Phinney Yoga House

PR.o: How did you decide to start a yoga center here in Phinney Ridge?

Christy: I had been teaching around Seattle at a variety of studios for about 8 years and was seeking a more permanent home. I joined forces with Jennifer Keeler, who directs Yoga Momma and we formed the Phinney Yoga House at the Phinney Neighborhood Center. We moved into the Phinney Neighborhood Center around 18 months ago and really love the interaction with community members and the vibrant offerings in a central spot for families of all ages. The Yoga Momma portion of the offerings by Jennifer are typically offered later in the evenings to be convenient for Moms with children and their busy schedules. Yoga Momma also offers pre-natal and children’s yoga classes that have been a big success with our students.

Phinney Ridge Yoga Studio

Christy: Our program offer classes in the Kripalu, Integral and Viniyoga traditions. These styles tend to focus on the therapeutic and spiritual aspects of yoga and adapt practices to meet individual needs. They are often distinguished from the more “power “ oriented yoga classes offered around town—like the Vinyasa or Ashtanga styles that tend to be stronger and faster paced. I’ve been drawn to the styles at our studio because I feel that they are incredibly accessible for a wide spectrum of student needs. We have students that range from kids who are 14 years of age, to students in their 90’s! It makes it a very community oriented program.

PR.o: Can you be more specific on how you work with Seattle’s Phinney Ridge and Greenwood communities?

Christy: We are very focused on community oriented integration and events. We work closely with the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society who is sponsoring students in our classes. These students attend our regular classes. Our teachers are very experienced in working with people with MS and other physical challenges and will adapt practices depending on what each student needs. We additionally offer a free class in Ballard for people with MS (The Embrace the Moon Studio) – the Ballard studio is fully accessible for students in wheelchairs or who may have mobility issues. Our yoga approach is highly adaptive– which is a great match for the spectrum of students that we serve.

PR.o: Are there other types of yoga that you offer besides the Kripalu style?

Christy: We also offer the Integral and Viniyoga method, which is similar in its adaptive approach to serve the spectrum of students. We are really looking to create offerings that leverage the community space for the neighborhood.

PR.o: Can you share some of the community events you are involved in?

Christy: We offer a free monthly mediation circle for the community and have collaborated with the Phinney Center on several events so far. As part of the Phinney Neighborhood Center celebration in June, we offered a chalk drawing activity for local families. We’d like to increase our participation more and are working with the art community on a number of projects. We will be starting up a branch of Artslaunch at our studio, a non-profit forum for local visual artists, choreographers, composers, and writers. Hosted during the Greenwood Artwalks, it will be a free event although visitors can donate if they wish – the major goal is to support the local arts community.

PR.o: How do you differ from other yoga studios around the Seattle area?

Christy: I think many yoga studios are offering a strong “power” oriented yoga practice like Ashtanga or Vinyasa or stronger Hatha yoga flows. These offerings are oriented more towards the athleticism of the physical practice . This is a great approach for a lot of people. On the other hand, our offerings are applicable to a broad spectrum of students of varying abilities and ages, as our approach is so adaptive to different needs. The Vinyasa method of yoga is a vigorous flow – you really can build up a sweat . We do offer classes at the Phinney Yoga House of varying physical levels (from very gentle to strong)—yet they are definitely all on the more highly meditative end of the yoga spectrum.

Phinney Yoga House was nominated by Seattle’s King 5 news and local students as one of the best yoga studios in Western Washington. Some of the students that nominated the studio say:
“…This is a place that adapts to each of us, makes all feel welcome, and truly helps us at our own levels….”

“….Gifted, skillful, soulful teachers. Beautiful welcoming space. Accommodating location, environs and class schedule. Positively contributing to the community….”

“…The studio space is inviting and calming. Jennifer is a talented, intuitive and compassionate instructor….”

PR.o: The Yoga Momma service is great for the community also. Can you tell us more about it?

Jen: We serve women and families and are a lovely compliment to PRY offerings at the House. Our big programs are the Yoga for Moms program (just for moms), offered three nights per week later in the evening, Prenatal Yoga, and Kids programs. We will begin a Family Yoga offering this Fall, and on October 3rd we’ll have FREE classes to celebrate our 4 years.

I had been teaching at the Phinney Neighborhood Association for a couple of years prior to our studio space becoming available, and continuing to be a part of the PNA was a hopeful vision of mine for growth. Christy’s reputation in the community drew me to see if she would enjoy partnering in the studio, and it has been a lovely, committed partnership ever since. Yoga Momma celebrates 4 years on the ridge this October – prior to teaching at the PNA I had been on a smaller studio on 3rd Ave NW & NW 70th St (MotionSense Movement Studio.) My program truly has evolved out of the Phinney Community, growing to meet the needs and desires of local families through a passion for yoga.

We want to sincerely thank both Jen and Christy for sharing their work and their spiritual combination of exercise to serve the Phinney Ridge and nearby Greenwood neighborhoods.