Founded by Justine Wiltshire Cohen in 2004 in a church basement in Newton Highlands, the Down Under School of Yoga stands as one of Boston’s most esteemed yoga studios. Cohen’s yoga journey began at a very young age. Her parents, both journalists, worked with the Dalai Lama’s community in India, teaching English to Tibetan monks. Cohen’s own teaching career has now spanned over two decades. Notably, while working in Washington, D.C., as an international human rights lawyer, she combined her passion for law and classical yoga to become the yoga teacher to the U.S. Supreme Court.
However, after marrying a federal prosecutor from Boston, she moved to Newton, Mass., and founded the Down Under School of Yoga. Initially, it was less of a company and more so just a group of friends dedicated to teaching and creating a space for yoga. However, since then, Down Under has experienced significant growth, opening new studios nearly every year, with locations in the Back Bay, South End, Central Square, Harvard Square, Porter Square and Newton, offering over 100 classes daily across all locations.
The school’s offerings vary immensely, ranging from classes for 3-year-olds to 93-year-olds. A couple of decades ago, they also initiated a free yoga program for seniors and individuals with disabilities, genuinely striving to make yoga accessible to everyone. Another unique facet of the studio is that it allows you to explore all three major lineages of yoga, tracing back to Krishnamacharya. Many consider him to be the father of modern yoga and some of his notable pupils — Pattabhi Jois, B.K.S. Iyengar and Deekshikachar, his son — each developed unique styles: Ashtanga yoga, Iyengar yoga and therapeutic and meditative applications, respectively. The studio preserves the integrity of each tradition, intentionally avoiding blending methods to honor their distinct philosophies and techniques.
Starting Wednesday, the Down Under School of Yoga introduced reformer pilates classes, complementing their existing heated and non-heated yoga offerings. Beyond classes, the Down Under School of Yoga is dedicated to nurturing new teachers, guiding them to develop their own authentic yogi voice. This mentorship allows students to use resources –– including the yoga texts –– to further develop their practice.
Even during the pandemic, the school remained committed to its community by maintaining all staff and management positions, paying living wages and providing top-tier benefits — a testament to Cohen’s passion and the studio’s community-oriented ethos.
Newcomers can enjoy a special offer: four weeks of unlimited classes for only $49. For those planning to attend more frequently, the Yogi Pass is ideal, offering unlimited classes along with benefits such as a 20% discount at Life Alive Organic Cafe and additional savings on massages, workshops and Ayurvedic consults. So, head over to their Porter Square location — just a shuttle ride and MBTA stop away — and give a class a try!
