Q: How do you clean the studio flooring?

A: Our studio flooring is specifically made for hot yoga and is very easy to clean and very hygenic. We steam it and vacuum it and have a professional company (Thanks Rock Solid Cleaning!) come in to give it a deep cleaning with their antibacterial cleansers. Our flooring is great because it can be power washed and dries very quickly. The thousands of loops in the flooring allow for any moisture to evaporate and dry quickly so we don’t have puddles of sweat left behind! We hope this helps and if you want to read up on the material, here’s a link: www.yogaflooring.com

Have a question for us? Please ask! Email us at info@dragonflyhotyoga.com.

You may have noticed a new face in the mornings at Dragonfly Middleton. Cynthia Stiennon joined us last month as our Director of Client Relations. In addition to helping out at the front desk and in the Childcare room early weekday mornings, Cynthia is charged with being our main point of contact for customer service issues. Questions about which class is right for you? Cynthia. Issues with a class or instructor? Cynthia. Suggestions for how we can improve the Dragonfly experience? Cynthia. Basically, she is the Dragonfly Swiss Army Knife, but always feel free to approach any staff or instructor for more information about the studio, to give compliments, or to provide any other feedback. Cynthia can be reached at cynthia@dragonflyhotyoga.com or by phone at the Middleton studio at 608.203.9000.

Want to know more about Cynthia? Here’s an introduction!
I was born and raised in San Diego, California within a family of seven. As the youngest child and the only girl, I was given a double “educational” experience on the ability of adjustment. My four older brothers broadened my horizons and taught me to have an open mind. From observing my brothers and from their guidance and direction on being a lady, they helped shape my personality. I have a natural love and instinct for all things fashion, all things artistic, and all things natural. From photography, I can express my perspective, and capture and share a hidden story. From the outdoors, I can explore and uncover hidden treasures and discover new things. I was reborn with a new perspective when I met and married my better half and my best friend, Arthur, last June. He being from Madison Wisconsin, we decided to relocate to Madison to be near family and raise our own. Upon relocation, I was anxious to find a yoga studio similar to the connection I had to my yoga studio in Solana Beach, San Diego. I have been practicing yoga all my life. About five years ago, I evolved from the introduction to hot yoga. Yoga sculpt taught by an extraordinary instructor, Stephanie Powell, changed my entire body disposition. In under a week I was doing half push-ups, planks, and flowing gracefully into vinyasa. Incorporating the other hot yoga classes, I was able to run longer, hike higher, surf and paddle with ease, and focus on point. Yoga has become second nature to me. It has given me the freedom of self, self-confidence, peaceful self-reflection, and self-acceptance. When my husband tried his first hot yoga class, he never experienced anything so challenging his entire life. And he is an avid extreme down hill skier and BMX rider. Hot yoga accelerated his body to a new level as well, and gave him a new sense of freedom. Yoga has accelerated both our lives to the next phase.

Our next phase is here in Madison now. I was grateful and excited to have found Dragonfly Hot Yoga, and to become a part of an amazing entity in Madison. As the Director of Client Relations and the Childcare Supervisor, I hope to enhance the lives of our clients and their children . I hope to provide a positive experience for both client, and child. Once I complete my yoga teacher training, I plan to teach and share the great wonders of practicing yoga and clean living.

Saturday June 8, 9 AM
McKee Farms Park, Fitchburg

Dragonfly Hot Yoga is a proud sponsor of the 2nd Annual Girls on the Run 5K!

Girls on the Run is a positive youth development program which combines an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen girls.

This year’s event is a groovy atmosphere and untimed, non-competitive, funky family friendly event! This a community Run/Walk event and we welcome everyone to run, jog, walk, skip or simply cheer on the amazing girls.

More Info >

Our Most Awesome Challenge Ever!

Memorial Day through Labor Day (May 27 – Sept 2)
The Challenge:
Attend 40, 50, or 60 Classes in 99 Days
Prizes:
Get an Exclusive T-Shirt & Invite to our Summer Party!

Distracted? Busy? Out of shape? Stay (or get back on!) on the mat with our 99 Days of Summer Challenge! Summer is almost here, and we know it can be the hardest time of year to keep up a yoga practice. We created this challenge to keep you motivated and inspired during the summer. And we’re sweetening the deal with prizes! Just do it! It could be the most valuable gift you could ever give yourself.

Register now through July 22nd:
1. Pick up your challenge card at either studio.
2. Give us your name, email and your T-shirt size at the front desk.
3. Choose Your Yogaventure! Pick a goal of 40, 50 or 60 classes.
4. Attend 40, 50 or 60 classes between May 27 and September 2. You can do it!
5. If you complete your challenge, you will receive a limited edition 99 Days of Summer Challenge shirt and will be invited to a fun Dragonfly Barbecue Party in September where we’ll have food and prizes!

