Breathe this in

 by Amanda Fruzynski
 published on Wednesday, April 9, 2008

The smog downtown may be thick, but people in the building on the corner of Garfield and Second streets are breathing deeply.

JustBreathe Wellness Sanctuary offers a quiet and relaxing alternative to the usual hustle and noise of downtown in its yoga, tai chi, massage and alternative medicine center. And, with a growing number of students downtown, it's a great way to fill the void left by moving away from Tempe's multiple yoga and wellness centers.

The first thing anyone entering JustBreathe will notice is the atmosphere. Walls are painted in cool greens and blue, and a waterfall against one wall sets a tranquil tone. True, many yoga centers have a similar make-up, but JustBreathe's goes below the surface.

The place is built to be almost completely eco-friendly.

Beneath the paint, the walls are made of foam bricks, one of the first buildings to do so. The flooring in the yoga room is made of cork, another renewable source. Energy efficient toilets fill the few bathrooms, and recycling bins are located in the back for patrons to use.

Instead of keeping paper files on their clients, JustBreathe keeps almost all information on laptops. This also makes it easier to cater to every client and keep tabs on what services they need.

The second thing most clients notice is Molly, the chocolate lab. Molly has been a staple at JustBreathe since it opened. She's even a pro at the downward-dog yoga position.

Between the atmosphere and the cute dog, clients entering JustBreathe will automatically feel comfortable. The center offers various yoga classes throughout the day, as well as massage packages, spin classes, acupuncture and even a hypnotherapist.

Part of JustBreathe's goal is proactive health — keeping people healthy with alternative means so they don't have to end up with serious problems later.

The best part is that the center gives discounts to ASU students. For $45 a month, ASU students can have unlimited access to classes. Also, students receive 10 percent off items in their small corner store, which include alternative-material yoga mats and organic cotton T-shirts.

If you go:
JustBreathe Wellness Center
828 N. Second St., Phoenix
602-256-1400
justbreathewellness.com

— amanda.fruzynski@asu.edu