I had to grow into Bikram yoga. When I first tried the method 10 or 12 years ago, the heat…read moreoverwhelmed me, and I was still happily doing endless vinyasa classes. I went a few times, stopped, and returned years later with a different body and a much greater appreciation for this modality. Founded in 2002, Philly Hot Yoga is approaching a quarter century in Philadelphia, and that longevity is visible in the maturity of the entire operation. Following the classic Bikram method, each class moves through 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises in the same order every time. The studio offers 60, 75, and 90 minute formats, with the practice space heated to 105 degrees and 50% humidity. I leave completely soaked and usually need a while for my body to cool down, which can feel intense when you are just beginning. What once felt punishing now feels like a deep rinse, clearing out physical tension and whatever mental clutter I carried upstairs. Tucked above Sherman Brothers at 1520 Sansom Street, the entrance can be easy to miss the first time. Walk toward the shoe store, take the door immediately to the right, and head upstairs to the third floor. The building has an older Philadelphia texture, with bright paint, welcoming energy, and quirks earned over decades. I especially appreciate it when the windows are open before or after class in winter, letting cold air move through as everyone recovers from the heat. Throughout my visits, everything has been clean and tranquil, and the staff members have been kind, helpful, and flexible. I remember once forgetting a card or having some similar payment issue, and they handled it with generosity instead of turning it into a production. The locker rooms are fairly small, and the men's showers are tight, but everything necessary is there when you need to clean up and continue your day. A filtered water fountain makes it easy to refill your bottle, which is essential to feeling good after that much heat and sweat, and towels are available to rent for $2. Dan, Lauren, and Chris have all taught classes I especially enjoyed, though I have probably practiced with more teachers than I can recall from my account history. The instruction is precise and encouraging without becoming performative, which suits a sequence built around patience and sustained attention. My wrists and shoulders have absorbed too many years of planks, pushups, and pullups, so this practice has become an important counterbalance. It reaches deep into my lower back, quads, and hamstrings, helping correct the subtle forward hunch caused by years of running and sitting at a keyboard. Although the schedule also includes Yin, all levels of Vinyasa, and Hot Pilates, every class I have taken here has been Classic Hot Bikram Yoga. That sequence still feels like the studio's center of gravity. A nearly 25-year run says a great deal in a city where independent fitness businesses face constant pressure and rapid turnover. Philly Hot Yoga has endured by staying clean, welcoming, and true to itself. I love its soul, appreciate its roots, and feel grateful that a place this uniquely Philadelphia is still here and succeeding.

I love taking a yoga class when visiting a new city. I picked Hot Yoga Philly and was in for a lot…read moreof sweat and a real treat of a teacher. I usually do hot vinyasa flow classes and threw myself into something different this time, with a 90-min Bikram class led by Mia. Lots of breath work in the asanas and varations on poses from backbends (camel rather than wheel) and a nice vibe in the class. Nice little locker room and awesome pics of yogis doing complicated and gorgeous poses over the years the studio has been around. A+ for anyone in the area.

I was in Philadelphia for the weekend. I went to Practice Yoga and the studio was nice and clean…read more Ellen is very knowledgeable, however she came out a little rude. In the middle of the class she started talking about politics, then she looked at me and asked me if I was Republican(in front of everyone) like trying to embarrassing me. I don't think a Yoga studio is the right place to talk about politics. I have been practicing yoga since 2010 and I have been in many studios, I am still learning (we never stop learning) I am ok with corrections in a nice, respectful way; but Ellen was rude and with a condescending tone. Not a friendly atmosphere.

