Soma Yoga Healing Center — Alexandria, United States

Ayurveda yoga and yoga therapy studio in Alexandria, Virginia

Suite 206 at 6940 S Kings Hwy in Alexandria, Virginia, is where Soma Yoga keeps its doors open to students twenty minutes before each class. The studio is the work of Sarah DeBlock, who holds ERYT-200, RYT-500, YACEP and C-IAYT credentials. Its stated mission is a safe, loving, healing center where people can be in community and learn to improve their quality of life. DeBlock's own path to yoga runs through two turning points. She was introduced to the practice in 2011 as a chemical engineering major, and she credits its stress relief with carrying her through difficult semesters. In 2015 she met yoga therapists at Rasa Yoga who helped heal sciatica pain that had lasted five years. That experience convinced her to train deeply in yoga therapy so she could pass the knowledge on. Her main influence is her guru, Padma Shakti. Through Shakti's school, Rasa Yoga, DeBlock earned her RYT-200, RYT-500, C-IAYT and Ayurveda certifications, and she is now pursuing an Ayurveda Health Counselor certification in partnership with Yoga Veda Institute and Rasa Yoga. She completed her prenatal specialization at Mind the Mat. The studio teaches what it calls Ayurveda Yoga: the eight limbs of yoga, including postures, meditation and breathwork, paired with Ayurveda, which the pages call yoga's sister science. The name comes from a Sanskrit word the pages translate as rejuvenation, inner bliss and the nectar of immortality. Offerings include group classes, private lessons, and workshops on yoga and Ayurveda philosophy. The studio lists experience with low back pain and sciatica, anxiety, depression, prenatal training and respiratory health, including recovery from long COVID. The site also announces a Grand Opening Party on November 14th. Community is the center of the place. The studio offers itself as somewhere to step away from devices and reconnect with oneself and others.

Traditions: Ayurveda Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda, Pranayama (breathwork), Meditation, Prenatal Yoga

Programs: Group Classes, Private Lessons, Workshops & Events, Low Back Pain and Sciatica yoga therapy, Anxiety and Stress support, Prenatal Training, Respiratory Health practice, Ayurveda certification