Movement for Real Life
A Monthly Wellness Feature / August 2026
By Petra Lehman-Brauer
Owner – Create Power Yoga
How to Find a Yoga Studio
My top Green Flags when you’re studio-hunting
You’re ready to begin a yoga practice. You’ve heard the benefits, you’re interested in gaining strength, getting more limber, and feeling better in your body and mind.
Now you have to actually find a studio. But here’s the thing: not all studios are created equal. And if you’ve never set foot in one, it can be hard to know what to look for – or what to avoid.
Here are my top “Green Flags” to look for in a yoga studio. They can be applied to a Pilates studio or even a gym as well. These aren’t about fancy amenities or trendy classes. They’re about the things that actually matter.
1. They Know Your Name
A good studio learns who you are. Not just your name, but your pronouns, your preferences, your history. They remember that you have a cranky knee or that you borrow a towel in each class.
And if they forget? They ask. They don’t guess.
It sounds small, but being seen matters. It’s the difference between being a customer and being part of a community.
2. It’s Not About How You Look
There’s no mention of calories burned. No talk of being “swimsuit ready.” No pressure to wear the latest matching set.
Instead, the focus is on how you feel – in your body, in your mind, in your day. You’re not there to shrink or shape yourself. You’re there to connect with yourself.
If a studio is more concerned with how you look than how you feel, that’s a red flag.
3. You’re Always Learning
A good studio doesn’t let you coast. Whether it’s your first class or your hundredth, you’re challenged. You learn new things. You deepen your understanding.
You’re not just repeating the same sequence every week. You’re growing.
And the instructor knows how to meet you where you are. If you’re newer, they guide you. If you’ve been coming for years, they give you room to explore. Everyone is learning, all the time.
4. Ongoing Education Is Non-Negotiable
The best teachers never stop learning. And a good studio invests in that.
Look for a place that offers its teachers regular training. Not just what’s trendy on social media, but evidence-based, nuanced education that helps them teach better, cue more clearly, and support a wider range of bodies.
If a studio’s approach feels stuck in the past – or worse, based on over-simplified ideas they saw on TikTok – that’s worth noticing.
5. It’s Your Class, Not the Instructor’s
This is my pet peeve, and it’s a subtle but important difference: in a good studio, the instructor is teaching you, not working out alongside you.
They’re walking around. They’re making eye contact. They’re offering cues, adjustments, and encouragement. They’re paying attention.
Your experience matters more than their sweat session. That’s how it should be.
6. The Culture Is Clear from the Moment You Walk In
You can feel it immediately. A genuine welcome. A sense of ease. People who look like they actually want to be there.
It’s not a tagline. It’s not a promise on a website. It’s the energy in the room.
A studio that’s about community will feel like it. And you’ll leave wanting to come back, not because you feel like you should, but because you actually want to.
Every body is different. Every practice is different. The right studio for you is the one where you feel safe, supported, and free to explore.
Trust your instincts. Pay attention to how you feel when you walk in. And if something doesn’t feel right, keep looking.
When you find the right one, you’ll know.
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About the Author
Petra Lehman-Brauer has been teaching yoga to students of all levels since 2013. She owns Create Power Yoga in Rumford, RI, where her mission is to create a space where students feel safe, supported, and empowered in their practice; where yoga isn’t about perfection, but about showing up, exploring, and building a deeper relationship with yourself.
Do you have a question or a Yoga – Health & Wellness topic you would like to see Petra cover? If so, email: Info@EastProvHospitality.com with “Create Power Yoga” in the subject line.
