Overview
YogaHotDish, also known as Bold Venture Yoga, is a small-group yoga studio serving North Oaks and nearby communities like Shoreview, Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, and White Bear Lake. The studio focuses on the 80% of people who don’t see themselves in typical yoga marketing—those with tight hamstrings, men, and non-gymnast types. Classes are an unhurried blend of Kripalu-style Hatha yoga, longer holds, and Zen-influenced mindfulness. No mirrors, no rush, and no corporate atmosphere. The instructor, who has over twenty years of teaching experience and trained at Kripalu, provides hands-on assists and personalized coaching. Venues include a welcoming church space and outdoor areas when temperatures permit. Offerings range from comprehensive yoga to a Chair~ish class that uses chairs for support while keeping students active on the floor. Drop-ins are welcome, and a second class in the same week costs ten dollars, with the third class free. Regulars describe a supportive community that feels like a yoga family. The studio also organizes retreats to Japan and Costa Rica.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed | – |
| Wednesday | Closed | – |
| Thursday | Closed | – |
| Friday | Closed | – |
| Saturday | Closed | – |
| Sunday | Closed | – |
Studio in Details
About the Studio
YogaHotDish, also transitioning to Bold Venture Yoga, is a small-group yoga studio rooted in North Oaks and serving nearby communities including Shoreview, Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, and White Bear Lake. The studio is the work of Shaila, a St. Olaf graduate who began studying yoga and Zen meditation while living in Singapore and Japan. She completed a residential teacher training at the Kripalu Center in 2001, back when immersive programs were required. Her teaching blends classical Hatha yoga, Kripalu’s longer holds, and Zen principles, seasoned with modern best practices and a sense of humor—the studio describes it as “Minnesota Nice(r).” Classes meet in venues like Peace United in Shoreview and other community spaces, often with outdoor options when weather permits. The atmosphere is collegial and independent, more like a study group than a gym class.
Classes and Approach
The studio caters to what Shaila calls “the other 80%”—people who don’t fit the Instagram-ideal of bendy and young. Classes are beginner, bro, and body-type friendly, and no mirrors means less comparison and more internal focus. Offerings include comprehensive Hatha yoga with longer holds to deepen meditation, and a “Chair~ish” class designed for those who want to maintain mobility but aren’t ready to give up floor work—this is not standard chair yoga but uses chairs for support and grounding. Many classes are held outdoors when temperatures are between 60 and 80 degrees. Small groups mean personalized attention, and Shaila offers hands-on assists rather than just verbal cues. Students can attend multiple locations; a second class in a week costs $10, and the third is free. Make-up classes are allowed within the same session.
Visitor Experience
Regulars describe a welcoming community where people notice when you’re missing. Reviews highlight Shaila’s deep knowledge of body mechanics, her ability to challenge students at every level, and her authentic, evolving teaching. Students appreciate the focus on functional movement that translates to everyday life—better sleep, sharper focus, and more ease. The studio provides props if needed; just bring a mat or borrow one. Drop-ins pay via cash, check, or Venmo, and session rates are available online. Retreats to Japan and Costa Rica have been popular among students, adding a travel component to the practice. The studio’s philosophy emphasizes real yoga with roots in India and Zen from Japan, delivered without corporate polish. It’s a place to show up as your sincere self, leave the “woo-woo” behind, and find clarity.