Y2 yoga has been a place that I have gone to every week for almost 9 years now. I started taking classes at Y2 when my son Wyatt was 12 weeks old. I was in a cave with him – feeding, pumping, feeding, pumping (he was born with cleft lip and palate) and I couldn’t leave him with anyone except my husband because they wouldn’t know how to feed him. A friend took me to a twilight class with her (8:30pm) when Jack could watch the boys. I tried it and never looked back. It was my therapy. It cleared my mind, gave me something to look forward to every week, and did things for me during that time in my life that I will be forever grateful for. Those teachers had no clue what I was going through, but I will never forget that maybe that week it was something they said at the end of class would speak to me, make me tear up and keep me going. During the pandemic, it was the one thing missing from my life. I MISSED the heat, the stretch, the things that it did to clear my mind and now I am back and damn, it feels good! If you are just missing something in your life, or you are stressed out, I suggest trying Y2 or yoga wherever you live, or even stream Y2 live classes online, it can really change your life.
Meet Tanner – a Charlotte native and owner of Y2 Cotswold and Y2 Dilworth. Tanner started taking yoga in 2005 at Charlotte Yoga and became addicted. He decided to do teacher training in January 2008 and the rest is history. He loved the alignment aspect of yoga and he taught himself anatomy to learn all about the body and what it can do. He started teaching donation classes at Charlotte yoga and realized this was something he wanted to do forever. So, hustler that he is, Tanner raised money to start Y2 and in September 2009 opened up the Cotswold location (smaller version of what it is now!). He taught about 22 classes a week, had 10-12 teachers and no rules – it was mostly power yoga.
Through the years he learned a lot and realized he needed to have very specific guidelines for his teachers for the classes. He wanted the teachers to “follow the recipe.” Power yoga with a flow. When he did this, his business grew by 75%. There is always a warm up for about 25 min, then abs, then the sequence (single or double shot), in between you have back bends, and then lastly savasana. And during that time, a cold, lavender scented towel – (everyone’s favorite part!) placed over your forehead. You begin and end every class in childs pose. Rules are followed, people know what to expect, there is a build up with breaks and in the end, your heart rate comes down, and then you rest. Its perfect. Consistency is what makes Y2 so successful.
In 2015, Y2 moved next door into a BEAUTIFUL space with 2 yoga studios (heated and non heated) ,a spa, child watch, the Oasis locker room, regular locker rooms, and space for retail sales.
Here is the heated studio that holds 105 yogis. I have been in a class where every space is used and you would think it gets tight – it only makes the workout better! I love the flow, the heat generated by others, and just being in class with so many people.
Here are a few pics of the locker rooms upstairs in the Oasis Lounge. This is a membership where you can have the sauna, beautiful locker rooms and showers, a place to keep your mat (y2 will clean it and store it for you) and just a place to get ready for work, relax before or after class and also one 30 min massage a month! The locker rooms downstairs also have showers and lockers, but this is just a bit nicer.
Did I mention that Y2 Cotswold has CHILDCARE?! This was KEY for me a few years ago – my kids had a great time and even took a yoga class for kids on Sunday while I was in class downstairs. This is great for the weekend if your husband is playing golf or out of town and you just need an hour to get away and clear your mind -also if you are single mom or dad, this is a great, safe, fun place for them to be while you are just downstairs. Major PLUS!
Lastly, Y2 Cotswold has a spa with all kinds of massages offered. They offer a Karmic, Hot Stone, Sports and Prenatal massages. Massages start at $89.
In January 2021, Tanner opened Y2 Dilworth. Dilworth is a gorgeous studio in a great location off of Park Rd.
Dilworth holds up to 60 yogis and has one heated studio with windows, beautiful floors and just a perfect space.
Dilworth has 50+ classes a week, all heated. First class starts at 6am and last class is at 7:15 pm. Dilworth has great locker rooms and very nice showers and also a retail space!
Tanner has his mind set on opening Y2 studios in different states and they would be lucky to have them. Y2 changed my life during a difficult time and is something that I want/need life now every week. If you are in town, please try one of the studios and if you aren’t, you can live stream or do on demand classes here. They have it all! Another thing, you do NOT need to be flexible to try yoga! I didn’t know what the heck I was doing for so long – I just watched and learned. It takes time, don’t give up. Let whatever happens on your mat, stay on your mat. If you would like to try it or even if you already go, use Brooke Cotswold and Brooke Dilworth for 25% off a package of 5 classes! Namaste 😉
“Your body will most likely become much more flexible by doing yoga, and so will your mind.” – Cyndi Lee
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