I visit the Fierce Grace City Studio about three times a week. With a busy schedule otherwise, this is one of the few activities I make sure to carve time out for. I leave feeling invigorated and really positive after each session and always look forward to a hot yoga session (unlike the normal gym which I also do three times a week but totally dread each time). The instructors allow you to move at your own pace and offer modifications to take into consideration different experience levels. In each class you get a real mix of experience levels, ranging from "I definitely can't stand on one leg" to being a total elastic band. This being said, the class has always felt really inclusive and after time I am noticing my body become stronger and more toned. There are different personalities in each instructor however the practice is consistent and it's easy to get into a rhythm with all of them. Particular shout out to Omae who is completely supportive and explains instructions more clearly than any other instructor I've ever had (from any yoga studio!). There is a friendly atmosphere in the studio, however it does tend to get very busy during peak times, both inside the studio and in the changing rooms. This can sometimes result in human tetris inside the studio and a little bit of waiting in the changing room. The communal showers also took some getting used to however this now seems normal. I've seen other reviews that complain about queues but I seldom see this happening, to be honest. I would definitely reccommend taking a trip! read more

I understand that Bikram, or yoga for that matter, isn't for everyone - some love it, some hate it. However, to go for one month and call it 'an hour and a half of stretching and shifting from one pose to another' is so incredibly ignorant and clearly comes from a reviewer who is a beginner that never bothered to listen to her instructors or push herself to achieve the challenging workout she claims to crave. I've practiced at several Bikram studios - LA, NY and here. London City is not my favorite for a variety of reasons: the counter people aren't particularly friendly, the spaces outside the dojo, including the entrance and the changing rooms, are ridiculously cramped and the classes can get packed to the point of absurdity (which is why it gets 4 stars, the practice itself would get 100). Despite these petty irritations, I fucking LOVE Bikram yoga. And despite my lack of love for the studio itself, the best Bikram teacher I've ever had is at City. His name is Raj and if you're lucky enough to have a class with him for the love of God, listen to what he is saying, he will take your practice further. Yoga requires patience. It requires you to listen to your body and to push yourself. It requires you to quiet your mind and to focus on your breath. If you work at it, you'll grow from it. Additionally, the 1.5 hours or holding poses, breath work and pushing yourself will build strength, drop weight and change your body in ways you can't imagine. And it'll happen fast. I can't say enough good things about it. read more

It's difficult to rate a yoga studio because the practice is such a personal thing...but I'm going to give it a go. To begin - a caveat - I used to practice yoga in DC and figured it was Bikram because it was done in a heated studio, but I was very wrong. The type of yoga I fell in love with is known as power vinyasa yoga and was pioneered by Baron Baptiste. It is a quick flow of poses with serious strength builders thrown in (like holding yourself in a low press up position). This is very different than Bikram, which leads you through 26 poses in the 90 minute session, but you return to a sort of "starting position" before each one and don't quickly move directly from one to another as you would in vinyasa. This isn't to say it's Bikram is easier, it's just very different. Okay, now to the review of Bikram Yoga City. When I was signing all of the paperwork saying I didn't have any serious health problems, I heard people saying the studio was much warmer than usual. I didn't think anything of it because I am used to yoga in a heated studio - but as soon as I opened the studio door I was hit with an intense wave of heat and a smell that reminded me of lemongrass soap and a waft of Indian food. Bikram Yoga City lets you use their mats for free, but I brought my own because I am particular (crazy?) and need to know when the mat was last cleaned. Luckily I was able to snag a place near the back of the room that had a little bit of air flow so I had a bit of respite. I unrolled my mat and couldn't believe the floor was carpeted. I would think that if you're going to open a yoga studio that is heated and humid, you'd want hard floors that can easily be mopped and disinfected. People literally drip with sweat during those 90 minutes! I had arrived early so I tried to relax and get in the yoga zone but couldn't help looking around at the other people in the room. I was shocked that out of about 40 people, I was only one of three with a reusable water bottle and I felt like an enviro snob for letting it bother me, but come on, people! Spend a few pounds to take it easy on the landfills. I also noticed some people were wearing bikinis, which is just weird. The instructor came in and perched on a podium in front of the room. She led us through some breathing exercises and I realized that my springtime allergies and Bikram do not mix. I couldn't breathe. I wanted to run out the door and feel the cold London breeze on my face, but the instructor kept saying that we needed to stay in the room even if it was uncomfortable. I spent a lot of the class just sitting on my mat, trying to catch my breath and about 45 minutes in, a girl collapsed. People from the front desk came in and carried her from the room. I stayed in the room for the entire 90 minutes and felt terrible for the rest of the day with a pounding headache that no amount of water, sports drinks or coconut water would fix. I didn't want to return, but I had purchased a one month unlimited pass for £30. Drop-in sessions are £14 so I figured I could easily go three times and it would be worth it. I managed to go a second time, but that was it. Bikram Yoga City isn't for me. The smell and the carpet just turned me off. read more

