An intriguing yoga studio, Hidden Wisdom Yoga, has opened in downtown Gettysburg.
The studio is operated by Alison Lintal – a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher for 9 years. Hidden Wisdom provides a well-rounded range of classes in the Iyengar method, and also offers vinyasa-style classes taught by an instructor from another tradition. The studio also holds free monthly yoga philosophy discussions, special workshops such as Yoga on the Ropes, and private individual lessons.
The concept for the name Hidden Wisdom Yoga comes from Lintal’s desire to share holistic yoga teachings beyond physical asana practice. Additionally, Lintal believes that yoga is about learning and self-discovery. She wanted to create a community space where people can cultivate alignment and discover the wisdom they have within, their own “inner teacher.”
Lintal practiced yoga in college, but did not discover Iyengar Yoga until she started her career as a lawyer, looking for ways to improve her physical and mental health. “Yoga has given me so much,” she said. Lintal found that as she dove deeper into the practice of Iyengar Yoga and studied with her mentors, yoga helped her deal with the stress of being a young lawyer and now a parent to young children.
Eventually, after having a successful career as a lawyer in Chicago, Lintal moved back to South Central Pennsylvania where she opened a small yoga studio in her Adams County home. “I felt transformed in the practice and I wanted to be able to share those teachings with others,” she said. “People need tools for dealing with stress, and yoga is one of these tools.”. Seeking to expand her space and her class offerings, she opened Hidden Wisdom Yoga in October 2024.
Hidden Wisdom Yoga features two yoga rope walls as well as other large wooden props such as a trestle, benches, stools, a back bender and more. These props were invented by BKS Iyengar to help students practice with more awareness and ease. Iyengar yoga is characterized by precise instructions, emphasis on alignment, intelligent sequencing, use of props, individual adjustments or modifications and the importance of inversions. The ropes are mounted to the studio walls and allow for students to work on stiffness, and create expansiveness within the body and mind.
Lintal stated that yoga practice is suitable for all ages and can be adapted according to injuries or limitations and stage of learning. It is never too late to start practicing yoga. Lintal believes that practicing yoga should not be an economic privilege. Hidden Wisdom offers equity pricing to ensure community access.
Please contact the studio at hiddenwisdomyoga@gmail.com for more information.
Elizabeth Li, intern, is a senior at Gettysburg College and an Environmental Studies and Classics major. She is from East Lyme Connecticut. Outside of class, Elizabeth is a member of the DEIJB Environmental Studies Board and a member of the Sunderman Conservatory Orchestra.