I was chatting with Modo’s CEO, Emily Drouillard, a couple months ago about a website that allows users to enter a word and to see the main searches containing that word. So, naturally, I searched… “toe jam.” Kidding—I didn’t. I searched “Modo Yoga,” and the number one search was—drumroll please—”What is Modo Yoga?” I know, shocker. For me this was a reminder that although many of us are deeply entrenched in our home studio families, there are still SO many people that hear about Modo Yoga while chatting with friends, and leave the room wondering—or, as the case may be, searching—”what is Modo yoga?”
It seems kinda funny that after 20 years, many journal entries, and a website with over 22 million visits a year, that we still have no direct answer to that question! Personally I think I’ve shied away from this question in the past, because no one really has the answer. Modo Yoga was created, and is defined, by every student, every teacher, and everyone that attends a Modo studio. That being said—I’ll give it my best shot, knowing that there are so many correct answers to this question.
What is Modo Yoga?
Modo Yoga, which was formerly known as Moksha Yoga, is a form of hot yoga that focuses on fitness, mobility, community, and environmental sustainability.
Founded in 2004 by Ted Grand, myself Jess Robertson (hi!), and Natalia Brajak (who left to pursue psychology in 2007), Modo Yoga has grown into an international network of nearly 60 studios dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all yoga practitioners. Modo classes combine the detoxifying benefits of heat with a commitment to ecological responsibility and upholding and preserving yoga’s historical roots.
How is Modo Different from Other Hot Yoga Studios?
My favourite way to answer this question is to ask other people—those that attend our studios. We actually did this around the time of our name change in Canada (which is a story for another time ☺️). On surveying nearly 800 students who volunteered to give their feedback, we discovered that despite most people joining Modo to practice yoga asana (the physical postures), over 90% of respondents cited “Community” as what they think of as definitive to Modo.
Modo Yoga is defined by 6 pillars, one of which is Be Community. We endeavour to bring people together based on the vast research, growing annually, around the benefits of community on the nervous system, longevity, and overall well being. Teachers that attend the Modo Yoga teacher training are taught to lead classes that challenge those who are very fit, while also making postures and classes inclusive to those with physical limitations, lower fitness levels, or whatever else may come into the room (even a really bad day/week/year!). Our teacher training also emphasizes an inclusive teaching methodology rooted in the Yoga Traditions so that every teacher that is Modo trained knows about sangha—the philosophical underpinnings of community. That being said, we try not to take ourselves too seriously, and to us part of community is having fun!
Modo studios are also eco-friendly, using ethically sourced materials and sustainable building practices. The heating systems in Modo studios utilize radiant heat rather than forced air, which is more energy-efficient and provides a more comfortable and healthy environment for practice.
The Modo Yoga Series
The Modo Yoga series carries the explicit goal of being inclusive to all levels. The series has evolved, and continues to evolve, over the years to incorporate research from physiology to promote the long-term health of the spine. From a physical standpoint, the Modo series is a low-impact cardio workout that maintains and improves the health of the spine, the major joints and muscles, and provides a deep relaxation as a tool to regulate the nervous system. The series includes a variety of poses and movements designed to improve flexibility, strength, and balance, making it suitable for practitioners of all levels.
Moments of Silence in the Hot Room
When we began in 2004, we had no idea that noise and constant nervous system stimulation—through smartphones and screens—would, one day, dominate our lives. Smartphones were a different beast 20 years ago. This practice of getting some silent moments in quiet meditation, before and after class, is a huge part of the Modo experience and has never been more important. We encourage and love our chatting in the reception area, and many studios have tea, or cozy sweat-friendly couches. In this way we can hang, ask teachers questions, and still maintain our shared community pillar, Be Peace, by starting and ending our practice in quiet meditation.
Most yoga philosophy texts were written in sanskrit. Mauna (sanskrit for silence), Dharana (focus) and Dhyana (meditation) are all important yoga practices that are brought into a Modo class, primarily through emphasizing a quiet resting pose—Savasana (corpse pose)—at the beginning and end of every class. Many debate whether “Yoga” (understood in the West as postures) is, or is not, Meditation. No matter what side of this debate you land on, we hold that being quiet and still is so nourishing—especially in a shared space where others support you in this, sometimes very difficult, task.
The Health of the Spine
The health of the spine is crucial for overall well-being, and Modo Yoga places a strong emphasis on spinal mobility and health. As we age we lose spinal mobility, and because all nerves exit the spine this can affect everything from digestion, to energy levels, to the mobility of our major joints. Our spinal health is also challenged by long seated hours at work, long commutes, and increased time on our phone (causing forward head tilt syndrome).
Research has shown that maintaining spinal mobility can have significant health benefits, which is why we’ve always emphasized the health of the spine in practice. A study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science found that spinal mobility exercises can improve flexibility, reduce pain, and enhance the quality of life. Another study in the Spine Journal highlighted the relationship between spinal health and overall physical function, emphasizing the importance of exercises that promote spinal mobility and strength. By focusing on the spine’s mobility, Modo Yoga helps practitioners maintain their health and well-being as they age.
Rooted in History, Grown in Community
Both founders of Modo Yoga, Jess Robertson and Ted Grand, began their yoga journeys at a young age under the guidance of lifelong yoga teachers. Unlike some yoga communities that emerged as commercial ventures, Modo Yoga has always operated with a philosophy of co-creation and non-hierarchical leadership. The studios have been utilizing alternative energy sources long before it became a trend, and they only sought external funding after the financial hardships of Covid led to needing that support.
This deep-rooted history and commitment to authenticity is something that we don’t talk about a lot, but that comes back to us in feedback that we receive, especially when teacher training participants rave about their practice helping with things like addiction, family trauma, childhood bullying, weight loss, fitness and so much more. We feel that yoga’s benefits are limitless, because as we see through the Modo Voices stories, we’re always learning about how Modo has touched people in unique ways.
People attending Modo Yoga classes often express that the roots of Modo Yoga are palpable in the studios. The community-oriented approach and the dedication to sustainability bring an authenticity to this community that is only matched by the incredible humans that continue to evolve the answer to this most-popular question—”What is Modo Yoga?”
And with our roots firmly planted in tradition, our growth and evolution stems from the fact that every Modo studio is independently owned and operated by people that are passionate about the Modo Yoga community.
Continued Evolution
So that is who we are today in 2024, as we celebrate our 20th year in community. Over the next 20 years the answer to the question “What is Modo Yoga?” will change—perhaps from your involvement in your home studio, perhaps from the future studio directors of studios yet to come. However, one central theme will likely remain—community. Thanks for being part of it!
With love,
Jess
Sources:
Jess Robertson is Modo Yoga’s Co Founder, Senior Advisor, and Community Documentarian. She is also a writer, musician, yoga teacher and Co Founder of the New Leaf Foundation. She lives in Montreal, Canada with her 2 kids.