Yoga is for every body. No exceptions.
We are a trauma-informed, modification-forward yoga studio in Madison, WI. That means, whether you’re brand new to yoga, recovering from injury or trauma, or are just tired of studios that weren’t built with your body in mind, you belong here.
The ARL team of instructors will offer a variety of modifications. Modifications are adjustments made to a yoga pose to make it more accessible, safe, and effective for a misfit's unique body, flexibility, strength, or energy level.
A modified pose is not a "lesser" version of a pose. The goal of yoga is to connect with the breath and find a balance between effort and ease. If a modification helps you breathe smoothly and mindfully, it is the correct version of the pose for you.
Props — Extensions of your body: Props bring the floor closer to you or provide extra support. Our bodies can not release unless they are fully supported.
Blocks: Placed under the hands in standing folds to maintain a straight spine if the hamstrings are tight or to help maintain balance for certain poses.
Bolsters & Blankets: Used under the knees, hips, or sit-bones to reduce strain on the lower back and tight hip flexors during seated or restorative poses.
Straps: Used to bridge the gap when hands can't reach feet or each other.
Our Classes
-
Flow Yoga
Every movement initiated by a breath. That's the whole thing.
Inhale, lift your arms. Exhale, fold forward. The breath is the anchor — keeping you present and turning the physical practice into a moving meditation. In a Flow class, the transitions between poses are just as important as the poses themselves. You're constantly in motion, moving through sequences like Sun Salutations to build heat, flexibility, and strength. Over time, that builds cardiovascular health, stamina, and balance.
Great for: Misfits who want to move, sweat a little, and get out of their heads.
-
Yin Yoga
Slow down. Go deep. Sit with it.
Yin is a slow-paced, deeply meditative style of yoga that targets the cooler, deeper layers of the body—specifically, connective tissues such as fascia, ligaments, joints, and bones. While dynamic "Yang" styles (like Flow yoga) focus on heating and strengthening the muscles through rhythmic movement, Yin focuses on stillness, yielding, and opening. It is a profound practice of slowing down and learning to sit with the present moment exactly as it is. Yin asks you to sit with the "edge" of a deep, juicy connective tissue stretch, meaning poses are held for 3-5 minutes.
Great for: misfits looking to get into their shit and letting it go.
-
Flow/Yin Yoga
The best of both worlds. We move, we heat up, then we slow down and let the body open. A full practice in one class. It’s the yin and the yang.
Great for: Anyone who wants both movement and deep release in a single class—or misfits who can't decide between Flow and Yin.
-
Restorative Yoga
This is intentional rest.
Unlike active styles of yoga designed to build strength or flexibility, Restorative yoga is entirely focused on down-regulating the nervous system, releasing deep-seated tension, and centering the mind. It is a deeply nurturing practice where the goal is not to stretch or sweat, but to surrender. Props do all the work. Your job is to let go.
The defining characteristic of a Restorative class is the heavy use of props—such as bolsters, blankets, blocks, and straps. Poses are set up so that these props completely support your body. The goal is to eliminate all muscular effort so your body can fully relax without any strain. Because the body is entirely supported, poses are held much longer than in a typical class—usually anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. You might only do four or five shapes in an entire hour-long session. That’s by design.
Great for: Misfits in recovery, high-stress seasons, burnout, or anyone whose nervous system needs a break.
-
Joyful Yoga
No rigidity. No performance. Just movement that feels good.
Joyful Yoga is a lighthearted, uplifting, and heart-centered approach to the practice that shifts the focus away from rigid alignment, performance, or perfection, and redirects it toward celebration, gratitude, and the simple pleasure of movement. It is a practice designed to cultivate an inner sense of warmth, radiance, and ease, reminding us that yoga can be vibrant, playful, and deeply nourishing. You are invited to explore intuitive movement—perhaps adding a gentle sway to a pose, closing your eyes to feel the rhythm of your breath, or exploring variations that simply feel good in your body today. It welcomes a sense of curiosity and play, stripping away the pressure to "get it right" so you can focus on how the movement feels.
Great for: Misfits who have felt intimidated by yoga, or who just want to play and find joy on the mat.
