Me, doing yoga? I know, what has the world come to?!…read more I'd wanted to try yoga for ages but I could never find somewhere that had classes when I wanted them and I was worried about being a newbie. A friend of mine posted about Infinity Yoga on instagram, and when I looked into it, it seemed like it could be for me. Based in Merchant City/Trongate behind Mono, they have a jam-packed timetable of classes so there should be something to suit everyone. While the classes are mostly heated classes, they do have Hatha yoga (no heating) and pilates. I went along to the lunch time session to try Hatha yoga. I'm not going to lie, I was really, really nervous. Thankfully the staff were really friendly and explained everything to me so I relaxed quickly. You leave your shoes at the door, and check in on the clipboard. There's changing areas with showers and you leave your stuff on the racks (it's all secure from the public so no need to worry). There's one main yoga space with mats laid out. I went in, picked a mat and got into the class, lead by Gemma. I found it a real struggle (I won't lie, I stupidly thought yoga would be easy) but at the same time I really loved it. Gemma was a great instructor, giving detailed instructions and always checking everyone was doing the poses right (or as close to it as I could manage, ha!) The lunch class goes for 45 minutes and I left feeling all stretched out, relaxed and euphoric. I'm really looking forward to going back, and am planning on going at least once a week from now on. - A beginner's membership is £15 for 3 classes, and then they have a range of options after that like pay-as-you-go or monthly memberships, or bulk packs of 10 classes. - Parking is available at King Street car park for £1.90 for an hour. - Bring a water bottle and towel. - No need to bring a yoga mat as they are provided for you.

Aww this is a GREAT yoga studio!…read more I'm currently on their introduction package, which is as much yoga as you like for 30 days for £30 - a fantastic deal. I'm in week 2 of it, and have been to, I think, 6 classes, and have had 6 different instructors! There's a wide range of different styles of yoga on offer, and the instructors seem really versatile. They're also just really lovely. What has really struck me about this place is the friendliness of it. The instructors seem to like to have a bit of a wee giggle during class - they often attend each other's classes, so there's some good natured banter. It's certainly not a place for po-faced yogis. And the other clients will say hello and have a little chat too. It's just a nice friendly, down to earth place. I love the studio itself. A long wooden floored studio with full length mirrors up one side (OK I hate the mirrors part of it - ugh!), and it's so lovely and toasty warm. Even if it's not a hot yoga class, there's beautiful residual warmth and it's so comfortable and relaxing. The mats are steamed after each class which is great for hygiene, and you are provided with towels or little face towels if you need them, for no charge. Shoes are left at the door, so you can pad about barefoot and still have lovely clean tootsies. So I'm enjoying it so far and the 30 day trial is a good opportunity to find out if it will suit me long term. But already I feel quite at home here.

Hidden in a lane off of Byres road, just across the street from the Hillhead subway station, Bikram…read moreYoga is a great place for yoga adepts. Bikram sessions consist of a sequence of set yoga poses and last 90 minutes, in a studio heated at about 40 degrees C° (please don't rely on me for precise measures :-)) I love going there anytime I need to be energised and revitalised. I get truly relaxed after a session, and at the same time full of energy. I should go more often than I do, but I find it hard to keep a routine. After taking their £20 for 20 session offer though, I could really see a difference. Spaced one-off sessions work as well! Make sure that you drink a lot before going and avoid eating for 3 hours prior (also avoid drinking the day before, or over-eating...unless you don't mind getting a bit sick). I've done both early morning and evening sessions. The advantage of the early morning (8.15 in particular) is that you have plenty of space because there is way fewer people attending. The advantage of the evening is that you don't need to go without having had breakfast :-) Staff if really nice too. Don't forget to bring a mat, towel and bottle of water, although you can rent them out as well. Enjoy!

