Polina Fayet admits that opening a downtown yoga studio during covid was a risky endeavor. But realizing her dream, nine years in the making, just couldn’t wait any longer.
Prana Yoga, located on the ground floor of The Block on Main, opened in 2021 with clean and inviting facilities and “a natural energy about it,” says Fayet. “Prana means ‘life force’ in Sanskrit, the language of yoga.”
“Our studio offers a variety of styles, including hot yoga, power flow, aerial yoga, yin, gentle, restorative, and more,” she says.
Fayet came to yoga as a new mom, struggling — like many new parents — with her identity and new body.
“Yoga allowed me to reconnect with myself, and for the first time in a long time, I felt amazing.”
Prana Yoga offers a new-student special with the ability to sample a variety of classes over 30 days with no commitment to a long-term membership. Visit their website for details.
“Many people are surprised to hear that movement or postures are only one aspect of the yoga practice. I was attracted to the blend of movement, breath, awareness, and introspection,” she says. “Physically, yoga improves flexibility, strength, and posture while enhancing balance, coordination, and energy levels. Mentally, yoga helps reduce stress and anxiety, enhances focus and emotional regulation, improves sleep quality, and fosters a sense of inner peace.”
Instructor Madison Whitley followed a similar path to discover a love of yoga.
“Movement has always been a part of my life, but I really got into yoga when I was pregnant,” Whitley says. “The movement made me feel good instead of sore and achy. I felt empowered.”
Whitley especially enjoys hot yoga, a class she teaches frequently at Prana.
“The heat relaxes the muscles and allows me to move deeper into poses and postures that I couldn’t do in a 70-degree room,” Whitley says. “Hot yoga warms me up and fuels me — it ignites that fire.”
During hot yoga sessions, Prana’s studio is heated between 100 and 105 degrees.
“The heat enhances flexibility, promotes sweating for a detoxifying feel, and increases cardiovascular activity, making it both a workout and a yoga session,” says Fayet. “It also challenges mental focus and resilience. We find that the shared experience of enduring the heat also fosters a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment among our students. There’s really nothing quite like it.”
If you’re thinking that sounds challenging, you’re right, but there are options for every experience and intensity level.
“Gentle yoga classes are ideal for beginners because they provide a more accessible yoga experience. These classes focus on slower-paced movements and foundational poses, allowing beginners to build confidence and develop body awareness without feeling overwhelmed,” says Fayet.
Whitely adds, “As an instructor, I give you the opportunities for movement, but you have to honor where you are.”
“For those not quite ready for (100-degree) intensity, but who want to experiment with the heat, we also offer heated yoga classes at 80 to 90 degrees,” says Fayet.
Talented instructors and thoughtful details help the studio feel like a home away from home, Fayet says.
“Small touches — like cold, wet towels after a hot yoga class and free wellness shots following our sunrise classes — make our students feel like we care about every aspect of their experience.”
Before: Main & Broad editor Emily Uhland arrives at Prana Yoga.
I visited Prana Yoga on a chilly day in December to try a hot yoga class — my first ever. Here’s how it went:
Getting Prepared
When I first heard about hot yoga, maybe a decade ago, I thought it sounded miserable. So naturally, of our team members, I was the one to try the class. As I’ve gotten older (and more stiff and achy), the idea of heated practice has become more appealing, so I was excited for the challenge. Prana has a great blog post about preparing for your first class, and friends warned me to bring towels and water, which helped alleviate some nerves going in.
The Heat Is On
Entering the studio, the heat hits you instantly — I was very glad for the towels I brought along. The instructor that day was Madison Whitley. She was so friendly and encouraging and made me feel welcome. I staked out a spot in the back of the studio, and we were off!
After
I really liked how the elevated room temperature warmed my body up fast, so I felt ready to get moving right away. Madison talked us through every posture and flow and kept the class progressing quickly. You could tell she was having fun, which made the whole experience fun. I never felt like I had to have perfect form or was doing it “wrong.” I tried my best and just kept going.
I definitely agree with Polina’s statement that hot yoga is a workout and a yoga session (see sweaty selfie below)!
Post-Class Reflections
I was proud of myself for making it through, and I was soaked with sweat! Hot yoga was an amazing workout. I loved that it got my heart rate up. The cool towels at the end of class felt like heaven. I never thought I would want to go back, but I absolutely do.
Also, I expected to be sore the following day, since I don’t practice yoga often. I’m happy to say that I wasn’t. I think the heated room really contributed to that. Thank you, Prana Yoga, for such a fun experience!
Other ways to stretch yourself:
Getting uncomfortable is one of the best ways to grow. Here are more ideas to forgo your comfort zone and push your limits this year.
Triangle Rock Club
Defy Gravity at DEFY air sport parks: Zip-lining, open jumping, stunt falling, parkour, and more.
Climb to new heights: Triangle Rock Club recently opened a new Raleigh location, with more than 20,000 square feet of climbing walls and 7,000 square feet of bouldering terrain. Southern Wake favorite, Rock Solid Warrior, has locations in Fuquay-Varina and Apex.
Perform at an open-mic night: Local haunts such as Fainting Goat Brewing Company in Fuquay-Varina and Niche Wine Lounge in Holly Springs provide a platform to develop live performing skills.
Hike the Appalachian Trail: NC’s 96-mile section of the Appalachian Trail includes the Kuwohi summit, 6,643 feet above sea level, and drops into the steep walls of the Nantahala River Gorge, offering a variety of challenging landscapes to explore. With the damage left by Hurricane Helene, the trail is in an ongoing state of recovery. Be sure to verify trail status and accessibility prior to departure.
— Daniel Kayser
