Om Warrior

Awesome place, cozy studio. Marc is very friendly, and led a great, challenging class. The noon vinyasa is a great way to reset your mind halfway through the workday.

In the crowded Boston Yoga scene Marc and Om Warrior stand out. Mark is Om Warrior. He runs classes from his financial district location.
Mark teaches a straight forward program with a mix of physically challenging poses that are interlaced with mindful awareness and complimented with his one on one attention.
His mid-​day classes are great as I return to my office feeling centered and focused.
Most importantly he is a good guy and has become a key part of my wellness program.

I was introduced to yoga over 15 years ago in the 95 degree heated studios. I loved the movement of yoga, but as a former competitive athlete, I found the heat too taxing and quite unnatural to be working out in. Seeing stars from de-​hydration isn’t fun for me when I’m exerting my body.
I started practicing with Mark over 8 years ago, and I was immediately hooked. I lost track of him over the years, and thankfully I have recently found him at his super chill and welcoming studio on Pearl Street. His hour lunch class is perfect for when I can sneak out of the office. There are so many things I adore about Mark and the way he runs practice, I’ve tried my best to succinctly present his awesomeness:
1. Jump Start with NO HEAT — Mark gets right into the yoga workout helping you get the breath going, the blood pumping, and sweat dripping… all with NO HEAT. There is no pre-​meditative state and OM’ing for several annoying minutes like many other instructors I’ve come across. As a busy professional who has limited time to work-​out, it can be very frustrating to sit still in a pre-​meditative state while you are waiting to burn some calories. Sounding superficial? I encourage you to read on.
2. BREATH — Mark stresses breath like no other yogi I’ve had. Most instructors lose track and will throw a reminder out there every so often. Mark is laser focused on it, and he reminds me that it is my body’s true furnace (which I oft forget sitting behind a desk all day). Breathing actually gets hard in his class, and in practicing that breath and motion, you find yourself transcending into a meditative state along the way.
3. Fundamental movements are WICKED HARD — Mark has taught me over the years how the «simplest» poses are really the most challenging. I was born with contortionist-​like flexibility, but it was through Mark’s practice that I learned that all the fun tricks are a great way to get hurt. Mark has taught me how to turn the «basic» warrior poses and sun salutations into incredible muscle strengthening challenges (AKA muscle burn).
4. EDUCATIONAL — Mark is the most learned yogi I have come across particularly as it relates to understanding body movement, muscle fibers and skeletal function. In turn he logically explains the benefits of the movements and their effects on the body. This is how I learned to elevate the basic poses to a very challenging state. He always explains how you should be positioned, what you should be feeling (and not feeling) where in your body, and how to take it even deeper (if you choose).
5. No Spiritual MUMBO JUMBO — Mark instructs you, and let’s you get down to business with your own self (the way it is meant to be). Before you know it, you are meditating in motion with his intense yet sublime vinyasas. I have had more yoga instructors distract me from my moving meditation because they want to impart some piece of wisdom and talk to the class about the path to enlightenment. I find this preaching completely annoying and egotistical which ultimately pulls me away from my very own personal practice. Let’s face it, if I really wanted to elevate my spiritual game (which I am all for by the way), then I would be better served going to a Buddhist temple and practicing my meditation rather than surrounding myself with a bunch of well manicured Lululemon wearing women.
Mark is the real deal, and he teaches to real folks who not only own but also embrace their flaws and cheer on their fellow practitioners.
Mark — YOU ARE THE BEST!!! xoxo

Marc made me enjoy yoga again. I had been going to a studio with aggressive assistants who were always coming over and adjusting me. I’m not the best yoga student, but it’s also because I don’t go regularly, so I’m always weak. I always felt like I was the worst student, and it made me not want to go anymore.
He is such a wonderful instructor. The space itself is serene and lovely. I love the large, round lights hanging above in the studio. It makes me think of Chinese lanterns. The class is challenging, but Marc is supportive of all his students. He’s always going around, encouraging everybody and assisting people in a gentle, but helpful way. He makes yoga a pleasurable experience.
Marc refers to yoga as «moving meditation.» You can relax and center yourself during your practice. When I left class, I felt energized and focused. It was an amazing feeling.
I am so lucky to have found such a great studio. Since it’s so close to my work, I plan on going more regularly. Bikini season is coming!

This studio is what yoga is really about. Marc and Nancy are both great instructors and care about their students. You won’t feel like just another number in their classes. Their technique is precise and they take the time and attention to assist and align you in a comfortable atmosphere. It’s definitely one of the best places to practice.

after writing my first 5 star review of marc, i’ve since moved to cambridge and have been looking for new studio closer to home. after yet another disappointing yoga class in cambridge (sans sweat or alignment teaching), i’m about ready to take the red line 20 minutes in to get back to marc. that’s how good he is. if you live /​work near him, consider yourself SO lucky. he also teaches at the franklin street equinox, too!

