January 26, 2006 Issue                                               

©2005 The Chestnut Hill Local

Erdenheim yoga studio bends over backwards, stretches into Ambler
by ARLENE GREENBERG

Stretching is the order of the day at the new Twisters Yoga Studio in Ambler, an outgrowth of the popular Twisters Studio in Erdenheim.

The popular yoga studio called Twisters at 813 Bethlehem Pike in Erdenheim has bent way over backwards in an effort to attract even more members from Eastern Montgomery County by opening a second Twisters at 131 E. Butler Pike in Ambler.

The new facility, which opened in September, is on the second floor of a building that houses a Pennsylvania State Store on the ground floor and is across the street from the Ambler Movie Theater. The building’s exterior walls have been returned to their natural brick, and a new front facade has been added.

The interior space, also completely renovated, features two large class studios (the Erdenheim studio has one), a massage room, a lounge, two bathrooms, two changing rooms and a spacious lobby/retail area. Each studio features refinished wood floors, ceiling fans, “hot yoga” space heaters, indirect track lighting and a four-speaker stereo system.

“Ambler’s downtown area is undergoing a transformation, with several fine new restaurants and other businesses,” explained Twisters’ co-owner Toby Fleming (with wife, Tricia), “so we were delighted to be able to open our second location here. Also, this is an underserved area since there is no other yoga studio in Ambler.”

Toby and Tricia, both lifelong Chestnut Hill area residents now in their 40s and parents of three girls (Tricia did not have to change her last name when they got married because her maiden name is also Fleming), have a thriving business in Erdenheim. However, the second Twisters is much larger and is thus able to offer more services. For example, it has four massage therapists in addition to 14 trained yoga instructors, while the Erdenheim facility does not offer massage.

Having attended many yoga classes at the Erdenheim facility, I can attest to the professionalism of the instructors and the fact that the classes are usually full. I must say I found the beginners’ class very challenging, and there are advanced classes for people whose stretching ability is about as amazing as the ability of certain politicians to stretch the truth.

The new studio offers 50 classes a week for all levels. One can purchase a discounted 10-class card that is accepted at either location. “The physical space is also important in addition to the wide variety of classes,” said Toby. “The temperature-controlled setting with candles and Asian plants helps to create a quiet, serene, meditative environment where all distractions from the daily stresses can melt away. The whole idea is for this to be a sanctuary from the problems of the outside world.”

The massage therapists at the new Twisters offer Swedish massage, the classic European variety that eases muscle tension, improves flexibility and promotes relaxation; and the deep-tissue massage, which uses stronger pressure and slower modalities in order to optimize performance in sports and help prevent injuries. Pilates instruction is also available.

For more information, call 267-252-7187 or visit www.twistersyoga.com.