Ooooo, I like it hot. A sesh at Fierce Grace can be *just* the thing to let those muscles melt, ease the tension away and sweat like there's no tomorrow. In perpetually chilly/damp London -- sometimes its downright necessary. I try to hit up their Deep Core class about 1x/week when I can. It's a refreshing, languid, long (75 minute) deep stretching class with a 30 minute active warmup to really get your blood and heat pumping. For me it's just the right balance as the super intensely active hot yoga classes overwhelm my systems a bit. If you've not done Bikram/hot yoga before -- a Deep Core is a good place to start. I like that Fierce Grace is very welcoming to new and junior students. I never feel pressured to perform and often modifications are given along with the very easy to understand, nearly constant instruction. I find that I stay very focused on the practice because I am listening so intently and trying to follow along to my own speed. It's a nice feeling. The studio is really nice (earlier reviews were pre-hab, have no fear fellow yogis) -- a huge wood floor studio with state of the art heat and moisture systems. Mat rental, water, changing rooms, etc. My only minor gripe is the "shivasyna" practice at the end. The teacher puts everyone into this pose (the relax pose at the end) and then basically says "hey, stay in this as long as you want, enjoy!" -- which means that all the urban achievers hop up and start packing up, which is distracting and not relaxing at all. A few extra minutes to cool down and breathe at the end without this abruptness would be welcome. Maybe this is intentional but I feel like it misses the mark. Otherwise, I'm a fan and will continue visiting for my heat shock on the reg! read more

So I went through a phase recently of doing Bikram yoga four or five times a week and oh, how my body thanked me. The Old Street Studio is one of three across London - about five minutes walk from the Old Street tube station, it's tucked away in a residential street. Staff are super-friendly and helpful, and the studio itself is large, clean and well-ventilated (a must with Bikram!). There's a great communal area which offers free herbal tea and a place to sit and re-group after your session. Now, Bikram is not for the faint of heart - it's pretty much like doing 1.5 hours of yoga in a sauna. But, go down, have a go, and see how amazing you feel afterwards. The after-work classes can get pretty packed, so if your work schedule allows, try to go during the day when you'll get a LOT more space! The studio has an amazing deal for new-comers: £29 for one month unlimited. Take advantage! You won't regret it. read more

Some of the reviews are from when it was a Bikram studio in a different location (including mine). A couple years ago, they built this beautiful studio and changed their classes--all hot yoga, but focusing on different things and having different durations of classes. They also sell juices. The studio is massive. I love the painting of mountains on the back wall. A great place to go. read more

This is a bikram-inspired studio in a central location with nice facilities and studio space. There is a locker room with showers (not private though) for those who need a quick fix while out and about. I went there for a yoga fix while visiting a friend in London, and found their location and facilities to be very nice. The instructions are less authoritarian compared to bikram that I've experience elsewhere, but still pushy compared to hot yoga studios that do power vinyasa. I attended the Fierce Grace class, which is meant to be good for new comers and give you a good stretch/work out. Unfortunately, I found the sequence to be clumsy, and only very few poses were held long enough to give any type of effect (pigeon pose for ~30s, for example). The instructor was fixated on some particulars of certain poses, and really pushed those to the point where it was a little uncomfortable for me to watch how some of the other attendees were being corrected. In the end, it was not much of a workout or a stretch. Perhaps the studio suits better for people who are athletic and can do the very difficult poses that may have served as the 'work out' component of the class. Yet I've been to plenty of studios that use very simple poses and provide a much better workout and stretch. read more

