aUM Yoga

When I moved into the Ann Arbor area about a year ago, I was on the hunt for some low impact+strengthening exercise. I’d never really enjoyed yoga before, but the wonderful team at aUM Yoga has made me a convert!They do primarily serve the University of Michigan community, so you need to be ok with taking class with college students…but I’m totally fine being one of the few older townies amongst the 20-somethings! The teachers are welcoming, I’ve never felt out of place (in fact, they were greeting me by name by my 2nd or 3rd class!). I also appreciate that the teachers are always receptive to feedback - and even willing to stay after class to help folks with any poses or answer questions. The general vibe is friendly, open, positive, supportive, and empowering, which is really what keeps me coming back. You feel good all around, not just physically, when you leave class.Jessie, Chelsea, Annella, and Helena are instructors I’ve taken from the most often, and they all have been very knowledgeable and wonderful to learn from. Each obviously has their own style (each is aspirational for me!), but they clearly are on the same page philosophically, share best practices, and genuinely enjoy each other which is lovely to see. They are all deeply invested in the practice of yoga as well as the students in their classes.I enjoy the music (teacher’s choice but generally not stereotypically “yoga”-y good stuff with a beat), the temperature (warm but not hot), and the space (the studio does have permanently installed poles since it’s a yoga & pole studio - but I kind of enjoy how they establish lines and spacing for our mats).They don't do hands-on corrections (which is actually COVID-friendly); their approach is to talk you step by step through the poses and flows as well as demonstrating themselves. Vinyasa 1 was a great place to start as a beginner - shorter, more straightforward flows (usually 2 that you run through 3 times), a bit slower (though interesting enough for more advanced yogis to enjoy and add challenge as they see fit). Vinyasa 2 is a step up because the flows are longer and a bit more complex, have even more room for adding challenge based on personal choice, and give the class opportunity to do one more run of the flow on your own time and pacing. They have a whole range of pole dancing classes as well, which I’m trying to screw up the courage to get into, and offer some interesting yoga teacher trainings and retreats.As someone with a dance background, I’ve really loved the interesting, varied flows that the teachers put together - I would actually describe some of them as similar to dance combinations! And as one who is not so fond of balances and inversions, they don’t include a whole lot into the usual flows, and when they are, I don’t feel pressure to take those on if I don’t feel it. I’ve found that over the year, I’ve learned the poses and correct technique pretty organically, and I’ve DEFINITELY felt the changes in my body. After 2 babies, I feel like I’m starting to get some core muscles back! And the mental/emotional benefits have been great as well.They have nice new client offers - discounted 1st class or one month unlimited classes. I started with class packs but quickly shifted to unlimited classes - and have enjoyed dropping in whenever I have the time. Though you need to pre-register for classes, I’ve never had problems getting into classes I’ve been interested in. Perhaps this is due to a post-COVID slowdown, but this has been the case even as folks have been more out and about.So - clearly, I’m a fan of aUM Yoga! I’d highly recommend anyone - novices and experts, students and townies - check out this warm community.

aUM yoga is great! I took the beginner VinYin with Lillian and she was great! It was an easy flow to catch on to for beginners and I really enjoyed her class. I will definitely be going back in the future.

The environment, faculty, and space are overwhelmingly supportive and welcoming. As a beginner, I was nervous about not being able to keep up, but the pace of the class is just fast enough to provide momentum for your flow while not feeling stressful. Yoga is a really beneficial way of recentering and connecting with yourself, especially when done with aUM Yoga.

I can't stress enough how much I love this studio! I mostly take yoga classes. They are challenging, it's nice to get a little variation, depending on which instructor you get, and the studio is absolutely beautiful. The staff is so friendly, the place is really clean and comfortable and get ready to SWEAT!

Made a recent move to Ann Arbor - and after making a post on Instagram asking for yoga studio referrals, it was made clear to me that Aum Yoga was the place to check out.I travel a lot for a living and have been to quite a few yoga studios since I started practicing a little over a year ago. Aum yoga easily stands with the best of them! Jessie, the teacher and owner, is super pro. Engaged, enthusiastic, and very clear. She’s clearly someone who has funneled a lifetime of experience and passion into what has become a thriving business. She thanked everyone by their first names upon the class’s conclusion. Was an impressive (and appreciated) touch.I’ve stumbled into many big city (and big money) studios, often beautifully lavish with a particular zen sterility. But you can kinda tell when there’s a real community behind a local yoga business - and a healthy community starts with great leadership!People were super friendly, too. Yoga studios can be a bit cliquey sometimes - and it’s always a nice feeling to be welcomed.Anyhow, I’m relatively new to Yoga, but I’m excited to begin a new chapter in Ann Arbor. Just signed up for a month unlimited and am looking forward to advancing my practice and making some new friends!More info:The class was heated to about 80-85 degrees. I usually prefer 90-98, personally. Though, I was told that they turn down the heat when a pole class follows a yoga class, but otherwise most of classes are heated. If you’re looking for a 103 bikram, you’ll probably wanna check out someplace else. The room was spacious, super clean, and overlooks downtown. Vinyasas were instructed/lead for about 2/3rds of the set, with the final third being free form. Some core work and meditation followed the final vinyasa.Highly recommending Aum Yoga!

Jessie L. is a fantastic teacher. I have been to many yoga classes and studios in the last decade and I'd put her up there in the top 3 yoga instructors I've experienced. She is knowledgeable, upbeat and creative. I was surprised by the flow she came up with in class, and it kept me engaged and interested. I am picky about what I recommend but I'd definitely recommend this place. :)

I am so lucky to have found aUM Yoga! This studio is amazing. Jessie, Chelsea, and all the other instructors are so welcoming, and are very passionate about what they do. The studio is always clean and is a positive environment in which to practice. Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate and call aUM their home. I highly recommend aUM for a great place to practice, and for Yoga Teacher Training. I was fortunate enough to complete the program they offered this past fall. It was an amazing and invaluable experience!

Wonderful classes and instruction at aUM! I love the creative flows and the attention to detail. aUM yoga has provided me with relaxation, sore abs (!), and the perfect release from work and hours spent sitting in a chair.

The classes and instructors here are amazing! I always feel recharged and re-centered, and different types of classes are offered all throughout the day, making it super easy to fit into my schedule. The instructors are positive and motivating, so I am always looking forward to my next class!

Out of all the classes I’ve taken here, I was few minutes late just one time this morning - 4 minutes to be exact and they didn’t open the door for me. The girl teaching was a rookie and wasn’t even doing the poses and the students were just lying down. I had to pay extra 5 dollar on top of unlimited to get a class during this week and I get this treatment. I have seen few people come a few minutes late before and still were welcomed.Besides that, the classes are fast paced and not beginner friendly.