This is an interesting yoga studio with very nice classes in a great Queen Village location.read more

Experienced and skillful teaching and the only place to practice authentic ashtanga in Philadelphia.read more

Though I've been practicing yoga for several years, I've only been studying ashtanga a couple…read moremonths. I make an 80 mile round trip drive to come to this shala. Is it worth it, you bet ya!! Okay, so parking can be a pain depending on time of day, you have no choice but to climb three flights of stairs before you even get to practice AND it isn't exactly a new, building (paint's chipping, floor boards are chipped and taped down in places). So, what is appealing about this place? Instruction is top notch. David is no longer teaching at the shala on a regular basis, but you can still train with him at workshops and intensives. Elizabeth Sitzler is now the primary teacher and she is knowledgable, genuine and caring. The sense of community at the shala is overwhelming. I have felt welcome from the moment I joined and at no point have I felt otherwise. Even during the intensive that I just did, where I was one of the newest people and hardly knew anyone, I was welcomed in with warmth and love. I don't know what the previous person was talking about with the shala having a "competitive atmosphere". Perhaps she was MAKING her own personal practice competitive. Each person is doing their own practice at their own pace and shouldn't even be looking around at others. I have never gotten this impression at all in the couple months I have been here. Overall, I would highly recommend AYS. Visitors in Philly who have an established ashtanga practice should not hesitate to drop in. In addition, those looking to start an ashtanga practice should look at their beginner program- where you go four days a week for a month.

I went to the free introductory class tat happens on Saturdays at 12:45. Maggie was the instructor…read more She explained a little bit about how Muse does the practice before starting the session. Maggie was helpful with modifications for those of us who needed them. The i traduce class is a great way to see the studio and how yoga is done here. They offer a special $39 for 30 days for first timers and give you a little goodie bag too! The person at the front desk was welcoming. The space was a little warm for me. Maggie opened the door for a little cool air. Parking is a little ouch with just street parking. I will definitely go back for some classes.

I've recently joined muse for their new member deal and I've fell in love. Their classes are…read morereasonably priced and they also have some free community classes as well. My favorite of the classes has to be the hot yoga (of course) and I love the classes taught by Gina because she teaches everything in a way a newbie yogi can understand and she helps guide you if you need. In the summer also offer rooftop classes which I find super fun as well, especially because all of the members are always so friendly and social. Something else I really appreciate compared to other yoga classes in the city is that the classes are more intimate and I feel more connected with the teachers. I feel like in other facilities it's been super crowded and I feel very overwhelmed so muse does a good job of spacing out the availability.

Fabulous down to earth beautiful studio! Went while visiting Philly, took a class from Angela and…read morereally enjoyed it.

Best yoga studio ever! The most knowledgeable teachers and a variety of amazing classes! Highly…read morerecommend!!!

DO NOT SIGN UP FOR ANY EVENTS AT YOGA HIVE!!…read more Went to the Alpaca Yoga event with a friend. Paid almost $50 per ticket for the 9am class. Not a single Alpaca in sight for the entire class, and none showed up by the time we left. Got a "we're sorry" email inviting me to another event (that I had no interest in going to) or money off a membership (which doesn't make any sense since I don't live in South Philly). I called the studio 3 times over the course of 1.5 weeks. The person answering the first two calls said the owners would definitely call me back. No calls from the owners. On the 3rd call to the studio I was informed that "the owners aren't able to give a refund". Are you kidding me? I'm sure they are more than capable of giving refunds. They just can't be bothered, apparently. Do not go to an event here!

