Imagination Place

I was visiting from out of town and wanted to sign up for a «Butts & Guts» Anti-​Gravity Yoga class during my one day in SLC. The staff was very accommodating in reviewing my AGY qualifications & allowing me to waive their class prerequisites. And the class was top-​notch — a challenging workout taught by a supportive and highly skilled instructor. I’d love to come back here anytime!

I first became interested in Imagination Place Anti-​gravity yoga when they advertised a couple-​yoga class. We were unable to make it to that one but I’ve been keeping an eye on their calendar ever since. I live in Lehi so it was difficult to find a time when both my wife and I could attend. The stars aligned and we were able to attend a FUNdamentals class on a Friday night.
I registered for the class that afternoon. I called their office because I didn’t know anything (what to wear, how to prep, what to expect, etc.). They were very friendly and patient with me on the phone. They made good suggestions about what to wear, they said not to eat before coming, and to stay hydrated. I’m so glad I called and got this advice.
The class started at 6:00 and, due to poor traffic conditions, my wife and I were late. The class had already started, but an extra staff member waited for us, knowing that we were coming. The moment we walked in the environment was welcoming and soothing and the stress of traffic started to melt away. She had us sign a few waivers, I changed into the recommended clothes, and then the teacher let us join the class.
There weren’t any hammocks next to each other (which was disappointing because my wife and I were using this as a date night), but someone in the room (an assistant instructor maybe?) moved so we could be together.
My wife and I have tried Yoga before and were frustrated with our inflexibility. We felt we were missing out on what everyone else was doing because we feel we are about as bendable as re-​bar. But the hammock mad the positions comfortable and simple. I won’t say easy because we were still sore the next day (in a good way) and could definitely feel those muscles stretching and elongating.
We took a few breaks to stay hydrated and everyone else in the class was incredibly amicable and the instructor had a very friendly demeanor. Some of the music selections were louder and more upbeat than I would have expected with a Yoga class, which was my ONLY criticism.
The cool down was amazing and we left feeling energized and relaxed. We went out to eat afterwards but just sat in the car for a while talking about how nice the experience was.

I discovered this yoga through an Amazon Local special. 5 classes for $ 39.00. My voucher said one required class of fundamentals. My second class I selected restorative yoga with Darlene (the owner) only to learn she changed the terms saying my voucher was only good for five fundamental classes and no other classes. Why the online scheduler even let me pick an «unauthorized» class I don’t know. She said I could stay for this class as a courtesy and pay $ 20.00 more for the option of other classes going forward. The restorative class was amazing after I got past Darlene’s condescending attitude of making me feel like I didn’t belong there.
I would love to continue practice of antigravity yoga at this studio but I got a feeling that this place was desperate for new clients. So desperate they changed the terms of my voucher. I called the next day to read them the terms of my voucher but got no acknowledgement that they miss wrote their terms and conditions. I would have continued to pay full price going forward had this been a more positive experience. Thank goodness Amazon refunded my voucher!!! I would for sure recommend this studio to enhance your yoga experience! Just don’t use a coupon /​voucher and expect to pay full price. I would say read the terms of your coupon carefully but they seem to change them regardless of what they read! Had they worked with me on their error I would be a regular full paying customer. Oh we’ll my loss! Or theirs? :-)