-
Gentle Yoga
Every movement is supported, never rushed. That's the whole thing.
Gentle Yoga is all about slowing down and moving with intention. You'll flow through simple, accessible poses with plenty of time to settle in, connect to your breath, and listen to your body. The focus isn't on pushing deeper—it's on creating space, easing tension, and building strength and mobility in a way that feels nourishing. You'll leave feeling calmer, looser, and more grounded than when you arrived.
Great for: Beginners, anyone recovering from stress or injury, or misfits looking to move mindfully and unwind.
-
Yoga 101
Yoga 101 is the universal designation for a beginner-level introduction or for misfits who want to deepen their understanding of the practice of yoga. It is designed to strip away the intimidation factor, break down the foundational elements, and provide an accessible entry point for anyone. Yoga 101 teaches that how a pose feels is infinitely more important than what it looks like. It prioritizes the structural integrity of the body (like keeping a straight spine) over touching your toes.
Props are introduced not as "help for those who can't," but as essential tools for everyone. Beginners learn how to use blocks to bring the floor closer, straps to extend their reach, and blankets or bolsters to support tight joints. New practitioners learn to listen to their body's signals, distinguishing between the healthy discomfort of a deep stretch or muscle engagement and the sharp, warning pain of overexertion.
Great for:
Beginners looking to build a safe, confident foundation.
Experienced practitioners want to return to "beginner's mind" to refine their alignment and break old habits.
Individuals recovering from injuries who need a slower, highly modified pace to reconnect with their physical practice.s here
-
WERQ
WERQ is a widly fun cardio dance fitness class built around pop and hip-hop music you'll hear on the radio today.
You do not need rhythm, experience, coordination, or the right body to belong here. You just have to show up and get ready to sweat. So, bring a towel.
Great for: people who are scared to walk through the door. For the misfits who think they can not dance.
-
Tween Yoga
For ages 8-12, yoga classes will include a yoga practice along with meditation to teach our young yogis how emotions show up in their body.
Great for: young misfits who want to build confidence, manage big feelings, and have fun while moving their bodies.
-
Pranayama
Pranayama is the ancient yogic practice of controlling and regulating the breath. Derived from Sanskrit, it combines prana (life force energy) and yama (control or expansion).
Through deliberate inhalations, exhalations, and breath retentions, it aims to harmonize the mind, body, and spirit.
Great for: Misfits looking to calm the nervous system, deepen their mind-body connection, and create more space for focus, clarity, and inner balance.
-
Kundalini Restorative
A combination of focused movement, breath and mantra to move energy in and through the body.
Great for: Misfits looking to reconnect with their energy and create a deeper sense of intention through movement and breath.
-
Flow + Sound
Movement, breath, and sound woven together.
Flow & Sound combines mindful movement with the healing vibrations of sound to create a practice that engages the body and settles the mind. You'll move through flowing sequences, connecting each pose to the breath, then melt into deep relaxation as sound waves from crystal singing bowls and other instruments guide you inward.
The movement creates space, the sound helps you release, and together they create a moving meditation that leaves you feeling grounded and restored.
Great for: Misfits who wants to move, unwind, and experience the healing power of sound.
-
Gentle Stretching
Gentle stretching for peace of mind and agility. Come relax.
Great for: misfits looking to release tension, improve flexibility, and leave feeling more at ease.
-
Qi Gong & Voice Activation
Qigong is an accessible body movement, breath and mind practice that focuses on "effortless effort" and learning to listen to and nourish our energy body.
Voice work includes humming, toning and chanting sounds and in group or call and response fashion. We start with Qi Gong (standing or in a chair ) and then sit to use our voices in new ways that have nothing to do with singing as our culture knows it.
We end with savasana most often in silence.
Great for: Misfits who want to try something different!
-
Bollybeat
Get your groove on with BollyBeat108—a high-energy, Bollywood-inspired dance class that fuses fitness with infectious beats and vibrant rhythms.
With easy-to-follow routines, you’ll move, sweat, and smile your way through a full-body workout while celebrating the joy of dance.
No experience needed, just bring your energy and have fun!
Great for: anyone who wants to sweat without it feeling like a workout!