Alpaca yoga at 10AM today was nothing short of a DEBACLE. The events that happened were…read morepotentially out of the control of the owners, but they way they handled it was even more terrible. Clearly they are in dire need of customer service training. The way they responded to the issue was pathetic. :( I arrived 5 minutes early for my 10AM, 30 minute long, $50 alpaca yoga class. This was originally advertised as "baby" alpaca yoga. I think the name was later changed to just alpaca yoga, but they forgot to change the description in the text of the FB event. No offense to the full grown animals who eventually arrived, but the description should be accurate. Our class started at 10:12AM, with the disclaimer that the alpacas were running late and were on their way. We begin class. At 10:26AM the alpacas were still not there so I ask if there will be a refund, because I did not pay $50 for a regular yoga class. I pay a monthly unlimited fee at a studio near my house, so why would I come to this one if no alpacas are there? Finally the alpacas arrive - 1 full grown and 1 adolescent. The handler tries to get the first one inside, and basically drags it in the door and across the floor. It looks like it's legs were going to break. Everyone was watching with their jaws hanging open, in horror. I think it was ok, it was just so terrified, that it was frozen. That one then just lies in the corner, huddled on the ground, clearly distressed. Then the handler tries to get the big one, who is 4 years old: Shane, in the door. He won't come in. Clearly he is scared. The woman tries to wrestle him in the door about 3 times, but he is too big for her to lift, so eventually he just stays outside. They try to appease us with baby bunnies, who were cute, but also scared, and that's not what I paid for. The class ends, one scared alpaca is inside for a few minutes, I go outside to pet the scared alpaca outside. Meanwhile, people from the 11AM class keep trying to come inside, looking confused. 1. The owners should have advertised that these were not babies. 2. The owners should have contracted with a reliable alpaca handler who would be on time, or even better, early. 3. They should also contract with a handler who has socialized animals who won't be terrified in yoga situations. Shane clearly wasn't prepared to go into a studio with 12-15 women in there, in the city. 4. The owners never ONCE said anything to the effect of "I'm sorry" or "my apologies" 5. They just sat in the back the whole time, not speaking, and left their poor yoga teacher to field everyone's complaints. 6. They never once got up in the front, unsolicited, to explain the situation or field anyone's complaints, not until confronted by class members. 7. When confronted, the owner with the black hair, was very hostile to the class members and in a mean voice reprimanded us that we should be fine because we were all "invited" to the 1PM alpaca yoga class in the park on June 1st. When asked by a class member what she should do, because she was not available on June 1st, the owner just gave her a dirty look and didn't answer. 8. Later on, the owner said (in a mean voice) that we'd be receiving an email with our "options" for today's class not going the way as planned, but didn't clearly explain any of them, other than the June 1st option. Bottom line: we should have been offered an explanation about what was going on in real time, should have been offered an apology, and a refund. None of us paid $50 for a regular stressful yoga class, rude vibes from the owner, and to watch horrified as alpacas were made to do things against their will. I will go to my "free" class on June 1st, but after that, will never patronize this place again.

I went for the first time on Friday at noon. I really really enjoyed this class! I have been going…read moreto core power but have been looking for a less corporate experience that was more community centric. This is the place! The Instructor and owner were both there, both wonderful! I felt super welcomed as a newbie, even by my fellow yogis! It was such a positive and fun vibe and real community experience, like made me feel part of the neighborhood. This was at point breeze location, I want to try the others too. It does get hot though as it's supposed to be hot yoga as described so make sure your hydrated great experience and workout overall 5 stars

Loveeee this spot! I've been to a few classes and always leave feeling mentally refreshed -classes…read moreare always challenging yet my body always feels relaxed and well stretched at the end. They have nice little touches as well like cool eucalyptus towels at the end of every class. I especially love Kara's classes - she is a wonderful teacher and class goes by so fast!

Wes teaches real down-to-earth yoga classes…read more I found out about Raja Yoga through Groupon and I'm so glad I did. Other yoga classes sometimes have this weird workout vibe, where they're going through the motions for the sake of going through the motions. Some teachers will let you go into a difficult pose in the wrong way, which could be dangerous. Not so with Wes. Wes understands how poses are supposed to go, and what they're supposed to do for you. He's extremely knowledgeable and vigilant about students doing yoga safely. Throughout the class, Wes conscientiously checks on everyone's postures, helping with adjustments where needed, and encourages students to be aware of what's going on with their own bodies. If you have trouble areas, he'll give helpful advice on how to account for them. Raja Yoga also offers other classes and workshops for those who are interested -- there are other yoga teachers also -- but I haven't been to all those. If you're looking for a simple, unassuming studio where you'll get real help with yoga, this is it.

The space is small, but quite pleasant (with a fireplace)! I…read morewent because I had a groupon, but didn't finish my five classes. Wes is a great teacher and I appreciate what he does, but the style wasn't for me. It felt really repetitive and uninspiring. The best part was the extra long vinyasa! You should check this place out. It's good, just not for me.