Overview
ShantiOm Yoga Studio is a welcoming and inclusive space located on Chicago Avenue in the St. Johns neighborhood of North Portland. The studio prides itself on creating a safe, all-inclusive environment that explicitly welcomes all bodies, genders, ages, sexual orientations, and religious or spiritual beliefs. With a simple, clean, and eco-friendly layout, it offers all necessary props without extra charges, making it particularly accessible for beginners. The passionate teaching staff provides a variety of class styles and levels, from gentle restorative sessions to more challenging sequences, often incorporating mantra and meditation. The studio fosters a strong sense of community, supported by practical offerings like a New Student Special and online scheduling.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 6:30 am – 8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | Open | 9:30 am – 8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | Open | 6:30 am – 8:30 pm |
| Thursday | Open | 9:30 am – 8:30 pm |
| Friday | Open | 6:30 am – 5:30 pm |
| Saturday | Open | 8:00 am – 12:30 pm |
| Sunday | Open | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm |
Studio in Details
A Welcoming Space in St. Johns
Shanti Om Yoga presents itself as a peaceful, inclusive yoga space tucked away on Chicago Avenue in the St. Johns neighborhood of North Portland. People describe it as a studio that doesn’t look like much from the outside, but once inside, they immediately feel at home. The atmosphere is consistently noted as relaxing, large and peaceful, and welcoming. The studio’s identity is built around being a safe, all-inclusive environment that explicitly welcomes all bodies, genders, ages, sexual orientations, and religious or spiritual beliefs. For many, it’s not just a place for a yoga class; it’s described as caring for oneself and finding a community of practice. The physical space has a simple, practical layout with an eco-friendly, modern feel, is kept clean, and is well-equipped with extra mats and props. One visitor specifically mentioned a bright fuchsia-colored wall that adds a cheerful touch to the room.
The studio’s philosophy emphasizes accessibility and ease. They state they have all the supplies and props needed to support a practice, even for a first-timer, with no upcharges for equipment use. The goal is to make the journey to the mat as stress-free as possible. Visitors confirm this supportive environment, with one person noting the studio helped them find an affordable way to learn about yoga. Another mentioned feeling super comfortable taking a class that fits a busy schedule, partly due to the convenience of online scheduling. The location in St. Johns is part of a strip of locally owned shops and restaurants, adding to its community-centric vibe. While most feedback is positive, one person expressed a significant concern about disruptions during the final, quiet savasana portion of class, citing instances like a barking dog, loud conversations outside the studio, and a participant’s coughing fit. This feedback suggests the sanctity of the closing meditation can sometimes be impacted by external noise.
Teachers and Class Offerings
The teaching staff at Shanti Om Yoga is a collective of passionate instructors, each bringing a unique style and wisdom. Visitors frequently praise the quality of the teachers, describing them as good, friendly and helpful, fun, friendly, compassionate and articulate, and deeply thoughtful and experienced. Specific teachers like Jessica, Kerrie, and Stacy receive individual commendations. The studio’s own materials indicate the teachers share many yoga styles and traditions that include asana, mantra, meditation, and Ayurveda. Teacher bios reference specific training in Integral Yoga, Hatha flow, Power Vinyasa, trauma-sensitive yoga, and a gentle and meditative approach. One visitor appreciated that classes often start and finish with the teacher playing the harmonium while the group chants “Om,” adding depth to the sound in the space.
Class structure is designed to cater to various levels. The studio offers several different classes, styles and levels. They have a defined level system to help students choose: Level 1 for beginners learning alignment and breathing; Level 1 & 2 for a more advanced beginning; Level 2 for intermediate postures; and Level 2 & 3 for more challenging sequences. People are advised to look for gentle or restorative classes if they are beginners. Visitors confirm the studio is a great choice for beginners or longtime yogis alike. The teaching style is noted for balancing a focus on focused alignment with periods of more freeform movement & play. In addition to group classes, the studio offers private lessons, and one visitor shared a positive experience where they were kindly allowed to sit in on one when they arrived on the wrong day. Many offerings are also available online via Zoom.
Community, Accessibility, and Practicalities
Shanti Om Yoga fosters a strong sense of community and practical support for its students. The studio explicitly frames itself as a place for finding a community of practice. This is reflected in visitor comments from locals who are grateful to be able to walk to class, as well as from out-of-town visitors and those returning after a hiatus who feel welcomed. The studio offers a New Student Special: 2 Weeks Unlimited Yoga and a 10 day unlimited Yoga pass for $20 for new students, which one person used extensively. They also mention a workstudy program that allows dedicated students to continue frequenting the studio. For those traveling, the studio is accessible via public transit, with one person detailing a journey on the 44 bus.
Practical policies are in place to maintain the studio environment. There is an age policy stating general yoga classes are for students 16 and older, and pets are asked to be left at home. The studio encourages signing in ahead of time online but assures that teachers can help sign people in if they just show up. While most describe a peaceful, intuitive, and challenging space where they’ve deepened their practice, the critical feedback about savasana disruptions highlights a potential inconsistency in maintaining a uniformly quiet, meditative conclusion for every class. For those seeking a supportive, inclusive studio in North Portland with a range of classes and a focus on community, Shanti Om Yoga presents a compelling option grounded in the positive experiences shared by many of its visitors.