Taj Yoga

11/27/09

Great neighborhood Yoga Sudio

by Sea Monkey at Citysearch

I am a beginning yoga student and have been at Taj for about 2 years. I love the small class sizes and individual attention. The instructors really care about you and your body . They want to make sure you are not injuring yourself but encourage you to try things when you are ready. The atmosphere is relaxed. My yoga class is the highlight of my week and has made a difference how I feel every day

• Pros: Small classes, great instructors
• Cons: None

11/22/09

Best yoga studio in Seattle

by Flower Girl at Citysearch

All the teachers at Taj yoga are caring and extremely knowledgeable. I have gained a thorough knowledge of anatomy as well as the philosophy of yoga through the classes I have taken at the studio. I especially enjoy Carol Levin's Alexander Technique class, which has given me a new sense of freedom in breathing and movement in every aspect of my life, and has given me an extra dose of in-depth knowledge on how our minds and bodies work.

Thank you to all the dedicated teachers of Taj Yoga and to Theresa Elliott for having the foresight to create such an incredible studio for all of us to play in :o) !

11/22/09

A great place to practice yoga

by Shercappa at Citysearch

Since 2001 I have been attending classes with Theressa Elliott every time I can get to Seattle at the right time - that is the right time for one of her classes. I have NEVER been disappointed with a class from Theressa. She is not only extremely talented but funny and very knowledgeble. She takes her subject and students seriously, but not herself. What a refreshing combination.

• Pros: Great teachers, especially Theressa Elliott
• Cons: Too far from Port Angeles to attend on a weekly basis

11/18/09

Great teacher!

by olivia E at Citysearch

In a sea of yoga teachers today where do you think one can find teacher that is knowledgeable , talented, experienced ,who actually practice what she preaches, refines her own practice, deepens her knowledge, as great for the seasoned practitioners as for complete beginners, have great sense of humor , absolutely inspiring and loved by her students but possesses neither

inflated Ego nor disease of self importance? ......you find her in her Taj yoga studio. Her name is Theresa Elliott!

• Pros: Theresa Elliott!
• Cons: none

06/19/09

The Crown of Seattle Yoga

by nikkichau at Citysearch

I am, to put in crudely, extremely promiscuous when it comes to checking out the yoga scene in Seattle. I would drive by a yoga studio, my car would come to a screeching halt (like in the movies), and I'd flip a U and check it out.

My promiscuity also extends to yoga styles. If someone's labeling it, trademarking it, or teaching it, I'm taking it. My Baskin-Robbins approach has taken me to teachers and yoga conferences from the East side to the West side, and even all over the country. (I'm sure the hallmark of a yoga nut is you travel for it).

So yes, I get around, and I can truly say that Theresa Elliott is one the best yoga teachers I've ever had, and most certainly hands down *the* best yoga teacher in the Seattle area.

While the claim of "best" anything is purely subjective, I make this strong statement about Theresa and Taj for the following reasons:

+ Location location location - As they love to say in Real Estate (also, bubble bubble bubble, but I digress), yoga is also about understanding what is happening *where* in your body, and whether that's desirable or not. I had never learned how to do this until I met Theresa, where I learned what "moving with awareness" really means.

+ Safety first - yes, yoga is all about peace, love, and all that groovy good stuff, but we are working, first and foremost, with the body in the physical branch of yoga. Like any other adrenaline-induced beginners, I went along with the more is better mentality. More backbends, more touching my head to the floor, more pushing my knees back. As a result, I've brought upon myself a few yoga injuries, and at Taj, I can practice with the confidence that someone is making sure that I get rid of that habit.

+ Variety is the spice of life - There are classes for: Beginning, Skill in Asana, Vinyasa Techniques, Universal Flow , Back Care, Kids Yoga, Senior Yoga, and Alexander Technique. The Skill and Technique classes break down the mechanics of the poses, and makes the anatomy geek in me very satisfied. The Flow classes are great when you need to build more heat and endurance. Even after over 10 years of doing yoga, I still consider myself a beginner, and I always learn something new in the Beginning class.

