This studio and bikram practice has changed my life. The people who work here and practice here are so very supportive and positive. The owner Nicole is very hands on and loves her students. She is either teaching or taking a class. Nicole convinced me to take part in the 60 day challenge and I'm so glad I did it! I have committed to this studio and bikram practice. I encourage you to try it. You won't be sorry! Thank you Nicole and all of the staff at BYA! read more

I am a new comer to this studio. I'm not the typical yoga body type. I was nervous because if I'm being honest I haven't worked out in over a year. Just light walks. I went in for a class to try it out Nicole was at the counter. She and her staff were so happy , positive and welcoming. They made me feel right at home. She was even posit right and encouraging after class. She said you did great and we are at all different levels supporting one another. Just keep coming and make sure to drink lots of water , take breaks when you need to and breath. I feel so great only after 3 weeks of being a member. Thank You read more

Hot Pilates at 1045 is a game changer. Professional teachers who find the amazing balance of pushing you to the hardcore edge and can hold the space for all student levels. I'm fully addicted and think about it everyday. Feeling stronger and more open than ever before. Intro special is a no brainer!! Thank you thank you!! read more

Favorite and best hot yoga studio in Santa Cruz County!!! Super friendly, warm, and welcoming instructors -- who greet you at the front desk upon entering the studio-- and tight- knit and vibrant yogi community. Classes are organized, well choreographed, and open to all levels-- with accommodations for all levels available. Walk in ready to commit to working hard while also meeting yourself where you're at. Stellar heating system with plenty of air flow and oxygen and the teachers are great at gauging air ventilation. Love the Himalayan salt lamps around the room-- nice touch and sets the mood. Clean and beautiful studio!!! Thank you Nicole and HYA teachers for your continued service to this community -- and for the huge gift of yoga. read more

Tried my first bikram yoga yesterday and love it! Definitely going back. The studio looks like a hole in the wall, but when you walk in, it is very nicely designed and up-to-date a full locker room (bathroom, lockers, showers). Feels very spa-like. The class of about 20 people was very challenging, but was able to stay the entire 90 minutes and get through all the moves. Make sure you bring plenty of water and towels, you will be dripping! Room smelled like sweat, which is to be expected, just wish there was a little bit more of a draft throughout the room to not make it smell so much like stale sweat. Also wish there was a little more bench room in the lockers for the gals to change, after the class it seemed overly crowded and there was a lot of waiting for people to grab their stuff or change. read more

I used to enjoy coming to this facility and the hot pilates classes, but lately it is obvious they are more concerned about making money than teaching good quality classes. Classes are so packed and crammed together that it is completely miserable. You can barely move because you are packed in like sardines. You can't do the poses correctly becasue you will hit the person in front or behind you and with any type of fast movement you are showered in your neighbors sweat. It's not worth the high cost of the class. read more

Best hot yoga studio in Santa Cruz County! Natural light, clean, fresh air cycles and amazing teachers. Daisy's classes are my favorites. Her nurturing yet energizing flow, and balanced sequences always turn around a bad day. read more

This place is clean, well run and well staffed. I have loved my experiences here. Know that I wouldn't recommend this for someone who has never done any type of yoga. They do walk you through the poses but its faster paced than other regular yoga studios I have been to. The teachers try to learn all the names which is cool and they want to make sure you are doing well. If you aren't feeling well, they handle it and have someone step out with you. There is one teacher who made me feel really bad for leaving the room one time and I didn't like that but I am fairly sure it was just to make sure I wasn't about to vomit. Anyway, as hard as this is I really enjoy going and if you are interested, try it out! read more

This is an outstanding workout. You'll feel like a million dollars when your finished. Been going now off and on for about a year, and really enjoy Jason's class. Try it out! read more

Thank you, Hot Yoga Aptos! I am so thankful for this local gem. I love my workouts here so much. I love the yoga sculpt which has some traditional yoga poses with weights and cardio increments. I feel I get the best workouts with that class. The Pilates is wonderful, too. My favorite instructors are Stephanie and Carina. They keep you motivated and inspired and their classes are hard and I really feel like I've gotten a great workout. read more

First of all finding this studio, has helped me get on the healthy path of taking care of myself and changing my life for the better!!..... There truly is something about sweating out all the bad toxins in your body, releasing all the stress in your mind and completely becoming a 100 % in tune with your body, while putting in a kickass workout. This studio will keep you coming back for more! The instructors are all soo incredible , always positive, help push your limits and encourage you to never give up. The music is booty bouncing with great Beats and excellent variety of classes. there's honestly not enough positive words I can say about Hot Aptos Yoga.!.... It is simply the best workout- mind, body and spirit you could ever come across! Thank you to the owner Nicole , for opening this studio and changing my life in so many ways!! Love my yoga family. read more

