If you’re on the hunt for the best Main Line yoga studios the area has to offer — and why wouldn’t you be? — there are, of course, plenty of factors to consider. You want a yoga community that offers classes when you want them, has an awesome vibe, and can get you motivated to take better care of your physical and mental health. Oh, and bonus points for studios that play a great soundtrack of throwback jams… obviously.
The thing that can really distinguish the best of the best among Main Line yoga studios, though, is the quality of the yoga teachers. Let’s be real — you’ll be much more likely to actually show up for yoga class if the person leading the class is passionate about yoga and can spread that passion with positive energy. That positivity can really make the difference between a so-so class and a great one.
We’re a little partial, of course, but we’re pretty sure that our bulldog class leaders represent the very best that Main Line yoga studios have to offer. And that’s why we love taking every opportunity we can to introduce you to the rock stars on our team!
The latest bulldog leader to take the spotlight is Michelle Baldino, who teaches at our Villanova location. If you’re exploring Main Line yoga studios, you’ll definitely want to learn a little more about Michelle, along with her approach to life and yoga.
Keep scrolling to learn more about what activates, invigorates, and exhilarates Michelle.
What activates me…
Connecting with nature! Ever since I was little, I have loved being outdoors. The feeling of a cool breeze or the heat from the sun nourishes me inside and out.
I grew up close to Valley Forge Park and that’s where my love affair with hiking and trail running started. I live about 25 minutes from Valley Forge now, but I still try to get there as often as I can.
These days, I spend most of my outdoor time walking around my neighborhood, but on weekends, my family and I make it a point to pack some snacks or lunch and head to a park for a long hike.
And the beach! Any beach! I feel most connected to my truest self and Mother Earth/God/The Divine when I am by the ocean. To me, it is heaven on earth.
What invigorates me…
Where do I even begin?
For one, teaching yoga invigorates me! There is nothing like the feeling of being in a room full of students as I guide them through a class. Connecting with their breath, watching their movement, their strength, their intuition of when to challenge themselves and when to back off — it’s just so inspiring.
Listening to music is also high on my list of things that invigorate me. I remember my parents playing a lot of Fleetwood Mac and Simon and Garfunkel when I was a kid, so I like a lot of folk-rock artists… but I also love ’80s rock and ’90s hip hop and R&B. Music is often playing in my house, so I’m now learning about newer artists from my 12-year-old (who is an indie rocker) and my 10-year-old (who listens to nothing but rap). I love that music can help us learn more about each other.
And if I could mention one more thing that invigorates me, it’s food! I love to eat. We are so lucky to live near Philly, which is such a great city for foodies.
What exhilarates me…
My family! My kids — Francesca and Benjamin — are two of the greatest loves of my life and by far the most influential and wisest teachers. Being by their side as they grow has really felt like watching my heart walk around outside of my body. I feel both fiercely protective of them and also such a deep sense of calm, a knowing, that they are both shaping their lives by showing up in the world as their most authentic selves.
Of course, I can’t go without mentioning my husband, who has shown me what unconditional love truly is. He makes me laugh every day and he does most of the cooking. And prefers I don’t touch the washer or dryer. And he does the Christmas shopping. Sometimes, I wonder what I actually bring to the table!