Throughout the years we have had the privilege of working with hundreds of yoga studios that have helped shape our business and become a part of our story. We want to give back to the yoga community and open up the floor for studios to share their stories with us. To do this we’ve launched a Yoga Studio Spotlight section on our blog. We will select a yoga studio we have worked with and invite the owners to share their story.
If you’re interested in having your studio featured please email evelyn@HeatingGreen.com
Today, we are excited to present a new urban studio with an awesome modern design. We’ll turn it over to Tamara Behar owner at Tangerine Hot Power Yoga in Brooklyn, NY.
- Tell us a little about your background in yoga. When did you start and how did you progress to where you are now? I’ve been practicing yoga on and off since 1998 but became a more serious practitioner and teacher in 2008 when I got laid off from my job in Advertising, which then inspired me to open up my own yoga studio.
- What do you enjoy most about yoga? Connecting with other people.
- What inspired you to start a yoga studio? My teacher Baron Baptiste, the dedicated, hard-working students in Brooklyn and a desire to create a studio that I hadn’t felt or seen before.
- What do you think makes for a good yoga session A strong and challenging sequence taught by a teacher who communicates in a real way, give great hands-on assists and who doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
- Your studio obviously offers hot yoga. What are some of the benefits to practicing yoga in a hot environment? The benefits of Hot Yoga are many! You can develop a calmer mind and stronger focus. Lower your heart rate and blood pressure. Bad Habits can fall away and it’s so detoxifying for the body.
- What advice would you give to perspective students who are on the fence about trying yoga or making the switch to hot yoga? For some reason, people think they can’t try yoga or hot yoga for that matter because they are not flexible or feel that they have to be good at it the first time out. I tell new students that we didn’t learn to walk, talk, or ride a bike the first time we tried. We get up, we fall, many times before we get the hang of it. I say baby steps.
- What are some characteristics you look for in a studio? I look for a studio that has a strong community. I like a place that is taken care of, clean and organized. I prefer a studio with wood floors, without mirrors and very little distraction.
- How did you go about designing your space I worked closely with an Architect and was very clear on my vision; to create a Brooklyn urban vibe, a studio that feels like a lounge where people feel comfortable enough to hang out before or after class. I wanted a studio where everything has a place; from the mats, to the towels, lockers, hangers for coats etc. I also wanted to be eco-conscious so we are paperless, no printer, hand dryers rather than paper towels, and compostable plastic bags.
- What were some of the biggest challenges you faced with your studio? How did you overcome them? Construction delays were the biggest challenge for me. We were supposed to open March 1st and didn’t open until April 19th. I felt pressure as I hired a lot of Teachers, Front Desk Staff etc and I couldn’t give them a start date. It drove me crazy!I overcame all these crazy challenges by problem solving, having some good cries and surrendering to the process.
- If you had to start over would you make any changes? I thought a lot about this question and I wouldn’t change a thing because I learned so much from all the mistakes and things I didn’t know. I feel like I went to Business school in 6 months!
- What has been the most rewarding part about the experience? The most rewarding part is seeing teachers, students and staff come into the studio with such a look of joy on their faces. I love making people happy and creating connection.
- What are your goals for the future of the studio? I would like to do some unique trainings/retreats, bring in master teachers from all over the planet and eventually open other locations in Brooklyn.
- Is there anything else you would like to share? I’m really happy we made the decision to use the radiant heating panels in the studio as they heat the room in such a way that allows students to breathe (which is the most important thing!) and is not suffocating in any way.
- For more information on Tangerine Hot Power Yoga, please visit them online or contact them at: Tangerine Hot Power Yoga 225 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718) 855-8622 Facebook: Tangerine Hot Power Yoga http://www.tangerinehotpoweryoga.com/