It's really difficult to put me off, but this yoga place discouraged me from practising once for good. As a new person to Bikram yoga, I thought maybe it's always like that - smelly and disgusting, but reading the other reviews I see more experienced yogers also see it this this way. I had a Living Social Deal in January for 10 classes for £20 valid for a month. After the first one I got a very bad cold, due to which I couldn't attend the classes for 3 weeks. When I came the next time, I explained the situation and asked whether maybe I could at least use half of the unused classes I've paid for, but it was impossible. Fair enough... Despite the unhelpful staff during my first visit, smelly mats and room and a pool of water on the floor in from of the changing room, I enjoyed the class. The teacher was great, the group was fairly small (Tuesday noon). For my second (at the last) visit I chose Sunday evening and it was disaster! There were so many people that every possible piece of the floor was covered, mat to mat, we were literally like sardines in a tin, it wasn't fun at all. They should really introduce some quota on the number of people they let in to the room at once and sort this place out. read more

After reading the review from here, I have now also joined the Bikram club! Today I am having my first-after-yoga-day, which means I can hardly walk. Uhh! The experience was overwhelming and HOT, but I am hooked! Wow, the 1,5 hour class was proper exercise. It really feels like being in a sauna and at first it was hard to get used with the hot air and the sweat. YES, you really do sweat and there is no point drying it up as it just goes on like a never ending river! The only thing I am moaning about is how packed the class was. We were all practically clued to each others and you could not relax as you normally in yoga do, when you had to watch out that you don't hit someone with your leg, or vice versa. Also they had only one person on the counter so it was very slooow..so be there on time to avoid the queues. But I am a member of the fan club and for the next 29 days I will be stretching my poor body in that sauna and trying to spot the Yelper that recommend the place.. read more

Woweewowwow....the last time I nearly blacked out I was likely to have been doin something not entirely legal! Given it was my first time and it was a long way to the ground there was a few pitstops, but a great class otherwise; the instructor was great and made sure us newbies didn't try anything too ambitious. The changing rooms are tiiiiiny, not good when you wanna get sorted after 90mins of perspiration; minus point. Water water water, the name of the game. Recovery akin to a serious circuits session, but I'll be back! read more

My other half is a devotee of Bikram Yoga. I was persuaded to give it a go... it's tough, but effective. The teachers here are, on the whole, excellent. I intend to keep going to Bikram one way or the other but the facilities at this place are the WORST... The studio space itself is bearable if you go to an off peak class, but when it's at capacity it's HIDEOUS and there are some postures you simply can't carry out correctly. The changing room is a JOKE. It's like a cupboard... but smaller. The last thing you want when everyone's drenched in sweat after 90 minutes of yoga at 114 degrees is someone's arse in your face. There isn't a spare inch to stand in to dress. There are no lockers, so you have to take your valuables into the class and hope for the best for what you leave behind. As for the (three communal - yuck) showers in the men's changing room - it's rare that they are all working, and even when they are, the water pressure is pathetic... At £13 a class, before water or towel rental, it's not good enough. Such a shame, because the yoga itself is great. read more

I've been to many hot yoga / Bikram places in London and this is by far my favorite. The staff are friendly with none of the 'holier than thou' attitude you find at many of their competators. The studio is large and importantly it doesn't smell of mould. There is a wide variation of classes on offer, I particularly like the core class as a compliment to other sporting activities. They have a selection of payment options to chose from and frequently have deals which are really good value. The only downside is the changing rooms are small (as with every bikram place I've been in) with no secure lockers. If you have any valuables you need to take them into the hot humid studio with you. read more

