Swan River Yoga Mid-City Mandir

Great class, good teachers and very reasonable prices. Convenient location on Canal St

This was my regular yoga place for years. The atmosphere is so amazing inside. I particularly like their use of musical instruments at the beginning and end of each yoga class. I've also attended their sound baths on different occasions, and that was a magical experience. The cafe is so delicious. My only complaint is that at a dharma talk I attended years ago, the instructor (I think one of the owners), said that Hurricane Katrina was the karma that New Orleanians got because they cosmically brought it on to themselves. I'm paraphrasing here, but you get the drift. Blame the victim, wrapped up in new-age offensive BS. I attended a few classes after that, but my heart just couldn't be in it anymore.

Walking into Swan River Yoga Mid-City is like opening a present that you were reluctant to, but then couldn't believe you had doubted yourself. I've been living in New Orleans now for 11 years. I've passed this building no less than 64,668,168,718,967 times and could not believe that this was the first time I was crossing the threshold into this serene, calm, restorative space.Housed in an old library building, you are asked to remove your shoes upon entry. Little cubbies line the walls which give you no excuse to not play along. This evening was lively as I had arrived at the same time as an evening restorative yoga class. I was here for a massage and continued to be flabbergasted by this secret that had been peacefully chilling in the background all this time. There were things to buy! Like sage, or incense, or Thai lanterns! How did I not know?!? The lady at the desk sensed my beguiled wonder and amazement and told me about daytime and evening yoga classes and that my masseuse Sara, even conducted some of them. As I was whisked away upstairs to my massage room, I graced the marble stairs that led up to the large, open space that once housed great stacks of books and knew that even though I wasn't really that into yoga, I wanted to come back and do it here. I was absolutely transfixed and can see why this building and its atmosphere has such a following. Namaste!

What a wonderful yoga studio and community! I had the pleasure of trying out an intermediate yoga class with TQ on Saturday morning while I was in town for a girls weekend vacation. With all the walking and late nights, a morning yoga session was exactly what I needed! I've never been in such a large yoga studio- the studio is very expansive, inviting, and relaxing. Not intimidating at all for the beginners out there. Our intermediate class was in an upstairs smaller studio, which was perfect because the small class yielded lots of one on one instruction & modifications. TQ did a wonderful job explaining new yoga poses to me, and I really liked his meditations & reflections. Signing up for classes is very easy online. Highly recommend!

What a lovely and inviting space!! Brightly colored and two stories, this space screams serenity, peace and yogi love. Inside the space smells of incense and offers a small retail section. Upstairs is an incredible airy loft which serves as the studio. There are murals, an amazing set of gongs and tons of props for FREE!! The community classes are an affordable $8. They have a piano and harmonia they use to create a calm energy and are very yogic tools. Really, just a lovely place to be. I'd recommend making a stop here.

Popped into the cafe to have some lunch while accompanying a friend to pick up her training certificate. The class offerings listed seemed like a nice mix of flows and times offered. I look forward to Practicing here.

It's been about 5 years since I last reviewed Swan River Yoga and although regretfully I can't add stars (I would, if Yelp had a 6, 7, or heck, even 10 star system), I just want to show them more love.In the years since my last review, I've moved a couple times and was super close to Wild Lotus in the Marigny. Walking to yoga is of course ideal, and Wild Lotus is also a phenomenal experience, so I moved my practice over entirely to there. A couple years, a lapse in practice - I'm living a half hour from civilization- and I started up again at Swan River back in May. It's just been idyllic! I love this studio, with its enormous room upstairs with tons of natural light and air. I love that they burn incense, making for the good smells! I love the morning/afternoon vegan cafe downstairs that makes some of the best cold brew in the city, along with delicious plant-based options (and sinful baked goods that everyone needs once in a while). I love the teachers, especially Michelle and Keith. They both make yoga so approachable that I'd happily bring anyone new to yoga to one of their classes. Love love love. One thing that makes this studio unique is the "Assist" cards (at least I've never seen those at any other studio I've practiced at). If you're not feeling like having the teacher do hands-on assists any given day (or time during the class), you turn the card over. There's also the option for no touching during Savasana. Their schedule is especially appealing to me, as I live a half hour to 40 min in traffic from Downtown. Those mid and late afternoon classes work for me, but there's also morning and evening classes if that works better for people with more conventional schedules. Having two yoga studios that you love in town is priceless! I'm so glad to be practicing on the regular again at Swan River.

I went back and had a two hour service with Taylor. Wow. That was simply amazing. I would highly recommend him. I will try to get an appointment with him every time I'm in Nola. He is the real deal and I don't know if I have ever felt so relaxed.It also helps that the studio itself is so serene and clean. I wish I could hang out there all day.

I do like this yoga studio. I am an extremely new person to yoga, but all of the teachers I have had have been patient and professional. I have only been during the day, and I don't know how the lighting is in the evenings, but I would imagine that its fairly safe at dark. On their website, they have descriptions of all of the classes, and it is clearly marked which are for beginners, and which are for the more advanced.It is all very welcoming and nurturing. This is quickly becoming one of my happy places. All of the employees are very nice. The restrooms are also nice and well stocked. They do have packages you can purchase for discounted rates. There is a parking lot in back, and limited street parking. If your interested at all in yoga, come check them out. There are classes for those that are new to yoga.

It's been a really long time since I've done yoga, but a few afternoons ago I woke up feeling not so great from overindulging on cocktails the previous night...Before I continue, let me give you a little background: As I get older my hangovers seem to be getting worse, and the old "hair of the dog" trick just doesn't work like it used to. A friend of mine, is OBSESSED with Swan River, and whenever I complain about feeling like dog crap, she gives me the hard sell about trying out yoga.Cut back to a few afternoons ago: the Bloody Maryjane's where not cutting through my hangover (my own invention... THC infused vodka, Clamato, horseradish, Tabasco and loads of black pepper. Add pickled okra and a lemon AND lime wedge for garnish! So good!)I decided to give yoga a try and found a class at Swan River. This place is in an old schoolhouse or fire station... something like that, and aside from being kind of "hippy-dippy" is a pretty cool place.In my younger days I was in very good physical condition. I briefly dated Uma Thurman when she was between billionaires, and we often went to Jiva Mukti near Union Square in NYC.Now THAT is a great place to do yoga! It's basically ALL fashion models... the beauty per square inch ratio is off the charts!Anyway, I feel like I've gotten a little off track on this review.... let me cut to the chase:At Swan River they are NOT friendly. I thought yoga was all about accepting yourself blah blah blah. But I felt super judged by the instructor and many of the students as well.Why were they so mean? Simply because I was rusty? That I asked a few questions? That I had a few unfortunate gastric issues? That I verbalized some the pain I was feeling?You'd have to ask them! But I did feel the need to leave before the class was even over. And I will NOT BE BACK!!!