Everett is now home to one of the coolest exercise studios I’ve ever visited, Urban Yogis on Grand Avenue. I walked past it one day on a lunch break from jury duty and the lobby appeared so exciting — it had swings! — that I immediately Googled the website. What makes Urban Yogis unique is that it offers an immersive experience using medical-grade LED therapy light in addition to sound and scent to totally envelop students in an environment that allows them to connect with their bodies.
I spent the remainder of the trial envisioning a happy day when my jury service would be over and I’d come back to Everett, walk into the studio with my yoga bag slung over my shoulder, and spend an hour recharging after a difficult start to fall. That day finally came in late October, and it was everything I had hoped for and more.
I showed up 10 minutes early for an 8 a.m. Hatha class and easily found free parking in front of the studio. The instructor greeted me and showed me where to place my belongings in the lockers. After spending a few minutes checking out the fun merchandise in the lobby, which included locally produced candles, jewelry and flowers, I headed into the studio space where the lights were set to red. In addition to the light bath, there was also music and the scent of incense.
According to the studio’s website, the red bath light: “stimulates mitochondria which use light as energy in cellular respiration.” The temperature was set to a cozy 78 degrees, perfect for tank tops and leggings. I unrolled my mat and selected props from the side wall, including yoga blocks, a strap and a bolster. Students who didn’t bring mats could rent them for $5.
At the end of class, during Shavasana, or the resting period, the instructor placed cool, lavender-infused wash cloths on our foreheads. When I rose from my mat I felt refreshed and happy that I’d begun the morning with movement.
I tried out a class with red lights, but the studio also uses blue and purple lights as well. Blue light: “wakes up the body and increases energy.” Purple: “is beneficial for cellular oxygenation and regeneration to encourage healthy skin and vitality.” Each color is meant to foster a different experience. The studio’s focus is on increasing a mind-body connection as opposed to whipping people into shape, and the students in my class represented a variety of age and ability levels.
Like most premium exercise studios, Urban Yogis isn’t cheap. I paid $22 for a drop-in class. But they do offer memberships that would allow you to take as many classes as you wanted for one price. If I lived in Everett, I would definitely consider joining. As someone who lives a 30-minute drive away, I still think it’s worth making the trip for a fun outing.
Urban Yogis offers free breath work classes to the local community on weekends. You can find out more information by visiting their website at www.urbanyogis.net.
Jennifer Bardsley is the author of “Sweet Bliss,” “Good Catch” and more. Find her online on Instagram @jenniferbardsleyauthor, on Twitter @jennbardsley or on Facebook as Jennifer Bardsley Author. Email her at teachingmybabytoread@gmail.com.
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