Overview
Second Side Yoga is a unique yoga studio in Dallas’s East Village, often called a ‘yoga speakeasy’ for its discreet, unassuming location in a renovated mid-century building. Founded organically over a decade ago by Jonas, it grew from home sessions into a dedicated sanctuary known for its student-first approach and welcoming, tight-knit community. The studio’s philosophy, ‘Second Side,’ emphasizes balancing physical practice with internal growth, offering a range of classes from beginner Vinyasa I to advanced Vinyasa X, Ashtanga, and restorative Yin & Meditation. With a diverse roster of fairly compensated teachers, high-quality amenities, and curated international retreats, it creates an authentic environment focused on depth, personal improvement, and collective connection without pretension.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | Open | 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | Open | 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | Open | 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Friday | Open | 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Saturday | Open | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Sunday | Open | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
Studio in Details
A Yoga Speakeasy in Dallas’s East Village
Second Side Yoga occupies an unassuming, low-slung building in Dallas’s East Village/City Place neighborhood, a space visitors describe as a yoga ‘speakeasy’ due to its discreet location and lack of ostentatious signage. The studio’s origin story is one of organic community growth, beginning over a decade ago when founder Jonas, an art director and photographer, started hosting sessions at his home due to a scarcity of teaching opportunities. As word spread, this intimate gathering evolved into the dedicated sanctuary that exists today. People note a genuine warmth upon crossing the threshold, with teachers and fellow students offering a welcoming atmosphere that one visitor, Fatimah, succinctly called ‘an elite studio without the pretension.’ The ethos is rooted in a student-first approach, where the community itself is seen as the guru, fostering an environment for dedicated practitioners and teachers of independent spirit to pursue personal and collective growth.
The studio’s name, Second Side, reflects a philosophy that extends beyond the mat. It originates from the common feeling after completing intense Vinyasa flow sequences on one side of the body and moving to the other. This idea translates to a belief in giving equal attention to both the physical practice and the deeper, internal elements of yoga and daily life. Jonas’s personal journey—arriving in the U.S. with little money and building a life through perseverance—informs the studio’s inclusive yet challenging mantra: ‘If a guy with broken English can do it, all of us can. Come only if you wanna get better.’ This creates a space focused on solid, unfiltered practice, where the goal is genuine improvement within a supportive, tight-knit community.
Thoughtful Amenities and a Diverse Teaching Roster
The interior space is designed with subtle quality and intention, reflecting the studio’s clean, honest approach to practice. Housed in a fully renovated mid-century stacked stone building, it features a naturally lit studio with skylights and operating windows that allow a breeze during sweaty sessions. The floor is sustainably harvested floating vertical bamboo with anti-bacterial padding, providing cushion and hygiene. A striking 96-inch fireplace offers a hypnotic focal point during evening classes. Amenities are carefully considered, including a full kitchen with a reverse osmosis water filter, an easy-access wine cooler stocked with bottled water for purchase, and high-quality props like Manduka and Lululemon mats available for rental or purchase, alongside high-density blocks and rose gold-tipped yoga straps.
The teaching team is described as ‘a few good teachers’ and includes instructors with diverse backgrounds and specializations, many of whom completed their 200-hour teacher training at the studio itself. The roster includes Aalap, who creates dynamic flows to reach a flow state; Aspen, who blends mindful movement with rhythm; Belén, who integrates Ayurvedic wisdom into slow, yin-inspired practices; and Eric, a former professional fighter who brings lessons in resilience. The studio emphasizes fair compensation for teachers, noting that a meaningful portion of class fees supports them, believing that happy teachers lead to better classes and a stronger community. This commitment helps cultivate an environment where teachers can share their passion and students can grow beyond their expectations.
Class Structure, Retreats, and Community Focus
The class schedule is built around a clear progression of Vinyasa styles, along with other foundational practices. Vinyasa I is a beginner-friendly, moderately-paced class at 90°F that introduces fundamental postures and breathwork. Vinyasa II is an intermediate, faster-paced class at 95°F that builds on basics with more challenging poses. Vinyasa X is an intermediate to advanced, moderately-paced class for a rigorous practice. The studio also offers Ashtanga Primary Series classes, conducted at 80°F without music, where participants move through the sequence as a group. Asana Deep Dive is a workshop-style class focusing on one key posture per session to refine alignment and anatomy. For restoration, Yin & Meditation classes at 75-80°F involve deep stretches and longer holds, often closing with yoga nidra, sound, or meditation.
Beyond the regular studio schedule, Second Side Yoga organizes international retreats designed to nourish the soul and deepen practice. These are curated experiences where every detail is thoughtfully covered, including all meals, accommodations, and activities like surfing, ziplining, or whale watching. Past destinations have included Costa Rica, Belize, and Puerto Vallarta, with future retreats planned for Portugal. Visitors who have attended praise the retreats for being well-organized, offering a perfect blend of practice, relaxation, and fun excursions, and for fostering new friendships within the yoga community. The studio also offers various pricing options for local classes, including bundles, unlimited memberships, and a special one-week unlimited pass for new students, though visitors do not mention specific details on corporate yoga or online class availability. The overarching impression is of a studio that values depth over breadth, creating a home for those seeking to ‘bend the mind’ and connect with a like-minded community in an authentic, unpretentious setting.