Amara Yoga & Arts was co-founded by Kathryn Fitzgerald and Theresa Brandabur in 2009

Lincoln Square, Urbana Illinois

Amara Yoga & Arts is a yoga studio and art gallery in Urbana Illinois offering daily yoga classes for all, including programs for kids, yoga teacher training, and workshops in a beautiful, friendly & nurturing environment. Our yoga classes blend meditation with breathing and yoga poses to create a total mind body experience. Styles include, Vinyasa, Hot Flow, Yin, Fundamentals, Slow Flow, Prenatal, Gentle, and Restorative yoga – over 30 classes per week to choose from including plenty of beginner classes for newcomers. At Amara we believe in nourishing mind, body, and spirit for all individuals in a safe and welcoming environment.

Our studio embraces a wide range of practices and approaches.  Our diverse class offerings are informed by multiple schools of yoga and yoga philosophies.

Why Yoga?

Yoga is a practice that can be beneficial for people of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels. Some possible reasons why yoga is for everyone include:

  1. It is low-impact: Yoga is a low-impact form of exercise that is suitable for people of all fitness levels, including those who may not be able to participate in high-impact activities.

  2. It can be modified: Yoga can be modified to suit the needs and abilities of each individual practitioner. This makes it accessible to people with a wide range of physical abilities.

  3. It has a range of benefits: Yoga has a wide range of potential benefits, including improving flexibility, strength, balance, and overall physical fitness, as well as reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

  4. It can be practiced by people of all ages: Yoga is suitable for people of all ages, from babies to older adults.

  5. It is inclusive: Yoga is a practice that is open to people of all backgrounds and abilities, and can be a supportive and welcoming community for everyone.

Overall, yoga is a practice that is accessible and beneficial to people of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels, and is suitable for anyone who is interested in improving their physical and mental well-being.

No matter what style you prefer or what level of intensity you are comfortable with today, let our welcoming studio become your yoga home.

Amara Yoga & Arts Studio and Teacher Training Philosophy

  1. Amara Yoga & Arts Studio embraces the fluidity and endless possibilities of yoga, challenging the notion of a perfect pose or flawless yoga style.

  2. The studio welcomes people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and fitness levels, creating an inclusive and diverse community.

  3. The staff at Amara embodies inclusivity, celebrating a variety of styles, lineages, and teaching strengths.

  4. Teachers are encouraged to grow, explore, and adapt their practices to meet the evolving needs of their students.

  5. Amara believes there is no one-size-fits-all approach to yoga and respects each teacher's unique perspective and methodology.

  6. Trainees in our teacher training program engage in open discussions to explore different ideas and concepts, crafting their own path based on safe and best practices.

  7. Amara honors the history and traditions of yoga as well as the teachers who have come before us. We reject the notion of blindly following personality cults or idolizing a single "guru," style, or lineage of yoga.

  8. The studio encourages teachers to cultivate their own creative expressions of different yoga styles while adhering to safe practices.

  9. Emphasis is placed on the journey of imitation, integration, and innovation, where teachers imitate, integrate, and innovate to create authentic and meaningful experiences for their students.

  10. Amara embraces the fluidity of yoga and the boundless potential of creativity, offering a transformative journey that respects diversity and inspires exploration of limitless possibilities.

At Amara we combine Yoga & Art to create a nurturing space which invites body-mind-soul connection and creative flow.