Overview
Merula Movement is a specialized studio that combines the GYROTONIC Expansion System® and Yoga Narada® practices under the guidance of instructor Miguele de Quadros-Sherry. The studio’s approach is deeply informed by Miguele’s dance background and focuses on personalized, rehabilitative movement rather than conventional yoga classes. Core offerings include the equipment-based GYROTONIC method for circular, spiraling motions that increase range of movement and relieve pain, alongside the fluid Yoga Narada® practice that awakens senses and stimulates the nervous system through breath. The studio operates by appointment with private, semi-private, and group sessions available both in-person at Seattle/Bellevue locations and online via Zoom.
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Studio in Details
A Movement Studio with Deep Roots in Dance and Rehabilitation
Merula Movement, operating under the guidance of instructor Miguele de Quadros-Sherry, presents a distinctive yoga space that blends specialized movement systems with a deeply personalized teaching approach. The studio’s identity is intrinsically linked to Miguele’s background as a former ballet student, which informs her work in both the GYROTONIC® method and Yoga Narada®. Visitors describe an environment where the focus extends beyond conventional yoga classes to include rehabilitative and exploratory movement. One person noted coming to the studio “wanting to reconnect with my whole body/self and build my overall resilience,” highlighting the studio’s role in holistic physical re-engagement. The work is described as evolving to benefit people with varied backgrounds, with Miguele adapting her teaching to help clients “overcome perceived limitations.” This creates a yoga center vibe that is less about a standard class schedule and more about tailored, mindful movement journeys, whether for injury recovery, general wellness, or enhancing an existing practice.
The physical studio, Merula Movement in Bellevue, is mentioned by visitors as a new location they look forward to attending. While specific details about the studio’s ambiance, like decor or size, are not described by visitors, the emphasis from testimonials is squarely on the quality of instruction and the results of the work. People mention the availability of online sessions over Zoom and FaceTime, indicating adaptability in how services are delivered. The studio operates with sessions available by appointment rather than a drop-in schedule, suggesting a more intentional, booked approach to practice. Visitors do not mention specific amenities like showers or retail boutiques, focusing instead on the transformative nature of the movement work itself within this dedicated yoga shala.
Specialized Offerings: GYROTONIC® and Yoga Narada®
The core of the studio’s practice revolves around two primary modalities: the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® and Yoga Narada®. The GYROTONIC method is extensively detailed by both the studio and visitors. It is described as a system using specialized equipment with a pulley system to facilitate circular, spiraling motions that simultaneously strengthen and lengthen the body. Visitors report tangible benefits: one person experienced “a significant increase in the range of movement in my torso, especially my back,” while another found it helped end “painful bouts of sciatica.” Others noted improved posture, feeling taller after sessions, and developing better awareness of secondary muscle groups. The method is praised for its adaptability, with one visitor stating, “I came to the GYROTONIC Method without any dance training and feeling a little intimidated by the equipment. Miguele put me at ease from the very first session.”
Yoga Narada®, the studio’s named yoga style, is presented as a fluid practice that “awakens the senses, stimulates the nervous system, and activates the body using breath.” It is derived from the work of Hilary Cartwright and incorporates elements of Kundalini and Hatha techniques, as well as Taoist principles. The studio notes it is designed for both dancers and non-dancers. A visitor with years of yoga experience who tried GYROTONIC noted they “loved how I walked away from the class feeling taller and refreshed,” which aligns with the described outcomes of both systems. The practice aims to dissolve physical and mental blocks, allowing the body to open in new ways. While specific sequences or pranayama techniques are not detailed by visitors, the overarching theme is one of activation and release through mindful, breath-connected movement.
An Inclusive, Client-Centered Approach for Diverse Needs
Miguele’s teaching methodology receives consistent praise across visitor testimonials for its warmth, clarity, and customization. Her demeanor is repeatedly described as “incredibly warm and encouraging.” She is noted for her ability to “easily translate sometimes complicated moves into understandable elements” and for answering questions “with patience and kindness.” One visitor emphasized her skill as an educator: “what a gift you have to educate others on how our body works. There isn’t a question that you haven’t been able to answer or explain.” This client-centered approach is foundational, with Miguele personalizing sessions to individual need and level. The studio explicitly works with “a wide range of clients,” and testimonials reflect this, including a senior citizen in their seventies, a person managing Crohn’s disease, and individuals without dance backgrounds.
The studio structure supports this inclusivity through various session formats. Private sessions, semi-private sessions, and group classes are all available by appointment, both in-person at their Seattle and Bellevue locations and online. This flexibility allows for highly individualized attention in privates or the shared energy of a group setting. Visitors mention attending group classes and note the variety within them, saying “each class is different and fun.” The studio appears particularly suited for those seeking rehabilitation or pain management, individuals wanting to improve flexibility and strength in a nuanced way, seniors looking for joint-friendly movement, and anyone desiring a deeper connection to their body’s mechanics. As one person summarized, Miguele “nurtures and challenges in tandem,” creating a supportive environment for exploration and growth in this unique yoga and movement studio.