Walking into Livia Adia Budrys' second-story boutique yoga studio, you feel an instant sense of calm. Something about the warm wood floor, the dark furniture's clean lines, the brick walls and simple decor seem to beg you to sit and be still. Or, perhaps it's not the room at all, but the woman standing in the room. After all, it is Budrys' calling to teach you to find the calm inside yourself.

Budrys found yoga 15 years ago after studying martial arts for a lengthy period. She was looking for a practice that would lead her to a spiritual and healing path, and yoga and meditation fit perfectly. "It's like a therapy session without all the chatting," she says. "It's very intense."

A little over seven years ago she began teaching the craft, and five years ago she opened up a private studio in her apartment. Budrys' clients come to her from all over the city, and she occasionally goes to them, as well. They are often people who were injured or felt lost in a group class, or who really want to focus on learning the practice more intensely. Lately, many of her clientele have been people suffering from diseases like multiple sclerosis or cancer, and Budrys helps them put together a practice that is specifically designed for them.

Classes: Private classes cost $70 per 60-minute session (your first session runs 90 minutes), $600 for 10 classes and $40 for 35 minutes of meditation training. She'll come to your home or office for an additional $10, and you can bring a friend for $15 more. Budrys will also develop custom workshops for groups upon request.

Extras: Budrys isn't interested in making money by having her clients become dependant on her. In fact, a central part of her teaching is geared toward helping clients learn to practice on their own, eventually scaling back quite significantly on their visits.

Centerstage Reviewer: Christy Bonstell