About Us

Yoga’s Open Heart offers small, beginner-friendly classes in a fully accessible studio. Students range in age from twenty-something to well beyond eighty. Several classes address specific health issues; all welcome those are new to yoga. Yoga brings balance to a stressful life; having a “less-than-perfect” body makes yoga even more valuable.

Yoga’s Open Heart is owned by Charlotte Patton Tinsley. I came to yoga as a walking, talking panic attack with a migraine; my life was difficult. Through my yoga practice, I have discovered that my breath is my greatest resource. It is always with me, is free of charge and has no unpleasant side effects. I have found strength beyond expectation and have greatly improved both my physical health and mental well-being.

My teaching is influenced by both the Viniyoga and Iyengar traditions, which emphasize adaptation of yoga poses to the needs of each individual student. The studio has available a wide variety of props so that students learn how to safely adapt classic yoga poses to their own bodies. Yoga can improve one’s life, regardless of physical limitations—yoga is practice, not perfection.

Students at Yoga’s Open Heart have said:

“I love your classes…. I don’t feel like I am going to a fashion show or being judged. I get to work at my own pace….to achieve a feeling of calmness.”

“I like how patient you are with my body shape and my infirmities.”

“I like your ability to flow in the direction (or abilities) of your students. While there is focus on the class, there is also room for fun.”

“I value the individual attention.”

“You are careful not to make me feel like an exercise dummy.”

“I value your focus on each individual’s mind/body connection instead of the perfect pose.”

“You treat me (my body’s ability) with respect without being condescending.”