About Swan River

Swan River came together just after Hurricane Katrina when Keith Porteous and Michelle Baker, co-owners of the studio, met in desire to merge the community in greater depth, healing and togetherness.

To find out more about the co-owners, visit their personal blog pages. Read Keith’s blog here. And Michelle’s blog here.

There are 4 pillars of Swan River that we uphold: 

1. Community – A devotion to serve and gather the community in kindness and care for all beings

2. Integrity – Discipline to maintain high standards, clarity in all work and opportunities for personal evolution

3. Authenticity – Dedication to revealing the true teachings of yoga, both in tradition and our modern experience, as well as actually putting the teachings into practice with humility

4. Beauty – Celebration of the diverse, creative experience of each individual, yoga practice and lives, celebrating interconnected, life affirmed beauty

There are many ways to experience and practice yoga, many of which are provided at Swan River’s 3 locations in the form of:

Yoga Asana classes for all levels (Beginners, Open, Advanced) and styles (some may include our own fusion Swan River blend, Prenatal Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Jivamukti Yoga, Acro Yoga & Restorative Yoga), Community Discounted Classes, Bhakti Yoga classes…Music, Kirtan & Mantra Singing, Sound Baths, Classical Indian Dance, Harmonium Classes, Sanskrit study, Wellness…Massage Therapy,  Dharma counseling, Cranial Sacral Work, Thai Yoga Therapeutics, Energy Reiki Sessions, Vegetarian/vegan cuisine…Good Karma Prasad, Corporate Yoga To You Programs, Custom Private Yoga Classes, Philosophy…philosophical study & ancient texts, Book Club discussions,  Meditation… meditation club, Immersions & Trainings…350 Hour Yoga teacher trainings, Therapeutics training, Advanced study workshops, Yoga Sutras Immersions, Exotic International Retreats, Reiki Attunement Trainings, Selfless Service Community Projects & Workstudy Programs…Buddhi Boutique…yoga & ethnic clothing, yoga mats, props, jewelry, Indian imports, incense, musical instruments including harmoniums, chant books, sacred yoga texts.

Definition of a Swan River Yoga Class:

A Swan River Yoga Class is a unique creative fusion inspired by many backgrounds and  teachers. This class is open to all levels and will offer numerous choices for both the beginner and seasoned practitioner. It will present both a challenging flow-based class with specific alignment attention, bringing one a well-rounded, authentic experience of yoga. Be ready to hear traditional yogic teachings and personal story-telling from the teacher, observe the mind in movement and meditation, bring awareness to steady breath, sing sacred Universal mantras and optimize the bodies health in challenging physical poses with disciplined strength and energy freeing movement.

A Swan River Yoga class will always have the following:

  • Theme: yogic philosophy to bring higher purpose (Jnana Yoga)
  • Song: mind freeing mantra to set an elevated mood (Bhakti Yoga)
  • Physical asana: a flow-based (vinyasa) practice with alignment detail and breath emphasis (Hatha Yoga)
  • Meditation and/or breathing exercises: (Pranayama/Raja Yoga)

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Blue Moon Boutique

Swan River Yoga boutique offers a unique variety of the basic fundamental needs of a yoga practice from musical & educational resources to decorative embellishments from local artists/yogis. We also offer high quality ethical yoga  brands and ethnic goods brought back by the co-owners’ travels from India and Asia, including a item new to our menu… harmoniums direct from Delhi!

Blue Moon Boutique (owned by Brigette Smith) offers high quality organic and ethical clothing from the company “Hard Tail” and others along with festive jewelry. Refreshments such as kombucha, coconut water & energy bars are also offered. We also offer Jade rubber yoga mats and Manduka Yoga mats, props, yoga bags, straps and puja/altar needs such as natural, organic incense and sage. Many goods also come directly from India including prayer shawls, scarves, Thai pants & skirts. Please come visit our boutique!

Behind the front desk find the “Buddhi Bar” (Buddhi is Sanskrit for High Consciousness) which offers numerous books based on the co-owners influences & personal studies such as Ram Dass, Sharon Gannon and David Life, Geshe Michael Roach, Radhanath Swami & more. Many of these books are required readings for our numerous trainings such as our 6 month Yoga Teacher Training, Advanced Teacher Training and Dharma Courses.

Blue Moon BoutiqueStaff are on hand at these hours to answer any questions about yoga or the boutique. Also remember, coming in just before any class will also guarantee availability of our boutique.

We take all major credit cards except American Express and Discover, as well as personal checks and cash. Purchases are especially quick if you have a credit card linked into our Mind Body system.

We also offer Gift Certificates good for anything in Swan River, from a Private yoga session, classes, to any boutique item.