New studio brings yoga and more to downtown Bellefonte
BELLEFONTE — When Jenn Dashem learned of available space at 136 West High St. in Bellefonte, she was not actively looking to open a new yoga studio. But it was as if the stars aligned.
A certified yoga instructor since 2008, Dashem previously owned a studio in Washington state before moving to State College about 14 years ago.
“I always said I would not own another one unless the perfect space came up in
Bellefonte,” she said. “And I wanted it to be two rooms, so that it could be a sanctuary
and a ‘swanktuary,’ where people could hang out, have a cup of tea and wind down
after class.”
The space turned out to be almost exactly what she envisioned. Dashem took the leap,
spent the summer painting, prepping, and recruiting instructors — and will officially open
the doors of Dancing Tiger Movement and Meditation Studio on Sept. 14.
Besides a variety of yoga — restorative, vinyasa, and hatha — the classes offered will
include mat Pilates, circuit training, and “lots of hybrids,” she said. Classes will be
offered in the morning beginning at 6 a.m., at lunchtime, and in the evening. Special
workshops will be offered on weekends and could include anything from hula hooping to
90s hip-hop dance classes to breathwork and sound meditation.
“I just really wanted to focus on joyful movement,” she said. “It’s the key to everything.”
Passes will be sold in increments varying from single drop-ins, five and ten class
passes, and unlimited monthly passes. Most classes will be offered virtually as well as
in person. In-person classes will be limited to 10 to 12 people at a time.
Dashem and friends have painted the bright, spacious studio with vibrant shades of
green, purple, blue, and orange, and it has been accessorized with colorful rugs
and curtains and plenty of tiger imagery.
The former owner of Tigers Eye Vintage Shop inside Webster’s Bookstore and Café
said that tiger symbol holds a lot of meaning for her.
“Having any sort of business I think takes a lot of courage, and that tiger totem is sort of
about taking risks and having courage and not looking back,” she said. “And tiger pose
is my favorite yoga pose.”
Dashem is half of the musical duo Anchor & Arrow, along with her husband, Matt
Dashem. She has been teaching yoga and fitness classes at many different studios in
State College, and said she is thrilled to finally be bringing a studio of her own to
Bellefonte.
“I just love Bellefonte, and I think State College is really saturated with movement
studios and yoga. A lot of my students would drive (to my classes) from Bellefonte and
Centre Hall and Milesburg, so it will be nice to have something within a shorter driving
distance for them,” she explained.
Dashem plans to hold two specialty classes on Sept. 7 before opening with a full
schedule on Sept. 14.
For more information visit DancingTigerMM.com.
