Sanctuary

I haven't been there yet but I'm looking forward to going the price is about $75 a person

If you're looking for a variety of styles taught by professionals, then look no further than Sanctuary Yoga. Excellent space, caring teachers, and free community meditation--all in one spot. There is a reason why this studio consistently receives all star reviews. Bravo!

Melissa is one of the most intelligent, influential yoga teachers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. This yoga studio and the people who work here are some of the sweetest and loveliest people I have met anywhere. I recommend her and all of her yoga teachers that teach at this studio. I did my 200 hour YTT with her and a wonderful group of women. I highly recommend this studio to anyone looking to do yoga, no matter the level.

Teaching at the Sanctuary was a joy and an opportunity for which I will always look back on with fondness and gratitude. The students that attended the Sanctuary seemed genuine and eager to learn yoga. Not only did they achieve balance and ease in their poses outwardly, they also were determined to take what they practiced into their daily lives. Gainesville has such a gem in the Sanctuary Studio and in Melissa Montilla.

This spring, I was lucky enough to take class with Melissa, while I was back visiting. To this day, her teaching speaks to me with its simple clarity like no other teacher. She allows the students to have their experience within in a safe and carefully crafted framework. I wish I could have packed her up in my carry-on and taken her back home with me.

I've been going to Sanctuary Yoga for nearly 10 years. Melissa, the owner, has always been one of my favorite teachers. As a physical therapist, I really appreciate and am very impressed by her anatomy knowledge. She has truly mastered the art of teaching a safe, engaging, and physically challenging class. I've been so impressed by her that I've decided to attend her 200 hour yoga teacher training course to further my knowledge. Highly recommended Sanctuary! :

Melissa Montilla is a gifted and very skilled yoga instructor and therapist! She has an intuitive ability to modify poses to strengthen and increase expansiveness in your body without over-straining your muscles. She is very patient and you can truly see that she loves creating an environment to make yoga for everyone! Go visit Sanctuary! Warning! Yoga can be pleasantly addictive! :-

I'm crazy about the Sanctuary and have been singing its praises for 10 years. There are many different styles of yoga offered, so there's something to suit every need, and the teachers have always been dynamic, educated people with a broad range of complementary interests: massage, acupuncture, personal training, dance & herbalism to name a few. The studio has moved locations several times and each space has had its own unique personality.

The current studio space is like being in someone's sundrenched Florida room, warm and inviting. I love it here so much that I have since taken the Teacher Training and am overjoyed to now be a part of the Sanctuary family.

Amazing studio! I have been going to classes here off and on for years and the classes are consistently great. I have also heard the teacher training program is life changing, even for people who do not aspire to be yoga teachers.

I really love Sanctuary yoga. They have a wide variety of classes and the staff have always been wonderful and accommodating for me. The space is absolutely gorgeous and really helps me to feel calm and tranquil. I love that they offer community meditation on the weekends, even though I often can't make it. The only downsides are that the studio is right on the road, so sometimes you can hear the cars passing and people yelling which is very disruptive.

Another unfortunate problem is that the times their classes are offered do not fit well with someone who works. They don't offer a wide variety of early morning classes. The prices are a little more expensive than some of the other studios, but you get what you pay for. I would definitely recommend!

I've been a student at Sanctuary yoga since 2004. It's my yoga home-away-from-home. Melissa is a passionate, knowledgable teacher who actually teaches! She has a current understanding of healthy biomechanics, and wants her students to move well in their lives. I've gotten stronger, smarter and more confident as a direct result of her teaching. Classes are offered for every level of ability and experience, and new comers are welcomed with open arms. Thank you Melissa for offering Gainesville your dynamic and intelligent teachings.

I love Sanctuary, it's my first yoga home. The teachers are well educated and thoughtful. They do a lot of continuing education. I love the old hardwood floors and the downtown location.

I have been taking regular classes at Sanctuary for over four years. I also travel a lot for business and have been to many yoga studios all over the southeast. Sanctuary is as good as it gets anywhere. The instructors are fantastic and the space is beautiful, peaceful and welcoming. Classes are varied to encompass different styles and experience levels.

The schedule is refreshed a few times a year to address new topics, methods and disciplines. Regular workshops are well conceived, well instructed and valuable to advancing my yoga practice. One of the best aspects about the classes I take at Sanctuary is that the teachers take the time to construct the class ahead of time, ensuring there is a warm up that leads through a methodical sequence that always culminates in a peak pose, specific concept or alignment principle, then cools down and ends with Savasana. Classes are composed with a good balance of strength, stretching and centering.

I can't tell you how many classes I have taken at other studios where the teacher just seems to come up with a string of poses off the top of her/his head, with no clear intention or learning path. Every teacher at Sanctuary is meticulous and thoughtful in their approach and execution. Many of the teachers have advanced yoga certifications and years of experience.

The focus at Sanctuary is not on achieving the latest cool pose or ensuring you can put your foot behind your head, although certainly many students can. It is a true non-competitive atmosphere focusing on the breath and using it to calm the monkey mind. I have never had an issue with any of the front desk staff as one reviewer mentioned. Everyone has always been kind and welcoming. And no, it may not be the cheapest studio but you get what you pay for. Highly recommended for the serious yogi.

Very impressed with this Yoga Studio. I have been to several different classes and have found each of the teachers very good! Which I think is impressive. I feel like I am really learning at this studio, not just about the positions but about how the positions are helping my body. Great space! A true sanctuary to release the stress of life!

There is not many choices for good yoga studios in Gainesville. This is one of them. The studio is nice, unfortunately directly on Main Street so it is busy and people walk by and peek in. Feels a bit too busy and distracting. Classes are good, some teachers are really good. Found the selection of classes a bit limited, but otherwise a great place to go. Only gave 3 stars, because I may be a bit spoiled coming from the NYC metropolitan area.

I don't come here regulatory as I practice mysore Ashtanga but I highly recommend Betsy's Saturday morning Power Flow Class. Gave 4 starts b/c the drop is rate is steep at $15.00

A great yoga studio with a down-to-earth community feel. You walk into one of their practice studios and you feel like you're in an oasis of relaxation and meditation. Their studios are themed, where one room is the wind room complete with blue walls and sheer white drapes and hardwood floors while the earth room has green walls and bamboo decor. The instructors are knowledgeable and helpful in deepening your yoga experience.