Miami’s yoga scene is vast, but if you’re looking for more than just trendy studios or intense workouts disguised as yoga, Open Door Yoga in Coconut Grove might be your perfect fit. As someone with some yoga experience, but far from an advanced yogi, I was seeking a welcoming space to deepen my practice without feeling intimidated. Open Door Yoga exceeded my expectations.
A Class for Every Yogi
Forget studios forcing you into one style. Open Door embraces true variety, making it easy to find a class that perfectly matches your needs that day. Let’s break down a few options:
Morning Ritual: An uplifting yoga flow designed to increase mobility, this class combines sun salutations, balance poses, stretching, and a final relaxation, all guided by a focus on your breath. It’s a wonderful way to feel strong, focused, and grounded for the day ahead.
Open Heart Open Mind: This all-levels class moves at a slower pace, perfect for building a strong foundation. Expect poses like wide-legged forward fold, tree pose, and gentle supine stretches.
Yoga Strong: Strength training meets yoga flow in this dynamic class. You’ll use your body weight to build power, tighten your core, and increase overall flexibility.
Active Restore: Warm up with a gentle flow to improve range of motion, followed by supported stretching to release tension in your hips, shoulders, hamstrings and lower back. A perfect class if a deep stretch is what your body craves.
Feel Good Flow: This more advanced class takes you through demanding poses like triangle, warrior series, and relaxation, leaving you feeling energized and accomplished.
Funyasa: A lighthearted take on traditional Vinyasa flow, this class encourages moving at your own pace and finding joy in the practice.
Yoga Fresh: This beginner-focused class teaches the core principles of yoga – including alignment, postures, breath, and meditation. You’ll move slowly, holding stretches longer for a deeper understanding.
Yin Yoga: Embrace the stillness! Two Yin classes are offered: A Friday night candlelit session for deep release, and a Saturday morning class that blends Yang movements for blood circulation with the deep holds of Yin.
With choices like these, there’s truly something to suit your mood and skill level.
My Morning Ritual Experience
Led by the calming Sherrie, this class was the perfect blend of flow and mindfulness. Sherrie’s instruction was clear, with options for every level so I never felt lost (or bored, as sometimes happens in beginner classes). We focused on breathwork, balance, and building strength gracefully – not pretzel-like poses I couldn’t manage. The studio itself is airy and spacious, a far cry from those crammed, overheated rooms you find elsewhere.
More Than Just Yoga
Open Door Yoga understands that true wellness goes beyond physical practice. Their book club, meeting in person, fosters both intellectual growth and community connection. Focusing on self-development, spirituality, and mindfulness topics, it’s a unique way to deepen your experience alongside fellow yogis. The post-class tea and chat area, along with their regular workshops (like the intriguing hips-focusing one!), further emphasize that this studio is about building a true community, not just churning out workouts. It’s the kind of place where knowing everyone’s name matters more than what your leggings look like.
Accessible Yoga for All
Open Door Yoga’s welcoming vibe extends to their pricing. Drop-in classes are just $25, making yoga exploration affordable. They also offer class packages and memberships, ensuring there’s an option for every budget. It’s clear that founder Sherrie Giusto envisioned a studio that catered to everyone, not just influencers.
A Miami native and a former nationally ranked tennis player, Sherrie felt there was a lack of traditional yoga studios that focused on the core aspects of yoga and breathwork, rather than being a trendy Instagrammable place to showcase the latest athletic wear. Her own fitness journey, which began on the tennis courts, ultimately led her to a deep appreciation for the holistic practice of yoga. This passion, coupled with her RYT 500 hour yoga instructor certification, fueled her desire to create Open Door Yoga. It’s a space that takes it back to basics, prioritizing inclusivity and creating a warm space for yogis of all levels to connect and grow.
Who Will Love Open Door Yoga
- Yogis seeking a non-judgmental space to grow their practice
- Those who want variety, not just one style of yoga
- Anyone craving a true yoga community, not just a workout spot
- Budget-conscious yogis looking for affordable drop-in classes
If that sounds like you, Open Door Yoga is worth exploring. Trust me, your body and mind will thank you.
Let me know: Have you tried Open Door Yoga? What other Miami studios offer similar welcoming vibes?
