Inner Freedom Yoga

Reviews 8

JE

Jenn Abe

I tried more than one yoga location and Robin is so far my favorite teacher. I am not a yoga guru but had the opportunity to spend 7 days and almost thirty hours learning yoga from Jim Harrington from South Africa and he is outstanding. Robin has a teaching style that doesnt mimic but reminds me of his and what Ive been searching for. Extremely professional and definitely knows her yoga. The flow of the class is being taught while at the same time explained so you also can follow where its going and where your body is benefitting. She is also teaching you set ups to move graciously into the next position. I like this because most classes just rush through everything and spend way too much time humming (humming is fine, but not when the effects and reasons for it for your body are not explained so you actually focus on it the right way). And as is always a plus, the classes were also less expensive than the other location I tried (3 sessions and different teachers each time). However if you want something with some extras such as reception area, spa, massages etc this place will not meet those needs. It is VERY simple and simply a place to just practice. Final note - I also really liked the energy here from the other people in the class. Very welcoming.

---

A

Anonymous User

As a yoga teacher & student I recognize how fortunate we are to have such a dedicated and well studied yoga teacher as Robyn Smith of Inner Freedom Yoga in our community. I have been studying yoga with Robyn for over 10 years and always look forward to her inspiring classes. In addition to weekly classes, I have taken a 100 hr. Anusara Immersion, a Level 2 Teacher Training, a Yoga Therapy Training, & more with Robyn. My experience in these trainings is that Robyn is very professional and takes the utmost care in keeping students safe while skillfully instructing us into proper physical alignment. Through Robyn I have learned how to help students with injuries by offering variations to poses and which poses to avoid for their condition. I inform her when I have an injury and she readily offers her help and checks in with me throughout the class to make sure Im remaining safe. It is an honor to call Robyn my teacher and mentor. Robyn is a true gem in our yoga community, offering her sincerity, her vast knowledge of the many aspects of the yoga path, and most importantly, her desire to serve humanity.

---

A

Anonymous User

I have been attending classes at Inner Freedom Yoga for many years. I have taken classes from many of the teachers including Patrick Harestead, Kendra and primarily Robyn Smith. I make the 45-minute drive twice a week because, after taking classes at other schools in Humboldt, I learned that IFY is the place for me. The atmosphere in the studio is one of appreciation and respect for the practice of yoga and for who come to practice together. The teachers are warm and welcoming, very well trained and knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to the integrity of their teaching and to the well being of all the students. I have a variety of physical limitations, and Robyn and the others have always been ready to show me appropriate modifications for any given asana. In fact, all the teachers offer options for ability levels as they teach each asana to the class, and always caution the students to pay attention to their own bodies and not push to the point of pain. I heartily recommend Inner Freedom Yoga to any one who either has a continuing practice or is just starting out in yoga.

---

AL

Alyssa Miller

I would really like to know who left the other bad review because I had the same experience. I got swindled for TWO immersions, and then when my disability (or maybe I should say the Ableism in the teacher training program) prevented me from finishing with my original training class, I once again got roped into MORE teacher training and MORE money in direct violation of the ADA. I was never going to be un-disabled enough to graduate according to Robyn, and was also continuously pushed to do things I physically couldnt during the training, also resulting in injury. Im still waiting on my refund on the second immersion and additional classes she scammed me for too. She was nice enough to give me my teacher training certificate, because I guess that was better then actually refunding me the money she scammed me for. Also, I know I should have left this review years ago, but finally getting back to hitting the mat in a SAFE environment brought this back up, and I dont want anyone else to be afraid to speak out if they run into this.

---

A

Anonymous User

I am a college anatomy professor, and have been studying yoga with Robyn Smith and Inner Freedom Yoga for several years now. I had experimented with other teachers and studios in the area, including hot yoga when I was referred by a friend due to my increasingly debilitating arthritic hip pain. Yoga with Robyn changed my life. She was the first yoga teacher whose primary concern was safety and alignment; she was the first yoga teacher who would come to me individually and prescribe pose modifications for my particular ailments; she was the first yoga teacher whose understanding of anatomy was authentic, and I think, deeper than my own. Beyond all that, class with Robyn is a cornerstone of joy and calm in a busy life. She is the first teacher I recommend to anyone looking for a yoga teacher, particularly anyone with injuries or restrictions on their mobility...because I trust her knowledge, her training, and her intuition.

---

A

Anonymous User

I have been taking yoga classes from Robyn Smith for 12 1/2 years. She is very a compassionate person who shows interest and concern for every student. She is patient in her teaching always cautioning students to work only to their personal limit. When demonstrating poses, she always shows various levels of the poses. For individuals with limitations, she shows and encourages use of modifications. When I had cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, she encouraged me to be in class and developed a program of alternative poses appropriate for me at that time. As a nurse and educator, I find her teaching techniques to be appropriate, clear and effective. Finally, witness the number of students who are 60+ years of age and have been studying with Robyn and the other IFY teachers. Would we participate in a program as described by “Justice Fighter?”

---

A

Anonymous User

I took yoga classes, Anusara Immersion and Teacher Training form Robyn Smith when I lived in Humboldt County. Her training is top notch. I have been in the bodywork field as a practitioner and instructor for over 26 years and feel that I have trained eye for quality teaching. Robyn is impressive. She is well trained and dedicated to her learning - always studying, training with top notch teachers, perfecting her skill and practice. She is kind, generous of spirit and is never sloppy in her presentation. She takes her time with students, is careful, has a great eye for alignment, has a compassionate approach with corrections and is fun. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to study with Robyn. I have taken many Yoga classes since I have moved away from Arcata and there are very few that can compare to that high standard. Many thanks for the inspiration!

---

A

Anonymous User

As a R.N., licensed massage therapist, and yoga student for 20+ years, I give my highest recommendation for Robyn, and the teachers at IFY. Ive studied with many yoga teachers over the years, and Robyns skill, knowledge, attentiveness, and presence with her students is stellar, and rare to find. I continued to take class with Robyn when I was pregnant with my children, because I deeply trusted her skills. Robyn accommodated my individual needs, and I was sincerely touched by the individual attention she gave to me during this time, and always felt safe and cared for. Ive experienced tremendous depth and grace in her classes, she is a true gem in our community, and I feel fortunate to have such an amazing teacher in our small town.

---

---

Other organizations