I'm laying in a dark room in a position my body's never experienced -- one that I can only think to describe as a birthing posture. My legs are open, supported at the knees with foam blocks; my back propped up on a bolster; my arms spread-eagle from my torso. Vulnerability aside, I can't think of a time I've been more relaxed.

The pose marked the end of my first-ever yoga class at the locally owned studio, Flow Yoga. Luckily, the Basics class painlessly eased me into the art of relaxation. Patient instruction had me mindfully breathing, steadying my Tree Pose, and becoming at peace with doing nothing (something against which my go-go-go, type-A personality put up quite a fight).

As a first-time Flow Yoga patron, I marveled at the warm cork floors and racquetball court-sized practice rooms; all complete with ambient lighting and an ambiguously religious shrine. I was also impressed with the shelves of health and yoga books, displays of locally made jewelry and racks of comfy yoga-wear. I felt secure knowing I now had somewhere that could fill all my yoga-rookie needs. And it didn't hurt that the staff was quick with a smile and helpful advice, and any remaining nerves were quickly quelled by a lick from the studio mascot, Buttercup.

In addition to wowing me with their fancy digs and amateur-friendly offerings, Flow Yoga offers a unique payment plan that truly accommodates everybody.

"We recently switched to being a donation-based studio," said owner Jennifer Ellen, who founded Flow Yoga in 2004 after 15 years in the fashion industry.

This means that if you can't afford the suggested $14 drop-in fee or various monthly passes, you may pay what you can, no matter how small.

"We just want everybody to experience yoga," said Ellen.