Maplewood and South Orange residents have their choice when it comes to choosing a yoga studio. It doesn't matter if you are a yoga novice or can do an unassisted handstand, you are sure to find a class that satisfies your every need.

While Shakti Yoga & Living Arts on Springfield Avenue officially opened in June 2005, the two business partners, Anna Winkler and Gayle Lemke, had been working together for years. "I started teaching in 2001 and slowly started adding more classes and more teachers. Gayle was one of the first teachers to join me in what became the Yoga Room, from 2001 to 2005," said Winkler. 

Shakti offers an eclectic mix of yoga styles and practices. Classes range from Kundalini, a practice that focuses on rapid, repetitive movements, coordinated with a rapid "breath of fire" breathing practice, to Ashtanga yoga, which is sometimes referred to as power yoga, a more vigorous style, to Gentle Yoga, where moves are performed at a slower pace. Heated floors are a welcome benefit when practicing at Shakti during the cold, winter months.

Shakti also offers yoga classes for moms, infants and mommies-to-be. Family yoga, offered on Sunday afternoons, is a great way to introduce yoga to—you guessed it—the entire family.

Although Baker Street Yoga is the new kid on the block, they still consider themselves pretty hot. The studio, located on Baker Street, opened in November 2009. They offer a unique yoga practice: hot and warm Vinyasa Yoga. The warm classes are taught in a setting of 89 degrees and the hot classes are taught at 95 degrees. Prepare to sweat!

Vinyasa is a Yoga practice that is similar to Ashantga in which the moves can be vigorous and are always aligned with the breath. Baker Street owners Blake Henry and Claire Garland, both Maplewood residents, were eager to open a local studio. "We were going to a studio in Chatham that is located right in the center of the town. We knew that that's what we wanted to do—open a studio right in Maplewood Village so people could walk, run or ride their bike to class. We also didn't want to have to drive that far to get the yoga we love!!"

The studio has nine teachers, all who put their own twist to every class. For example, Kristen, trained with Baron Baptiste. A few of her classes emphasize his style of teaching, which is more challenging and more power-based. The studio will be increasing their classes by adding an afternoon class  (at 1 p.m.) on Wednesday and an 11:30 a.m. class on Sunday that will be a more restorative, gentle-flowing class. They are also working on programs for children and teens.

South Mountain Yoga opened their doors in September 2006 on Scotland Road in South Orange. Director Emma Magenta took her first yoga class in New York City in 1995 and hasn't stopped since. The studio offers only one type of yoga: Anusara, a Sanskrit word that means "flowing with Grace" or "following your heart." Anusara is a type of hatha yoga that was founded by John Friend in 1997. 

South Mountain Yoga offers yoga to both adults and children in a welcoming environment. "Anusara Yoga's Universal Principles of Alignment and life-affirming Tantric philosophy make for a yoga experience that is physically safe and spiritually uplifting," said Magenta.

South Mountain Yoga currently has 10 different teachers. Recently, they have established a free community class on Sunday afternoons, which is taught by teachers in training. They are considering adding a much requested 6 a.m. class. "I am not teaching that class though!" joked Magenta.

An honorable mention goes to Core Mind & Body. Core, located on Maplewood Avenue, offers a class called Fusion Plus. This is not a typical yoga class as it incorporates yoga asanas, aka poses, along with Pilates and sculpting moves with weights. It is a good introduction to yoga and you also walk out feeling like you had a hard workout.

So, bring a mat, or borrow one from the studio, and enjoy the journey. Namaste!