Thrive Yoga

[Unfortunately Kim Groark has moved on from Thrive, but that hasn't changed the quality of their classes. They continue to maintain a rich schedule and terrific workshop offerings... and day care.]

I took my first Bethesda yoga class yesterday at Thrive Yoga. I found them through YogaFinder, a useful if not comprehensive listing of yoga centers by city.

I chose Thrive because Kim Groark has a great pedigree (and they had a Sunday morning class). Kim has studied with, among others, Shiva Rea, Sharon Gannon and John Friend, and you can find each of them in her teaching. She combines Vinyasa flow, Anusara alignment and inspiration, and Kundalini energy in a challenging and rewarding 90-minute (actually 100-minute) Level 2/3 class. I was charged afterward.

The studio is located, sadly, in a strip mall (easy parking!), and as hard as they try, it's impossible to forget that. Both practice rooms have windows that scream, and reveal, strip mall, and the commercial, developed energy of the building is a formidable match for the spiritual energy of the studio. The space itself is cool, almost too cool. There's stone everywhere -- the floors, the bathrooms, the changing rooms -- and even the practice rooms are appointed with some high-tech slightly cushioned floor instead of the usual warm yoga-studio wood. Also in the practice room roars the heater, with all its ducts exposed and painted black. Cool, cool, cool.

The heat comes from the class, and from Kim. She's warm and energetic, and came up to my mat before class to introduce herself and welcome me and ask after any injuries I might have. Then she bounced back up to the front of the room, took her seat and asked us to follow suit.

She started us off with three rounds of kapalabhati (cleansing breath) with a kundalini hands-out seat during two rounds. That alone got the blood pumping, and Kim talks throughout, about energy and effort and stamina, and that encouragement increases the charge as well. The class was rigorous and inspired. There was music on the whole time, the usual world stuff (no rock, no jazz) and that warmed up the room even more. There's an element of flow, but never rushing through a pose. In fact, she holds many postures for a good four or five breaths, long enough to feel the burn, but never long enough to seem sadistic. She makes very few adjustments, physical or verbal, but of course that may be different with her lower level classes.

Overall it was a delightful experience, and I can't wait to get back. Kim is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and seems to have a warm heart. She is a new mother and bopped out of class as soon as it was over to go see her daughter at the front desk. And Thrive set up day care at the space a few days a week ($5 for the first child, $2 thereafter), and seems to be building not just a studio, but a community.

Thrive Yoga, 1321 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 301.294.9642

Comments

[mdotmay]

I used to go to a gym that was in a mall, so I can see how a yoga studio in a strip mall could be a bummer. But my gym was next to a Chess King and an Arby's, so that made it cool with me.

[Burger Baron]

I hope the tenor of this blog doesn't remain so stridently anti-stripmall. At the very least, provide an opportunity for those on the other side of the issue to make their case.

Otherwise, nice work!

[jeanne]

thanks for the review..and what, strip malls are now supposed to be aestheic experiences burger baron? Puhleeze!

[yogaWizard]

You should check out Kim Groark's new studio, Sacred Space...she did it, AGAIN!

Amazing teachers, amazing classes, and what a state of the art studio. Kim is not only a gifted teacher, she knows the yoga business inside and out. Thrive just hasn't been the same without her and I am finally happy to find a studio to call home.

I have to correct you that the classes are of the same quality..what they profess to teach there is not vinyasa flow, nor kundalini or ashtanga inspired as you describe in your link. Mostly you get either anusara or a Baptiste style class. There is a lack of authenticity and understanding of what a true vinyasa flow class really is.

[zenpapa]

Sacred Space Yoga is happening. Reminds me of California style studios, the vibe, the energy,
the classes, the ambiance...

So far, I've enjoyed the 2 week intro special, as they call it, the yoga sampler, and I haven't been disappointed yet. Took class with Christine Peterson, Clif Hayward, Jan, and of course, Kim, and each class has been a very rewarding experience. Teachers here are not your cookie cutter yoga instructors-they have their own styles and are clearly very knowledgeable. Often at studios you find one or two teachers who offer a solid class, but here, I feel I could come anytime and get what I came for.

The prices are reasonable and I would pay more for the quality this studio offers.

Finally, a studio that GETS it!

[dolphin]

Kim Groark is unethical

[anonyogini]

Kim Groark IS unethical...not to mention unprofessional. I will be surprised if Sacred Space lasts through the summer.

[former teacher]

She is completely unethical - I felt it the first time I went into the studio. Also, all of her teachers that she started with are now gone and on bad terms. Please don't be fooled - she may embody the physicality of yoga, but not the spiritual essence or the essence of service of others. She only services herself. Yoga without spirituality, awareness, integrity is simply just exercise. You can get that for $30 per month at Fitness First!

[InTheKnow]

Unethical? I'd love to know what personal experience has led the previous, anonymous posters, to express such a judgmental view point.
Anyone wondering about Sacred Space or Kim's dedication to yoga and community should try it for themselves and then decide.
Perspective people.... perspective.

[anonyogini]

Personal experience, let's see...used to work at Sacred Space and know teachers she fired/stabbed in the back. There's no question that Kim is dedicated, but that dedication is to herself. "Former Teacher" nailed it on the head. Try as she may, she just can't fake genuine "dedication to yoga and community".

[pilates class]

Really love yoga myself!