Sunday May 12, 3 PM
The Barrymore Theatre

Dragonfly Hot Yoga is proud to be a sponsor for this year’s performance of Listen To Your Mother. Created by Madison native and fellow Dragonflyer, Ann Imig created Listen To Your Mother in 2010 (which has now expanded to 24 cities across the country!!) The show’s mission is to take the audience on a well-crafted journey that celebrates and validates mothering through giving voice to motherhood — in all of its complexity, diversity, and humor.

“I first knew of Ann in 1994 when I was a freshman at UW Madison. We were both actors in the theatre department–Ann was a senior and was always cast in lead roles. I looked up to her and greatly admired her talent and drive. I got to really meet Ann in 2008 through a mutual friend and I truly feel so lucky to know this amazing woman! I am so incredibly proud of her accomplishments and what she has done with LTYM. You must go see this show. You really will laugh, cry, relate, and be inspired by the stories shared. Take your mom, your best friend, your sibling, or go alone–just go!”
–Megan Ryan Kaiser, Owner/Dragonfly Hot Yoga

More Info >

When I first started my yoga journey last November, I had just completed a 12-week “Biggest Losers” boot camp and was looking for a different kind of a workout. My two daughters, Tina and Kelly, went to Dragonfly and recommended it to me. They said that if I tried it I would love it just as much as they did.

I remember being at the front desk and saying that I was looking for a workout that was a little easier and less intense than boot camp had been. Sean was there and he smiled at my remark. I had never done yoga before and did not realize how much energy and strength it would take on my part to really succeed. After my first class with Sean, I was hooked and soon came to look forward to taking classes.

My practice has gone from a couple of days to five or six days each week. My yoga teachers and practice have turned me into a more positive person. I have learned so much from Dragonfly, not just in class but also from the meditation. The few minutes it takes really lifts my spirit and soul from hectic days. I feel totally reenergized.

I have come a long way since my first downward dog. I am a person who has struggled with asthma, depression, and bad knees, which I initially thought would impede me from ever enjoying yoga. Much to my surprise I have never had to use an inhaler and going to yoga has been so restorative to my knees, improved my mood, increased my motivation, given me better body awareness, and strengthened my entire body.

Yoga has become an adopted lifestyle for me both on and off my mat. I have noticed a lot of changes with not just my mind but my body as well. I am getting stronger in my practice and losing not just weight but inches. I have come down from a size 18 to a size 10 pair of jeans! Overall, I just feel better in my body, more secure, and happier. Many people told me at the beginning that I would not lose any weight with yoga alone. They were definitely wrong. I am living proof that it is possible.

My favorite things about Dragonfly are the cheerfulness and positive attitudes of everyone who works there. Whether it is the people at the front desk or my favorite yoga teachers (Katie, Carrie, and Sean) everyone always has a really positive and helpful attitude. They all helped me greatly along the way with my journey.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without their dedication and help. So a big thanks to all my teachers who have helped me so much. I have improved a lot since my first class last November. I continue to work harder because in yoga there is always going to be something that I can improve upon. I feel as though I am always learning new things in every class that I take because they are never the same, they are always changing, and so am I. I am also excited for progressing further in my practice.

I would recommend Dragonfly Hot Yoga to anyone who is looking for a really great workout of both body and spirit. To people who think they are too old or have certain limitations I would say at least try it. At 57 years of age, a mother to 3 adult children, and grandma to (almost) 3 – I didn’t think that I’d be doing hot yoga, but I am and so are many other people in my classes who are years older than I am. So give it a try, you have nothing to lose. My bet is that you will find it just as wonderful as I did. Thanks to everyone at Dragonfly for the honor of being Yogi of the month! Unreal guys…

Thank you for sharing your energy with us Paula! We love your presence…you truly inspire us all.

I started Dragonfly this past January as an escape from winter. I have been practicing yoga regularly for 7 years. I began with hot yoga, and have always loved how limber my body is in the heat. I have experience with hot yoga, and non-heated yoga, but Dragonfly introduced me to the in-between temperatures, which allow me to be limber but not overly hot.

I like to mix up my classes by taking BarreAmped, Fit and Fire. The variety of classes offered at Dragonfly allows me to strengthen and lengthen my muscles. I really need the strengthening classes, along with the traditional yoga asana (postures).

Since I have Lupus, I find that yoga is an essential part of my well-being. My body feels better when I am actively practicing. If I take breaks from practicing, I get muscle pain, joint stiffness, and lethargy…which are not unique to Lupus.

