Castle Hills Yoga

Its the two and half-​year mark for myself and Yoga. Actually, I never saw myself being where I am today with yoga.
I honestly, can’t really tell you where I am today with my practice. But, I can tell you where «I am not today.»
I am one of those people who didn’t know a thing about yoga. Nothing!
I was scared, all alone and didn’t know one stinking thing about yoga. I just showed up and said okay I am here to try yoga.
I will say this, NO ONE is paying any attention to you. Students are all in their own world and I can tell you they won’t have a clue its your first class, because did I mention everyone is in their own world.
It’s really important to get to the studio early and let the person at the front desk know it’s your first class, let them know if you have any issues, as in limitations or injuries, (in case the teacher doesn’t have time) They can show you where to store your things and where the studio is located. (Oh, by the way TAKE off your shoes, don’t wear them into the practice area) Website will instruct you on what to do and expect.
The things I have learned in the past two years, there are so many kinds of yoga. Castle Hills Yoga has a heated rooms and its a warm temperature. They have a funky flow, Ashtanga, gentle classes, and workshops and beginner workshops. I learn something all the time. One of the questions I was asked, «is what are you looking for attending yoga?» Hell, did I mention I know nothing about yoga. I don’t know? That is where I was and nervous. Weight?
Today, My favorite part of yoga is that I can breath today, I can bend over if I drop something, I can stand On my head (I like I am 51 and I can stand on my head), I can twist around and not pull a muscle. Yoga taught me how to breathe! Yes, breathe and once you learn to suck in a bunch of air (lol) your entire world will change.
When, I am around people my own age. One, if not all of them usually have a chronic something or another. As in blood pressure, headaches, weight, poor eating, sleeping issues, menopause, over worked, chronic cough, just the trouble that come from sitting and working the regular day to day grind without doing anything for yourself.
Today, I can say, I have lost 4 cloth sizes, I have a complete knee replacement and I can sit on my heals, no blood pressure problems, I sleep good, I eat way better than ever, I move today and I am eager to live my life today.
In that first sentence about yoga, I was scared and I was all alone. Today, I love being with who I am and I am not the same person I was 2 and half years ago. I can go just about any where and not feel scared and all alone.
There’s loads of great things about yoga and I found them here at Castle Hills Yoga. I can’t say enough about learning what yoga is. But, I do know it’s about union, and union with yourself. Yoga is about what you learn about you learning yoga.
The teachers at Castle Hills are here for you all the steps of the way.
Castle Hills offers lots of different Teachers and all of them are special people, with their own experiences. One even sings! It’s awesome
Come see if Castle Hills can change you like it changed me.
Sincerely,
Sandy Johnson

I’ve been perusing through my yoga studio options since I’ve caught the yoga bug. Because of a recent injury and the lethargy I’ve garnered during the holidays, I’ve been out of the gym and banned from hardcore cardio.
I opted for yoga instead because:
a) my friends (Esther H.) have encouraged me to go to yoga
b) my own mother has been encouraging me to go to yoga after she found out I was bouncing around from studio to studio
c) I work late hours and having an hour of peace and quiet helps me decompress
I took a beginner class with Chris and he was wonderful. It was a small class of 5 folks and he was able to give us much more attention that he would be able to do so in a larger class. I’m still working on my posture for certain poses so having someone being able to correct me when I may think I’m perfectly fine helps reinforce my positioning.
Castle Hills Yoga has a vast variety of classes to choose from. My only complaint is that they have relatively early hours. I would much prefer them having classes until 9 PM just so I can try and make them on the weekdays (the perks of being married to my job — please note the sarcasm).
You can rent a mat from the studio for $ 3. They also sell water and coconut water in the front in case you forget to bring some. I also saw some mats rolled up and tucked away in a corner in a room but I wasn’t sure if they were available for usage. They have water sprays in the corners of the room for you to clean your mat with. They don’t have any towels available so you probably want to bring your own.
Overall, I’m really excited to attend my next class. I felt really calm and collected after my first session at Castle Hills Yoga. Yay, I caught the yoga bug and I’m running with it.

This morning I took my first 6am class with Ricky Tran and WOW. It was phenomenal. I’ve been to several classes at several other studios but none of them were like this.
I sweat my butt off and the challenge was perfect. Not only that but Ricky is really helpful and guides you in such a way that you can’t help but improve.
I got the 10 for 10 deal they have going so I’ll definitely be back.

What can I say about Ricky Tran and the Castle Hills Yoga staff other than FANTASTIC!
I was diagnosed with a irregular pulse in 2009 that had limited my ability to get physical exercise and I was used to getting up every morning at 6 am for step aerobics! I had stopped any exercise and it showed up on the scale within just a few months.
I was finally ready for a change in 2012, and I decided to try the Krama Yoga Center (now Castle Hills Yoga — Carrollton) and taking on a new diet. I lost 50 lbs and could do things like a shoulder stand and crow pose which seemed impossible when I started!
At my last cardiologist appointment in June 2014, my holter monitor showed my pulse is now under 130 even during yoga class and walking up a flight of stairs… When diagnosed, my pulse was 130 when I brushed my hair!
I now get up for a 6 AM class 4 days a week but it’s strictly Yoga for me. I even take a mat with me when I travel so I can practice Ashtanga when I am away from home. Thanks Ricky and all the amazing teachers!

Beautiful practice for body, mind and spirit.

I have been going to Castle Hills Yoga for two months now, and every class has been better than the last one. I’m getting stronger, calmer and more flexible each time. There is truly a class for everyone, depending on the instructor, from very gentle/​relaxing to intense/​sweating and everything in between. I have found all the instructors to have different styles, which I enjoy because I am not getting bored at all. I feel like what I am gaining is worth every penny, and it’s amazing we have such a great studio in the neighborhood. Often, you will get personalized attention so you can truly improve your practice plus all the perks like massages, back adjustments and meditation. There is even a wine/​vinyasa class. Highly recommend!

I have practiced yoga at several studios around DFW and a few studios in other parts of the country while traveling and I can say Castle Hills Yoga and Krama Yoga are the best! Thanks Ricky and the other instructors that are inspiring me to advance my practice. See you on the mat!

I’ve spent the last five months going from yoga studio to yoga studio. I think I finally found one that I love. The workout is top notch, the instructors are caring and sincere, and what really impressed me is that the instructors seem physically able to do everything. I kept thinking «this is real» the whole time I practiced.

You know you have a high quality boutique studio when they bring in Peter Sterios, Manduka founder, in the first 2 months of the studio being open. Ricky Tran doesn’t just lead yoga, he is a teacher that inspires people to see the teacher within. I feel I’ve learned so much about myself in the two years I’ve practiced under Ricky. His yoga is for everyone and I highly recommend it, it just might change your life too
Note: In the spirit of transparency, since writing this review, my practice with Ricky Tran inspired me to attend yoga teacher training (¹²⁄₂₀₁₃) and subsequently was blessed to have him entrust me with his students meaning I now teach at both CHY locations (⁰⁵⁄₂₀₁₄). My reviews are from when I was only a student but I’m proof of the fruits of a dedicated practice with an top notch teacher.