Yoga, 5Ks, And Full Circles: My Fitness Journey

On December 31, 2023, I found myself sitting by a window at Zen and Ginger Boba, reflecting on my goals for the year. I crossed off a few goals and started a new note to jot down my goals for 2024. While gazing out the window, my eyes landed on a yoga studio. Feeling “inspired”, I added “start yoga” to my list. The only reason why I added it was because I need to bring some physical activity into my life.

Little did I know, that studio would come back into my life in the most unexpected way.

Although Yoga never quite made it into my routine I did find my activity for the year: running. At the start of January 2024, I began training for my first 5K: the Gate River Run for Charity. By early March, I crossed the finish line. I continued running and completed another 5K later that year. But by mid-July, my running streak came to an end. Fast forward to December 31, 2024, as I sat down to review and set new goals. I wrote a new fitness goal: “attend workout classes.” then weeks later went back and edited my goals to set a SMART goal — “complete 50 workout classes by the end of 2025.”

Here’s where the universe stepped in. While scrolling through social media, I came across an ad for ClassPass: one month, 36 credits, free. I’d heard of it before—a friend swears by it—so I signed up on a whim. My first booking? A yoga class. Without even owning a yoga mat, I reserved a slow flow class at Yoga Six.

Was I nervous? Absolutely. I had no idea what I was doing. Did I show up wearing long socks and sneakers? Unfortunately, yes. Judge me all you want, but I genuinely didn’t know yoga was a barefoot activity. Despite my rookie mistakes, I survived the class.

After my first yoga class, I booked a second one at Indira Yoga. While driving along Highway 210, I pointed out the studio to my fiance, saying, “That’s where I’m going Saturday” As the words left my mouth, I caught myself laughing. It was the same studio I’d noticed a year ago while sitting at a boba shop, writing my 2024 goals. I had come full circle to the very goal I had scribbled down exactly one year ago.

Reviewing the 2 Studios I Have Been To

Yoga Six

Address: 125 Rainier Ln Suite 7, St Johns, FL 32259

The studio has a very modern vibe, with big cubbies that are perfect for storing bulky jackets. The space is clean and thoughtfully designed, with lighting and diffusers that creates a moody, calming atmosphere. The front desk lady was incredibly nice and welcoming, as was the instructor.

One of my favorite features was the mirrors—they were a total game-changer! As a first-timer, it was so helpful to see how I was positioning myself and also to observe others for reference. For me, the mirrors were an absolute must.

This yoga studio is clearly popular—the class was full but still spacious enough that I didn’t feel crowded or like I was intruding on my neighbor’s space. The instructor was fantastic; she walked around, checked our poses, and even asked me at the end how I found the class.

One standout moment: she immediately spotted that I was new and kindly offered me a different mat, saying, “This one will slide around” (LOL). It was such a thoughtful touch that made me feel seen and cared for. Plus, they handed out cold towels at the end of class, which was the perfect way to cool down and finish on a refreshing note.

Indira Yoga

206 Ashourian Ave Ste 212, St. Augustine, FL 32092

A totally different vibe from Yoga Six, this studio felt much more authentic, especially because of the decor. It had a cozy, down-to-earth feel with a mix of rustic and modern elements that made the space feel welcoming and warm. The instructor/owner was hilarious—her energy at 8 am was amazing! She was incredibly helpful with all the poses. The class felt more personal since there were only three of us, which made it even better. The studio’s flooring was also a standout—it had a large, I found out it’s FUJI Flooring. I booked a weights class, so the AC wasn’t on, but they had Infrared Heat, which was such a cool touch! This was also where I learned that the Manduka mat is the most popular, and I’m definitely planning to buy one.

I will 100% continue to book classes at both studios.

This blog is going up on a Monday while this post goes live I will be attending another studio called “Serasana,” and by the looks of it, this place looks FANCY.