In an attempt to mix things up a little I deviated away from my traditional, weekly exercise…read moreroutine and battled the heat in my very first Bikram Yoga class. Pre-Bikram nerves were raging, yet I was also excited for the challenge. I entered with little knowledge of the activity, other than that I was about to torture myself with ridiculous poses in a 40 degree Celsius room for 90 minutes. It's actually a wonder why anyone would be interested in such a thing. But let me assure you, even after one class I think it will be my new addiction. The facilities offered at the Prahran location were fantastic; clean rooms and super friendly staff keen to make your Bikram experience as comfortable as possible. I will warn you however, be prepared for the overwhelming smell of sweat that hits you in the face like a tonne of bricks the first second you walk in. Give it 5 or 10 minutes though and the smell somehow becomes normal...well, bearable at least. Interestingly, the turn-out of males in this class was overwhelming. I wondered if they actually knew what they were in for or if they had been dragged in by their 'other halves'. I powered through the class - for the first 60 minutes - yet completely struggled with the last half hour. By the time 8.15pm rolled around I was drenched and exhausted. Don't forget your yoga mat and especially not your water bottle. Another must is a towel. Trust me you will be wiping sweat out of places you didn't even know could sweat. Bonus* first-timers pay $19 for a 10 day trial. Yoga mats available to hire for $1.

As a way-out-of-towner, I was looking for a nice Bikram studio. The first one I went to had a…read moreproblem with their heater, so they sent me here. I'm glad they did. The staff were super-friendly and the facility is charming and welcoming. I love the astro turf in the lobby area. Shower were great. They also had locking lockers, which we don't see much at yoga studios in the US. The studio itself is very wide but narrow front-to-back. Seemed like a hard place to get the temperature and humidity right, but both were perfect. Overall, a great location, great facility, and a friendly, welcoming staff. The next time I'm in the Melbourne area, I'll be back!

This is a great studio if you love the incredible health benefits of hot yoga and is one of the few…read moreremaining studios in Melbourne dedicated to Bikrams original series. The studio owners/teachers Michael and Susan are an inspiration.

OMG I LOOOOVE this studio!! I normally live/practice in NYC, but I was on vacation in Australia &…read moredecided to check out the Fitzroy studio. First of all, I have to say that the quality of the studios I visited down under were far superior than most that I've seen in NYC. I spoke to the owners of this studio (a friendly American couple who have lived in Australia for years & years), and they said that rather than competing with each other, the Bikram studios in Australia have an agreement to keep all of their studios beautiful, clean, and impressive. Very cool! I loved a lot of things about this studio. The atmosphere was very friendly... I think that's something about the Fitzroy neighborhood and great owners. And the studio itself was very cool... They had sort of "Bikram graffiti" decorating the studio... quotes from Bikram, a funny chart about each posture, etc. The yoga room was nice & clean as well. I truly have no complaints about my experience here! Definitely a worthwhile Bikram studio to check out!

I'll start with the same thing I said in my review of the Fitzroy studio: I think it's tempting…read morewhen writing reviews of places like this to review the activity rather than the facilities and their suitability for that activity. That's not quite fair, though. Make no mistake, Bikram Yoga is not for everyone. It's hot. It's sweaty. And frankly, it's kind of gross. (Among other things, it has to be done in a carpeted room. (Carpeting with all that sweat??? Yeah. Kind of gross.) You can't really hold that against a Bikram studio, though. It'd be like rating a brewery based on its crappy wine list. Bottom line for the Richmond studio, as for Fitzroy: if Bikram is your thing, or you haven't ruled it out yet and want to give it a go, then this is a great studio. The Good: The main thing I prefer about this studio is that it tends to be less "sceney", and the students are a bit more polite about chatting before/after class. I also like that the lockers are free, and that the teachers (on average) tend to do a bit better about looking after new students and making corrections (though there are still those who are pretty slack in this department, something you'll find anywhere you practice). The Bad: My main gripes are that the heating/air system is pretty darn inconsistent, and the locker room a bit cramped (only three showers, there's usually a queue). I was also pretty unhappy when I bought a 50 class pass and wasn't told that there was a 20% off sale on passes in a few weeks, since I definitely would have held off and saved myself $100; if the owners were more of a presence, that might not have happened. That'd be another difference from the Fitzroy studio. I'll throw in my tidbit of first-timer advice here, too: go at least three times before deciding whether it's for you -- try not to judge right away. If I hadn't gotten that advice when I went the first time, I probably would have never gone back. The first time or two are the hardest because you don't know what the hell is going on and all you can think about is the heat. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself. And do your very best to listen and follow the teacher's instructions.