I used to climb more often than fish swim; you could say I got a touch excessive turning down Friday nights on the lash so I could perfect my sit starts, making sure I got my work done by the evening so I could try the latest punishing overhang route suggested by my K, my 'climbing dominatrix'. Then disaster struck: by the name of the dreaded Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; and against the advice of my doctor I headed straight to my local Bikram Yoga centre to see if that would help (well Google suggested it, so it MUST be true!). So now, my new home away from home is Bikram Yoga City: a spacious studio a few minutes stroll from Old St tube. It's got an intimate, minimalistic and stylish chill-out room where you can catch your breath after class before braving the (comparatively) cold world outside; the world's best-tasting coconut water and staff that make you sigh with relief it's not like one of those snooty yoga places full of Patsy and Edina-alikes; despite the studio's achingly cool reputation. Now for the classes: I have always described the Bikram practice generally as reassuringly hardcore: as much as I would like to think that I'm a spiritually integrated person (maybe I am after a few drinks) I don't have time to search for enlightenment - I want to look and feel fantastic NOW goddammit! And that you shall: As a 90-minute class, consisting of 26 Hatha yoga postures performed in blood-boiling 40 degree heat and 50% humidity; you'll stretch muscles that you never knew existed with surprising ease and sweat so much that you're essentially cleaning your body from the inside out. I'd advise you to dress scantily; there's nothing worse than lugging home trackies that feel like they have been left in an un-drained washing machine. The studio also offers a great range of class times, so there's no excuse for missing out, unless you work 14 hour days for an investment bank; or something equally gruelling. What I love most though is the constant stream of pro-Bikram propaganda delivered during the class by the instructors; sentences such this massages your parathyroid gland which speeds up your metabolism (this is true: I eat more than a pack of wild horses and still haven't broken the size 10 mark); and so far it's worked miraculously for these wrists of mine. A guide to London's climbing walls will be forthcoming when I am fully recovered. This I swear! read more

Fierce Grace - City - Yoga Near Me - London, XGL

Kicked my ass! But I loved it! I've only been once as a busy schedule's kept me from returning but I do indeed intend to. The great thing about yoga is that you can take it all your own pace. Whether an inflexible, out of shape novice or a spry and bendy yogi, the lasting benefits of feeling revitalized are real. I found hot, sweaty birkam yoga to be much more enjoyable than I imagined it would be. Hard work but worthwhile. Note: the reason for the four stars rather than five is due to the icky, smelly carpet in the studio. That was a real turnoff for me. Still, not so bad to be kept away. Everything else (price, location, instructor, pace) was perfect. Breathe out. read more

Old street had 3 really good showers that has frosting on the glass for a little bit of privacy. . They have just got rid of them and now have just one shower in the middle of the changing room with no privacy at all.. How do people come up with these hair brained ideas !! We can't wait in the queue for the shower it will use half you day up.. Such a shame, I hate not having a shower after hot yoga. Bad idea old street studios. . :@( Ps.. the Class today was brilliant but as there was only one shower 3 of us had to go to work dirty and wet... please tell me why you got rid of the lovely showers you had before ? J.... read more

right - i've been called out here, as being "ignorant" and an aspring yoga-holic who "never bothered to listen to her instructors" by a yelper who gave this particular yoga studio a 4-star rating, and NOW, just NOW... after sticking with yoga and having found a few A-MAZING yoga instructors.... that i see just how *underwhelming* this version of yoga is. a *good* yoga instructor is attentive... a *good* yoga instructor DOES challenge you and makes you mindful, and pushes you, and you feel the entire experience worth your while... so, take this when a grain of salt (since it's been a while) - but i've become a yoga convert and nothing about being herded into an overcrowded smelly room did *anything* to make me appreciate yoga. yes, yoga can be yogasmic. but you need a suitable trainer/environment for that to happen. pretty sure this isn't it. read more

My relationship to hot yoga is thus: I do not love it. I feel more challenged in a normal yoga class. However, the aftermath of hot yoga feels fabulous and that is what I am growing addicted to. As part of this new exploration, I recently attended a Fierce Grace class at, uh, Fierce Grace studio. Mats are not provided here, so either bring your own or make sure you have £1 to rent one. I disagree with previous reviews on the cleanliness and smell. I found it extremely clean and the room smelled just fine to me. The reason for the three stars is moreso related to the class itself. Some people call it "relaxed," but the teacher did not feel particularly engaged throughout the whole class. Nor did the temperature feel properly regulated. The instructor kept fussing with the controls, and asked the class at one point if they were okay with the temperature. Someone wanted it hotter, so she turned off all the blowers and just cranked the heat. I was fine, but I did notice a marked increase in temperature and it didn't feel very systematic or controlled, which is somewhat alarming. When I'm working out in hot conditions, I want to feel confident that the instructor is looking out to make sure the temperature stays safe. I'm sure the studio doesn't get up above a certain temp, but it still felt odd compared to the highly regulated bikram temps. Fierce Grace class includes some inversion postures, so if you're a regular, you will likely get some benefit out of this. If you're new, you will likely sit there, legs sliding off your elbows, feeling like you will not get assistance or pointers to help you improve in the posture. I would go back, but it isn't my first choice. read more