Hotsource Yoga - Yoga Near Me - Aptos, California

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In April I will be celebrating my 3rd year of practicing yoga at Nicole's Bikram yoga studio, although now it is more properly called Hot Yoga Aptos, as there are many new classes to try. I love it! I love the way I feel after a class. Besides Bikram style yoga, there is Hot Pilates, Flow, Yin, Hot Box, and Bikram beats, one of my new favorites. The instructors and friendly and encouraging and I have met so many nice people there at the studio. Nicole has created a different style of practice with her beats classes. led to music. The class is a fusion, a blend of many styles of yoga practice with Nicole offering variations to try in many of the postures. She is instructive, supportive and encouraging . The classes are fun. I am so glad to be part of the hot yoga community. read more

I absolutely love Hot Yoga Aptos. I have been attending Hot Pilates classes here up to 3x a week for the past 2 years. The studio has recently undergone a beautiful remodel; it is bright, clean and welcoming. There is FREE childcare every morning at the10:45 class! I have brought my kids as young as 4 months old and felt completely comfortable leaving them in the care of the sitter. The instructors/teaches are fun and knowledgeable. I especially love/appreciate Stephanie, Theresa and Carina. And the owner, Nicole, has always welcomed me by name. Their Hot Pilates classes are very challenging- in the best possible way. A hybrid of Pilates, ab work and then 30 minutes of high intensity interval training (Think burpees, push-ups and mountain climbers). Although I feel challenged in each class I take, the instruction and atmosphere provided welcomes people of all fitness levels and encourages you to reach your own personal best. Going to Hot Pilates regularly has helped me lose the baby weight twice over, keeps my back strong and pain free, and has helped me towards my personal fitness goals. I look forward to each class and won't trade that hour of self care for anything! read more

the studio is clean does not stink like the down town studio good air circulation no nasty carpet in the room. Huge locker room and private showers too!! ITs amazing there There is even child care wens at 4pm and sat 10 am read more

There are both pros and cons to this place, as many reviewers have already noted: Pros: -Very friendly staff -Awesome unlimited 30 days for $49 intro offer. -Student discount (though one staffer said she thinks you have to commit to 6 months for that deal) -Clean -2 Drinking fountains -Big practice room -Showers and lockers, with a separate bar for makeup/hair if you need to clean up and get ready to go back to life from the studio (huge plus). Cons: -I've never been to a studio where they actually stop you from leaving the room and pressure you into doing a pose with the rest of the class. It hasn't happened to me yet, but I've seen it happen in every class I've attended so far, and I don't like it at all. - It is often far hotter in there than in any other studio I've been to. One instructor tuned on the fan a total of 3 times in 90 minutes. It was brutal. - The smell can get pretty bad...but you do have to remember what that studio is there for. Kind of no way to eliminate the "sweaty beasties" smell. -The lockers are all in one corner with one bench, so things can get pretty tight when you're trying to get dressed after class. I'm not a fan of the general cultish Bikram mentality that pain is good and you should push beyond what feels right for you, but I love the workout and the feeling afterward. I'd recommend that any beginner (or anyone, really) keep in mind that you don't have to do something just because the instructor says so. These instructors are almost never extensively educated in health or medical professions -- they've had a few months of training that, among other things, involved memorizing a script that one guy (also not a medical professional) wrote. This sounds judgmental, but what I mean to say is that they speak with a lot of conviction about "medical benefits" and "toxin elimination," and all of these other reasons why you should push through your pain or dizziness, and nearly all of that is bunk they've memorized from a script. You don't have to buy into the whole thing. It's a really gratifying workout if you're in the mood for it, but your Bikram instructor is not the all-knowing boss of your physical well-being, and participants should know that early on. You have to take care of you. read more