+ Real people - Yes, yoga teachers are real people too! Ok, I'm being facetious, but really, the teachers are casual, relax, down-to-earth, and have a good sense of humor, allowing me to also relax and be myself, and it makes the learning experience much more pleasant.

+ One last thing about the studio before I end my epic review. The setting of Taj Yoga is really unique and unlike any other studio. As you've probably gathered from the other reviews, it's in an old 1950s-ish building, which is also home to a ballet school, Wassa African dance, Flamingo dance... ok you get the idea. It's always really fun for me to come to class and see all the buzzing activities going on.

There it is, I've given the Iliad a run for its money, but all this rambling is really to say that Taj Yoga is a great studio, and whether you're a brand new or seasoned yogi, you'll love working with Theresa Elliott and the awesome teachers at Taj.

• Pros: Highest quality of teaching you can get for your bucks

05/21/08

Best Little Yoga Studio Ever!

by k2b at Citysearch

Situated in an old school building full of different movement professionals, Taj Yoga is a gem! Take a class from an expert instructor and and follow it up with a dance class if you like! The teachers at Taj, especially Theresa, ALL emphasize safety in alignment. At Taj it's not a competition... it's a fun and ecouraging learning experience that keeps you coming back for more! Weekly ongoing classes are offered as well as workshops. Best of all?! Your kids can take yoga next door at the same time as the Monday afternoon General level class!!!!

• Pros: plenty of parking, lots of classes

05/20/08

Great teacher!

by NatashaKrE at Citysearch

I have a lot of good things to say about Taj yoga and its director Theresa Elliott but I will make it short:

Teacher who combines great knowledge, many years of teaching and personal practice experience, talent for teaching, passion and sense of humor is not so easy to find .I feel privileged and lucky to be her student.

• Pros: Great teacher
• Cons: none

05/18/08

Great Senior Yoga Class at Taj!

by juliahk at Citysearch

I found Taj Yoga last fall after my previous yoga teacher retired from doing weekly classes. I am absolutely delighted with the two different weekly yoga classes I now take at Taj Yoga - Theresa Elliott 's Monday 4:15 -5:30 pm class for mixed levels and Melissa Samuels' Wednesday 10:00 - 11:00 am morning Senior Yoga class. Both Theresa and Melissa are very knowledgable about human anatomy and physiology, which allows me to trust their instruction without worrying about risking injury. All the positive things other reviewers have said about Theresa Elliott and her instruction are the things I would say as well and more. Melissa Samuels' Senior Yoga is a terrific class for anyone, senior or not, who wants to learn and practice yoga particularly in order to retain or improve balance, muscle strength and flexibility. Melissa's class is fun and challenging.

05/18/08

Taj Yoga

by LYShields at Citysearch

Theresa Elliot, otherwise known as the Goddess of Stability and Alignment, is a seemly infinite mine of information on yoga and the body. Ever had a yoga related injury or ache and pain? Theresa has a laser eye that will ferret out those personal mysteries. Theresa is the Yoga teacher's teacher. Experience the best in town with jokes thrown in for free.

• Pros: Theresa Elliot

05/16/08

Expert instruction in an inviting environment

by karenand at Citysearch

I searched extensively for a yoga studio where I would be comfortable (as a middle-aged person, with only one prior year of yoga) but also would be challenged and encouraged to the next level. I finally found Taj Yoga, which I'd describe as "serious but never sanctimonious." The general class I take has beginners, mid-levels like myself, and people studying to be professional yoga teachers and, amazingly, it works!

Not only have I learned something significant at each class, much of what I've learned has helped me prevent injuries that I risked in other yoga regimens. My intention had been to find a fast-moving Vinyasa studio, but after two sessions at Taj, I realized that this is a great path to start on to get to the point where I'll be able to do Vinyasa well. The teacher, Theresa Elliott, is a nationally recognized, master-level instructor, which means a lot to some people. To me, it means a lot that she's a delightful, down-to-earth person with an obvious interest in each student and his or her fitness goals.

• Pros: Instructor