Alyx Valentine Jones
5/5
PRALAYA IS EXCEPTIONAL: authentic, academic, and accessible for anyone.
About me: I began my yoga practice in San Francisco which undoubtedly has some of the best instructors so my standards were unknowingly high when I moved home to Houston. I was a member at nearly every studio inside the loop for a year period before finding Pralaya in mid-2014. I took one of Robert's evening classes for experienced students and signed up for teacher training the same evening. After spending more than 300 hours at the studio between teacher trainings, classes, and workshops, I know and love this place.
PRALAYA YOGA SYSTEM
Robert has a Masters in Physics from Rice. He's been teaching for 45+ years (including at The Houstonian and across Western Europe) and has trained with BKS Iyengar, Ana Forrest, Dr. Vasant Lad, David Swenson, Doug Swenson, Swami Muktananda, Swami Ranganathananda, Vethathiri Yogiraj Maharishi, and Swami Satchitananda.
Robert created Pralaya (his unique yoga system) from an unparalleled understanding of physiology and energetics. Pralaya's application extends far beyond what most would consider for traditional yoga. I've witnessed Robert meaningfully improve or eliminate chronic pain in countless people in under an hour. The same is true of other senior instructors at Pralaya who have studied under him.
TEACHERS
Teachers truly develop their own practice. Everyone I've taken from at Pralaya has shown me a pose that I have not seen anywhere else from anyone else in my 6 years of practice.
Robert: He's 68 and he is stronger than anyone I've ever witnessed, just from doing yoga. My favorite thing about class is his jokes, they have a way of revealing the humor in perceived stress.
Scott: It sounds rather cliche but Scott truly floats. He brings an indescribable levity when he walks in the room. He is amazing for beginners (my 69 yr old dad with arthritic knees adores him) and experts alike. Great, dry humor.
Adam: He is a physicist by training as well so he brings a unique interpretation of Robert's teaching. He is attentive and kind, always ensuring that your experience in his class is optimized.
Amanda: I followed Amanda from two other studios. There, she taught challenging and fun flow classes. She is quite familiar with yoga literature so she's a fantastic resource if you're looking to learn more.
Andrew: He runs the yoga program at The Houstonian. His classes are challenging and unique. From push-ups in wheel to arm-bound squat walking, you'll work and laugh.
Lindsey: She is a PA in oncology at MD Anderson so her understanding of anatomy and illness is admirable. Her free outdoor flow classes at Discovery Green are such fun. I can't recall seeing her without a smile.
Larry: I followed Larry from two other studios before he began at Pralaya earlier this year. His flow classes are always an interesting and fun challenge; they made me noticeably stronger in a matter of months. He is down-to-earth, relaxed, and upbeat.
Zach: I took yoga from Zach a few weeks ago and then had a private pilates reformer session with him at another studio. His cues were different than anything I'd heard before and gave me immediate insight that I could use to deepen my practice.
STUDIO
Pralaya is a one-room studio with natural light beaming in from windows on two sides. It is a 2 block walk from Montrose hotspots (i.e. Common Bond, Agora, Cafe Brasil) which makes it an essential Saturday morning stop - if not for the yoga or the extended meditation for the *free unlimited* tea.