So i decided to give it a try after a drunken chat with some girlfriends. Christmas excess was weighing me down and Bikram seemed like a good way to deal with it whilst cleansing my mind too. On arrival it was different from what i expected. Rather than Yogis in cotton, a the super cute hipster guy behind the counter gave me the lowdown. The first class was tough, i was a wet mess ...but i loved it. It was a friday night and they do this chill out class in the dark that i highly recommend Try the special intro offer - it's just £29 for a month unlimited and well worth it. What can i say - I've been converted read more

I registered purely in order to provide feedback on the Bikram Yoga centre at Old Street, as I feel quite strongly about this: Upsides: The yoga itself and the staff are fantastic - very encouraging staff who are very knowledgeable and from the outset I felt well looked after. A few months in and I am really feeling the benefits. I've always worked out a lot but normally pure cardio (running, spinning etc) or weights work in the gym. The yoga has enabled me to tone far more than weights alone, without bulking up too much and I'm very pleased with the results. HOWEVER.... The Downsides: The high price and poor poor POOR facilities are increasingly hard to take with a pinch of salt. Although there are membership deals (espcially the initial £29 for 30 days thing, better prices for frequent users/ pre buying term membership etc) even if you go 4 times per week the classes work out at around £10 pre 90 minute session - 40 per week. Monthly membership comes out at around £104. For this sort of price I would expect some seriously fantastic facilities....My multi function (Nuffield/Cannons) gym in the heart of the City only sets me back £60 per month and the changing rooms and facilities there are outstanding. However, the Bikram City centre's changing facilities are totally unacceptable. Small, cramped changing rooms without any lockable lockers and only three shoddy fans to try and keep people cool. I am only 5 ft 3 and I often hit my head on the ceiling. Seriously - it's like getting changed in a cupboard. The showers are rubbish and the whole place is just too hot. It must be hard to sort out as the studio (obviously) is very warm and the building is old. However, getting ready for work after a morning class is unbearable and that really puts people off - this is a city studio after all - people go to work wearing suits and should look professional, rather than arriving at work sweating and with wet hair as it's just too hideous to use a hairdryer in the hot hot hot changing rooms. Additionally - charging £1 for towels when the classes already cost loads is just not ok. And they should really install water machines for people to fill up their bottles. Come on bikram - you get so many things right and I love the classes. But you cannot seriously expect people to pay so much for such rubbish facilities. Drop your prices or move to a better location that can cater for city clients properly. read more

I was a member at Bikram Yoga City (Old Street) for a year and it left a nasty taste in the mouth. The changing rooms are cramped and over the course of my membership only one out of three showers made available has ever worked on a consistent basis. This means a long queue which is a real drag when you are paying £13 a pop or in my case about £650 over the year. That is a lot of money but the facilities are equivalent to a run-down cuncil gym. There are some excellent teachers but the people who own the place are clearly just out to make money. Despite complaining politely to them many times the management have done nothing about the state of the showers and have not written to me when they said they would. They also have a policy of letting in people even when they are 10 mins late which disrupts the whole class and usually means people who arrived on good time having to shuffle along to make space, totally ruining their concentration. The teachers hate it but the orders come from their bosses. I am glad my yearly membership is over so I don't have to give them anymore of my money. There are excellent alternative Bikram centres in Soho and Canary Wharf. It should be a relaxing experience for the money you are paying, not equivalent to being on the Tube for a couple of hours! read more

I love bikram yoga too - but hygenic? Clean? Well-ventilated? Honestly did we go to the same one? What communal area - its so cramped!

