Overview
Ayama Yoga & Healing Arts Center, founded by Mariano Ardissone, is a holistic sanctuary in North Miami Beach dedicated to healing and personal growth. The studio creates a grounded, elevated atmosphere with subtle scents, sacred music, and a welcoming vibe that makes practitioners feel connected from their first visit. It offers an unparalleled variety of over 25 weekly classes, including Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, Kundalini, Aerial Yoga, and specialized workshops. Instruction is characterized by depth, individual attention, and inspiring guidance from experienced teachers like founder Mano, who is celebrated for his mindful sequencing. The center fosters a strong, supportive community and extends its mission through comprehensive teacher training programs and a sister not-for-profit organization.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Tuesday | Open | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Wednesday | Open | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Thursday | Open | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Friday | Open | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Saturday | Open | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Sunday | Open | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
Studio in Details
A Sacred Space for Healing and Transformation
Ayama Yoga & Healing Arts Center presents itself as a sacred space for healing and personal transformation, a mission established by founder Mariano Ardissone over two decades ago. Visitors describe an atmosphere that feels grounded, welcoming, and elevated from the moment they enter. The studio is designed to be a holistic center, with subtle scents, dim lighting, and sacred music creating a supportive environment to turn inward. People frequently mention the serene and welcoming space, calling it a place of peace and positive energy where they leave feeling lighter, happier, and more connected to themselves. The energy is noted as both calm and inspiring, fostering a sense of belonging that many say they felt from their very first day.
The studio’s identity is deeply intertwined with its community and teaching philosophy. It operates not just as a yoga studio but as a center for healing arts, with a sister not-for-profit organization dedicated to service and education. The environment is intentionally crafted to be personalized, experienced, and friendly, welcoming practitioners of all ages and experience levels. Visitors appreciate the incredibly friendly staff and fellow yoga students from all different walks of life and skill levels, which contributes to a warm and supportive community. The overall vibe, as one person put it, is simply great, making it a standout destination for those seeking an authentic practice in South Florida.
A Diverse and Deep Practice
The breadth of practice at Ayama is a defining feature. The studio schedule includes over 25 classes a week across a wide array of styles. Visitors specifically mention taking part in Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, Kundalini, Aerial, Yin, and meditation classes, with some also noting experiences with Sound Bath and Ashtanga. This variety is described as unparalleled, ensuring that whether someone is looking for a dynamic flow or a deeply restorative session, there is a class to match. The teaching extends beyond typical group classes to include specialized workshops on topics like inversions, hip and heart openers, handstands, and even astrology, indicating a commitment to deepening the practice in unique ways.
Instruction here is characterized by depth, knowledge, and individual attention. Visitors consistently praise the experienced, caring, and inspiring teachers who are noted for being incredibly knowledgeable and patient. Founder Mariano Ardissone (often called Mano) receives particular acclaim for his depth of knowledge, fluid sequencing, and mindful, inspiring atmosphere in his Vinyasa classes. His cues are described as precise and thoughtful, leading to moments of realization about alignment and movement. Other instructors, like Ganapati in aerial yoga, are celebrated for bringing infectious joy and playfulness to the practice while maintaining safety. The teaching is hands-on and accessible, with instructors providing individualized attention and knowledgeable guidance within a nurturing framework. For those working with specific physical challenges, the studio offers private sessions that have helped people regain mobility and return to group classes.
Community, Education, and Studio Logistics
A strong sense of community is a recurring theme in visitor feedback. People describe a warm and supportive environment where they feel a true sense of belonging. The staff is noted for going above and beyond to ensure everyone feels comfortable and gets the most out of their practice. This community extends to the studio’s educational offerings, which include comprehensive teacher training programs. The 200-hour and 300-hour trainings are described as highly experiential, providing a solid step for personal evolution through a deeper understanding of yoga philosophy, anatomy, and teaching methodology. One visitor who completed their training here called it one of the best memories of their life, where they made great friends and learned the reasoning behind every breath and movement.
Practical aspects of visiting are clearly communicated. Pre-registration online is required for all classes due to limited capacity, with a waitlist available if a class is full. The studio has a 24-hour cancellation policy for students and may cancel classes themselves for unforeseen reasons, making pre-registration essential for notification. Visitors are advised to arrive 10 minutes early to set up, though late entry may be permitted at the teacher’s discretion for safety. The studio provides storage cubicles for personal items like a purse or backpack and maintains a lost and found for two weeks. In a nod to its North Miami Beach location, there’s a friendly request to avoid bringing sandy mats from the beach. For aerial yoga classes, a specific note prohibits wearing jewelry to preserve the silk hammocks. The studio is open seven days a week, offering a flexible schedule with a wide range of class times to accommodate different routines.