Ever since I left Canada, I've missed studio yoga. I do gym yoga for various reasons and it is just…read morenot the same, there's no real challenge, no focus and half the time you are distracted by the kick-boxing class next door. But Blue Cow Yoga is a deliciously proper studio. Right in the middle of the city, it's in a fantastic location. Spacious and very North American. You take your shoes off when you enter, help yourself to free tea or water and pad round to the changing rooms, where they have all amenities including hair straighteners. This I like! Also the abundance of lockers to keep your valuables safe are really appreciated. It's a very chill environment, they get the importance of focus and a peaceful vibe. I came for an inversion workshop and was delighted with the teacher and the experience. Mollie, the teacher, was super patient and explained everything very clearly. While she made it look elegant and easy herself, she took the time with all the beginners to make them feel comfortable. The room was very spacious with lots of white wall space to practice against, and plenty of maps, bolsters and blocks. I am definitely planning on coming back for their free yoga week for newcomers and I'd love to try a treatment too, once I recover from this inversion workout!

TREATMENTS. Sorry…read moreto shout. But, seriously...the treatments. I have not been for yoga yet (but I will!) --- and had signed up for updates via their newsletter. As luck would have it last week I received an email from them about 25 quid Bespoke Treatments. Answer to my prayers, little BCY -- answer to my prayers. After being slammed and shoved into planes, delayed in airports, working from bed and overall stress levels escalating, I needed a massage. A good, deep massage. And this is what I got. Which will have hooked me forever, so this marketing campaign to get folks into the studio worked. I'll be a faithful follower of Zoe, who whipped my knotted back and shoulders into shape. Really, very talented. Will be back for the yoga and the massage and the acupuncture -- and whatever else really? Really! It's a beautiful lower level space that feels tranquil and serene amidst the craziness of the City. It's clean, large, spacious, and the staff is friendly without being intrusive. Will return and update about the yoga -- but for now, I can say that I'm feeling mighty fine and relaxed due to that bespoke beatdown. Ahhhhhh.

A gorgeous new yoga studio in hackney central that I stumbled across recently. Its big and bright…read moreand airy and there are various different classes. I'm yet to try them all but my personal fav so far is the flow and restore, a 90 minute class on sundays The staff all seem super nice and they are very welcoming to all levels. There is also a cute little vintage shop and coffee shop downstairs thats worth checking out if you have time. Overall a really nice vibe.

From the owner: Light and airy yoga studio offering a variety of classes for all ages and abilities. Welcoming and…read morestyled with vintage charm.

I've been practising Mysore-style ashtanga yoga here for nearly 5 months now, and it's just as good…read moreas the first 2 weeks. My asana practice has been improving steadily, and I've genuinely been deepening my yoga practice under Catherine, for which any yogi should be particularly grateful*. The space offers you a wonderful environment in which to practice and build a rapport with Catherine so that you can ensure you're progressing at an appropriate pace for your body and its limitations. I attended a back-bending seminar a while back hosted by another one of the studio's teachers, and it was informative and an exceptional value for money. All the students who do self-practice in the morning are friendly and personable. I honestly can't think of a better place to practice. *and I am.

From the owner: Yoga Creation is next to Canary Wharf, right by the DLR station 'Westferry'…read more Our studio is a very bright, lovely, big space on the top floor of Westferry Studios and we have created a warm and welcoming atmosphere to feel comfortable and protected in. We offer different styles of yoga, workshops and courses 7 days a week. If you are new to yoga you are in good hands.

I had a facial here and an eyebrow thread, which I bought from the living social website. I really…read moreenjoyed my facial, it was so relaxing. Having my eyebrows threaded was so painful, and I did think that the coupon was for a wax, which I don't mind, so that's the only downfall, but I think that process is painful anyway. Really cute place, and the staff are so friendly. :-) I would go again and recommend my friends to go too.

Looks amazing, soon as i hit the city i shall bust some yoga moves with you and your class mates!read more

I've been going to the Hackeny location for some time now, and while they've switched locations…read moremultiple times, the sessions and spaces remain awesome. The newest one is under a railway arch, so expect the train to go by once in a while, but if you're in the zone (as you should be!), you won't notice it. Also, this location has changing areas and showers! Shout out to the 1230pm instructors - they're all cool.

From the owner: We are Europe's largest yoga company; our vinyasa classes are grounded in reality and held in…read moreinflatable, immersive studios - pods.

Took a great Dynamic Vinyasa Flow class here with Sijia on a Sunday, as a beginner yogi. It was…read moreexcellent! Challenging and energizing. I liked that there were options provided throughout for clearly advanced students while also leaving room for modifications for beginners. Ended up being a great strength class for me as well. And I was sweating! There are lockers to store your things. Mats and other materials (blocks and belts) provided. Just show up ready to go! Afterwards, stroll Broadway market and grab lunch in the area. Lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Moved to London - check! Found a new nest in Limehouse -…read morecheck! Stocked up on booze - check! Signed up for a gym - ............. check!! Being new to this land of strange English vocabulary and fried chicken at every block, I needed to find a new place to get my eye-of-the-tiger fitness on! Especially working at Canary Wharf there were so many places to choose from! HOW TO CHOOSE! Well... I can tell you what's important for me: Price: Some of these gym prices in London could be mistaken for home mortgages... Douchebags: You know these guys... they walk around the gym acting like they own it while they chat with people or use their phone whilst hogging 3 machines at a time... I need a place with as LEAST number of d-bags as possible Screamers: Keep calm and scream less... says the queen. I'm not a fan of super serious places where people need to scream and grunt as they lift weights too heavy for them Ooooooohhhhmmmmmmmmm.... Ooooooohhhhmmmmmmm - Love me some Yoga. I need some classes to get my downward dog ON! Alternative Workouts: I really like to diversify my workouts so the more kettlebells, trx, rings, plyo, etc stuff a gym has, the better! After going through these criteria, the best choice in my area was........... ..............drum roll please......... Limehouse Marina Elite (which I shall now refer to as LiME) The price is a little higher than I wanted and after telling the gym this, we worked together to find a price that was agreeable for both of us. Now with the unpleasantries of price negotiation out of the way, I can tell you some things about this gym: Electronic keypad locks (hallelujah I don't have to bring a lock with me) Towels provided (again hallelujah I don't have to bring a towel with me!) can you sense my laziness here... Fingerprint entry (last hallelujah and a throw-my-hands-in-the-air AMEN I don't have to bring a pass with me) By now, my extreme laziness is fully transparent At the busiest times, I think I've seen maybe 20 people in there... so it's a PERFECT size almost family-like gym. Sometimes I have the entire gym to myself! WEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! This place is always squeaky clean and has all new shizzle for me to get on my fitness fizzle The oh so zen locker room area has nature sounds, plenty of lockers (this is a big problem for some gyms), always smells like tea tree (instead of being forced to smell the hard labors of others), nice showers and of course a nice steam and sauna room to relax those muscles after a hard workout! I would say more things I like about this gym, but I think it's time to get off my lazy ass and work up a sweat over at LiME!!

Reece Mander Fitness is top-notch! Expert trainers, varied workouts, and supportive community. Saw…read morereal results and loved every session! Pros: Expert trainers, varied workouts, supportive community

From the owner: RMF was created to empower people with the knowledge they need to succeed. As trainers, our job is…read moreto teach you the skills so you can get slim, and stay that way.