the differences are obvious. Compared to the crunched spaces and boring white walls you find at YD, the Studio DC is majestic with its trinkets and homages to East Indian philosophy peppering the room. The studio itself is incredibly spacious and exudes warmth. I can see why yoga junkies would like this place.
I took a class with Courtney who completely fit the moniker Laura T. had associated with teachers at this studio years ago. Namely, «they’re all fabulously beautiful, fit, glowing, lithe, and healthy.» Very true. The teachers sell the concept without even speaking.
The class itself was fine although given my beginner status, I was hoping they would provide me with a few more adjustments to ensure that I was properly stretching my body. The speed of the class was probably slightly too fast for me as it took me awhile to decipher code words that apparently meant «cobra» position. I found myself frantically looking towards this one dude to try and make sure I was doing everything right to the point that he probably thought I had a boner for him. I didn’t. Still, the stretches themselves were great, the workout was strenuous without being totally frustrating, and there were quite a few built-​in alternatives for people who were far more advanced than, well, me.
If you are a true yogi, this is probably a great studio for you. I could see myself going here if I truly bought into yoga. However, while I definitely like it, I’m still on the fence.

Six months of a regular Vinyasa practice at Studio DC has given me peaceful Savasannas, better sleep in general, most butt-​kicking power yoga sequences and obliques I thought I’d lost somewhere along the way.
Are you a full on Yogi? Then you know what I’m talking about when I say this is the most centering practice I’ve ever had. New to Yoga and want to build your practice? Ask plenty of questions and request hands-​on assistance. This a set of really knowledgeable instructors who will cut out the BS.
Studio DC is a testament to the fact that sometimes you need to wander off and look around elsewhere to realize that you had something brilliant in your own backyard all along. I’ve tried wandering around and always find myself coming back here. And now I’m staying put.

I LOVE The Studio DC.
A friend of mine recommended checking it out as I have yet to find my favorite yoga spot in the District since my move last year. I was a little spoiled in California. Some of my closest friends are wonderful yoga instructors. I am really happy I found The Studio because it definitely does the trick.
I went all in and purchased a month unlimited pass available to studio newbies for $ 50 (such a good deal). All the classes I have tried have been wonderful. I have only been to the Adam’s Morgan location. It is in a great and convenient space with wonderful instructors.
I especially love that each class includes lavender mist. It definitely takes my level of relaxation and stress release to a whole new level.
The only thing I don’t love is the transition between classes. It makes the Studio more of a 4.5 in my book. If you go to a class where another follows right after, especially on a Saturday, it is a little stressful. There is not enough time in between so the studio is swarmed with the next students. It is a little disappointing because I usually leave yoga feeling tranquil, relaxed, and at peace, but within seconds, my stress levels skyrocket as a swarm of yogis flood the room. It probably is just the nature of this city but it is an unfortunate reminder that you can’t completely escape the hustle and bustle of urban life for longer than the hour and fifteen minutes allotted to your practice.

4.8 star, approximately.
I adore this studio as well as its other location in Dupont. But expect some hiccups if you want to purchase a monthly pass, especially if you’re a student. Instructors other than the owner, Ryan, seem to have issues logging into the system and get you a student pass, or even a discounted single class. Also, the monthly pass at Adams Morgan location only costs $ 69, not $ 59, as is currently listed on the studio’s website. I brought it to one instructor’s attention when I tried to purchase it in person (since I thought there’d been a mistake when I meant to buy it online and the system had it down at $ 69) more than two weeks ago, though it still hasn’t been rectified.
The lounge area on the top level has complimentary chocolate chip cookies, oreos, tea, and filtered water. You can also sit on the cushions while browsing the stacks of magazines on the tea table before or after class. Most classes are held one level down, in an elongated room with cubbies and two additional restrooms. The front of the room faces 18^th Street.
The classes are identical to those held at the other location, with the same rituals of palm oil and lavender spray. Instructors also ask you to greet your neighbors, though I never remember any of them afterward.
I love attending the 6:30am classes and hopping into Tryst afterward to enjoy the continuation of my morning with a smoked salmon bagel and chai latte, especially since the coffeehouse is unusually empty and, dare I say it, serene, at this hour. It’s lovely.

I agree with the overall Unilocal rating right now of 4.5 stars, I like this place though so I’ll round up.
I enjoyed the classes I attended on a one month new student deal. Instructions were clear, the studio is beautiful, and staff and teachers were friendly. It seems to be a policy for teachers to ask students to introduce themselves, and this does lead to a real community feel. I liked the music. They have a lot of classes so you can probably find something that fits your schedule and interests.
I wouldn’t frame these as serious problems, but in a few cases I had trouble hearing the teacher over the music — the layout of the AdMo studio is a little challenging for this, but I was in different places in the room when this happened. (The music was awesome, so don’t make the teachers lose the music, management!). The eucalyptus oil before and lavender spray after are fine (plus the oil give the teacher the opportunity to go around and ask about injuries and hands on adjustments, which is super responsible and all)…but the lavender «aromatherapy» just seems like a subtle way of freshening the air for the next class while we are all still here, haha!
Other than that I’d just say the level of the class depends a little more on the teacher than the number on the schedule, but all classes I went to were pretty accessible, and nothing marked as 1.5 was in my opinion inaccessible to people newer to yoga.
Plenty of good classes and good deals.

