Redwood City's Peacebank Yoga Studio hosts New Year’s challenge

“It is a fun, easy way to embrace those that are new to the studio and those that have been there for years to give them just a bit of extra motivation,” owner and instructor Emily Moore said. 

The transformation challenge serves as an entry point into not only the studio, but to the entire practice of yoga, Moore said. 

“It’s great to step into the new year but also really stepping into building a community, and getting into the depths, understandings and whys of yoga,” she said. 

Slightly different from years past, the 2025 Transformation Challenge eases the competitive nature of attending more classes than your peers, and instead emphasizes the value of self-motivation, Moore said. 

“Even in the idea of a challenge, we wanted to redirect that transformation inwards,” Moore said. “It’s not about who can take the most classes, but can you set a goal for yourself and give yourself opportunities in the day to slow down.” 

Reimagining the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, the challenge encourages participants to set well thought out intentions for themselves rather than simply make a checklist of things to accomplish. 

“As we step away from resolutions that are thought about and planned and executed for the first week of January and then slowly die, we want to set deeper rooted intentions that truly stay with us throughout the year,” Moore said. 

Although participants are encouraged to record the number of classes they attend by placing a sticker on a wall, the compilation of stickers from all students serves more as a unifying cheer, encouraging one another to keep going, she said. 

“It’s more rooted, deeper and a little bit of a bigger concept of something that you really want to shift in your being,” Moore said. “When you do that with community and in community, you’re far more successful than if we think of doing something and don’t tell anybody.” 

In January, Peacebank also makes it a habit to host extra special classes or workshops throughout the month to give new students the full breadth of services. Beyond yoga sessions, the studio hosts intention setting workshops, posture workshops, and has added pickleball and knitting classes as well. 

To any new students, Moore recommends starting off with a “slowFlow” or “Stretch, Flexibility & Mobility” classes, but added that the month of unlimited classes allows for individuals of all experience levels to try a variety of courses. 

“If you can make somebody breathe easier, you’ve succeeded,” Moore said. “All these things are simple and wonderful reminders that the ability to stop and take a deep breath is such a gift.” 

To participate in the challenge, one month of unlimited classes is $168 for returning students, and $108 for new students just getting into the practice. Visit www.peacebankyoga.com for more information.