I've been looking around for Yoga classes in North London and I'm amazed as to how many there are:…read morethere's various yoga studios as well as various independent teachers that offer yoga sessions at community halls: Billy Doyle is one of the latter and he offers his yoga class at Lauderdale House in Highgate (situated within Waterlow Park). I really enjoyed coming here and I will certainly back. What I enjoyed is that this is a relatively gentle approach to yoga (it's called Yoga in the Kashmir Tradition). For me this was perfect for a Monday evening to wind down and relax...yes, relax. This is in fact what I most liked about this session: I didn't feel like I was or had to perform. Billy is an older but quite remarkable older gentleman. He is very kind and soft-spoken when you first meet him, but I was surprised to find that when he starts the session, his voice is firm and directive. I find the setting here perfect for my needs; I sometimes feel that at yoga centers the atmosphere is way too "chill" and meditative, where every conversation is about yoga, the healthy mindset and wearing appropriate clothing. But here it seems more of a community gathering with added health benefits... Billy Doyle offers two classes here at Lauderdale House during term times: Monday evenings and Tuesday late mornings. He also has another session in Kew Gardens on Thursday late mornings. A meditation class is held at his house in Hampstead on Thursday evenings.

Billy is an excellent Yoga/Meditation teacher, his very unique and direct approach to meditation…read morehas helped me overcome many problems in my life and has had a very lasting effect on me. Thank you.

I discovered Skylab Studios via Classpass! CHECK THIS PLACE OUT! I follow a few actors on Instagram…read moreand they kept posting about aerial yoga so I had to check this place out. The instructors are lovely and they teach at a level that makes newbies very welcomed! They also offer silks and aerial hoop!

Waking up at 5.45am is usually not a good thing. There was a good reason for it today though. I was…read moregoing to an early morning Bikram Yoga class. Finding Bikram Yoga North isn't easy, as its name is not displayed other than a small placard above the door buzzer. After buzzing in and climbing the two flights of stairs, I entered the reception. Everything you'd expect from a yoga school is on offer, retreats, clothing, mats etc... Plus the vibe just had that yogi feel to it. My partner and I signed up for the very reasonable £29 for thirty days. This introductory offer means we can train as much as we like for thirty days. It is £13 a class after this introductory period. Once the admin was sorted it was time to sweat. The studio is spacious with plenty of natural light and famously heated to a thankfully bearable but still hot temperature. The teacher was a lovely Latino lady who spoke using a headset. Unlike all other styles of yoga classes I have attended she instructed but did not do the movements herself. This in no way distracted from the quality of the teaching and spared her time for correcting students. Based on twenty-six Hatha yoga postures the movements and stances are not difficult to do but they are to master. With the added heat it wasn't long before I was bathed in sweat. Rather than an overtly physical workout, it really felt like I was working from the inside. My organs felt freshly squeezed and my core felt thoroughly worked. There were no downward facing dogs, no plank and very few of the traditional postures I've performed before. Yet I enjoyed the class and will be back.

Being closer to home I thought I would try out this class instead of taking the long treck to…read moreBalham's Bikram Yoga class, of which I am a huge fan. Exactly the same positions devised by Bikram are on offer 3 - 4 times a day for 90 minutes. The basis of all the classes, no matter where you go, are the same, so I guess it's just the proximity and preference of centre which determine your choice. The studio is along the market area, on the second floor above the busy row of shops so to find it you just look out for their door marked with a sign. The same type of friendly yoga fiends come here, yet the same lack of space in class apply during the evenings. One man actually flicked sweat onto me all the way through a session as we moved through the positions last week. And I'm actually paying for this?! Unfortunately I really don't like this studio, which can only be described as scruffy and at £13 a lesson you'd think that they could afford a refurb. It's in a carpeted room that seems unclean, not surprising, as it must get drenched in sweat every lesson, there are large windows lining one side of the space that let in too much outside noise and light, (which is very distracting) the heat doesn't seem to circulate well and is only controlled by turning up the radiators full blast rather than providing a hot air steam. I've had my mat next to the radiators before and the heat was so dry and heavy that it was unbearable. Bikram yoga isn't just exercise, it's a powerful form of yoga, which if done in the right settings should have an amazing effect on the mind, body and soul. I much prefer the wooden floors, clean sauna style and lack of natural light in the Balham yoga class that overall has a much more positive effect on me. After stretching out in Kentish Town I felt more ripped off then rejuvenated so I wont be returning.

