Kardiya Yoga - Gainesville, Florida

Tiffany Cowen-Dyson

I've been going to Sanctuary Yoga for nearly 10 years. Melissa, the owner, has always been one of my favorite teachers. As a physical therapist, I really appreciate and am very impressed by her anatomy knowledge. She has truly mastered the art of teaching a safe, engaging, and physically challenging class. I've been so impressed by her that I've decided to attend her 200 hour yoga teacher training course to further my knowledge. Highly recommended Sanctuary! 🙂

Jen Figueroa

I was fortunate enough to take Natalie's first official Kardiya class on Saturday, 6/11. The space is beautiful and the class was fantastic. It's quite obvious that Natalie truly loves teaching yoga and her cues and corrections were really easy to understand. This class had the perfect mix of fun and purpose and I highly recommend Kardiya to everyone. The parking was also very simple, adjacent to the fire station.

Yajaira Varillas

Melissa is one of the most intelligent, influential yoga teachers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. This yoga studio and the people who work here are some of the sweetest and loveliest people I have met anywhere. I recommend her and all of her yoga teachers that teach at this studio. I did my 200 hour YTT with her and a wonderful group of women. I highly recommend this studio to anyone looking to do yoga, no matter the level.

Rachel Teague

I'm crazy about the Sanctuary and have been singing its praises for 10 years. There are many different styles of yoga offered, so there's something to suit every need, and the teachers have always been dynamic, educated people with a broad range of complementary interests: massage, acupuncture, personal training, dance & herbalism to name a few.
The studio has moved locations several times and each space has had its own unique personality. The current studio space is like being in someone's sundrenched Florida room, warm and inviting. I love it here so much that I have since taken the Teacher Training and am overjoyed to now be a part of the Sanctuary family.

Razieh Farzad

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kardiya Yoga studio. The teachers are amazing and knowledgable. I have taken classes with Mellisa, Natalie and Cara and all of them are great. The studio is cosy, clean and with a good vibe. I highly recommend this place.

Teonia Burton

Melissa Montilla is a gifted and very skilled yoga instructor and therapist! She has an intuitive ability to modify poses to strengthen and increase expansiveness in your body without over-straining your muscles. She is very patient and you can truly see that she loves creating an environment to make yoga for everyone!! Go visit Sanctuary!! Warning!! Yoga can be pleasantly addictive! 🙂

Susan Perko

Teaching at the Sanctuary was a joy and an opportunity for which I will always look back on with fondness and gratitude. The students that attended the Sanctuary seemed genuine and eager to learn yoga. Not only did they achieve balance and ease in their poses outwardly, they also were determined to take what they practiced into their daily lives.

Gainesville has such a gem in the Sanctuary Studio and in Melissa Montilla. This spring, I was lucky enough to take class with Melissa, while I was back visiting. To this day, her teaching speaks to me with its simple clarity like no other teacher. She allows the students to have their experience within in a safe and carefully crafted framework. I wish I could have packed her up in my carry-on and taken her back home with me.

Amanda Culp

This is the home for yoga in Gainesville! Beautiful and comfortable space. Located in the heart of the community. An array of knowledgeable and welcoming teachers. Care for the mental and spiritual body as well as the physical. I have practiced with Sanctuary Yoga ever since I moved here in 2004. I have seen it shift and grow and blossom into fullness. I no longer live in gainesville full-time, but Sanctuary Yoga is often my first and last place I go while I am in town. It truly is a sanctuary. Whether you are new to yoga or have an existing practice, this is the place I recommend. Come find your yoga home.