Yoga helps everybody…I do not want to quit feeling the difference my yoga practice makes in my body. I am so grateful to the Dragonfly staff for creating this welcoming and beautiful space. Every single staff member adds to the serene experience. Dragonfly was my winter refuge! And I look forward to growing in practice with Dragonfly…emphasis on the practice, not the perfect!

Instructor Sarah Mathis:
“It has been so wonderful to see Carol blossom at Dragonfly. She has created her own sense of community here; chatting with other students (even while doing Knee-Ups during BarreAmped!) and always being friendly to others. Dragonfly has become her home. I am so happy to see her in class consistently because I know that being at Dragonfly lights up her day, bringing her peace, warmth…and a kick-butt workout!”

Fun! Fun! Fun! Join Carrie on her 40th birthday for two special versions of her BarreAmped & Core Flow classes! Each class will feature the DJ stylings of Dragonfly’s own Dave Sharif (who also happens to be turning 40!). So come on out and celebrate good times!

Birthday Bash Classes
April 25, 2013 • 6:30pm – 7:30pm • BarreAmped • Middleton
April 25, 2013 • 8:00pm – 9:90pm • Core Flow • Middleton

Sign up >

Sarah Mathis is a lululemon ambassador and kickin’ Dragonfly instructor! We are excited to team up with them and offer the opportunity for you to take one FREE class with her, including our super popular BarreAmped classes!

So get sweaty with Sarah and lululemon’s 7 other ambassadors! Lululemon is giving the gift of fitness to you by offering 1 complimentary class per ambassador from April 14th-28th. To participate, stop by their Hilldale Mall location to pick up a “sweat this city” class card! The challenge is to attend 8 fitness classes in 14 days, 1 class per each of their awesome, exciting, and inspirational local ambassadors. Upon signing up for the challenge, you’ll receive a “Sweat This City” card, which will be your golden ticket to the complimentary classes during the challenge and also a log of your progress in completing the challenge. This challenge is for EVERYONE – current and new students!

lululemon is located in the Hilldale Mall
574 N. Midvale Blvd. | Madison, WI 53705
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10am – 9pm | Sunday: 11am – 6pm

Complete list of participants on lululemon’s site >

To sign up for one of Sarah’s classes, please call Dragonfly at 608.203.9000 to register. You must be on Lululemon’s “Sweat This City” list!

Dragonfly members: To attend the special “Sweat this City” classes please sign-up for the Sweat This City promotion at Lululemon OR just show up for the class to see if there’s room! You can always call the studio the day of class to see how full it is.

Sarah teaches BarreAmped, Flow, and Fit classes here at Dragonfly Hot Yoga. BarreAmped is an amazing workout and we are Wisconsin’s only BarreAmped licensed studio, so you do not want to miss out on a chance to try a FREE BarreAmped class!

I started going to Dragonfly in August of 2011, the first summer you were open. I first heard of Dragonfly through my daughter and her friend who both wanted to try it as well. I was intrigued, so I tried it too and I have been hooked ever since. I remember driving home after my first class thinking, “I feel amazing and I am already hooked!”

Before Dragonfly, I had very little experience with yoga. Over 10 years ago I took a 6 week course at the YMCA. I really enjoyed it and found that it helped with some lower back pain I had been experiencing after my 3rd child but was never able to find the time to pursue it any further.

My favorite thing about Dragonfly are the wonderful, knowledgeable, dedicated, passionate, caring, compassionate instructors. I was very intimidated by the thought of going to a studio because I am not very flexible and had very limited experience. I expected everybody there to be super yogi’s and I was afraid I would make a fool of myself. What I found when I went to my first class was the complete opposite. The instructors were and are welcoming and encouraging. They are very accepting of all body types and all levels of yoga experience.

Also, I love the heated studio! In fact, I don’t even think I would want to practice yoga if the room wasn’t heated. I love to sweat and the feeling I get when I have completed a class. Since starting my practice at Dragonfly, I notice that I am much more calm in my day to day life. I tend to be a little type A, and yoga seems to calm me down and makes me less likely to stress out or get annoyed at the little things that really don’t matter in life.

I try to attend classes daily, or at least 5 times per week. My good friend, Bobbi White attends classes with me. She joined last summer and having a yoga buddy to go with really has helped me to practice more often and keeps me motivated! So motivated that I have completed a 30 and 60 day challenge.

I really love you all and I am very grateful to Dragonfly for giving me the confidence to learn and continue to grow in my yoga practice. I have noticed improvements in my flexibility, strength, and body tone. I can’t begin to express how much yoga has helped me in my day to day life. Yoga truly is part of my life now, and one that I can’t imagine living without.

“Thank you Sonia! We love seeing you take advantage of the wide variety of classes we offer. It is pure joy having you a part of the Dragonfly Community!”