Everyone seems to be doing yoga these days — which is great, really. But it gets a tad annoying when you’re 1 of 100 in a studio. If you don’t know all the moves by heart, it might be hard to follow and the instructer may never make it over to your side of the room. GOOD NEWS! Om is an intimate atmosphere, no more than 10 are usually in a class at a given time! I’ve only ever attended Marc’s classes (usually the 7am ones), and I really have to say he’s great. He definitely comes and helps you out if you need and adjustment, and gives a GREAT workout throughout the class. I strongly suggest you give Om a try!

I started practicing at Baptiste studios, and had a hard time finding something else that was fulfilling and challenging in the same way. I’m not into the relaxing and stretching kind of yoga– I have 3 kids and if manage to get an hour to myself I want to WORK and maximize every minute of it! That’s why classes with Marc are perfect. He does include the standard Sun A and Sun B sequences that you’ll do in almost any vinyasa class, but he is also mixes up the routine periodically to challenge your body and your mind to do something a little different, which I love. He has added more core strengthening exercises, too, which are super hard and fantastic.
He is a terrific teacher– he has a great laidback vibe, but he will challenge you to do your best without pushing yourself too far and causing injury. He is very focused on the physiology of the body, and on building strength. It’s awesome because you learn how to do poses correctly, and he doesn’t focus too much on the spiritual /​philosophical chatter that some yoga teachers do. (I have found that can be a real distraction if you are not on the same wavelength as your teacher.)
The only downside is that the changing rooms are a tight squeeze, but people are really nice and it all seems to work out fine. I absolutely adore this studio– if you’re thinking of checking it out, JUST GO! I know you’ll love it.

Marc is by far the best yoga instructor I’ve ever had. I have been going to various yoga classes all around Boston for many years and I have never had such a hands on and challenging experience. My practice has developed and excelled so much over the last year thanks to Marc’s teaching technique and adjustments.
My job has moved across town, but I still make the trek way out of my way to attend his classes, he’s THAT good!

Prior to going to OM Warrior, I been practicing yoga on and off with basic skills. It just seem either too hard or boring. It has never been one of the classes that I would ever pay money to go to. One of my friends that been following Marc for 6 years convinced me to go to one of the yoga classes and try it out. And I did! I was hook since the first class.
Marc is an amazing yoga instructor. I have very basic skills, so it took time to learn the names to the pose. The classes are in constant movement, which I love because I am never bored. I love that we always connect our breath to our pose. I learned that it is called vinyasa. I have been to butokon, which I absolutely love. It is a combination of martial arts and yoga. Lately, I have been going to his ashantga classes, and I absolutely love it!!! It is such a hard practice, but I love every moment at it. I love it when Marc would walk over to you, and give that little «PUSH» and the sensation that you get… Phew! Amazing!
I am looking forward to his classes all the time and looking forward to continue my yoga practice with him!
=)

Marc is undoubtedly the best Yoga teacher I have had. He is very patient but at the same time knows when to challenge me (and more importantly, help me get there). I enjoy the lunch break practice in Marc class a lot, very good sequence, great space, and a friendly crowd. Too bad that I now have moved and am still in search of a good yoga studio.
If there is one small draw back, then it is the smell from the Italian restaurant from below. It’s simply a distraction we need to fight, especially during lunch hours. But a good yogi will not be distracted easily anyway. =)

Love, love, LOVE this place!!!
I go to the noon «Power Hour». And it makes my day SO MUCH BETTER!
You know how sometimes in a yoga class, the teacher’s all «feel your way to a full expression» (and how helpful that is)? Well, Marc’s instruction actually gets you there! He does the most amazing job describing what you’re trying to achieve and how to make it happen. And his adjustments are just magic — he has totally transformed my practice!
Definitely try a class here. You will not be sorry!

As everyone else has already said, Marc is a really fantastic teacher, so I have only one thing to add: he’s also dreamy.
In all seriousness though, I’m so happy I found this cozy little studio. My one request would be some 7:30 — 8:30 or even 7:15 — 8:15 classes for those of us who work at 9:00. The morning classes are simply too early and there are days when there are no evening classes after 5:30 (again, a problem for those of us who work until 6:00). I’m dying to make it back!

Just one more reason to love Marc and Om Warrior – I recently got back to yoga after a dislocated kneecap and I’ve got awful arthritis. I told Marc it was my first class back after the injury and during that class he was so helpful and encouraging and gave lots of modifications. What a great place and a great teacher!

I am so excited that my friend introduced me to Marc McDonald and Om Warrior. Marc is a great yoga teacher and does a perfect job combining the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga. In my experience of practicing yoga on/​off for 10 years, its been hard to find a teacher like Marc.
The studio is cozy and is convenient for anyone who works in the Financial District. I have tried the Friday evening vinyasa yoga classes and its the perfect way to start the weekend.
If you are interested in checking out this yoga studio, I believe the first class is free.

