Frank, the instructor from Rathdowne Yoga, is a total champion. He was so encouraging and patient…read morewith me when I was too inflexible to do the most basic movements. Even the resting poses felt like a work out to me! Having said that, by the end of the 12-week beginners program, I had significantly improved. That's all thanks to Frank, who knew to push me a little harder than I wanted to go and to give me little bits of encouragement when he could see my muscles shaking and the strain on my face, when the rest of the class looked as though they were peacefully meditating. Having now done two beginners courses at two different Yoga centres, both of which I have thoroughly enjoyed, I think Rathdowne Yoga's course was a little more intense than the one that I'm currently doing at Gertrude Street Yoga, so if you're looking for something a little more cruisey and relaxing I might suggest the later. But if you want to push yourself a little more (and are less interested in the meditative aspect of Yoga), Rathdowne Yoga is the place to go!

I'll start by saying that I really like the concept of barre body & it's a great workout. The…read morereason for the lackluster score is twofold- 1. I think the price is utterly ridiculous & 2. There's no good 'beginner class' options which means people are more prone to injuring themselves due to lack of knowledge or technique. I did about 3 weeks of classes (and intro 2 week deal and a week afterwards) and went probably 9 times so I got a great overall view of the classes. The teachers were really lovely but a few moved far too quickly through the yoga components of the classes & I could see people struggling to keep up & rushing their poses to do so (which will lead to injury eventually). There was no explanation to newbies about the poses and no real extra attention paid to them. For those in the know the workout is excellent - it's quite lower limb heavy but different classes are varied and it is hard work- my butt & legs were killing me for days after each class!! The price. Woah. It's so expensive. Over $200 a month for unlimited classes! That's too much by anyone's standards. Their overheads are not that excessive. So what's my summary - eh, if you can afford it, do some yoga classes somewhere else first so you get to know the poses and then go nuts. You'll get a great workout with lovely teachers in a truly gorgeous space.

I admit I was pretty intimidated about the idea of doing a Barre class. I always thought it would…read morebe some kind of ballet show-off session with super toned chicks in impossibly skimpy outfits making me feel fat and frumpy. After some friends and my Pilates teacher filled me in on what REALLY goes on here, I thought I'd bite the bullet and give it a try with the two week $50 pass as a way to shake up my exercise regime. I'm really glad I did and can confirm a few things for anyone else wondering if they should take the plunge. 1) There's women of all shapes and sizes here. I once also saw a guy, but usually it's a women only affair. 2) Apart from the Barre that you use for some exercises and a couple of ballet terms, it's not very ballet/dancy at all. 3) The teachers are very kind and super lovely. There's none of that "look at me I'm so great" attitude you might get elsewhere. 4) The Barre Tone classes will make you sweat and work muscles in small but excruciating ways. 5) Your arms, legs and bum will look and feel better in just a month! I'm now attending two or three classes a week (mostly Barre Tone and Barre Body ones) and really love how it has improved my fitness, flexibility and strength in just a couple of months. The online booking system is very easy to use, though I wish you could book more than a week in advance as I like having my schedule organised a fortnight at a time. I also really like that I can use class credits in any of the Barre Body studios around Melbourne and Sydney as this gives me more flexibility when travelling.

I've been doing various types of yoga since 1997, and though I'm still not any good at it (through…read moreno fault of the many instructors I've seen, just my own slackness), I kind of know now what makes for a really good yoga class. And I reckon Yogascentials has got all the right ingredients. Firstly, a supportive teacher - Maghie, the yoga instructor here, has trained for over 20 years and has a natural knack for teaching and offering guidance. Then, each class duration is 1.5 hours, which I reckon is the ideal length for a yoga class - long enough for your muscles to get warm and stretchy, to work on breathing technique, and to enjoy well-deserved relaxation/meditation. And finally, the room at Yogascentials is pleasantly lit, a good size for class numbers, and is clean. Yoga mats and other equipment are provided, but if you're going to practice yoga regularly, it is well worth it to buy your own mat. Casual classes are $17 or you can purchase a 10-class pass for $150. Alternatively, sign up for a 10-week course for $150. And there are classes to suit all levels of yogis. The number 1 and 8 trams stop outside on Lygon Street.

Beautiful and welcoming studio! In Melbourne for a few days and signed up for two classes. Small…read moreclass size and judgement free zone!

Ok, so you tried Bikram once and you passed out from the heat and awoke to an auctioneer-style…read moreinstructor barking orders at you and not even noticing your distress. You thought, 'bugger this hot yoga thing' But wait: not all hot yoga was created equally (only bikram yoga studios were) Fear not! There is another style which is practised in various locations. Often called 'power flow,' this vinyasa style which is often paired with yin, is in my opinion far more accessible, exciting and fun than any other type I've tried. I've sampled most studios in this area and Yoga 37 is my pick of the bunch. Here's why... It's laid back seeing and layout is far less pretentious than nearby studios. It has showers which are an essential for sweaty yoga (duh right?) but are missing from some competitors. The feeling of a neighborhood yogi family is created by the staff's willingness to have a chat before and after class. And I don't mean those chats where they tell you to get anal irrigation or to align your chi flow or generally make you feel like a clumsy incompetent yoga poser. Rather they will joke and share plans for the weekend. Personally I was shocked by the owner Penny, remembering my name after I only came along that one time! Another plus is that all classes are only 60min long. This means they are significantly more achievable for newbies and much easier to fit into your schedule compared to the 75-90 min sessions offered elsewhere. Thankfully they provide mats and all equipment, and if you get a trial offer online it will be far better value than others. So what's not to love? A word of caution though: your likely to commence a life long addiction to increased flexibility, clean skin and strength.

One of the most gorgeous Yoga studios I've ever been to. 2 beautiful studios with high ceilings and…read morehuge windows. Just makes it light and airy and good for clearing my mind. Always smells like Chai Tea inside too. MMMMMM. Such great instructors, but you better forget everything you thought you knew about Yoga. It's a hard place, this isn't your super relaxing nap-time Yoga studio. But for some serious Yoga and pushing your limits, you can do it here. FIND YOUR ZEN.

In yet another sad, sad attempt to contract that yoga addiction so many of my friends seem to have,…read moreI did the 5 week introductory course at Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Melbourne. I figured that committing to two classes per week, at 1.5 hours each, I would finally catch that yoga bug or die trying. The classes were good, the instructor very patient and hands-on. It was definitely the most physically demanding yoga practice I've tried (yet a hell of a lot more enjoyable than Bikram) - really, I think if any practice was going to get me hooked, it would be Ashtanga. But it didn't. I think it's no fault of the school - I can't fault them - it's just I lack the earnestness required for yoga. So, while I'm clearly too spiritually deficient for Ashtanga, I wouldn't hesitate recommending these classes to anyone after quality yoga instruction.

Those those in the know, it's called PLAY (Power Living Australia Yoga)…read more I highly recommend the 8pm revive/yin class with Alisha is a great way to start the night. There are plenty of classes throughout the day consisting of power flow, flow for beginners, and meditation space before/after some of the classes. I love the availability of the 12:15 lunctime class to relieve the email stress of the AM. The studio is brand new with polished wood, and sealed/painted concrete for the rest of the space. There are free mats in the studio so you don't have to worry if you forget your own. If you need a bolster, make sure to grab the pillows from the lounge... they're bolsters! Dual purpose = winning. In the men's changing room they have delicious smelling hand soap and hand cream. Worth moisturizing.

From the owner: Modern Yoga in the heart of Fitzroy. Heated and non-heated…read morevinyasa in beautifully lit yoga studios. Yin yoga daily. Warm and welcoming community.