All of my Bikram practice occurs at the Richmond studio. It has a really convenient location, close…read moreto trams and train (about a 10 minute walk). Some other reviews of the studio mention the carpet. A couple of months ago, the studio introduced carpets that don't absorb the moisture associated with the practice. I find that the studio doesn't maintain that mustiness as much as it used to. Given the popularity of the studio, it's facilities are quite small (2 bathroom stalls and 3 showers for the girls) and do struggle to cope with the influx of eager students. Lockers are free and there is free mat storage for regulars. Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday are definitely the busiest days, most likely repenting for the weekend but don't let that put you off. Bikram is tough work, but don't give up on the practice. The more you go, honestly the better you feel. Suitable for all skill levels it's quite a workout aided by the lovely (although you may not think it at the time) instructors. A fan.

Kula means community and that's exactly what this lovely yoga studio creates. Its friendly,…read moreknowledgeable staff create a holistic approach to health and wellness through their 60 minute hot, flow and yin classes. In addition to this, the facility houses Eastern Osteopathy and other complementary health services. They have recently started classes for mums to be. The yoga classes are housed in one of two spacious and welcoming rooms, birds and flower wall art, as well as dim lights creates a peaceful, reflective atmosphere. Each instructor will deliver the class with different poses and balances. Challenges are provided for those who want extension, but classes are just as enjoyable for beginners with plenty of alignment cues and individualised options provided. It's a beautiful place...

Wonderful studio located on Camberwell Road (roadside parking) on the second storey. The studio has…read morecubby holes, kitchenette, showers and 2 studio rooms but you should bring your own mat, towel and water bottle. I have attended 2 hot yoga classes here using Bodypass and both of them have been very similar. It is a stronger yoga but not Bikhram as the temperature is slightly lower and the moves have more flow. The instructor roams around which is fine but they don't really adjust people...to make this place really great would be if the instructor could provide clearer options for different levels and demonstrate more positioning and alignment. To me a beginner may find Hot yoga slightly daunting but please don't give up, it probably takes 2-3 goes in this class to be more comfortable but it is great the instructor always encourages you to take a breather in child's pose or downward dog whenever needed. They also offer many other types of classes but not all of them are available to bodypass so you may wish to go directly to the studio to inquire about this.

Tucked away on River St, One Hot Yoga seems to be one of the more popular studios south side…read more Taking advantage of the $20 unlimited 2 week offer. I have been to two classes this week. The studio is just like in the pictures, clean, modern and fresh. However I found for my first two times to the studio, that the staff weren't very helpful in explaining the studio. Having to line up several times to ask questions, as they didn't tell me the info straight off. Studio 2 is also down the road, 2 doors down, supposedly you can't miss - which I did. While I loved the studio and the class, I felt the staff weren't the most helpful/friendly so I will continue the hunt for another hot yoga studio.

Utterly rude company ! Locking a new customer out arriving within 5 mins of the start time and…read moreready to slip in the back of class ! Already paid mind you. They have 2 separate entrances, and went to the wrong one first, which I got to on time! No warnings on your website in big print to your mean practice. Nor any signs in your foyer and your door unlocked, but you lock people out! Does it get any ruder!!!!!! What a disgrace of a company!!! Hate to think how much business you've lost with your inflexible, arrogant unhelpful attitude. You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Never will I go there again ! No one should join such a rude company !!!! And the manager that got on the phone had a very patronising voice and attitude!!!

