Open Lotus Studio

I love this space. Its been my home away from home for years. It nourishes my mind, body, and soul all in one place. I have been doing the spiritual work for years and it was finally time to feel my body again and get back in it so to speak. I went to one dance class and it opened up that side of me so beautifully. I was finally fully open spiritually, physically, emotionally, and creatively by merging body with spirit. The music choices for dance classes are almost guaranteed to speak to your body and it can’t help but want to move. You may leave tired and sweaty but you will be smiling.

Today was my first class at Thrive. I did the Nia class with Amber. I’ve been searching for a way to get active again after gaining a lot of weight and injuring my knee really badly. Anyhoo, I tried Zumba, yoga at ‘Yoga Yoga’ and at home stuff. For anyone looking for a sane, easy to start, great, great way to workout that is really more fun than the ‘I’ve got to keep up or die’ fitness classes that are common, this is it.
I must say though, Amber, the instructor, made the difference. She took the time to explain Nia before the class began, remembered everyone’s name, was personable and fun.
Highly recommended for all fitness levels (mine is just short of comatose), and ages.

I love this place. I’ve been a regular for six or seven years, and have seen many changes – but somehow it just gets better. In my experience, it was never the patchouli-​drenched hippie-​fest one reviewer feared – although Trance Dance dips a toe in that lake. It’s just a beautiful, comfortable space where people of all ages, body types and inclinations get together to sweat, move, and dance. There’s a place for everyone here. Nia’s my thing but if if you don’t like it, try Pilates or Zumba or yoga.
I had to smile at Melissa’s post below. Reading it, I could just hear Donna’s warm voice in her email reply. If you want a «professional,» corporate, meaningless reply to your email, write Gold’s!

How unprofessional. Really shocked by the response that I got from Donna Starnes, a Nia instructor here. I wrote an email to Thrive to ask if they had ever considered offering Barre classes since the space would be conducive to that, and there is a lack of Barre on the south side. I would have rather not gotten a response at all than the flippant and unprofessional one I received from this instructor. Really, this is not the person who should be replying to client emails. But you be the judge:
On Mar 18, 2012, at 9:33 PM, Melissa A. wrote:
Hi,
I do Pilates at your fitness studio a couple times a week. I wonder, have you ever considered offering Barre classes? I think this is a great space for this and most of the Barre studios are up north so you’d have a captive audience!
Melissa
From:
Subject: Re: Barre?
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:39:34 –0500
Hey …
Is this something you want to teach?
Maybe you might consider checking out our other classes. Just saying …
Thanks!
Donna
On Mar 18, 2012, at 9:47 PM, Melissa A. wrote:
Hi Donna,
Not sure if your flippant response was the most professional, when I was asking an honest question.
Just saying, lots of barre studios have been opening up around town. And I have tried the other classes and happen to prefer Pilates and Barre to Zumba and Nia.
From: Donna Starnes (
)
Sent: Sun 3÷18÷12 11:41 PM
I dance. I dream … Maybe seems flip to you. That was not my intention.
Sent from my iPhone

I’ve been going to Thrive off and on for a couple of years now. Their great staff, and variety of classes keeps me coming back. I prefer the studio over big gyms because of the personal level of attention they give me. This greatly helps with my workouts, and also keeps me coming back because of the wonderful relationships I’ve created there. I highly encourage everyone to check out this great studio!

Loved my Zumba class with Roger! He was very creative and fun with upbeat music… including one of Madonna’s new songs (from Superbowl performance) into his routine. Nice touch offering hot chai tea & iced hibiscus mint tea w/​chocolate covered almonds after each class… thanks so much!

This is a great little studio. It’s always very clean, the staff is always friendly, and it’s just so laid back. There is no corporate gym machine here. It’s South Austin at its best.
They offer Nia, a few of types of yoga, pilates (check out my review for Todd Pilates), belly dancing, zumba, and global dance. I’ve been going to Thrive for pilates, and their class schedule offers plenty of choices to fit busy lives.
Another huge plus: their prices are very reasonable. They even offer a free class coupon on their website so you can try before you buy. Check it out!

I have attended about 6 pilates classes with Todd and I am very happy with his class. He combines the grace and strength of pilates with the energy of pop music. Unlike other work out institutions (Yoga Yoga) I actually want to go to Todd’s class. Also, I love that I can go at my own pace and feel comfortable doing so. My only complaint is the location, but only because I live central/​east so it’s not close to home. Also, the class pass is the most affordable in town.

