Overview
Courageous Space operates as a unique community-focused yoga studio in Denver’s Capitol Hill, prioritizing inclusivity and connection over traditional fitness models. The studio functions as a collective of freelance instructors who utilize a sliding scale donation system designed for accessibility, ensuring no one is turned away for lack of funds. Offerings include diverse vinyasa yoga, restorative practices, contemporary dance classes, and specialized affinity groups like Queer and Trans Only sessions. Beyond classes, the studio provides Embodied Justice Teacher Training programs and is consistently praised for creating a warm, safe, and profoundly welcoming environment for all bodies and identities.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | Open | 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | Open | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | Open | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Friday | Open | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Saturday | Open | 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | Open | 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM |
Studio in Details
A Community Space for Inclusive Movement and Connection
Courageous Space operates as a distinctive community hub in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, where the primary focus extends beyond physical postures to cultivating courage through sincere movement, meditation, and connection. Visitors describe it as a diverse community that feels welcoming and unlike other yoga spaces in the area. The studio is located upstairs in a building on Sherman Street, with the entrance to the right of a restaurant patio. People note the space has plants, a calm atmosphere where music is not too loud, and a policy of removing shoes upon entry. The environment is consistently described as warm, welcoming, and safe, with several people specifically calling it an LGBTQIA-friendly and welcoming environment. The community aspect is repeatedly emphasized, with one person saying they are “always reminded of the amazing community that thrives within its walls” and leave feeling more centered in both body and heart.
The operational model is unique and community-focused. Instead of a traditional studio with memberships, Courageous Space functions as a collective of freelance instructors, or “Space Holders,” who share the physical space. Each teacher receives donations directly from students, honoring a sliding scale pricing system. This sliding scale donation model, with a suggested range and specific rates for people of color, is designed with accessibility in mind. Visitors confirm this, stating the pricing “is accessible to a wide variety of folks” and that the studio operates on a principle where “no one [is] turned away for lack of funds.” The space also hosts a Pay It Forward Fund, which provides financial aid for teacher trainings to people of color and queer folks, aiming to rearrange resources and support marginalized communities.
Yoga, Dance, and Specialized Class Offerings
The movement practices at Courageous Space are varied and deeply informed by the individual teachers’ backgrounds and intentions. Based on the schedule and teacher descriptions, the studio offers several styles of vinyasa yoga, including Heating Vinyasa, Warming Vinyasa, All Experiences Flow, and All Experiences Vin/Yin. Jordan Smiley, a co-director and ERYT-500 teacher, is frequently mentioned by visitors for his vinyasa classes, which people describe as challenging but rewarding, with options offered for accessibility. His teaching is noted for integrating philosophy, mindful cues, and a focus on the intention behind movements, with one person saying his class is “an exploration of movement and of breath, but of what it is to be human.” Other specific yoga classes include Restorative Yoga inspired by Engaged Buddhism and Bigger Bodies ONLY Yoga, a class specifically for larger-bodied individuals created to offer a safe and welcoming space.
Beyond yoga, the space hosts dance classes led by co-director TJ Jaworski, including Contemporary Dance Practices and a monthly coCreate Dance Jam. Visitors who take these classes express great enthusiasm, with one lifelong dancer calling TJ a “BRILLIANT teacher” and saying the class is a weekly highlight. The studio also hosts specialized affinity group circles, such as Queerageous, a Queer and Trans Only Affinity Yoga Practice Space, and a Yoga for the (R)evolution Book Club. These offerings reflect a commitment to creating specific containers for communities that may not feel welcomed in mainstream wellness spaces. Props like extra mats, towels, blocks, and mat cleaner are available for use, which visitors from out of town found particularly helpful.
Teacher Training and Deepening Practice
A significant aspect of Courageous Space is its educational programs, particularly its yoga teacher training. The studio offers both 200-hour and advanced 300-hour Embodied Justice Teacher Training programs, directed by Jordan Smiley. Visitors who have participated in these trainings speak highly of them, with one calling it an “amazing Yoga Teacher Training program” and another stating they “cannot recommend it enough.” The training is framed not just as a certification course but as a path to deepen one’s personal practice and understanding of yoga’s roots in social justice and liberation. The curriculum is described as inclusive and committed to equity and anti-oppression principles, which are presented as being tied to important yogic teachings.
For those not seeking teacher certification, the studio is still highlighted as a place for profound personal growth. People mention coming to classes to deepen their practice, with one person noting they found “a new yoga home that aligns with the truly life-changing benefits that a yoga practice can provide.” The teachers are consistently praised for their skill and heart. Visitors describe them as “well-rounded,” bringing their own lived wisdom to the space, and being adept at providing real-time accommodations, making newcomers feel welcome and supported. The studio’s location involves stairs to access the second-floor space; visitors note there is a bathroom in the hallway but do not mention an elevator or alternative accessible route. For those seeking a yoga community grounded in intentionality, inclusivity, and a shared exploration of courage, this space offers a distinctive point of connection in Denver.