Providence Yoga Tour

In this New England seaport—a hotbed of intellectual and cultural life—an eclectic yoga community flourishes.

By Andrea Ferretti

Talk to anyone in Providence, Rhode Island, and they'll proudly say that the city is going through a renaissance. The many prestigious universities, such as Brown, Rhode Island School of Design, and Johnson & Wales, ensure that the city is a hotbed of intellectual and cultural life: Great art, great food, and great speakers abound.

So it's no surprise that yoga is becoming more widely embraced. Though it's not yet the sort of town where you see a Tapas mat slung across the shoulder of every third pedestrian, it is a place where serious yoga has been simmering for decades. The majority of teachers have been studying, practicing, and teaching for more than 15 years. What's more, the teaching styles are diverse. Shop around a bit and you're sure to find the class that's right for you.

Psychologist Lakshyan Schanzer founded The Yoga Studio and BodyMind Therapies, where he teaches and practices psychology. His yoga history goes back 31 years, and he names his influences as Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Swami Satchidananda, and B.K.S. Iyengar. But Schanzer's psychology background leads him to emphasize the mind-body connection rather than the perfection of each asana. "Learning from the inside out is the main thing," he says. "There are a gazillion poses, but the relationship to yourself and letting your system just undo itself are vital."

The old pink Victorian that houses the studio feels like a warm hug--and you may actually get one from Marilena Kali Schanzer. She is known for her warm, sincere welcomes, which she attributes to her effusive Brazilian upbringing. Marilena's powerful asana classes find their origins in her Iyengar study, as well as her martial arts and dance background. In addition to teaching at their school, Marilena leads popular classes at Brown University and Johnson & Wales.

In the heart of downtown Providence, you'll find Tom Gillette's Eyes of the World Yoga, located in a cool, cavernous office building. The studio's warm yellow walls, soft lighting, and Gillette's soothing demeanor create an oasis amidst the frenzy of downtown.

Gillette's background is very diverse--he's studied with the masters of Kripalu, Bikram, Iyengar, and Ashtanga--and has resulted in his own homebrewed vinyasa flow style. The classes are vigorous, but Gillette doesn't focus purely on the physical. "My classes are all in the service of meditation," he says. "Make no bones about it. That's where we're headed. It's not about being prideful with the body." Be prepared for him to pull out a microphone at the end of class as you lay in Savasana. "An old mainstay from Kripalu," he says. "It allows me to speak very quietly and the whole class can still hear me."

Four miles from downtown is Cranston, home to Yoga Concepts Bikram's Yoga College of India. The close-knit studio run by MaryAnn Nassa and her sister Donna boasts 16 Bikram classes per week, including a 6:30 a.m. hourlong flow class for experienced students who like to practice before the workday begins. The Nassas strictly adhere to Bikram's rigorous method but infuse classes with humor and fun.

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