She told me before class even began that she almost didn’t come. She stood at the front desk, clutching her wallet, eyes darting between the door and the floor. Her first words were, “I don’t think I can do this.” She said her doctor recommended yoga. She said her back hurt every day, that her knees felt like they belonged to someone twenty years older.
Read MoreI remember the day so clearly. It was the middle of winter, the kind where the air stings your cheeks as soon as you step outside, and the sky looks like it has been painted in one shade of gray that never changes. I had been circling the idea of yoga for a while, telling myself I should try it, but also talking myself out of it every single time. I wasn’t flexible. I didn’t own a mat. I didn’t even know the difference between downward dog and child’s pose. Still, something in me kept pulling toward it, like a whisper I couldn’t quite shake.
Read MoreIn the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali defines yoga as “chitta vritti nirodhah,” the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind. That definition does not mention flexibility, strength, or elaborate poses. It speaks to presence. Yoga is about noticing what is happening inside you and gently guiding your attention back to the present moment. You could do that lying in savasana, sitting in a chair, or walking slowly outside.
Read MoreChair yoga is yoga that meets you where you are. It takes the same breath, presence, and intention as any other yoga practice and adapts it to be done while seated or with the support of a chair. This simple shift opens the door for people who may have avoided yoga because of joint pain, balance concerns, injuries, or difficulty getting up and down from the floor.
Read MoreStress has a way of living in the body.
It shows up in tight shoulders, shallow breaths, restless nights, and that constant hum in the mind that never seems to switch off. Over time, we can get so used to it that we stop noticing how much it’s affecting us. We just carry it, day after day, until the weight feels normal.
A lot of people hold off because they think they need to be younger, stronger, or more flexible. They picture rooms full of twenty-somethings moving quickly from pose to pose, or they imagine they’ll be expected to fold themselves into shapes that feel impossible. Those ideas keep them away for years. But yoga doesn’t ask for any of that. Yoga asks for presence, patience, and curiosity.
Read MoreChild’s Pose is often seen as a restful posture, but for many people, it doesn’t always feel that way. Tight hips, sensitive knees, or a stiff neck can make it uncomfortable. The good news is that Child’s Pose can be adapted so that it truly feels like rest in your body.
Read MoreTrying something new can bring up a lot of questions. Yoga is no different.
You might be wondering what the class will feel like. You might be worried that you won’t be able to follow along, or that everyone else will know what they’re doing. Maybe you’ve had a not-so-great experience somewhere else and want to make sure this time is different.
These feelings are valid. And you're not the only one who’s had them.
Read MoreYoga isn’t about having a certain kind of body. It’s not about touching your toes, standing on your head, or looking like a picture from a magazine. At Emerald Yoga Studio in Pembroke, we believe yoga is for real people in real bodies—whatever that looks like today.
You don’t need to be flexible. You don’t need to be young. You don’t need to be thin, strong, tall, mobile, or calm. You just need to be you.
Read MoreWhen you live with chronic pain or fatigue, everything feels harder. Getting out of bed, doing errands, keeping up with friends—sometimes even taking a deep breath feels like work. You may have been told that movement would help, but the idea of exercise might sound overwhelming or even impossible.
Yoga can offer a different approach.
Read MoreYou’ve probably seen them: blocks, straps, bolsters, folded blankets stacked neatly in our prop room. Yoga props are common in studios, but a lot of people feel unsure about using them. Some think props are just for beginners. Others worry it means they’re not “doing it right.”
Let’s clear that up.
Read MoreSome people walk into Emerald Yoga Studio and say something like, “I’ve always felt out of place in other studios.” Or, “I was nervous to come because I don’t look like a typical yoga person.” We hear this more often than you might think.
And we get it.
A lot of people have had experiences in fitness or wellness spaces that made them feel judged, invisible, or like they didn’t belong. Maybe they were the oldest person in the room. Maybe they didn’t feel comfortable in their body. Maybe they just didn’t feel seen.
Read MoreIn yoga, there’s a word that comes up often: sthira. It means steadiness. The kind of steadiness that holds you in place when everything else feels uncertain. The kind that doesn’t rush to change the moment. It simply helps you stay with it.
Read MoreThere are days when the thought of rolling out your mat feels like too much. You’re tired. You’re overwhelmed. The to-do list keeps growing, and your energy just isn’t there. Maybe your body feels heavy. Maybe your mind is scattered. Maybe your heart is carrying more than usual.
Still, something small inside you might whisper, “Go anyway.”
Read MoreYou can learn how to do a Warrior pose in any yoga class. But that’s not really the point. At Emerald Yoga, we care less about how your body looks in a pose and more about how you feel in it. We’re not here to fix you or push you toward some perfect version of yourself. We’re here to offer something steadier; a space to breathe, to soften, and to remember who you are beneath the surface.
Read MoreThinking about trying yoga for the first time? Maybe you’ve been meaning to come for a while, but something keeps holding you back. Maybe you’re worried you won’t know what to do, or that everyone else will be more advanced.
Take a breath. You’re not alone. And you’re definitely not the only one who’s felt that way.
Trying something new can be intimidating, but it helps to know what to expect. At Emerald Yoga Studio in Pembroke, we do our best to make sure your first experience feels welcoming—not overwhelming.
Read MoreThere’s a common assumption that slower yoga is “easy” yoga. That if you’re not sweating, moving quickly, or holding a challenging pose, then it must not be doing much.
But ask anyone who’s taken a class like Soulful Slow Flow or Revive and Thrive, and they’ll probably tell you the same thing:
It’s hard—but in a different way. And that’s kind of the point.
Read MoreDon’t Toss It! Repurpose It: 25 Ways to Recycle Your Old Yoga Mat
Yoga mats wear down. The grip fades, the cushioning thins, and after years of practice, it’s time to move on. But that doesn’t mean your old mat belongs in the trash.
Most yoga mats aren’t recyclable through curbside programs, but they are reusable in tons of creative, useful ways.
Here’s a full list of ideas to give your old mat a second life.
Read MoreWe’re not a big franchise. We’re not backed by a corporation. We’re a locally owned yoga studio that’s grown right here in Pembroke, Massachusetts—slowly, steadily, and with a lot of heart.
Emerald Yoga Studio has been part of this town for 15 years. In that time, we’ve taught classes for high school students, seniors, new parents, lifelong athletes, and people who never imagined they’d step foot in a yoga studio.
What we’ve learned is simple:
Yoga isn’t about fitting into a mold.
It’s about showing up and being met with kindness.
And that’s what we’ve built our studio on.
Read MoreLet’s be honest—trying something new can feel like a lot.
Even when it’s something you’ve been wanting to do. Even when it’s something good for you. That first step still comes with hesitation—especially when the “new thing” is yoga, a practice that asks you to slow down, tune in, and spend time with yourself.
That kind of quiet? It can feel loud at first.
Read More