Love this gym! Great classes and welcoming atmosphere with people of all ages. Gorgeous Victorian…read morewindows let lots of light in.

Nice range of equipment - I only use the cardio and rowing machines, which are in good working…read moreorder. The main reason I joined this gym is that they have the Milon circuit system, I think it's a great all round workout and would recommend you popping down to have a free induction! Prices are reasonable (£50 a month), however they have cheaper deals for students, over 55's and those who work at the nearby Royal Free Hospital. The ladies changing room can get Quite busy and I think and extractor fan would be useful, as well as a drying mat by the showers (i have slipped over quite badly on the floor) I have suggested these to the gym so hopefully they will consider these changes.

Came here for about a month using an internet deal. This place is well above my pay grade to…read morenormally use but Im reviewing it anyway damn it! Just opened up. Still working out the kinks but it's got some class to it. The architecture is pretty yet funky, like the varying chandeliers in the room. The two teachers that I experienced were excellent but put emphasis on different things during the classes. If you don't take it too seriously then the fact that one teacher tells you to do it this way and then the next teacher tells you something different shouldn't be concerning. Just go with the hot as hell flow. You can buy/rent yoga mats, towels and bottled water. They have shampoos and lotions available. hairdryers too! So fancy pantsy. I liked that. CONS: Tiny TINY ass bathroom/changing room/shower room. But I think it was because everyone and their mother signed up to try this new place at a discount price so there was a higher population than usual. They don't provide lockers but they're space nazis and have a designated area in the bikram room where you can ONLY keep your stuff. I think it was just the receptionist's general biotchy attitude that made that rule kind of annoying. So yes. It's on the expensive side but you get your moneys worth if you're willing.

Their introductory offer is a great deal and when I first moved to London, it was the perfect,…read moreaffordable place to go and I could go nearly every day for 20 days! However, the change room situation is mental. The studio room is large but the change room is so small, naked women are bumping into each other. One or two of the showers was consistently broken, so there were few showers for dozens of women trying to wash up after a class. The room goes from freezing cold (since the window is usually left open) to painfully hot from the showers. Lord help you if you want to put on make up after a class. There is no space and you'll be sweating so much from the showers that it will melt off your face. The instructors were inconsistent. Some were fantastic and engaging, while others were boring, going through the motions. Same with the temperature in the room. About half the time, the temperature is excessive. Staff at the counter can go from friendly and helpful to surly and irritated at everyone. I would not pay full price but I would consider returning if there was a very good deal.

I have had 5 sessions so far and been very impressed with the level of skill and professionalism…read more Definitely a 'feel good' factor after each session! Strongly recommend.

From the owner: Pilates Older Adult Training…read morePre - Post Natal Training Weight Loss

I have been working with Jon the last three months and have noticed a real difference in my lower…read moreback pain (gone), my posture (much improved) and now I am able to run without pain. When I started seeing Jon, my lower back pain was intense, I could barely stand up straight and within a couple weeks, I was back to my old self. Jon is very good at making adjustments based on your ability and your fitness while getting you to the next level. I look forward to continuing to work with him

From the owner: Welcome to Free Range Pilates a private studio in North London where you will be taught Pilates by…read moremyself, Jon Hawkins a registered osteopath. Pilates is the best workout in the world: Increased strength Improved flexibility Working the postural muscles often missed by other exercises You will stand taller and feel great! The studio is equipped with a reformer, tower, wunda chair, small barrel, pedi-pole and foot and toe correctors. I have years of experience teaching Pilates and I'm happy working with beginners through to advanced students and everything in-between. As a registered osteopath I bring a wealth of experience of injury rehabilitation and am happy to lease with your current osteopath or physiotherapist in order to support any treatment you may be receiving. If you are an expectant mother the prenatal and also postnatal periods are times of rapid postural change and adaption. Pilates is great way to keep you active during your pregnancy and help you to deal with these changes. once your GP has cleared you to return to exercise after having your baby you are welcome to bring your bundle of joy along to your sessions. I only see one client at a time so you won't be disturbing anyone. I am also a founding member of the Pilates Teacher's Association. A group open only to Pilates instructors who have evidence of comprehensive qualifications that meet strict criteria.