Upstairs Yoga Studio & Wellness Cafe has finally opened its doors in downtown Forest Grove, ready to offer a cozy space for yoga, meditation and communal bonding.
The studio, open just a stone’s throw from Pacific University’s Brown Hall at 2038 Pacific Ave., was brought to life by sisters Azy and Mina Pournaderi. The pair looks forward to inviting and encouraging folks from all over Oregon to join in a community focused on individual yoga practice, healthy living and above all, comradery.
“We grew up just over in Banks — so growing up, we were always in and out of Forest Grove,” Azy Pournaderi said. “We wanted to bring the good, wholesome vibes surrounding yoga from Portland here without any of the pretentiousness.”
Her sister couldn’t agree more. “We both wanted to bring something like yoga and meditation to an area that didn’t quite have it yet,” Mina Pournaderi echoed. “There’s some yoga in town, but a solid yoga studio didn’t exist yet, so we wanted to offer something new.”
In addition to offering a new space for yogis to practice and create a symbiotic community, Azy and Mina seek to create an environment where community members and Pacific students are welcome beyond practicing yoga. The studio also serves as an open art gallery for local creators and artists to sell their work.
“All of our walls will act as an open gallery, and we won’t be charging commission until April, so anyone is welcome to display their works of art,” Mina said. She explained the studio is “totally open” for any and all students to display art or specialty goods such as textiles.
The sisters also plan on opening Upstairs Yoga to students as a peaceful place to study and spend time together, and they encourage students to pop in at any time. Additionally, the Wellness Cafe portion of the studio will feature local, natural goods for purchase — a much-welcomed development with the recent seasonal closing of Forest Grove’s weekly farmer’s market.
Upstairs Yoga has begun offering nearly five classes per day since Monday, Nov. 18, including Vinyasa Basic, Sunrise, Power Lunch and other restorative classes.
Anyone is welcome to take classes and students with Boxer ID cards can receive 15% off of all classes offered.
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