I was introduced to Imagination Place through Groupon, and loved it so much I continued with it even after my voucher ran out.
First, it’s super easy to schedule classes. They have an online interface where you can buy virtual punchcards (with discounts on higher numbers — I like to get the 10-​pass). You earn little rewards too.
Then you view the schedule and sign up for any class that has openings. No need to be on a rigid schedule, no need to call, just sign up for that class online and voila, they expect you to be there. I love this flexibility. It means I can actually attend, unlike other scheduled-​type classes where I just can’t afford that spot in my schedule or the time of going every week. This way, some weeks I go twice a week, some weeks I don’t go at all. It depends on my schedule. Super convenient.
Second, it’s super fun. I’ve never really liked plain yoga because I get a little bored, although I like the relaxation and the music. Anti-​gravity yoga manages to be relaxing, fun, and it feels so good. I love taking classes from Dawn and Darlene especially. Slow Flow or Flying Fitness are fun to start with.
(They require you start with 2 intro classes. These are also a lot of fun, I’ve been to 4 :)
Third, it’s a great environment. The access is easy, from 33^rd or the Brickyard. You enter, sign in, and start setting up your hammock. The people are nice and I’ve never had any problems. The room is nicely decorated, the music is relaxing and sometimes upbeat too (if appropriate). It’s always clean, the hammocks are clean and brightly-​colored.
Occasionally there are music classes going on at the same time, so the chanting chakras are accompanied by piccolo scales, but it’s not too bad.
Fourth, it’s safe. These hammocks aren’t going anywhere. You might! So be sure to pay attention to what the teacher says. They are always willing to guide you through a move if you are worried or are having trouble, or you just don’t have to do anything more difficult than you are comfortable with. If you are injured, they have you do things that won’t aggravate your injury.
Fifth, did I mention it’s fun? And relaxing? And I really feel better after doing these classes. Maybe it’s because I’m getting exercise without straining myself (since you have the hammock to support you, it’s not as intense, although you can always go a little further!), or listening to nice music, or everything together. I do Irish dance and Taekwon-​do and love those but sometimes my poor knees can’t take it. The anti-​gravity yoga always feels good.
Definitely try it out!

My son took Music Together classes for a year through Imagination Place. We’ve also done a parent/​child Antigravity Yoga class and I take Antigravity Yoga classes occasionally.
First, the good stuff. Antigravity Yoga. I signed up on a whim for it in February 2010. I weighed 310 lbs at that time. I figured if I broke my neck, at least I’d have a cool story to tell. Or I’d die and it wouldn’t matter.
My first teacher was Lori Miller. She was absolutely fantastic — so, so extremely helpful and nice and positive. I was terrified because hello, very large fat person with no muscles attempting acrobat tricks, but Lori encouraged me to work at my own pace and helped me perform some moves I couldn’t get down on my own.
I went to classes once a month after that. I usually went to Lori’s class or Darlene’s class. Darlene is also an incredible, amazingly patient person. I was a little scared of her at first because she’s a spitfire, but she’s awesome.
The atmosphere in class is always fantastic. Everyone is positive and helpful and supportive of one another. Antigravity Yoga is extremely relaxing, but it also kicks your butt and you’ll be feeling the burn a day or so later! I always leave class with a more positive outlook on life and I always feel a lot healthier and in-​tune with my body when class is over.
I’ve lost almost 80 lbs since my first class and I am happy to report that I can now do some of the awesome flips and tricks I’ve never been able to do before. No, I’m still not svelte and lithe like a yogini ninja, but I’m improving. (And whenever I accomplish something new, Darlene is almost as excited as I am over it. Booyah.)
My best friend lives in California and visits 3 – 5 times a year. We always make a point to do a session while she’s here. It’s just a lot of fun. It’s empowering and basically, amazing. And if I, the most uncoordinated, least graceful, non-​flexible person on the planet can do it weighing 310 lbs, anyone can do it.
Now on to Imagination Place’s other offerings:
Music Together: My favorite Music Together teacher is Tiffany Parkin. She is sparkly and happy and very sweet and patient with little monster children like my own. My son liked Music Together classes and I liked that he was learning to interact with other children and adults, but ultimately we quit taking the classes due to the cost. It works out to be something like $ 20 per class, which is fine, but I’d rather pay $ 20/​class to have him in something more structured. My kid was an insane 2 year old (on the autism spectrum) at the time we took classes, so maybe it would be different now. Who knows?
The parent child yoga classes I can’t really comment on since we were in kind of an experimental class group and it’s probably changed a lot since then. I did love taking the classes but my son isn’t great at listening or following instructions, so it ended up being too stressful for me to continue with that. My son adores Darlene though and calls her Mommy Yoga, so there you go.
Imagination Place also offers tons of gifts that are great for kids. No cheapazoid crap here — lots of really neat musical instruments, drums, bongos, wooden whistles shaped like owls and frogs, nice sets of wristbells and regular bells and anything you can think of. There’s also a good selection of books and culturally diverse CDs, and some puppets, playsilks, and other nice, open-​ended toys that are perfect for kids.
If nothing else, I highly recommend you take just one Antigravity Yoga class. It’s definitely an awesome experience and totally worth it. I can’t afford to take classes daily or even weekly, but my goal for 2012 is to make it to the studio at least once a month. It’s just so much fun!

Love their antigravity yoga.