Our Journey
How it all began
How it all began…
Always a teacher and feeling inspired to share yoga, Maria rented a room in the historic Little Red Schoolhouse on Mercer Island. Next, a business license, marketing flyers and emails sent to friends and the first Intro to Vinyasa Yoga series was fully enrolled and underway. The community response was incredible and as more students joined us, Yogabliss was born. Our thriving yoga community began.
Each morning, in the Fall of 2003 we walked past horse stables and the preschool playground, to enter our special yoga space. We practiced to the sounds of birds, children laughing and interesting farm-like smells ☺. We were learning to connect more deeply with ourselves, and each other in a brand-new way. A warm generous energy was growing, students were spreading the word and a dream that Maria did not even realize she had, was coming true. It became time to add some instructor friends to the teaching team, we varied the class offerings and as our practice deepened, our joy & or community grew!
2006 Our Own Space
In 2006 we moved to our very own space in the heart of downtown Mercer Island. This evolution could never have happened without the encouragement and involvement of beloved students, family and amazing friends. The palpable results of sharing yoga with the community fed our hearts, and infused our practice, and community with inspiring energy and connection. The next five years flew by, bringing abundance; more teachers, more students and the need for more space (especially toilets!). We hated to leave our beloved little boutique studio, however the growth of the Yogabliss community reminded us that the power of yoga is connection and we wanted to share yoga in a bigger way. Our Sangha, healthy, like-minded community, was alive and thriving!
2012 A Brand New Studio
In November 2012, Yogabliss relocated just 2-blocks away to a beautiful newly constructed space that provided two studios for yoga classes, locker rooms, a massage room, space to relax, and more toilets! The economic times were rough, but once again, with the strength and spirit of community, our new studio was filling with students and teachers creating a warm sense of welcome and culture of connection that was truly unique.
Our students were all ages, with varying levels of experience, so we expanded our schedule to ensure that whoever walked through our doors could find the just right practice. When teachers joined our team, they felt the Yogabliss connection and settled in for the duration. A highly held value of the Yogabliss caring community is generosity and over the years we have shared in so many ways: Union Gospel Mission, Mercer Island Youth & Family Services, Treehouse, Mary’s Place, Stuff the Bus and most notably we continue to sponsor the education of a special student at Shanti Bhavan School near Bangalore, India.
Strength in time of Change
The Pandemic rocked our community, but we persevered. We shifted to virtual practice and with the loyalty of our skillful teachers we stayed together through the magic of Zoom. We supported one another, staying connected by practicing from our own homes. In July of 2022, we lost our beloved studio home. So next, we learned to grieve together in the same way we practiced and celebrated our joys together.
Yogabliss: More than a Studio Space
Without missing a beat, Maria arranged rental at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, and we moved our community into yet another beautiful space. While continuing our online offerings, we worked diligently to call our community back to the studio and onto the mat with us.
Over time, it became clear that Yogabliss would not find the way forward in the post-covid world. With sadness and a great sense of loss, Maria closed the brick-and-mortar studio March 31, 2023. After 20 years of deep commitment, heartfelt passion and the calling to serve, it was time to let go of that chapter of Yogabliss. Our final in-person classes together included joy, grief, love and gratitude. Decades of connection brought us to our mats to celebrate what we had shared.
The Yogabliss Connection Continues
The new chapter of Yogabliss will bring a deeper focus to Mindfulness, Movement & Meditation. . Maria is passionate about leading retreats and opportunities for extended practice and this will be her primary focus. Honored to share her gifts as a teacher, Maria feels inspired to create intentional experiences and classes, as a way to encourage others on their path.
Yogabliss has always been a special place where we come together to slow down, to learn and to connect to the deeper peace within. We come to our mats and meditation cushions knowing that each day is different and each practice will be different. We come to our practice knowing that our community is strong and kind, and there is always space for another. We share in the blessings of these life-changing practices, we honor the traditions and our teachers along the way. We believe that everything is connected and we take our yoga into the world, knowing that we are here to serve.
