straight answers

If you're practicing with us in person, we have everything you need, but most students do prefer to bring their own yoga mat. 

You'll want a mat if you're practicing virtually from home, too. You might also want to gather a blanket and a pillow or couch cushion, plus a strap or scarf; these items are great to use as props. 

If you do buy a mat, definitely buy a cheap one-- unless you just want to splurge, there is no need to spend more than about $30 for a mat. If you decide to stick with it, you might eventually want a pair of foam yoga blocks (about $10-15).

Always wear comfortable clothes and have a bottle of water nearby.

We accept cash and Venmo for in-person classes; just pay your instructor before class. For virtual classes, Venmo is the only option: just click on RCY Quick Pay in the navigation menu to pay before class.

You can get the Venmo app for free from the App Store on your phone.  

Setup is a few easy steps, including creating an account, verifying your phone number, and entering your bank account information. But you only have to do all that once; after that, you can pay anyone else who is on Venmo instantly, for free, using the app on your phone.

There are almost 10 million Americans who use Venmo to pay for goods and services, so you'll probably be glad to have it!

You don't. You just show up!

Once you click on the link for the appropriate class, you'll be taken directly to the meeting via Zoom. It's a good idea to login a few minutes early, especially for your first class. Your instructor will be there to welcome you and help get you settled in. 

If you're taking a Hatha class, all the other students will also be online, so conversation is pretty natural at the beginning and end of class.  

If you're taking a Chair class, your instructor will be in the Community Room on Gardiner Lane with the in-person students. You'll be able to see and hear any other virtual participants, but for the most part, you will not be able to see or hear the in-person students in the class. 

For all virtual classes, your instructor can see you if you have your camera on, but of course they can't watch you the whole time. Virtual students do mute themselves during the actual physical practice, but you are encouraged to unmute at any time and speak right into your instructor's ear through their headset, which also has a microphone that blocks out everything but the sound of their voice.

Once you've gotten settled, you'll just follow along with the instruction, asking questions whenever you have them. You'll be able to see and hear your instructor the whole time.

So it's not the same as being in person, but it's a very good close second.

You can find some screen shots of our virtual Hatha and Chair classes on our Facebook page.

Zoom is free and easy to download from the App store on your phone, or from their website on your laptop. It's used by over 300 million people worldwide on a daily basis, so you will probably be glad to have it!

No.

Probably! As long as your doctor has cleared you for physical activity, River City Yoga classes are ideal for people with special needs of all kinds. You'll learn to customize your practice to your body and your needs.

Unfortunately, it is not. Our practice space is on the second floor, and there is no elevator. There are, however, handrails on both sides of the staircase, and you can reach both at once, which many of our students appreciate.

If you are unable to climb stairs, we hope you'll consider joining us virtually, and get all the benefits from the safety and comfort of home.

Most of our classes are taught by Brenda Edgar, owner of River City Yoga, who is certified RYT-200 through the Yoga Alliance. More information about her can be found at  Brenda Edgar: Art Historian and Yoga Instructor 

River City Yoga is blessed to also have a small group of excellent and experienced substitute teachers, most of whom have been with us since the beginning.

The community today known as River City Yoga began in 2022 at Omies Yoga Studio (now a part of Dreams with Wings) on Bardstown Road in the Highlands neighborhood of Louisville, KY. When Omies discontinued their adult programming, the community found ways to continue practicing together. Over time we've grown, and now we've evolved into RCY! 

It's just your regular, run-of-the-mill yoga. Nothing fancy.

It's Hatha Yoga with a chair. We use our chairs in infinite ways to help support us in our practice, making it accessible to more bodies.

River City Yoga is not a physical studio; it is a community. Our Chair Yoga classes are held in the Community Room above Rainbow Blossom Gardiner Lane, in our hometown of Louisville, KY. Our Virtual Classes are, well, virtual!

No. All River City Yoga students must be at least 18 years old.