It’s a warrior’s battle forcing myself to get to yoga classes, even though I know I’ll be glad I did. See, I, too, am no chanting spiritual yogi. I do it for the smooth muscle definition and the proverbial post-​orgasmic relaxation, not the hell that precedes both. Ergo, the biggest obstacles that keep me from tantric bliss are the following:
1) Feeling like a pudgy, inflexible noob next to all the limber, lulu lemon’ed regulars, whilst…
2) Knowing the instructor can see this in my eyes and poses, and thus cannot be bothered with me, and all the while…
3) 90 minutes is too damn long…
4) To be pretending to feel your chakras align when all you want to do is listen to some good tunes and expel some righteous sweat.
Thankfully, Om Warrior and Marc McDonald has epically succeeded on all counts. His 60-​minute, rigorous yet compassionate classes harbor the perfect balance of oldies and newbies, Lulu and threadbare Champion, all looking for a mindful muscular bootcamp during their financial district lunch hours. Marc is a friendly, nurturing instructor who strolls around the semi-​filled space, gently pushing a shoulder here, deepening a stretch there, all the while offering genuine whispers of encouragement, rather than stressing too much of the new-​age hooha. The other day, he forwent his playlist of zen chimes in favor of Tori Amos, Blur, and Radiohead.
Do yourself a favor. Send your boss off for a shmancy lunch at Sel de la Terre while you come here and restore yourself. I’ll meet you in front.

Marc is the best teacher I’ve had in years.
He has the precise approach to yoga (and actually to any class) that I was looking for. The path is as important as the destination. Control. Mindfulness.
Even with my budget being as limited as it is these days, I signed up for my favorite class: Warrior Power. I followed Marc from SCLA to his studio for this particular class. It’s challenging, new and fun.
The abs part of the Warrior class will make you so strong that you will feel that other abs exercises in any other class at any other gym are very easy and a waste of your time.

Marc McDonald is truly one of the best yoga teachers around. He incorporates elements from many different yoga styles and teaches from a place of much wisdom and experience. I have practiced yoga for eight years and have taken many of Marc’s awesome classes at another studio where he used to work. It doesn’t matter what level you are at– zero yoga experience of someone who has practiced for decades– everyone will get something out of his classes!
Om Warrior is a special place. It is the perfect size for a yoga studio– not too big and not too small. The music is excellent — great blend! The location is very central near South Station. What makes a yoga studio truly special is the community and Marc is so good at bringing a great group of people together.
One class that I highly recommend is the Warrior Power Flow class — it is a mix of yoga and martial arts. This class is sure to change your practice. It will challenge you in ways most yoga classes do not in its constant flow, slow strength-​building movements and kicks/​punches.
There is something here for everyone. I cannot say enough good things about this studio and Marc McDonald!

Marc McDonald has a following. Take one class with the man and you will see why.
I’m new to Yoga, and while the spiritual/​mental benefits of the practice are growing on me, I’m still often wrapped up in the «OMFG can my body actually bend that way!!!» state of mind. And to be honest, I’m a little intimidated talking to the instructors because I’m a newbie, and they are so balanced and put together and attractive and muscled… I digress.
Anyway I realized that Om Warrior was literally 2 blocks away from my work AND they had a one hour Noon class which meant I could totally sneak out on my lunch break and hit the power hour before anyone realized I was even gone.
I emailed the studio to see if this class in particular was heated (he keeps it at 80 to 85 for his weekday noon classes). Marc got back to me in minutes, and was super prompt getting back to me with answers to other questions I had. When I got to the studio, Marc was friendly and warm, and happy to explain things to me. The showers and changing rooms are clean and welcoming, the studio is quieter than I expected for being in the middle of the city, and the whole thing feels like a great set up.
The class was FANTASTIC! His adjustments were ghost-​like in how gentle they where but so effective. The postures were a great mix of familiar, challenging, and «maybe in 5 years I’ll be able to do that and make it look as pretty as he does…» Also he plays music during class and I really like that.
In conclusion, I fucking love it, and I’ll be back.

Not everyone practices yoga in the same way. Some yogis are devout. They wear whatever outfit feels most karmic and balanced, eat whole foods and are kind to their bodies. I respect those yogis who honor the most sacred of yoga traditions.
I am not one of those yogis.
I have semi-​matching outfits and I don’t always keep my focus internal while I practice. I have, on occasion, been known to have wondering eyes and I enjoy being pushed – physically and mentally– by a yoga class. Dare I say I often hope for my yoga class to be… athletic. Namaste.
Marc McDonald garnered quite a following during his eight years at The Sports Club/​LA and moonlighting classes at Equinox. (Including a few Saturday classes at the newest Franklin location.) But here is what happens in the yoga world: people start to love you and suddenly they want to be able to practice with you all the time… even willing to cheat on their pricey gyms to do so.
Enter the old YogaPower space on Pearl Street. Marc took over the space, opened up, and has been making some cosmetic improvements, whilst teaching morning, noon, and evening classes.
The studio has the urbanality (I think I made that word up) that many of us who live and or work in the city have come to love; however the studio is not loud since that side of Pearl is fairly low traffic. The 6:15AM class is perfect for pre-​work and the 6:45PM class is what every person who actually has to work after 5:00 has been dreaming of.
Best of all, it has the chic-​ness that the Equinoxers love, but with a familiarity and coziness that makes you feel like you’re part of something legit… even if a few people happen to be wearing lulu’s latest.
Awesome teacher, great space, really great schedule, and the possibility of running into me. I dont know why you’re not at Om Warrior.