about SPIRA yoga studio
A Unique Collaborative Studio Model
To maintain a high-quality, intimate experience, Spira operates through a collaborative studio model—bringing together independently owned yoga businesses and experienced teachers in one shared space.
Rather than a traditional studio, Spira serves as a home for a diverse community of dedicated practitioners and educators. This approach allows students to learn from a wide range of experienced teachers while supporting each instructor's unique offerings and growing community.
Our schedule clearly identifies the business behind each class. If a particular teacher or offering resonates with you, we encourage you to connect with them directly and continue the journey beyond the mat.
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What makes yoga yoga
— and not just exercise —
Is the breath and mindfulness.
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No mirrors
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No heat, Spira is a comfortable 74F
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No music
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No trendy, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses attitudes.
YOGA BREATHING
We teach conscious deep diaphragmatic yoga breathing that has been shown in multiple scientific studies to lower blood pressure, stress and improve concentration.
Breathing is what causes the movement of energy and what helps the body relax. Conscious breathing stimulates the cerebral cortex and has a relaxing and balancing effect on our emotions.
Focusing on our breath during our yoga practice helps us to control the movements, which reduces the chances of injury.
YOGA Movement
We have modified and corrected yoga poses in line with current safe alignment guides by sports professionals and physical therapists. All poses from yoga and gymnastics have been altered to fit a "healthy range of motion." We do not teach nor glorify over-flexibility.
Our goal is to balance flexibility with strength and to allow the smaller stabilizing muscles which are responsible for balance and joint stability to gain strength.
Each class starts with a motion-rich warm-up of muscles and only uses active stretching after warm-up - never passive stretching without the engagement of antagonistic muscle groups.
Yoga meditation
Meditation is a state when the mind is able to release aggravating sensations caused by repetitive thoughts such as worry. The yoga teacher’s job is to guide not just the exercise but also the breath and the feeling associated with breathing and moving. The mind has to focus not just on doing, but on perceiving and feeling the perfect alignment of the exercise. Conscious focusing on the movement with conscious feeling associations encourages plasticity in the brain, it is the key element to improving focus and alleviating stress.
The combination of mindful movement with breathing and conscious sensation processing occupies the mind to such degree that all other thoughts temporally pause. At this state, though the practitioner is exercising and physically working really hard, his or her mind is more relaxed and calm.
Spira also offers dedicated workshops on meditation.
Beyond Yoga - Lectures and Educational Seminars on Mindfulness
Dora specializes in creating unique lecture series on stress management, mindfulness, and resilience training for the professional community. She has worked with hospitals, police, and IT companies, and often presents to the pubic here at Spira Yoga.
By presenting thoroughly researched topics in science, philosophy, and history, and by connecting Eastern Wisdom with Western Science, she provides more than just research statistics; she offers an effective toolkit designed specifically for your workplace.
Go to M3Bmethod.com to find out more
Accolades
Spira was named best yoga studio in Seattle by Seattle SunTimes
Spira Power Yoga was mentioned as one of the best studios in the nation by Spryliving .
spira in the community
I'M AN ORIGINAL CATCHPHRASE
Yoga for Hope
Dora has presented 5 years in a row for Yoga for Hope, an event organized for City of Hope, that does more than clinical research. It helps patients heal with holistic programs such as yoga, meditation and art therapy.
City of Hope’s pioneering research and treatment programs fight cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Organizations we contribute to:
City of Hope
Holy Rosary Church
Alki Elementary PTA
UW School of Medicine – MSA Fundraiser (free medical clinic for homeless youth that is operated in large part by volunteer students from the medical school)
Muttley Crew Cuts – Animal Aid and Rescue
Lafayette Elementary
Rick Rizzs and Dave Henderson Toys for Kids Auction
