New Yoga Loft Studio Offers Workshops and Holistic Care

When I was 18, the only thing we'd go to Ybor City for during the day was to buy vintage clothes at Sweet Charity. At night, we'd go to Tracks or Masquerade , the old Masquerade. Not much to do there back in the day. Times have changed and now these days in Ybor City, there is a TON of great things to experience. From great places to shop to some of the best restaurants in Tampa.

Finally, yoga has found Ybor City! Yoga instructor Ashley Thesier opened Yoga Loft , 2002 East 5th Ave., just a few weeks ago. Thesier said it was a 30th birthday present to herself.  Thesier has not only given the gift of a new studio to herself, she has given the gift of yoga to one of Tampa Bay’s most beloved historical communities.

Yoga Loft is warm and welcoming open room studio. Lofty high ceilings and ambient honey concrete floors. The minute you walk in, you can feel the bhava (mood or emotion), it's relaxed and serene. Immediately you see and hear the tricking water of the Buddha fountain.

I arrived late to HathaII Thursday night, and so I almost didn't enter, but I entered mindfully, quietly. I was greeted with hellos and smiles from the students and teacher. A warm wave from instructor Justine Kaye, to come on in and join them. Thesier made a space for me and class continued. When I settled in and looked up, there was a small banner with a quote from Mother Teresa that spoke to the moment perfectly.

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."

Peacefulness settled over me and I knew I belonged, I was glad i deiced to enter. I enjoyed the class, and immediately felt I wanted to return and see what more the studio had to offer. For me the reception I received at Yoga Loft is what yoga is all about. A union of self, a union of family, a union of community.

During our interview, I apologized Thesier for being late to class, and told her I almost didn't enter. Thesier chuckled, "no worries" and told me that a student told her she had been locked out of yoga class only being two minutes late.

"That’s just not going to happen here," she said. "I mean, sometimes people are stuck in traffic, sometimes the dog is going to bark, sometimes a phone is going to ring. Let's consider it meditation training, not interrupting."

Yoga Loft offers over 30 classes a week ranging from beginner, Hatha I & II, Flow I & II, and lunch hour Power classes. One of the classes is called Gentle Bliss — how could you pass that up? 

The deal this month is buy five classes for $25 and first class is free. That's a great deal for yoga. They also offer 10 percent off when you present a military or student I.D.

For more information, call 813-248-YOGA (9642) or check out Yoga Loft's website.

 Parking is $.75 for the hour, and the lot is less than a city block away. What is so great about this location is that you can begin or end your day in Ybor City.

I asked Thesier what her goal is for the studio.

“To the most holistic approach to the practice of Yoga I can offer," she said. "We are also focused workshops and community outreach programs."

The studio offers a range of holistic health care from hypnotherapy, massage therapy, and Thai yoga body work.

I hope this column gets you excited about the newest studio in Tampa and inspires you to venture away from the normal yoga routine. We are living in a renaissance of yoga and holistic care for the Tampa Bay Area, there is so much more to come and to learn. Let's explore and not miss out!

 I am so excited about the growth of our community and can’t wait till the next studio opens and then next and the next …

Namaste!