I have been taking class at this space for about 2 years, and it has changed it’s name to Thrive.
Todd runs a good show, and he teaches amazingly challenging classes. (Though you can modify easily).
Zip up those abs, people, because Todd’s pilates will change how you sit, stand, sleep, digest, and breathe. At the beginning of the week, I think to myself, «Self, how many classes can you get in» rather than the standard «I really have to get to a class this week.»
Recently they have started Zumba classes a little more regularly. I tried it once and have been meaning to go back. It’s a really good cardio work out, and if you are of a certain age (as am I) and want to prove that you «Still GOT IT!» this studio will show you where you left it.
One nice plus are the special classes they they run such as «yoga, wine, and chocolate,» and I do love the added touch at the end of my class someone has made fresh chai for all the students.
If I had the nerve to carry around a «before» photo of my abs and then let you see what I ended up with after 2 years in yoga, pilates, and zumba at Nia Space (now Thrive), you’d buy the class card, too!

NiaSpace has changed their name to Thrive. They have such a wide array of classes including NIA, Yoga, Pilates, Trance Dance, and more. The only reason I took away a star is that they only have one location.
Aw heck, I’ll put it back. These people are so friendly and understanding of fat-​ass old men like me they deserve it.
The owner teaches NIA and dance classes. But Thrive rents the space out to groups like Pilates with Todd which teaches, well, pilates. Austin Naked Yoga’s classes keep me below the 250 pound mark (I’m fighting really bad fat genes and eating habits). Other organizations teach several different styles of movement and exercise. It’s just a lovely community of friendly and accepting people using movement to stay happy.

Now years later, in March, 2011, NiaSpace is better than ever. Donna’s new dancing music makes it fun to move. The energy and environment of NiaSpace is superb.

Good open space.
I like the full length mirrors and the wood floors. IT FEELS CLEAN!
They offer pilates and yoga, try it!
Pilates make you long and lean and yoga gives you strength.
BYE BYE, weight benches and squats, hello bikini season!

This is a high energy cardio dance class. You’ll burn lots of calories and have lots of fun. Shirley is a petite dynamo and an amazing instructor. It’s exercise in disguise!
Every Saturday 9:30 AM

I have been going to NiaSpace for many years and it is always an amazing and uplifting experience as well as a wonderful workout! I love dancing, but was a little nervous the first time I went not knowing what to expect. Each class involves a series of Nia dance moves that the instructors will lead you through that will accommodate several fitness levels as well as some free form dancing that allows for self expression and the simple joy of moving to your own rhythm.
Nia has helped me to become more comfortable with my body and myself as a whole not only due to the nature of the classes and dancing itself, but because of the studio and instructors at NiaSpace. I especially love taking classes from Donna, the owner, who has such wonderful energy and injects a sense of fun and playfulness into each class.
I always feel lighter, calmer, and more centered after dancing at NiaSpace!

I first went to Nia class (they offer a bunch of different classes including Belly Dancing and Yoga) at NiaSpace after a friend told me what a nice place it is. I love the location, right on my way home from work. The classes are fun, and everyone is very friendly. I always feel very relaxed – the studio has nothing but good vibes running through it. Unless you go, it is hard to explain. Check out their website for a free class coupon– can’t hurt to try for free :) That’s how I got hooked– It really is good old fashion fun, with a groovy South Austin feel. Support local businesses like NiaSpace and Keep Austin Funky!

I recently discovered NiaSpace, after driving past it for nearly four years. I’ve taken two Nia classes in the last two weeks, which I got for free from a link on their site. It was an interesting experience. I had always been skeptical of Nia (and NiaSpace), picturing a bunch of patchouli-​smelling hippies flailing about in a trance (they do have trance dance nights monthly…), but Nia was very cool, very warm, and welcoming. And no patchouli.
There were friendly women of all shapes and sizes, dancing totally unselfconsciously. In fact, I’ve never been so unselfconscious I think, while dancing around in front of other people. Donna, the instructor, was very welcoming and explained the basic steps and stuff, and she’s also very personable – she had a huge grin on her face throughout the classes. You can tell she’s having fun, too.
You’re encouraged to make noise and do your own thing at certain times, which is oddly empowering. But it’s also a good workout, too. I felt a little exerted and was sore the next day. And if any of the benefits on
are true, well then, that’s awesome.
Definitely worth a try, especially for free. You can get a four class card for $ 50 ($ 12.50/class), or pay $ 15 a single class, or there are a bunch of other options and discounts, too. The pass will get you into Nia, Tai Chi, yoga, belly dance, and trance dance (some day I’ll work up the nerve!) and you can buy passes for other special series (other belly dance classes). I am dying to try the Art of Exotic Dance Workout – also with Donna, which would be a blast, I think.