Our story

West Hartford Yoga (WHY) opened its doors in November of 2002 on Jansen Court in West Hartford. Over the next two decades, this woman-owned business forged strong roots within the Greater Hartford region as a safe, welcoming yoga studio with a variety of community programs and events. It quickly thrived and, in 2011, relocated to a larger space on Brook Street.

From its inception, WHY has offered a full range of yoga practices — power, hot, all levels, gentle, yin, restorative, pre-natal, and meditation — led by exceptional teachers who bring their own style, creativity, and humor to the classes. Everyone is welcome at WHY, regardless of age, gender, race, body type, or experience. Our doors and hearts are open to all.

Barbara Ruzansky, founder and owner of WHY, understands first-hand the benefits of yoga. She battled eating disorders, addiction, and depression for decades. Yoga, along with a dedicated natural foods diet, moved her away from self-destructive behaviors and facilitated her healing. Wanting to share the possibility of transformation with others, she opened WHY with a mission to provide a  space in which each person has the opportunity to thrive, evolve, and cultivate compassion and inner peace.

In 2008, WHY offered its first comprehensive and dynamic WHY Power Yoga Teacher Training, tailored to both aspiring teachers and serious students of all levels. Whether seeking to deepen your individual practice or to learn the art of teaching with integrity and grace, this special 200-hour training is an opportunity to improve your health, discover inner strength, create powerful friendships, and transform your life.

In her continued efforts to help people struggling with mental illness, eating disorders, and addiction, Barbara established WHY Outreach, Inc. in 2009, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring the physical, spiritual, and therapeutic benefits of yoga to all communities regardless of geographic, financial, social, or other barriers.

WHY’s focus on community togetherness gave birth to OM Street Yoga in 2011. Many of you have joined us for this beloved event. OM Street Yoga — “Get Your Asana in the Street” — grew from 500 to 3,000 participants, with beginning and experienced yogis practicing together. Over 8 years, OM Street Yoga organically grew from a whimsical outdoor class to a fantastic event bringing yogis together from all over Connecticut.

Through the years WHY has been privileged to host some of the most respected yoga and meditation teachers in the country, including Seane Corn, Ana Forrest, Shiva Rea, Sarah Powers, Beryl Bender Birch,  Sharon Salzberg, Bryan Kest, Tias Little, and David Swenson to name a few.

More recent years has seen the inception of a variety of programs outside of the studio, including WHY in the Parks, WHY Outdoors, and WHY in the Workplace.