I read all 57 reviews and here is my experience and review. Hot Yoga Aptos is the best Studio I have experienced. During this year of 2016 lots of positive changes have occurred here at Hot Yoga Aptos. I started here at the end of 2015. Since then the studio has migrated away from the religious ridged style of Bikram Choudhury into a positive flexible style of hot yoga by incorporating the 26/2 - flow/fusion, and will be adding a yoga sculpt class, in addition to having hot pilates. The week of October 17 2016 the studio was remodeled. A beautiful vinyl floor was installed in addition to six wonderful ceiling fans. From migrating away from the religious ridged style of Bikram Choudhury, the yoga teachers now do the yoga along with the students and teach at the same time. Having the teacher preform the yoga along with the class empowers all the students. A huge difference from a teacher walking around the room talking about subjects outside of the yoga practice that only weakens the student's meridians, muscles, and nervous system through the distraction of the brain. Hot Yoga Aptos is completely focused on the practice of core strengthening and flexibility based on the student needs. Us students can do any variation or modify a yoga pose based on personal needs. Students freely leave the class if needed. My observation is that the level of ego, comparing and competing is very low at Hot Yoga Aptos. Studio does not smell. The prior reviews from 2013 onward about a smelly studio is based on the carpet that was removed. Bikram Choudhury requires carpet for a certified Bikram studio, completely backwards but considering Bikram was raised in India, a shame based culture, the power and control is no surprise. So in 2010 Nicole (Owner) installed carpet to have a certified Bikram Yoga Studio. The smelly carpet was a big toss up for me because of my sensitive olfactory system due to practicing aromatherapy for thirty years, and the only negative of the studio before the week of October 17 2016. But after observing Nicole preform the yoga and teach at the same time, there was no turning back from her studio. Nicole is genuinely concerned about the health and wellness of all the students that use the studio. I have never observed any teacher to preform yoga and teaching simultaneously such as Nicole and now Kate. That style of teaching empowers the entire room. Also, before the remodel I believe the high humidity that made the room ultra hot some days was from the carpet. Now the heat is interacting completely different without the carpet along with the usage of the ceiling fans. The regulating of the heat has changed 100%. The mens locker room is the most spacious I have experienced compared to other studios, and it's always clean without shower mats that can only collect fungus. The hot pilates is also an excellent workout and the teachers also place a mat and towel for themselves and preform portions of the pilates class with the students. If your looking for a state of the art studio with top notch straight forward hot yoga and pilates without any of the in-between bullshit that Bikram and some other yoga studios create - Hot Yoga Aptos is the place for you. read more

I've been trying to get into hot yoga for the past few years. I've been doing it off and on since 2010. Getting back into it this year at this studio, however, has completely deterred me from ever doing it again, and here's why: 1) The practice area is FILTHY and smells HORRIBLE. Any other yoga studio I've been to has NEVER had carpet in the practice area. It makes for a disgusting, smelly, bacteria-infested, unpleasant experience, that is for sure. Other studios have always used hardwood floors to easily clean up the sweat and prevent the area from smelling. It just makes way more sense that way. Really terrible move on the owners part to even think carpet is a good idea for this kind of exercise. I also don't know how any of these people leaving 5 star reviews missed the smell of this place and thought not to mention it... The locker rooms are pretty foul as well. They're wet and dirty ALL the time. 2) The people who come here are extremely judgmental and unpleasant. A lot of people aren't kind to newcomers (even though I'm technically not new to yoga) They really take away the fun and focus of hot yoga with their shit attitudes and fake granola wannabe hippie persona. You're not fooling anyone, I hear you talk about other people in the locker rooms. 3) The general energy of this place is heavy and unpleasant. A lot of the time I'm greeted by unenthusiastic and bitchy employees. In another review on yelp, someone said "Nicole and the team are incredibly professional, but at the same time warm and encouraging, and truly committed to each and every student achieving the transformation they desire out of their practice." IN NO WAY IS THAT TRUE. The instructors are incompetent, scripted morons who don't give a shit if you're "achieving a transformation" or if you even come to a class. The "regulars" are definitely favored which is really unfortunate because that takes away both the studio and newcomers opportunities for great things. No one here is professional; for fucks' sake one time one of the front desk people was running a "daycare" of nearly 10 kids for a reason I'm still unsure of. The instruction quality is poor in class and as mentioned earlier, everything feels fake and scripted. The instructors also have a really great way of pointing you out when you're doing something wrong and embarrassing you in front of everyone. They're all extremely condescending as well. The energy of this place is so out of whack. No one is nice, no one is genuine. These people are not the granola yogis they like to think they are, and I'd like to thank this place for turning me off of hot yoga forever. Congratulations! I seriously feel so bad for all of the people who think this is the best place to do hot yoga...you all really have no idea what you're talking about or what you're missing. read more

Nicole and the instructors of this space have transformed me. My heart explodes when I walk through that door and see their faces. Everyone is so warm and loving. I love the community and culture that Nicole has built. As a fellow business owner in Santa Cruz, I go to class to clear my head and heart and get back to me. There's been so many life lessons learned, tears, sweat, you name it. Nicole and her team are gem of human beings and they will never know how much they have helped me through this year. I seriously cannot imagine my life without HYA. I also owe all of this to a close friend who would not stop raving about HYA. I was hesitant given I had had bad experiences in the past with other studios, but HYA is seriously top notch and you will not regret going. Just commit and do it!! read more

