Movement, stillness, and room to breathe.

I spent four days in Norman, Oklahoma recently and had the absolute pleasure of practicing at SPACE Yoga Studio. I stayed within walking distance, which made it incredibly convenient to drop in daily — which I did, Friday through Monday. My very first class was a Heated Vinyasa Flow I took practically straight off the plane, stiff joints, sore booty and all. By the end of that flow I felt completely reset. Honestly, I think yoga should be mandatory after every flight — it put my body right back to normal. It was the perfect welcome to the studio and set the tone for the rest of my trip. From there, every class offered something different. I took a gentle, fully seated class followed by a sound bath that was genuinely magical, a Hot Vinyasa Flow that took me right back to my hot yoga days, and a Chair Yoga class full of lively folks that was completely different from anything I typically do and genuinely useful to me as a teacher myself. Each class had its own distinct vibe, thoughtfully curated music that complemented what we were doing, and a feeling that the teacher really cared about the experience they were creating. I took most of my classes with the same teacher, Rachel — she's funny, lighthearted and her sequencing is unique and deeply thoughtful. She is also the owner of the studio! Beyond the mat, the studio offers so much more — private classes, massages, acupuncture, sound healing, and a sauna that I honestly can't stop thinking about. I did 30 minutes in salt mode (which has a special device that grinds salt into the air to breathe in — amazing for the respiratory system and skin) followed by an hour in heat mode. It was the closest thing I've experienced to the Temazcal sweat lodges I've done in Mexico, and I walked out feeling incredible. I came in with the usual spring allergy symptoms from everything blooming in Maryland, and afterward my sinuses felt completely clear. Between the sauna and the sound bath, this place takes wellness seriously in a way you rarely find. The space itself is just as thoughtful as the programming, and the decor is wonderfully quirky — full of unicorns, astronauts, and galaxies, so you really do feel transported to a different space the moment you walk in. There's a lovely, loungy waiting area full of art, books, oracle cards, and plants, plus merch, cold drinks, and snacks for after class. They have every prop you could possibly need — high quality mats, blocks, straps, blankets — along with showers, multiple bathrooms, and even dedicated mat storage for members, which I don't come across often and is such a simple, thoughtful touch (I would love to not have to cart my mat around). It has two class spaces, one large and another smaller. Add in a state-of-the-art heating system and a full schedule with plenty of teachers offering different styles, and it's hard to find a weak spot. SPACE Yoga Studio is a gem, and if you're anywhere near Norman, do yourself a favor and go.