Down Under School of Yoga

Justine had been studying yoga with John Schumacher in Washington, D.C., and even taught yoga at the Supreme Court, but when she moved to Newton to marry a local boy, she felt she had found her home. As she put down roots here, her yoga community grew, entirely through word of mouth. New teachers joined the Down Under community after meeting Justine during teacher training with Patricia Walden. Everything about our community today stems from these humble beginnings - a group of friends teaching together and our wonderful students who practiced through irregular heat, malfunctioning fire alarms, and the reverend's dogs wandering through the room. As Down Under expanded and formed into purpose-built yoga studios, we pledged to keep true to these beginnings of community, friendship, and joy in yoga practice. From its earliest days, Down Under was known for its unique community focus. Our students would meet at a teacher's home to help them practice for on-going assessments. There were potluck dinners at students' houses where yogis, from diplomats to artists, shared their work. A decade ago, Down Under began a free yoga program for seniors and people with disabilities that still runs today, taking yoga off the mat with charity classes supporting causes close to home and internationally. Down Under School of Yoga has grown to become New England's premier yoga school. Featuring three generations of teacher-to-student lineage, unparalleled credentials, all major yoga traditions, and a powerful anti-commercial platform, the quality of instruction is matched only by the studio's warm and welcoming atmosphere and the individualized attention given to students aged 3-93. I got a little taste of the community here and it was like coming home. There is an amazing sensibility here that feels very non­competitive and supportive between teachers - a shared vision of what it means to be a studio and to help students find their own incarnation of yoga. -Natasha Rizopoulos