I tried a class this past weekend. I made it through and hour when the smell and the heat overcame me. I was set up in the back by the door just in case so i left quietly. A second person (not the instructor) came into the locker room to persuade me to return to class. She told me i shouldn't leave because it was bad for the energy of the class and the class was "worried about me." Seriously? I could see that I was either going to have to argue or return to class. If I had been allowed to have the experience I needed rather than the experience she and the rest of the class wanted me to have, I would have returned later this week to challenge myself to stay the entire 90 minutes. But my yoga experience should not include coercion and guilt. read more

Singular in excellence. Perfect heat, beautiful clean space, incredibly caring and skilled teachers.

Wow. I've been to a many yoga studios and a few Hot Yoga studios and have to say this place is so nurturing. I feel like I've been to the spa every time I leave here. The owner is so kind and the staff is very nurturing. Beginner or novice; everyone is very welcome here. I almost hate to write such a wonderful review cuz this is my "little secret place of heaven" but have to give credit where it's due. Thank you Nicole for running this business in such a way that I and many others feel like family. Also, they studio has been recently upgraded and is BEAUTIFUL! read more

This studio is very clean and brand new, with nice locker rooms and showers. The studio feels much hotter than Santa Cruz or Monterey, which is a good extra challenge. I do feel the price for a drop-in is a bit unreasonable for the average person, also compared to the other studios I've been to. Sean is a total sweetheart, and I love taking his class! ...If it weren't for him being there, I'd have to say I probably would practice somewhere else. read more

I'm a nearly 70 year old female and I love everything about this studio. Once they knew I was serious, the teachers noticed subtle improvements, showed me how to improve poses, learned my name, and even sang happy birthday to me in class! After the 60 day challenge, I was strong and in terrific shape. I'M NOT THE EXCEPTION ---so don't give up. If you're too hot, sit on your mat awhile and watch the rest of us. If you're new or self conscious, sit in back by the door (it's cooler). Drink water before and during class but skip food until after class. Before I moved back to my Washington farm, Nicole gave me a Bikram CD so I could continue my practice. Now, I practice twice a week by myself in a hot bathroom with the water dripping. I'm grateful to Nicole and her little jewel of a studio. read more

My favorite Bikram Yoga studio I've ever been to. I've been practicing Bikram Yoga for 21 years and feel so lucky when I can take a class at Nicole's Studio. I live 2 1/2 hrs away, but will arrange my travels so I can take a class! Teachers are friendly, supportive and inspiring. It's a fun and healthy community of people who want the amazing benefits of what Bikram Yoga Aptos has to offer. Beautiful changing rooms and lobby plus a huge yoga room is icing on the cake. read more

Me: Middle aged male. Practicing Bikram for 5 years 3-4x a week Attended 20 studios domestically, 2 abroad. BYA has the following favorable characteristics: Friendly staff who smile at you as you enter. Adequate area to remove shoes at entry creating a "Shoes Off" environment. Nice modern looking facility with nice amenities Fresh smelling studio Clean & maintained locker room. Multiple sinks and showers Lockable storage lockers Men's locker room large enough to accommodate busy classes Complimentary body wash frequently available. BYA has a well trained and experienced Teaching Staff: Very experienced teachers get classes working together effortlessly. Owner (Nicole) has staff follow the "dialogue". Occasional personal dialogue tastefully woven into main dialogue when appropriate. Proper duration of postures & time between postures. Proper heat & humidity! So important! Merciful opening of exterior door if it gets too toasty in there. Bikram Yoga Aptos is the best studio to practice Bikram Yoga, because here it is taught the way it was intended to be taught. Period. To have a proper Bikram experience, you need proper heat, proper humidity, proper duration of poses, and proper instruction. Most studios are unable to simultaneously achieve all four of these components. Here, it's just the way it's done. Properly. When I practice under these conditions, I can feel that I have done something significant. The students (of all ages) who practice here are determined to do their best, and everyone works in unison. This is helpful to newer students to get through the rough bits. The owner (Nicole) has done everything she knows to create an optimal Bikram experience, and the students respond by giving their all to the practice. If you want to experience change in your physical body, practice this yoga. BYA teaches it the way it was intended to be taught. Nicole has created a tasteful, well run facility, and it has attracted a wonderful group of practitioners. Sincerely, Charles M read more

