Overview
The People’s Yoga operates two neighborhood studios in Portland’s Northeast and Southeast, founded by owners who discovered yoga during personal challenges. The studio promotes an inclusive, non-dogmatic mission to make yoga’s healing benefits accessible to everyone, with pricing structures designed for different budgets including scholarships funded by members. With over 90 weekly classes and diverse teaching styles, the studio offers both in-person and digital options while maintaining a warm, welcoming environment. Practical considerations include mixed feedback on loaner mat quality and occasional booking system issues, but overall visitors appreciate the reasonable pricing and community-focused approach.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | Open | 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | Open | 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Thursday | Open | 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Friday | Open | 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | Open | 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM |
| Sunday | Open | 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM |
Studio in Details
A Community-Focused Yoga Space in Portland
The People’s Yoga operates two neighborhood studios on Portland’s eastside, with locations in Northeast and Southeast. This yoga center describes itself as “yoga for all bodies” and emphasizes an inclusive, non-dogmatic mission to make the healing benefits of yoga accessible regardless of financial background. The founding story involves owners who discovered yoga during personal challenges—Michelle Sarchiapone as a young single mom dealing with depression, and Beth Harp during recovery from an eating disorder—which informs their commitment to creating a welcoming environment. People mention the studio has a “warm, inclusive space” that invites practitioners to be present. One person noted the “vibe is welcoming to all,” while another described it as a “safe and welcoming community for a diverse group of people.” The physical spaces are described as airy, clean, and organized, with one visitor appreciating the “beautiful plants throughout” a large studio. However, some practical aspects receive mixed feedback: while many find the studios clean and nice, one person expressed disappointment with “the poor quality of the loaner mats” available for a $2 fee, noting this could be challenging for beginners, travelers, or those with limited means.
The studio operates seven days a week with morning classes starting at 7:30 AM and evening sessions running until 8:30 PM on most days. Weekend hours are slightly shorter. Visitors do not mention specific early morning classes before 7:30 AM, though one person wished for earlier options to better accommodate work schedules. The studio hosts more than 90 classes weekly across both locations, with styles ranging from beginner to advanced. Special events appear on the calendar, including a “Yoga & Artistic Practice Retreat” at Trout Lake Abbey, Full Moon Ceremonies, and Yoga Nidra practices. On certain community-oriented days, such as during a general strike mentioned on their website, they’ve offered free classes. The studio’s commitment to accessibility extends to a scholarship program funded by monthly members, supporting approximately 30 half-price memberships and providing teacher training scholarships annually.
Teaching Styles and Class Experiences
The teaching staff at The People’s Yoga comprises numerous instructors, with over thirty names listed on their website. Visitor experiences with teachers vary significantly, creating a diverse tapestry of class atmospheres. Many people express strong appreciation for specific instructors. One person “loves yoga teacher Margarita Smith even more” after taking her Restorative and Gentle Hatha classes, reporting that chronic neck pain disappeared, sleep improved, and shoulder tension eased. Another found both Ian and Margarita’s classes to have “good cues and proper attention to appropriate alignment.” Several visitors describe teachers as “compassionate, responsive and good at listening to various body needs and wants,” with one noting instructors helped them realize how much they love yoga. Another mentioned a restorative class where the instructor helped with prop placement and read a poem, creating a supportive atmosphere.
However, not all teaching experiences align with the studio’s inclusive ethos. One visitor recounted a particularly challenging class called “Holy Snake with Veronika,” describing the instructor as “militant and aims to shame.” They reported being told not to drink water, not to go into child’s pose, and that blocks weren’t needed. The visitor felt the instructor’s comments—”someone in here is doing it wrong” and “my yoga teacher would pull the mat right out from under you”—created an environment where one would need “a lot of confidence before trying this class so you don’t hurt yourself.” This class also reportedly ended a half hour late without notice. Such experiences highlight that while many teachers foster the welcoming environment the studio promotes, teaching styles can differ markedly between instructors. Visitors mention the availability of props like blankets and blocks to borrow on site, though the quality of loaner mats has been criticized.
Practical Considerations for Visitors
The People’s Yoga offers multiple pricing structures designed to accommodate different practice frequencies and budgets. Membership options include an unlimited monthly membership at $85, a 5-classes-per-month plan at $75, and a digital-only membership for livestream and on-demand classes at $65. All memberships require a three-month minimum commitment and continue via autopay until canceled by email. For drop-in visits, a single studio class costs $18, while a livestream class is $12. Class packs are available: 5 classes for $85 ($75 for seniors, students, and military) expiring in three months, and 10 classes for $160 ($140 for discounted groups) expiring in six months. New students can access a “30 days of unlimited classes” special for $45. Visitors describe these prices as “reasonable,” with one long-time practitioner noting the $12 drop-in compares favorably to other studios charging $18, which they considered “just insanity.” Another person found membership to be “a good value.”
Booking happens through an online schedule where drop-in classes can be reserved. However, one visitor reported a significant issue with the registration system: they registered and paid for two people, but when they arrived, the class was full and staff said “Our system doesn’t work that way.” The visitor felt the studio didn’t stand behind their platform, noting they could see the payment was made before the class closed. This experience led them to describe the environment as “toxic.” Other visitors mention classes can get “packed,” particularly on weekends. The studio offers both in-person and digital options, with livestream classes and an on-demand library available through memberships and digital passes. Their community model includes a “Members with a mission” program where $5 from each monthly membership goes toward supporting community members in need through scholarships. The People’s Yoga represents a neighborhood-focused attempt to balance accessibility with sustainability, creating a space where many find belonging, though individual experiences with specific teachers and administrative systems may vary.