Posts In: downtown San Diego

Flashbacks from Yoga One founders Amy and Michael Caldwell on how they nurtured a family-owned business and a thriving yoga community.

Many of you know the story of how Yoga One began in the early 2000’s with Amy practicing Vinyasa yoga in Redwood Circle, Balboa Park. And how people would interrupt to ask what dance routine she was doing. 

How she explained that it was yoga and they asked to join her. And when it got cold, the little community found a place to practice inside. Many adventures ensued and we eventually found our space at 1150 7th Avenue, in downtown San Diego.

Word of mouth was and continues to be the supreme method for spreading the love and growing the Yoga One Family. This is the story of how we grew beyond that initial group of Balboa Park students.

This is the story of how Amy was, for a little bit, a marketing maverick.

Back then, to make a flyer we chose a fun font in a word document, then literally cut and pasted an image likely found in a magazine (remember magazines?) Then we went to Kinko’s (remember Kinko’s?) and made copies.

Amy rode her bike around town and posted the flyer at coffee shops, newspaper stands, mom & pop businesses, etc. In those days, circa 2002, there was ample space on the Whole Foods bulletin board. So alongside guitar lessons and roommates wanted, Amy hung her homemade flyer. The fact that it was photo copied and had a graphic of some sort was already ahead of the curve.

Then one day, like lightning, it hit her. If she was printing flyers at Kinko’s, she could do it on colored paper. BLAM, it was a revolution! Her yellow flyer leaped from bulletin boards all over downtown.

Of course, others were quick to get hip and colored flyers became all the rage.

Fortunately, Amy’s good friend Mel Z had just visited a studio in Connecticut and seen their professionally printed postcards. So being on the vanguard again, Amy arranged to print a postcard. It was a slightly laborious task and the printers, who were more used to working with rock bands, were scrappy and often made mistakes. But we grew together and our first card was raw, rough and a little drab, yet it was double-sided! Whoa! Minds were blown. And the marketing race was on. 

Michael wanted the cards to look like Pink Floyd album covers and our friends Summer and Karl lent their graphic design skills and vision. Super yogi Heather F. became our go-to model. The photo shoots were a little rogue (we were yoga posing in places we probably weren’t supposed to be) and it was so much fun. 

Printing postcards was such a new medium, in this context, that for a hot minute, people (non-yoga practitioners included) sought out and collected the postcards. We were told they were pinned at work stations and on home refrigerators. 

In time, coffee shops and other businesses reduced places to place postcards and the Whole Foods bulletin board became overrun. Marketing all around became glossy and sophisticated. Almost as soon as it began, the golden age of postcards had passed.

Still, we like postcards and produce them from time to time. Are there any collectors out there who have all of the Yoga One postcards ever made? (;

Let us know and we’ll take you out for a drink! 

What better way to experience community and inter-connectedness than by practicing yoga alongside hundreds of other wonderful humans at Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego? We had an absolute blast and we can’t wait to participate again next year!

fiction by Laura McCorry

Marcia had just eased her car into a parking spot when she looked out the passenger window and saw the sign which read “one-hour parking.” A few raindrops hit her windshield and Marcia, resisting the temptation to curse, let out a disgruntled sigh. One hour parking would not be long enough. Her brow furrowed deeper and her shoulders were rigid with tension.

Reluctantly, she turned the key in the ignition and circled the block again, then she circled one block north and found another spot in two-hour parking. Marcia was grateful she had intended to arrive well before the start of the Classic Yoga, level 1 and 2 class that afternoon.

If there had been a level zero class, Marcia would have signed up for that. It had been many years and two children ago that Marcia had last taken a yoga class. Her eyes were the same color, but since then, pretty much everything else about her body had seemed to change. She felt like she might as well be trying yoga for the very first time.

Marcia had called ahead yesterday and spoken to the Office Manager Missy, whose upbeat voice had assured her the class was absolutely beginner-friendly.

Marcia turned off her car a second time and took in a deep breath, but it came out in a ragged rush. The skies were grey and turbulent, and it looked like real rain was on the way. She hurried down the street and ducked under the awning when she saw the sign for Yoga One.

Inside there was a curious little opening in the wall (formally a dumbwaiter shaft) which revealed a closet-sized office. Within, a young woman with long, blonde-ish hair greeted her. Marcia recognized her voice right away.

“You must be Missy,” she said, feeling relieved.

“Yes, I am!” said Missy. “I’m glad to meet you, Marcia. I’ll be leading our class today.”

Missy welcomed Marcia into the studio and asked if she had any questions or concerns before closing the door. Then, Missy greeted the class and instructed everyone to take a comfortable seat on top of a folded blanket.

Marcia sat up as tall as she could, noticing immediately how much more effort it took to sit straight than to slouch. Even with the blanket lifting her a bit off the ground, Marcia could feel the tightness in her hips that kept her knees slightly higher than most of the other students.

They weren’t seated for long, just two or three minutes, yet when Missy’s voice guided the class to come to their hands and knees, Marcia sighed with relief. She worried the whole class was going to feel that hard.

“The most important part of yoga is your breath,” Marcia heard Missy’s calm and steady voice intone as she walked slowly around the room. “If you can’t breathe slowly, evenly, then you’re trying too hard. Try to find a balance between effort and ease.”

Trying too hard. Those words repeated in Marcia’s mind. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had said those words to her. Most of the time Marcia felt as though she weren’t trying hard enough.

Her boss was always expecting the completion of some project or another. Her two children always seemed to need supplies for an assignment they were supposed to turn in the next day. Her to-do list was never finished.