I've been practising yoga properly for about 6 months, but I come from a dance and gymnastics background so when I work out I seek high standards. I want teachers who know their shit and will kick my arse. I also expect a clean and organised environment. I really liked this studio space. Clean hardwood floors, clean properly dried yoga mats and the teacher was good. I'm used to a teacher who demonstrates the positions rather than talking me through them, I am also used to a teacher who adjusts me and helps me to achieve a deeper stretch, which didn't happen, but the classes are quite full, and I was faaaarrr from the front. I did the classic class, it was a series of poses as opposed to flow yoga, which I'm more accustomed to. In fairness 90 mins of flow would have killed me, so I was happy. Overall, I liked the vibe, and I'll happily make this my new yoga venue. The reason I'm deducting a star is because the changing room is INSANELY cramped. Hot yoga is one of those activities where for the love of your fellow man you have to shower afterwards. I'm not all that into communal showering at the best of times, but seriously this place brings a whole new meaning to the term 'bum fight'. read more

Old street had 3 really good showers that has frosting on the glass for a little bit of privacy. . They have just got rid of them and now have just one shower in the middle of the changing room with no privacy at all.. How do people come up with these hair brained ideas !! We can't wait in the queue for the shower it will use half you day up.. Such a shame, I hate not having a shower after hot yoga. Bad idea old street studios. . :@( Ps.. the Class today was brilliant but as there was only one shower 3 of us had to go to work dirty and wet... please tell me why you got rid of the lovely showers you had before ? Nikki... read more

I have just signed up to the 30 days for £30 deal at Birkram Yoga City. I have set myself the challenge of attending at least 4-5 times a week. I have practised yoga throughout my life and consider myself to be fit and flexible. The first class was certainly a shock to the system, the heat was more than I was expecting and I felt faint and dizzy very quickly into the class. I spent a lot of time lying on the matt and watching others in their practice. In my second class, I participated throughout and saw a noticeable improvement in my being able to cope with the heat. So...the practice and the class - I really enjoy and it has already encouraged me to eat more healthily and drink more water in between classes. I am desperate to keep going regularly and cannot wait to see my progression and improvement. That side of things gets 4-5 stars. Now..onto the not so good. Unfortunately I know in the end it is the studio that will put me off my challenge.I felt very lost at the start of the first class, had to find my way to the changing rooms with minimal instructions and accidentally 'stole' someone's space as I had assumed the matts were laid out. There were at least 70 people crammed in, every time I moved my arm I hit a particularly sweaty man next to me and horror of all horrors - there is carpet in the studio!! Sweat literally drips off each person and into a pool on the floor - no doubt soaking into the carpet. My sweaty legs picked up all sorts of hair and fluff which made me feel like wretching in the class. I think the carpet is to cushion your limbs but there has to be another way!! I also think the matts should be washed between EVERY class and suspect this is not the case. Undoubtedly the worst part of the experience is the changing rooms - queuing for a communal shower in a tiny changing room (extremely low ceilings and virtually no space) leaves little to be desired. I ended up deciding just to shower at home, because I felt I wouldn't be able to wash properly with a huge queue of people waiting (and believe me you need to wash very well after the class). I changed into my clothes which was a feat of flexibility in itself - trying to battle my sweaty body into my jeans in such a confined space left me exhausted after the intense workout and sadly I completely lost the relaxed feeling that I had found in the class. The toilets and also wash basin are back through the classroom so I had to splash my face in there before I left - again, three tiny toilets and one tiny sink, barely enough room to move. Then up to the little communal area to get my boots on - I had to perch on the edge of the seat because there were so many people in there and people were pushing to get past. I like to exercise before work or after work and go straight out to meet friends. At my current gym I can have a nice shower and get ready with enough space and air to be able to pop straight into work or onto dinner or drinks with my friends. If I am to continue attending this yoga centre I will simply have to go home to shower - even if I wait out the queues and brave the communal shower, I still wouldn't feel clean or be able to sort my hair out anyway. This will undoubtedly affect how often I can go. Such a shame as I love Bikram but hate the facilities and it does matter!! I also think as it isn't a particularly cheap form of exercise and they cram upwards of 60 people into the room, Birkram Yoga City must be laughing all the way to the bank. Maybe they could invest some of those profits into some decent changing rooms!! read more

