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With nurturing instructors leading various classes daily, students feel at home at Wake Up Yoga, 1839 E. Passyunk Ave., voted best place to take a yoga class.
“It’s kind of like ‘Cheers’ in yoga,” Corina Benner, its director, said comparing her studio to the hit TV sitcom’s setting, “where you come in and people are kind and friendly to each other.
The former day trader was unhappy buying and selling securities in the New York Stock Exchange, so she moved back to Philly and commuted to New York to teach yoga, which she has practiced since 1992.
“I realized yoga was the only thing that made me happy,” she said. “I didn’t know if it was enough to make a living, but I didn’t care because I was a really good waitress.”
After teaching at gyms, Benner opened a Fairmount studio in 2002, and when students requested a South Philly locale four years ago, she expanded to East Passyunk Crossing.
In addition to specialty classes, such as prenatal and mommy and me options, it features vinyasa- and yin-based sessions made for all proficiencies, and the instructors, who become certified through a 250-hour training program, cater the class to attendees.
“The teaching is really good,” she said of her employees, some of whom have day jobs outside of yoga. “Our teachers are incredibly skillful, they’re very devoted and they’re able to reach students at all of these different levels and make classes accessible to people of all levels.”
Calm meditated in second, while Fitness Works stretched in third.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
2013 Readers’ Choice Awards
Cuisine
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant: Gravy/sauce
Geno’s Steaks: French fries / cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies: Hoagie
Johnny Chang’s: Sushi
Nick’s Old Original Roast Beef: Roast beef sandwich
City Pizza: Pizza toppings
Green Eggs Café: Sunday brunch
Penrose Diner: Waffles
Popi’s Italian Restaurant: Business luncheon/banquet
FrancoLuigi’s Pizzeria: Romantic outing
Ristorante Pesto: Italian restaurant
Cantina Los Cabalitos: Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Noir: New restaurant
Sweet Tooth
Termini Bros.: Cannoli (tie)
Potito’s Bakery: Cannoli (tie) / cupcakes
Italiano’s Water Ice: Water ice
Lerro’s Candy Co.: Candy store
Staying Active
DanceAdelphia: Dance studio
Girard Academic Music Program: Music program
Marconi Plaza: Place to walk your dog
Stickball: Schoolyard/street game
Guerin Recreation Center: Recreation Center
Wake Up Yoga: Place to take a yoga class
Places
East Passyunk Avenue: Neighborhood
Pennsylvania Burial Co.: Funeral home
Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School: School
St. Monica: Church
Ten Pennies: Florist
Chickie’s and Pete’s: Place to enjoy a game
Sports
Frank Natale: High school coach
Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School Saints: High school team
Citizens Bank Park: Pro sports venue
Chase Utley: Current Philly pro athlete
Ed Snider: Philly pro sports owner
And the Rest
Mummers Parade: South Philadelphia tradition
Councilman Mark Squilla: Politician
Social Scene: South Philly Review section
Disc jockey: Category not on this list
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