The Arlington Center

Business Details

Your Wellness Journey Starts Here

Founded to integrate yoga, meditation, and wellness practices, The Arlington Center has served the Boston area since 1978. Our mission is to provide holistic wellness through diverse movement practices, mindfulness, and community-building. With over 40 years of combined teaching experience, our instructors offer classes ranging from yoga and tai chi to capoeira and meditation. We prioritize accessibility through in-person and livestream options, including a 24/7 video library. Our approach emphasizes individualized attention, blending traditional techniques with modern applications. We foster a welcoming environment where students of all levels can explore physical, mental, and spiritual growth.

Our team includes certified professionals with expertise in prenatal yoga, therapeutic movement, and mind-body integration. We maintain partnerships with wellness practitioners in acupuncture, bodywork, and psychotherapy. Our facility features dedicated spaces for practice and hosts workshops and retreats. We accept multiple payment methods and offer flexible registration options. Through consistent innovation, we remain committed to evolving with our community's wellness needs.

Services

Yoga Classes Meditation Sessions Qigong Practice Tai Chi Instruction Capoeira Workshops Dance Therapy Wellness Retreats 24/7 Video Library Prenatal Yoga Mindfulness Training

Highlights and features

We offer 40+ years of combined teaching experience across multiple disciplines
Our instructors include certified yoga teachers and wellness professionals
We provide both in-person and livestream class options daily
Our 24/7 video library offers flexible access to wellness content
We maintain partnerships with complementary health practitioners

Website

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Services

Yoga Classes

Our yoga classes combine traditional practices with modern techniques. Instructors guide students through asana sequences, breathwork, and meditation. Classes accommodate all levels from beginners to advanced practitioners. We offer specialized sessions including prenatal yoga and therapeutic movement.

Meditation Sessions

Daily meditation sessions focus on present-moment awareness and stress reduction. Teachers incorporate mindfulness techniques from Buddhist traditions. Sessions include guided practices and silent sitting periods. All experience levels welcome in both group and individual settings.

Qigong/Tai Chi

These Chinese movement practices combine breath control with gentle motions. Classes improve energy flow, balance, and physical coordination. Instruction includes traditional forms and therapeutic applications. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels seeking holistic wellness.

Capoeira Workshops

Capoeira classes blend martial arts, dance, and music. Sessions develop strength, flexibility, and cultural appreciation. Children and adults learn traditional movements in a supportive environment. Workshops explore the art form's historical and physical dimensions.

Wellness Workshops

Our workshops explore holistic wellness topics including prenatal preparation, stress management, and body-mind integration. Experts lead sessions on complementary therapies and movement education. Programs combine practical skills with theoretical understanding for comprehensive wellness development.

People

Chip Hartranft

Founding Director

Bridges yoga and Buddhism traditions with 40+ years teaching experience. Author of Patanjali translations and contributor to yoga scholarship. Develops integrated movement and mindfulness programs.

Liz Owen

Yoga Instructor

Certified teacher with 25+ years experience combining physical alignment and meditative practices. Co-author of yoga therapy publications and contributor to NIH-funded depression research studies.

Barrett Reinhorn

Prenatal Yoga Specialist

Teaches prenatal/postnatal yoga since 1999 with doula experience. Develops programs for pregnancy wellness and offers teacher training in childbearing year practices.

Pam Vlahakis

Qigong Instructor

Certified yoga and qigong teacher with 16+ years experience. Develops mind-body programs for diverse populations including corporate wellness and hospital settings.

Fez Aswat

Meditation Teacher

Teaches yoga and meditation since 2001 with focus on cancer survivor wellness. Combines hatha practice with Buddhist meditation traditions under primary teacher Tom Alden.

Questions

How do I register for classes?

Register online through our website or at the front desk for in-person attendance.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept cash, check, credit cards, and online payments for all services.

Are classes available outside business hours?

Yes, our 24/7 Video Library provides access to wellness content at any time.

What wellness services do you offer?

We provide yoga, meditation, tai chi, capoeira, dance classes, and wellness workshops.

Can I attend classes virtually?

Yes, most studio classes are available via livestream with online registration.

Reviews (5)

Write a Review

J. C.

Oct 12, 2017 Report

I like the Arlington Center so much. Peaceful, calm. I enjoy Emmie's Gentle Yoga a lot. A gentle but vigorous class that works on stretching and strengthening for a steady 60 minutes. Just right for me! Love it!

Rebecca DeGraw

Jan 29, 2013 Report

Check out all the programs here, both the ongoing and special events. I've been to yoga and African dance events.

Meredith P.

Feb 12, 2011 Report

I took an Iyengar class here a little while ago. It's on Mass Ave in Arlington, right next to a Dunkin Donuts on the cusp of the town centre. They don't take credit cards and I didn't have cash, but the teacher let me take the class anyway and send a check later ($17 for a drop-in rate, though it's cheaper if you sign up for the class series). The class was well-taught -- the teacher knew her stuff and placed the correct amount of emphasize on anatomical correctness and breath.

But it just wasn't for me. It's an older, less physical crowd than I'm used to, and the class really didn't feel like much of a workout. I know, yoga isn't all about asana, but I work in an office and sit nearly motionless all day. Yoga class is my time to move and sweat, and I barely did either. Afterwards I just wanted to go home and sleep. But if you want low-intensity yoga for relaxation and restoration, this is a good place. The space was clean and nice (though the ceiling felt low and gloomy and the room was cooold), and they have a wonderful assortment of props (mats, blocks, blankets, eye pillows).

Teri C.

Mar 07, 2008 Report

Geared toward older people? Probably, but I've never really felt out of place. Everyone's been really nice, from staff to students. There are various classes to check out - NIA, yoga, pilates, etc - and I'd highly recommend signing up for their email newsletter which comes in once a week and makes it easier to keep track of special events. They'll even hold free classes once in a while, and once a season there's the open house where they hold introductory classes. The spaces are nice and clean, and there's mats/blankets/accessory in case you don't own your own.

Stacey D.

Feb 21, 2008 Report

I took 2 classes here last weekend: Yoga I/II with Chip and Nia with Roxanna. While both were good, I felt they were geared toward an older crowd and therefore not really what I expected/was looking for. Also, they charge $17 to drop-in for a class, which is a bit high for me. They do offer muti-class passes that you can buy, which brings the price per class down to $15 or so. I am interested in checking out some of their other classes to see if they have a different vibe. The Center's location is a good one for me, especially for weekend classes. Overall, people (instructors & patrons) were very nice & friendly.