Downtown Yoga: Be in the Present Moment
Downtown Yoga
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Britni Serou and Brenna Barzenick, the owners of Downtown Yoga. This September marks ten years since they first opened their doors, a milestone that speaks to their passion and dedication. Downtown Yoga began on September 1, 2015, in a small studio tucked behind Salad Station. Since then, it has flourished into a beautiful, expansive space that now includes a massage therapist, offering a well-rounded approach to wellness.
Britni and Brenna were both trained by Annie Carpenter, the internationally renowned creator of SmartFlow yoga. Known as “the teacher’s teacher,” Annie’s influence is deeply woven into Downtown Yoga’s philosophy. She will even be returning to Hammond this April to teach a few special classes.
Britni’s yoga journey began in college, where she not only practiced but also started teaching in any venue that would have her. Over time, this led to the creation of her own small business. That’s when Brenna first stepped into her class—not as a business partner, but as a student. At the time, Brenna was already a practicing physical therapist with a deep appreciation for movement and the human body. She had been doing yoga at home and fell in love with it, drawn to how seamlessly it aligned with her scientific understanding of anatomy and physiology. Britni immediately noticed Brenna’s dedication and progress, and in a full-circle moment, Britni became Brenna’s first yoga teacher.
SmartFlow’s inclusivity and adaptability resonated with them both. It’s designed to be accessible to all body types and abilities, making it a practice that truly welcomes everyone. When Britni’s original studio closed, she and Brenna formed not just a business partnership but a deep, platonic bond built on a shared philosophy, moral compass, and drive. Downtown Yoga was born from their mutual desire to create a space that fosters community and inclusivity.
Their studio, located upstairs, is accessible to all, featuring an elevator and a variety of chair yoga classes. They also offer free meditation classes twice a week, further emphasizing their commitment to making wellness accessible. The sense of community that has grown around them is something both women cherish.
Britni and Brenna want people to understand that exercise doesn’t have to fit the traditional gym mold. Yoga is about more than just movement—it’s about grounding yourself, breathing, and becoming aware of what your body is capable of. It’s a way to tap into who you are and cultivate mindfulness in daily life.
Britni describes yoga as a way to unwind from daily stressors. While it offers the physical benefits of movement, it also provides mental clarity and a sense of self-soothing through breathwork. Brenna emphasizes that focusing on breath while moving through yoga poses keeps you in the moment, preventing your mind from wandering to stressors that don’t truly matter in that instant. To her, yoga is an investment in both body and mind—an essential tool for navigating life.
For those hesitant to try something new, Downtown Yoga also offers livestream classes, making it easy for anyone to start from the comfort of their home. While Britni believes there’s something special about being physically present in a class, she also recognizes that everyone’s needs are different. At the end of the day, their mission is simple: they just want people to move, breathe, and find health in whatever way works best for them.
