NEW CLASS ANNOUNCEMENT! Colee offers 2 new Wednesday classes: Hatha Flow based in Ashtanga Yoga, 9-10:30am & a Gentle Flow 6:30-7:45pm both at Hot Yoga Hilo (soon to be Yoga Oasis). Please register for this class on their website.

In-Person Yoga Class descriptions

Sundays : Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga : 8-9:30 am : All Levels

Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga: Opening mantra & prāṇāyāma begins at 7:45 AM. This is a traditional, counted Led Primary Series—Yoga Chikitsa, the therapeutic first series of Ashtanga Yoga. We move together in rhythm, guided by breath and internal focus.

This class supports both beginners and long-time practitioners in refining vinyāsa (movement with breath), Tristhana (the internal forms of practice: breath, dṛṣṭi, āsana, and mudrā), and cultivating meditative awareness.You’ll build internal heat, sweat, and circulation—a deep inner massage and cleansing. And then, you’ll rest.

Whether you’re new to yoga or deep in your journey, you’re welcome here. Come as you are. Begin where you are. Modifications are offered, and students are encouraged to listen to their bodies. If you're just starting out, feel free to join for part of class and build endurance over time—no pressure. This is movement meditation, stoked by breath and rooted in presence.

Developing your personal practice

Tuesdays & Thursdays • 6:30–8:30 AM

Mysore-Style Self Practice

Mysore-style classes support students of all levels in developing and deepening a personal yoga practice. Rooted in the tradition of Ashtanga Yoga, this format offers individualized guidance within a shared space. You move at your own pace, receiving one-on-one instruction, hands-on adjustments, and support tailored to your needs.

Beginners are warmly welcomed and introduced to the foundational practices—including Sun Salutations and closing postures—step by step. For returning students, the practice evolves gradually, always in harmony with your current capacity, breath, and intention.

This class encourages quiet discipline and personal responsibility. It’s ideal for those who want to build a self-practice, refine an existing one, or learn how to listen more deeply to their own body and breath.

Flexible arrival — come and go as needed within the class window.

Class Layout

🕡 6:30 AM – Optional Chanting & Prāṇāyāma
🕖 7:00 AM – Asana Practice Begins
🕣 8:20 AM – Rest
🕣 8:30 AM – Closing & Prayer

Please come clean, prepared with your mat, Mysore rug, and hand towel.

Questions, curiosities, and dedication are welcome. This is your practice—come ready to begin, again and again.

fundamentals of yoga & movement

Thursday 5:30–6:45 PM
Fundamentals of Yoga & Movement

This all-levels class blends functional mobility with foundational principles of yoga. We explore the relationship between movement and stillness, breath and awareness—learning to root, realign, and move.

Each posture is taught from the ground up, with emphasis on personal alignment and embodied experience. We incorporate spinal articulations, isolations, waves, and isometric holds to enhance body intelligence and cultivate strength, grace, and control. Props are used generously to support, strengthen, and clarify structure, making the practice both accessible and deeply therapeutic.

This class offers a gentle reset for body and mind—a spacious way to unwind from the day and reconnect with your breath, your body, and your sense of center. We focus on exploring range of motion, developing breath capacity, and unraveling from the external body toward the self within.

A great class for beginners and those who feel stiff yet hungry for knowledge, change, and a deeper knowing of themselves from the inside out.

moon days:

Restorative Yoga & Movement classes with Colee Garr are offered on full and noon moon days in lieu of normally scheduled class and are announced ahead of time through our newsletter & social media.
Full & New Moon are rest days from the Ashtanga Yoga Asana series. In lieu of morning class, a restorative practice is offered. Sitting meditation, asana (posture), chanting, and relaxation are core subject matter for this class. Learn different ways to relax and restore the body and its systems, and how to integrate these tools into your self-care routine. This is an invitation to tune into the moon cycles and how they effect the internal landscape. All hearts welcome. 

private iNSTRUCTION & CONSULTATIONS with Colee Garr both in-person & virtual

Available in-person or virtually

Taking time to develop a yoga practice is a gift—for yourself and for the wellbeing of your entire system. Colee has been supporting individuals on this path for over 28 years. To embody a yoga practice is like enrolling in a course on awareness—a step-by-step unfolding of you.

Each session is customized to meet your needs, aligned with your current state of body, mind, and intention. We begin by establishing a strong foundation and grow intelligently from there.

Postures, sequences, modifications, and variations are introduced gradually and individually—according to your capabilities, enthusiasm, and evolving needs. This one-on-one attention allows you to build awareness without bypassing weaker areas or over-relying on stronger ones.

This offering is especially supportive for:

• Beginners ready to start a sustainable yoga practice

• Experienced practitioners wanting to deepen their understanding

• Those returning after injury or time away from the mat

• People seeking personalized support with mobility, strength, breath, or focus

• Anyone longing to reconnect with their body, breath, and inner rhythm

Let’s begin.
To schedule a private session or consultation, please reach out 808-443-1979 or email me.
Together, we’ll craft a practice that meets you where you are and grows with you over time.

Colee Garr is co-owner of Hilo Yoga Shala & Bodywork on the Big Island of Hawai’i. With 29 years of dedicated practice and 28 years of teaching experience, she specializes in Ashtanga Yoga, Yoga & Movement Fundamentals, Restorative Yoga, and Pranayama. Her teaching is centered on developing a tailored practice that addresses each student’s unique needs and intentions. Colee provides individualized attention to alignment, encouraging each student to grow and deepen their practice through a balanced combination of asanas, breath work, and chanting.

She believes that the benefits of yoga extend far beyond the physical, embracing a holistic approach that nurtures both the individual and the collective human experience. In addition to her background in and personal practice of Ashtanga, she has studied Iyengar Yoga, Movement & Mobility, Therapeutic Yoga in Dehradun, Marma Point Massage in Dharmsala, Thai Massage in Pai, Thailand, and has a degree in Health & Wellness—with an emphasis on Anatomy & Physiology—at Montana State University. She also has a rich background in chanting, music, and dance, and continues to advance her studies in yoga, dance, and voice with esteemed teachers both on and off the island. 

Beyond her passion for yoga, music, water, and dance, Colee’s greatest priority is raising her two beautiful boys, Kalei and Valentino, alongside her life partner and co-owner of Hilo Yoga Shala, Armando Rivas. Colee has completed numerous yoga teacher trainings herself and looks forward to sharing her devotion to the practice, honoring each student’s journey with presence, precision, and heart.