Pictured from left are Kyle Lafreniere, Val Morris, Scott Knaffla, Marquette County Ambassador, Brooke Quinn, LSCP Business Development Representative, Lori Beth Jokinen, Alluma Yoga Instructor, Isabel Francis, Alluma Yoga Founder, Brianna Salmela, Alluma Yoga General Manager, Heather House, Alluma Yoga Instructor, Mary Connor, Alluma Yoga Instructor, Jenn Hill, Marquette Mayor Pro Tem, Kristin Gordon and Ellen Doan. (Photo courtesy of the LSCP)

MARQUETTE – The Lake Superior Community Partnership recently assisted Alluma Yoga with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its grand opening. Following a soft opening in early August, Alluma is now open seven days a week with a staff of seven teachers.

Alluma Yoga strives to offer a variety of styles of yoga including vinyasa yoga, hot yoga, hatha yoga, restorative yoga and yoga nidra. Some vinyasa classes include pilates mat-work for core toning and flexibility. “All of Alluma Yoga’s classes unite body and mind in movement and breath,” organizers said in a news release.

Alluma Yoga is the only yoga studio in the Upper Peninsula to offer both hot yoga and unheated classes in a large-sunlit space. All teachers are certified by the Yoga Alliance and follow strict protocols for a safe practice, including disinfection of all surfaces before and after class, and adequate social distancing in class. With more than 20 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, 30 years in fitness and group exercise instruction, and 12 years of yoga practice and teaching, Isabel Francis has recruited a “dynamic and talented team of instructors to ensure that Alluma Yoga offers the greatest variety of classes that safely meet all needs,” according to the release.

The mission of Alluma Yoga is to “empower their students to achieve their highest goals for their physical, spiritual, and emotional health in an inclusive, supportive and nurturing environment,” organizers said.

“It’s been quite a challenge to acquire and install the infrared heat lamps and humidification, but the support of the Marquette yoga community has been tremendous! We are so excited to have a fantastic team of teachers offering a wide variety of classes seven days a week. We are reaching out to nonprofits and health care providers to expand our offerings to include teens and children, and are always looking for creative ways of bringing the gift of yoga to our friends, families, and community,” said Alluma Yoga owner, Isabel Francis.

Hot power classes follow a Baptiste Power Yoga format, allowing the instructor to offer a range of options to each student based upon their level, following a well-known sequence. Hot power classes raise students’ heart rate, improve flexibility, burn calories, reduce stress, and help the body relax. Heated vinyasa classes provide all the same benefits.

Unheated classes include vinyasa and hatha flows, Flow and Float (a vinyasa/Nidra combination), restorative yoga, and beginner vinyasa. Alluma Yoga also offers a unique combination of yoga and high-intensity interval training called YOD Yoga. This class blends intentional movement and HIIT segments, cool down/stretch, and final resting pose to challenge and stretch you mentally, physically and emotionally.

Alluma Yoga is seeking opportunities for outreach in the community, focusing on children, intergenerational yoga, teens and others at risk.

It is located at 925 W. Washington St in Marquette. For more information, call 906-360-7933, email allumayoga@gmail.com, or visit allumayoga.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.