Meet Natalie Morales of Dharma Yoga Studio in Coconut Grove

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Morales.

Dharma Studio is a beautiful, homegrown yoga school in the heart of Miami’s historic Coconut Grove. They opened in January 2010 with about a dozen classes, and today they hold over 40 classes a week at their boutique studio on lively Commodore Plaza, and also host three weekly outdoor classes, free to the public. Their teachers are among the most experienced in town, and they’re known for their commitment to community outreach. They’ve designed their roster so that everyone can experience the far-reaching powers of yoga. Their classes range from the traditional to the eclectic, from challenging, fast-paced, athletic yoga to therapeutic and gentle-stretchy yoga. They have pre-natal yoga, “Baby & Me” yoga, and stress-busting foam-roller classes. Every month they support a local charity, and offer free “chair yoga” classes twice a week on site, for seniors and the mobility-impaired. Voted “Small Business of the Year” for 2014, Dharma Studio is the Grove’s friendly neighborhood yoga sanctuary, where everyone feels at home.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Mostly, it’s been a smooth road for Dharma Studio. When we opened in 2010, our relaxed and casual neighborhood was really ready for a yoga studio. Since that time, we’ve had many different instructors on the schedule, and we’ve lost a few. Naturally, students get attached to their favorite teachers, so it’s always difficult when someone moves away. In the grand scheme of things, our daily struggles are almost comical.

Occasionally, we have internet connectivity breakdowns, people bursting into the studio yelling during savasana, people answering their phones during class, people waltzing through the shala wearing sneakers, people leaving their dress shoes and wedding rings behind, or leaving with someone else’s car keys or flip-flops… All of these things happen, but never with malicious intent. For our staff who hold down the fort, it can be a struggle to politely inform clients about studio etiquette and policies, while being simultaneously laid-back easy-going. We want people to feel comfortable and un-pressured while here, yet we have to fight the hippy stereotype and run our studio like a business. We happily bend over backwards to keep our clients happy, and it’s rewarding to face that challenge every day.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Dharma Yoga Studio – what should we know?
Since the start, we’ve aimed to listen to our clients, and to provide the types of experience they request. We didn’t want to be another elitist studio with a clientele so skewed to the young & able-bodied that kids & grandparents would feel unwelcome. Of course, we offer intense, demanding and vigorous classes, but we also added slow-paced, gentle classes that focus on breathing, stretching, relaxation and meditation, because so many people (regardless of age, fad or fitness) enjoy them. We also offer yoga that’s appropriate for people in wheelchairs, or for the “differently abled” who can’t safely get down on a mat and move independently. So, we hold Chair Yoga classes twice a week, and this program represents some of the most important work we do. Both of these classes are free to the public; one is sponsored by the Woody Foundation, a local non-profit that helps people with brain & spinal cord injuries. We get it that some people have a budget that won’t allow for yoga. So, we sought sponsorship from the open-hearted Coconut Grove Business Improvement District, so we can offer three free outdoor classes a week in the neighborhood. And because we want to help local charities, we sponsor a different non-profit every month through our Community Yoga Program, to help raise awareness (and funds) for the work they do around town. Consistent community outreach is what makes Dharma Studio shine.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
We see ourselves as a community center, and our team is known for being warm and inviting. From the start, we established a culture of friendliness at our studio, and every day we aim to maintain it. We’re in the business of helping people stay happy and healthy, and we’re serious about staying light-hearted as we do it. Some of our clients have been with us for years, and we have earned mutual respect by being both courteous and professional. There are some we see every day, and some entire families come to Dharma Studio for yoga. When our clients tell us how much their lives are improved by the services we provide, it warms our hearts and renews our commitment to community.

Pricing:

• Single drop-in class $20
• 5-class pass $80
• 10-class pass $150
• 20-class pass $275
• Monthly unlimited $165

Contact Info:

• Address: 3170 Commodore Plaza,
  Coconut Grove, FL 33133
• Website: dharmastudio.com
• Phone: 305.461.1777
• Email: dharma@dharmastudio.com
• Instagram: @dharmayogastudio
• Facebook: @dharmayogastudio
• Twitter: @DharmaStudioFL

Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.