I need to update this and upgrade my stars to 5 — I’ve been going here consistently for about 2 months now and have taken classes from I’m pretty sure all the instructors in AdMo and they really are all fantastic (but still avoiding Joe’s have to admit) — all have great instruction and are just so welcoming you crave being in their presence. Great studio!

Great studio space and excellent teach on Sunday morning. We signed up in advance, which was smart, but I do wish the class sizes were a tad smaller… definitely an odd shaped studio with a lot of people in it.

Just an update: I love this place so much. The teachers are great and so is the community. That is all.

Great workout — I hadn’t done yoga in months, but now am tempted to make it a part of my life again. I went here with my roommate, on the promise of a $ 10 new student deal, where you can try out the studio as often as you like during a 10 day period for $ 10. Not knowing whether I’d go a second or third time within 10 days, I still thought it was worth it since $ 10 still isn’t bad for one class. Not tempted to become a regular member since the price isn’t as reasonable after the new student deal. Honestly, I think yoga classes are too expensive to begin with, they really ought to hover closer to the $ 10 range anyway.
As for the quality of the class, i walked away warm, comforted, and super sore, in a good way. I had been having lower back pain from a long international flight and their warm heated room yoga class in adams morgan really did help me to stretch my muscles and relieve back pain. Of course, i had to take it easier than I used to because of underlying stiffness and not having done it for a while, but i felt ok to use the easier poses. the class is still challenging for those who are more regular yogis, but it’s elementary enough for people who don’t do it that often or have just started. the class i went to focused on vinyasa, which is what i prefer.
the male instructor, despite our tardiness, allowed us to enter even though everybody had already arrived and were ready to start. people in the class gave us dirty looks for being late, which i never appreciate about yoga classes — probably the main reason why i avoid yoga because, despite the supposedly calming spirit of yoga, classmates i’ve had in the past tend to act really annoyed if you break their concentration in a self righteous way — but the instructor was kind and accommodating and wasn’t annoyed at all, and didn’t apologize to the class for starting 2 minutes late… a laid back attitude which put us at ease, and which i wish that more yoga students would practice themselves.
i agree with sandy s. that it is lacking in community feel — something that is lacking in many yoga studios — perhaps it has something to do with outrageous prices that prevent people from wanting to attend regularly??? (this is more directed at yoga studios in general)
but overall, had a great experience here, would come again if it were cheaper.

There was one instructor here that I really loved about a year ago, but when I came back and was a totally new staff!
Community feel? Absent.
Adjustments that helped me go deeper? Not enough of them.
Price? After the new student deal, it’s too much.

I remember the first thing I thought when I walked through the unassuming doorway sandwiched between Subway and Idle Time Books, into a tiny foyer, carpeted with faded oriental rugs and packed with people climbing into or out of their shoes, pressing against the walls, getting smacked in the face by errant yoga mat rolls. I thought «Oh for fuck’s sake,» and then repeated it as I caught a whiff of the incense spiralling down the creaky staircase between saffron walls, glancing at the smiling buddha and the brocade door hangings.
My skepticism continued as I squeezed my mat into a small space in the long, narrow studio. There were ranks and ranks of mats belonging to other cheapos just like me, taking advantage of $ 5 DC Yoga Week classes, arranged facing the instructor Alex’s mat in the centre of the room. I grumpily took a half lotus on my mat, trying not to bruise my neighbour with me knees. Then the class started.
And then I fell in love. And now I’m addicted.
Studio Serenity’s vibe is unlike any other yoga studio I’ve attended. Rather than the detached, quiet, inwardly-​focused practice that I’ve experienced at Yoga District or Bikram, Studio Serenity tries to create an open, nurturing community feeling through the warmth and friendliness of its instructors, the fact that the instructors and the studio assistants take the time to introduce themselves and to remember your name, the bright orange walls and odd little ornaments dangling from the ceiling, and the the post-​practice tea and cookies, all of which can feel a bit eyerollingly-​crunchily-​hippie at first, but once you get used to the incredibly unfamiliar feeling of people being generally lovely and open and kind, it’s, well, really nice.
There’s really no better advertisement for the studio than the teachers themselves — they’re all fabulously beautiful, fit, glowing, lithe, and healthy. The instruction is great — they make sure to reinforce the basics time and time again until it becomes second nature to contract your core, to rotate your knee outwards in Warrior 2, protect your lower back, push into the base of your thumb and index finger, raise your sitbones, etc. Although I had practiced yoga for a while before, I started from scratch when I joined Studio Serenity because I had been doing it all wrong. Most of the instructors walk around, performing little adjustments here and there – particularly Margaret and Ryan.
The practice will make you use muscles you didn’t even know you had, it will make you sweat, it will make you bend, and you will feel better than you ever thought possible, and will respect your body so much more for it.
Studio Serenity is awesome. Really. They will be opening an additional space upstairs and will be adding more classes to the schedule soon, including more level 0 – 1 and level 3 classes.