A great new studio in the St. Kilda area. Close to tram stop #34 on lines 3/3a and 67…read more The directions are kinda weird, but makes sense after your first visit. Walk west on Inkerman road from St. Kilda road and a bright neon sign on the right side saying "HOT YOGA" like a beacon of peace and serenity.... walk through the parking lot and turn left to go up the stairs and you see the graffiti bomb exploding "Hot Yoga" over the white walls. Walking inside is nice, clean, and bright without being too pretentious. I went on Friday morning with Bettina teaches heated vinyasa flow. Not bikram, more Moksha. The shower facilities are great, with quality soap and shampoo that soothes your scalp, skin, and soul. Highly recommended... the only reason I didn't give five stars was because the schedule is a bit limited, but I'm sure it will expand because this venue is GREAT!

Conveniently located near the 3/3a/67 tram stop at Inkerman, the studio can actually be a bit…read moretricky to find, nestled as it is at the back of the building on the second floor, accessible only after venturing down a dead end parking lane, past industrial rubbish bins. As you wonder whether you should venture up that lane, for the avoidance of doubt, there is a reassuring green-glowing Hot Yoga sign on Inkerman, looking like it was repurposed from a red light district. After exploring up a neighbor's stairs and across an elevated walkway, you are greeted by a clean and modern studio space with abundant lighting and high ceilings. Changing rooms are a bit tight but fully equipped with showers and lockers. The welcoming space could be contrasted with the vibe/culture - the place takes itself a little bit too seriously. This is the kind of place that has scented spray on the toilet. Where the instructor insecurely kicks off class by informing you of the rigorous yoga workshops they recently attended. If you're going to show up less than a few minutes early, don't bother- you'll be locked out. If you don't have a mat or forgot yours, there are none to borrow, but they will sell you an overpriced one. And even if you do bring your own, you'll have to take it and bring each time as there's no mat storage.

Unlike any yoga class I've ever taken, or studio I've ever been to - to understand Humming Puppy…read moreyou've got to try it for yourself! Well worth the per class price.

Woah, I was hummed right into a state of utter relaxation! We opted for their most relaxing class…read moreand were not disappointed. A mix of yin and other less dynamic styles of yoga, and finishing with some meditation activities, I left feeling about five years younger! The interior is very chic and set-up much like a day spa, including free hairbands, towels for use and coconut water and tea on arrival. They even have lockers with phone chargers in them, hello 2016! Wish I lived in Melbourne so I could attend this studio's classes regularly.

Yoga Flame has a range of classes including Hot Yoga, Yoga Basics, Power Flow, Vinyasa Flow, and…read moreYin Yoga. Hot Yoga, their signature class, is NOT Bikram. It's based on Jimmy Barkan and Hatha styles and the room is heated to 34 degrees. You will sweat, you will challenge yourself and you will feel fantastic afterwards. I've tried other hot yoga studios but I personally prefer Yoga Flame as the the heating can be adjusted for the cooling poses. I felt like a fried egg at another studio and couldn't wait to get out of there during savasana as the floor was so hot!

None of your fancy shmancy #InstaYoga crap here. A simple, clean and comfortable studio with great…read moreclasses on offer both early and late, seven days a week. This isn't where the pretty people come to Instagram themselves doing yoga, this is where you come to work hard and yoga like a mindful b*tch. Where you can feel comfortable to strip your sweat-sodden t-shirt off mid-practice, where you can fall on your face in Crow pose and laugh, and where there's just enough of the "weird" spiritual side of yoga to keep even the hardcore yogis happy. Recommend the Sunday morning 90m Hot class if you're not too hungover. Yoga Flame is my happy place.