It's ok to drink water, close your eyes and make Any adjustments at anytime. This is a safe place to take care of yourself . Amazing support and Love in the room every time . Best move you can make is to come take classes here , life changing and magical just get to class and Breath read more

I really want to give this studio 5 stars because so far I LOVE the Bikram classes here. The only problem is They are only offered during typical work hours:(. So sad!! (I had off last week and I got to experience a week of attending the 9 am classes, which was great.) I usually end up at hot Pilates after work. Don't get me wrong, it's a GOOD workout, but there is no focus on flexibility in that class. I love the 26 posture series...my body craves it!! If this studio would make a Bikram class available to us 9-5ers that would be AMAZING!!!! read more

Beautiful place, but the studio is too hot and strict. Not like other Bikram studios I've been to.

I gotta admit I had no idea I would ever say I love this place, but I do. I was afraid of it being too hot, afraid I might suck at it, and afraid of the room being quiet when sometimes I'm not. But I came to find out the music is loud, it's ok to make noise and I love the challenge of working out in the heat. My wife said every hour I spend here is an extra hour I will live and I seriously believe that. The Hot Pilates and Hot Boot Camp is my favorites and wow what a workout. Very welcoming staff, super clean showers and changing room, and everyone is welcome. Loud music, great workout and friendly people, I'm glad I listened to my wife and tried it. read more

This studio is great! The teachers are all wonderful. Nicole the owner is so dedicated to the studio and it shows. She recently remodeled and there is a brand new floor and many other great touches. You can tell Nicole is very selective in who teaches at her studio as every teacher I have encountered has strong skills and really take the studio to the next level. It is super hot in the classes but that's the way it's suppose to be- the community that practices here are super nice- if you want to challenge yourself- stay away from the doors. I can't believe the teachers practice while they teach- in awe. If you are looking to take care of yourself- try this studio out! read more

I love this studio. What Nicole has done is amazing! The space is clean and well organized. The teachers are first rate. The classes are very diverse so you don't get stuck in your rut of fitness. There is a class for everyone. I have to say my favorite way to spend a Friday night is to go to the 4:30 Fusion class. It's a highlight for me and my husband. Thank you Nicole for the heat , space and love read more

I've been doing hot yoga for 15 years. I have started and stopped so many times. I did a class in Aptos on Sunday that was so amazing I wanted to cry. In the past I would always think "I'm to fat. I'm to old. I'm to out of shape" The other hot yoga studios were very strict and hard to keep up with. Nicole has the best ideas. She incorporated music, a loving easy environment to practice in and has a new fan that will cool you off during your practice (this is the best!) any beginners who are are the fence please try this. If an over weight grandma can hang in. So can you! Thanks again Nicole!! read more

There are not enough words to describe how thankful I am for Hot Yoga Aptos. I've done all the classes and love them all. The HYA community is amazing and every teacher is gifted in their own way. The studio upgrades are top notch. Thank you Nicole Duke for providing a loving/learning atmosphere to practice in. HYA is the best!! read more

I love, love, LOVE this place! I started as 10 for $20 pass and it was a great way to start the practice of Bikram. My first few classes, I felt like I was going to die but the teachers were understanding enough to make you feel ok to take a knee and rest. The room is huge and they have large changing rooms. The only thing to watch out for is not to put you mat too close to the barre. They use it for air-ing out the mats and it totally reeks if you get too close. All the teachers are great and the people who go to class are very nice. Love it! read more

Fun place to do Bikram, it is my first time trying this style of yoga. It is tons of fun and the instructors are top notch and caring. The only thing is it isn't spiritual at all. Solely for a great workout. read more

Love this place so far! Hot room and great instructors. Very clean and close to our house.

The best yoga and Pilates studio on the planet! Thank you Nicole Duke and ALL your incredible instructors for literally saving our lives!

I love the whole Hot Yoga Aptos package: the ever-evolving yoga classes, the wonderful dedicated talented Nicole, my fellow inspiring classmates, the delicious detoxifying heat, the groovy tunes, the sweet class-card deals, the safe space to practice gently or push my limits, the family-friendly policies and programs, and the commitment to offering a powerful moving meditation! read more

Every class I have taken here I have enjoyed and felt thoroughly challenged! I am excited to try more of the classes they have to offer. I also love that they play music during the classes. Trinity & Nicole were both open to music suggestions which is awesome! read more

Gorgeous facilities. Caring and conscious vibe. Guaranteed you will not be disappointed. I've been practicing yoga for almost 12 years and this is by far one of my most favorite hot studios. read more