Love Bikram and enjoy my workout at Bikram City Yoga. I can handle the crowded studio, the smell of sweat, cramped dressing room - not a big deal for me. I like the instructors (when they are teaching the practice), I find them attentive. HOWEVER, I have to agree with some of the reviewers, that staff is a bit rude. When I first visited Bikram Yoga City (in the evening), I had asked the gal at the front desk (brunette hair) about the 30 day special, she was very short with me and even rolled her eyes at me, she then turned to her co-worker beside her (blonde hair) and started laughing. I don't appreciate it when women make other women feel bad about themselves. We should be supportive of one another. BUT... I put on my big girl pants and got over it quickly. I'm not going to let their immaturity interfere with my practice. Obviously, her candor did not stop me from signing up, but I did not sign up with her. I signed up the next morning with a gal (with red hair). She was incredibly nice and was all smiles (she is also an instructor), and obviously enjoys her job as staff and instructor. To this day, she is very friendly. The other ladies that I have interacted with at the front desk need a lesson in kindness. I would rate this 5 stars, but I feel customer service is a big part of any type of business, so 3 stars it is! Let me clarify, the rude brunette gal is not the instructor that teaches Tuesday mornings at 6:45. She is quite nice. read more

It is true that this studio does not have a great interior - the changing rooms are cramped (with no lockers), the showers are communal, studio gets super packed (and I was there "off peak") and the carpet in the studio is a bit gross - and it is for these reasons that I can't give more than 3 stars. However, I was able to overlook all of that because the yoga is great. Actually, it's fantastic. I didn't think I would like it as much as I did. I thought the heat might be too oppressive or overwhelming. It wasn't either, so long as I eased myself into it and just got used to it. Give it a go. read more

ive not practiced bikram for a long time and have had the pleasure of practicing at multiple studios in different countries. my feeling is that one should try not to become overly biased about one studio because each bikram studio has its plus points, while others have their negatives. bikram yoga city is also not a perfect studio - but i do love this place. location-wise, its ideal for me. the actual studio itself is cramped in places, like the reception room and the changing rooms. the studio itself is also a tad smelly ... but if you can really get over these negatives, this studio is one of the best places i've practiced. i had a really positive experience with all the staff - they were super friendly, super supportive, particularly when i did my 30 day challenge! the instructors here, on average, are better than instructors at other studios. i generally find that i am lucky to find far superior instructors at any given studio. i feel that this place , in itself, has at least 2, if not 3, really superior instructors. and the more "average" run of the mill instructors are also on a higher average than your average instructor at any other studio (if that makes sense!) ... raj and mark are the best yoga instructors i've ever had - and kate is really up there as well. if you want to try bikram here, let your very first ever bikram class be with kate! she is wonderful and really tries to normalise the rather awkward and draining experience of your first ever bikram class ... i love this place. and while i try not to hold biases - i have to admit that i am slightly biased toward this place... i would have given it 5 stars, but , as i said, no studio is going to be perfect!! read more

I have to say, the yoga was great, but the smell has just gotten out of control at the city road location. I practiced at this studio last year several times and don't remember the smell being as off-putting as it is these days (I'm not expecting hot yoga to smell like roses & sugar, but this is beyond me). It's as if the sweat has impregnated the floors (and mats). I've decided it's just not worth it anymore to leave feeling sick to my stomach or to nearly gag anytime I get near the ground. read more

I consider myself to be a bit of a Bikram addict and annoyingly enough for my dear husband, I even search studios out on our holidays together. Being from the states, I have the fortune to take my bi-weekly lessons in any one of four gorgeous studios in Chicago. I've practiced for over five years in five countries (Austrailia, Spain, US, UK, and France). I've spent the past three months in London attending the City studio so here's my lowdown: The teachers - excellent. I've had most of them, but my favorites were Raj and Naomi and a French girl, whose name escapes me now. All have been nurturing and fabulous - but you'd generally (and thankfully) find that in most Bikram teachers. The desk staff - rude. I can't sum it up any other way. Maybe I've only been there on bad days (but thats a lot of bad days). I would guess that its because they're so cramped and busy down there, as the flood of students come into that tiny space, that they don't have time to smile. The Studio - Oh where to start?? I honestly can't believe that people pay so much to go here in these hideous conditions. No, let me rephrase. I believe people pay to go here because they have no other option. But I can't believe that Bikram City takes so much money and doesn't try to enhance the conditions within which it teaches. They are seriously disappointing. Tiny, cramped entrance (students line up outside waiting, as others are leaving). The studios themselves are okay at best like a lot of other studios. But the dressing room. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!? You have to walk THRU the studio to get in there (so you end up tripping on the starting class on the way out), its hot with only 2 small fans, ZERO room to change, communal showers (fine, but nice studios can have stalls), its disgusting. There is a 6:45 am class, but honestly, who could go to work after getting ready here?? For the amount of money that you pay (£13 a class or £120 per month), you could belong to two Virgin active Spa gyms. I am all for organic conditions, but honestly, the owner needs to get a clue. I've been to her other studio in Kilburn and it is nice. With the amount of students that cram into each of these Old Street classes at that kind of money, she can certainly afford to move into a better studio or at least renovate. (I mean, c'mon - its Old Street). But again, what option do us Bikram-addicts have? As I understand it, permission from current studio owners has to be given to build new studios within a certain distance. Why on earth would this owner give anyone else permission when she's making a killing to have the only studio in the city? Something just aggrevates me about a studio owner that has taken such a beautiful practice and made so much money from it (by all accounts) but can't even put some love back into what is probably her busiest studio. Like I said above, I've been to the Kilburn branch and it was indeed nice, with a juice bar and lots of room. A friend of mine attended the Balham studio and says they provide fresh fruit to the students after each session - so lovely. I've also been to the Parsons Green studio and it was great. My suggestion is that, unless you can help it, avoid paying for this studio by all means. It's packed, ugly, and void of all the lovely little touches that make Bikram so great before and after practice. read more