If her husband asked her for anything at the end of the day, even something as simple as getting him a glass of water from the kitchen, she sometimes felt herself bristle. Not at him, but at the feeling of being constantly needed. Marcia tried her best to satisfy all of their needs, but it was an impossible task because they always asked for more.

A balance between effort and ease. Did such a thing exist? Where in her life could she do less? This thought tumbled over and over in Marcia’s mind throughout the class. It made her feel intrigued, hopeful, and a little bit afraid. What if something didn’t get done? What if she wasn’t as needed as she thought?

Before Marcia knew it, one hour and fifteen minutes had gone by. The class was over. The students were seated again on the blankets with all eyes closed and hands pressed together before their hearts.

“Take a deep breath in, and a deep breath out,” said Missy. “Thank yourself for making this time to connect mind, body, and spirit. Namaste.”

Marcia breathed in deeply and this time her breath flowed out long and smooth. Thank yourself. Another novel idea.

“Yes,” thought Marcia. “Thank you. Thank me?”

While everyone was putting away the props and rolling up their mats, Missy came over to ask Marcia how she felt. Marcia told her how she often held tension in her shoulders and that the class had been challenging, but that she did feel more relaxed than before.

Missy took the time to show Marcia a few simple poses she could do at work to ease strain in her neck and shoulders. Trying a yoga class after so long hadn’t been easy, but Missy’s friendliness, knowledge, and warmth had put Marcia at ease. As she gathered her belongings, Marcia thanked Missy again for the class and for her suggestions.

As Marcia walked back to her car, her heart felt lighter than it had in a long time. She would gladly leave a little extra time for parking if it meant she could feel this way once a week. Maybe next time she would take the trolley, or a ride-share. Maybe she could go to yoga more than once a week.

Turning the key in the ignition, Marcia nodded her head. It had absolutely been the right decision to take a yoga class that afternoon. It felt like the first step towards the kind of life she wanted to live.

As Marcia thought that perhaps a regular yoga practice could help balance effort and ease in her life, a smile spread across her face.

Laura McCorry
Contributing Writer

Yoga and Laura had an on-again-off-again relationship from 2004 until 2009 when they decided to move in together and there’s been no looking back since. Passionate about both yoga and writing, Laura loves to introduce others to the joys and benefits of yoga and healthy living.

Contact: laura(AT)yogaonesandiego(DOT)com

How do yoga teachers feel about their practice? What inspires them to keep teaching and keep practicing yoga? Get to know your Yoga One teachers outside the studio and off the mat. This month’s interview is with Missy DiDonato.

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1. Why do you practice yoga? 

I practice for the benefit of my mind, body, and all around life issues 🙂

2. What was the most intimidating aspect of your teaching when you first started?

Learning to stop expecting people to like me.

3. What gives you the most joy as a yoga instructor?

Seeing the emotional release of a student during or after a class. Also seeing people at their best or most vulnerable.

4. If yoga were a food, car, smell, planet, song, artist, flavor, etc…it would be:  If yoga were a smell, it would be a fart. Because it’s necessary to live and comes in all different varieties!

5. What’s your yoga inspiration?

My 3 year old daughter, Olive. Firstly, because she’s so flexible and that’s proof it’s something we’re born with and it’s only our habits that make us inflexible. And secondly, because she is so present.

6. What classes do you teach at Yoga One?

I teach level 1 & 2 Classic Yoga on Thursdays at 4:30pm and an all levels Restorative Yoga on Fridays at 5:30pm.

7. Anything else you’d like to add, share, suggest?

I am constantly grateful for all of the yogis and non-yogis that come into my life. Thank you from the depths of my heart.

You can find our full class schedule here. Om!

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Do you take your yoga with you when you travel? 

Our Yoga One family has spread to all corners of the globe and we’re excited to share some of their adventures.

Denisse Ypina is the go-to yogi. She loves to meet people and get out and about. Here she is rocking the Yoga One lid at the City Center Sessions. During this popular event, Yoga One and other fitness studios provide free classes in a Downtown San Diego city street or park.

The next event is scheduled for February 10th, 8am-noon. Yoga One leads a class at 11:30am. Denisse will likely be there. Click here to reserve your space.

In addition to assisting Yoga One with offsite events and TV segments, Denisse is also a graduate of the acclaimed Yoga One Teacher Training course, an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Zumba Certified Instructor, Nutrition Specialist and Dale Carnegie instructor. Phew!

No matter where you go, you can Keep OM Trucking with Yoga One! Visit Yoga One at 1150 7th Avenue to get your own hat and while you’re there, join us for class. 

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It’s the start of the new year and the time when many people make life goals or resolutions for the year ahead. If your goal is to eat healthier and exercise more – you are far from alone! The top New Year’s resolutions each year focus on health.

If your goal is to practice more yoga – welcome to the club! Yoga provides a uniquely holistic approach to health, strengthening body, mind and spirit.

Our mission at Yoga One has always been to help as many people as possible enjoy healthier and happier lives. Our instructors meet you where you are in your practice and we offer several classes suitable for absolute beginners. (See our full schedule here.)

When it comes to health and wellness, we believe that there is no single prescription for every body. Therefore we also offer excellent private yoga instruction. For some people this is their primary practice and for others, they use private sessions to get more out of their group class experiences. Whatever your motivation, we would love to connect with you! Call 619-544-0587.

Whether you are an experienced practitioner or an absolute beginner, the only thing you may ultimately really want is that special one. Here is a carefully curated comparison of many of the top yoga mats. We hope it helps you to pick the perfect mat* to support your practice.

*There is a “winner” listed, but each mat has a description of its best qualities and reviews based on how it performs in the studio.

We hope you find “the one” yoga mat for you – but even more, we hope to see you soon and often at Yoga One!