Playa Times: What life experiences lead you to the idea for Tribal Yoga?
Fanny: Since before I had breast cancer I wanted to open a yoga studio. It seemed right for me, an athlete yogi who needed to escape my corporate job. In coming to Tulum, I let that dream slip until 10 years later. I sold my lovely bungalows on the jungle side of the beach and my boyfriend and partner offered to work with me on the project: his land, my cash, our dreams. He has his dive shop on the first floor. I have my yoga studio on the third and we have three wonderful loft style apartments in the middle. Your dreams have power and even if you think you let them go, they often stay with you. The universe guides you back to them.
What is your mission for this new concept in yoga studios?
Tribal is not exactly a new concept. It is just a fabulous yoga studio with fabulous teachers. I invested in things that some studios here don’t have: props like bolsters and alignment cords, good blocks and blankets and chairs, wood floors and big windows. But it is a yoga studio true to form, inspiring perhaps but totally a space to find your breath and to find yourself on the mat.
How do you feel that Tribal Yoga differs from the many yoga studios already in Tulum?
Something that may be unique is that we offer several different types of classes and several classes daily. We have Vinyasa Flow, Restorative, Yin and an Iyengar based Hatha with alignment. It is diverse but I like the diversity because that speaks to and heals my body. Also, I built some apartments for yogis who want to stay close to the studio. Some people call it a Shalla but I just wanted people to be able to come and practice as much as they wanted – or as little as they wanted – and be able to ride a bike to the beach. I also have an apartment for visiting teachers and have some fabulous people coming. See the website for more details www.tribaltulum.com.
What are the prices for classes or packages?
The prices are on the web: $200 MXN class, five classes for $800 MXN and ten classes for $1,500MXN. We have monthly unlimited packages for $1,400 MXN. We are also doing a special with ZAMAS Hotel offering a week of unlimited yoga for $50 USD. And we have special yoga and stay packages available (as well as dive and stay!).
Tribal Yoga is located in front of the Red Cross and the police station on the road to the beach.