Re Bikram City. Bikram Yoga works miracles for those it suits, which is certainly not every-body. Bikram City is a mixed bag. The facilities are disgraceful and I am sure do not meet health and safety or fire regulations. The management has much improved of late, but there is a general attitude of pay for it, then shut up and put up, disgiused as Yogis don't complain. The teachers I have found though on the whole are excellent indeed, with the odd exception of egocentric bullying from a teacher called Raj. ( I have never seen ever so many people 'walk' out of a class- he kept calling us all failures in life-you have to laugh) But this is very rare as the teaching standard is good. To be honest I think it is a money making tree for the owners, but the Yoga is great, if you can put up with the mitagating circumstances. I guess if you have a Bikram studio near to you with better facilitues go there as the teachers go from studio to studio across the capital. read more

My last review seems to have been removed from the site, so here is another review which hopefully will stay. I am a big fan of Bikram yoga: it helps me stay in shape, drop some pounds, stay warm during the nasty London winter with its uninsulated buildings and cold drafts and since staring Bikram I have barely ever been ill. However, Bikram City is not the place to be when it comes to practising Bikram in London. There are now better, friendlier, cleaner and more costumer-friendly studios opening up in London, and the owner of Bikram City should take note. Bikram City operates in a basement building which does not satisfy the most basic standards of good practice: - uneven heat in the yoga room due to one heater only on one side of the room. - there are no windows in the practice room, and no air circulation, resulting in a smelly room that provides no health benefits to the practitioner. - changing rooms have no windows and due to the lack of ventilation and fresh air are smelly and damp, with showers that barely have any water pressure. WAlls and ceiling are covered in black mould which should ring alarm bells. I wonder when the Environmental Health Inspector comes knocking on the studio doors. - it's literally impossible to dry off after a shower, as the changing rooms are so humid and warm. - carpet and yoga mats are very smelly and clearly don't get cleaned on a daily basis as they shoudl. - classes are packed to the max - I found it impossible to focus on my postures and in particular my balance with other people's feet and hands in my face. It apparently is all about money for the City studio. During my 30 day trial at Bikram yoga city, I raised these issues repeatedly with the staff there, but nothing was done to remedy the problems. Therefore, I do not recommend Bikram City. There are lovely, hygienic, clean and friendly new studios opening up elsewhere in London, e.g. Soho and Victoria. read more

yay it's cool but it's sooo hot! I really wasn't sure what to make of it at first and then it just get hotter and hotter. At times I felt light headed, dizzy and sick but I got through most of the poses and strangely,I loved it. I'm a runner so I felt my poor leg muscles really stretching and my stiff neck and shoulders couldn't quite believe what was going on! I will supplement my running with this type of yoga as I feel it's a perfect partner. you simply have to drink loads of water during the day before you go to the class though. I had a headache after my first class but I recognise this was dehydration. I've been back and made sure I'd drank lots during the day- no headache this time. You'll either love it or hate it but I suggest you try it! read more