This place is my sanctuary. A sanctuary where everyone is welcomed no matter who you are or what…read moreyou look like. In a world where judgement is a constant, it's nice to walk in the Bikram Yoga West End doors and know that not a single person is there to judge you, rather, are there to focus on taking care of themselves. It's a wonderful thing. Unassuming, down an alley off Byres road, this place is a gem. I have been practicing here for roughly 3 months (with a few weeks here and there taken off due to visitors to Glasgow and other things happening), but I'm back and I'm well and truly on my way back to the level of fitness I was prior to taking a break. I never practiced with Stephen and the gang before they opened this Byres Road location, but they have loads of regulars who have been with them from the beginning. I've practiced Bikram yoga in the states, so I get the idea of it, but for those of you who have never been, or who are new to start, it's basically a series of 26 postures done one right after each other in a hot and humid room. It's 90 minutes of a cardiovascular (no, not running about) yoga workout, all while centering yourself and clearing your head preparing you for your day/night. It really is the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I really start feeling the benefits after day 1. Don't be scared to come in and say hello (make sure to take your shoes off at the top of the stairs), the staff and all the teachers are warm and welcoming, as a Yoga studio should be. They have crackin' deals if you're a student, and if you're a student or non-student, it's totally worth trying out Bikram Yoga West End as they do a 30 days for £30 deal, with a huge discount on top of the membership prices if you join before the 30 days is over. Aside from all that loveliness, they have towel and mat rental, and locks for lockers to borrow on the day. They have bottles of plain water and coconut water for sale, and various other snacks and clothing to buy. What's best is there is a rest and relaxation area where you can gather your thoughts before and/or after class, have a cup of (free) tea (they usually have 2 flavours going at any moment) and chat with the friends you'll make. There are also changing areas and showers for those of you on the move and needing to be cleaned up after sweating like crazy! I'm almost certain I've practiced with every teacher here so far, and can assure you that each and every one of them are amazing and teach a little different than the next. All with the same script and postures, but some will correct you if you're not in the proper posture, and some will just let you on your way and figure it out with your class mates. Personally, I enjoy Sherands classes the best, but maybe that's just because we're both American. Hehe, I kid, but she's really great and is one of the teachers who help you correct your postures to get the maximum benefit from your practice. All in all, this place is great. Do yourself a favour and check it out. You'll thank yourself for it!!

Beautiful yoga studio running a wide variety of yoga and movement classes, providing a very…read morepeaceful and calm atmosphere to practice in. I have been going to the lovely Thursday evening class with Melissa Corazón, a gentle but thorough yoga class which also explores breathing techniques. I also sometimes attend Jude's monthly workshops which are deeply relaxing and meditative. At first the studio can be tricky to find, along Berkeley Street behind the Mitchell library and then on the 2nd floor above the Glasgow Unitarian Church, but once you've been once its no problem after that. Its definitely worth searching out.

It's been a while now and I'm still here - so I guess it is time for an update…read more I still mean everything I wrote in my previous review: I love the atmosphere, the interior, the variety in classes and most importantly, the people. Since my last review, I did not give up on Barre classes, and even though I still think of my old love Lagree Fitness at times, I am more than happy that Barre is here for me. I know this is just the type of training I can keep on doing for a long time - because I love it, because it challenges me and because the results show. There is a lot of room for improvement, both in skills and my body, but I feel I can change in a sustainable way, levelling up gradually. I have also started doing yoga regularly, taking mostly Foundations classes. This is a beginner type of activity, and as I only learned from videos before, it helped me a lot to get things right. But this is not the biggest asset of this class: the time and location makes it possible to have this as our regular event with my boyfriend, who is away three to four days a week, and comes back on Thursday afternoons, full of stress and various work related thoughts. We really need something that helps us leave all problems behind for a while, ease our minds and be able to concentrate on what is before us - and this is exactly something that was not possible before we both started participating in our weekly sessions. Neither of the two different experiences would be the same without the ladies I had the joy of meeting in this studio. Not only are all instructors absolutely brilliant, kind, helpful as well as beautiful personalities, but I can say just as nice things about the clientele these wonderful people attract here. So the overall verdict is - possibly all the stars in the sky. I hope The Kali Collective are here to stay for long.

Tucked away in the pentagon building the Kali collective is somewhat of a hidden gem…read more There are a good mixture of classes with a variety of yoga and levels. I particularly love Katie's barre class for a tough yet rewarding work out. Ultimately it is the instructors that make this studio. They are so friendly, so positive and make the studio the sort of place you always want to go.

YogaJo's is a beautiful dedicated yoga studio in Milngavie that runs yoga classes for pretty much…read moreeveryone. I prefer the gentler styles of yoga like hatha and yin, but they also run astanga and flow classes for those who prefer faster paced classes. They also run classes for kids and teens - my niece goes every week and loves it. The studio is bright, clean and spacious with tea, coffee and sometimes even cake, but best of all is the welcoming atmosphere they generate. All the teachers and students are just so friendly and as a regular participant you begin to feel part of the community there rather than just a random visitor. As a result you begin to deepen your yoga practice not just through the classes, but through your interaction with your fellow students. For me, this is what a yoga studio should really be all about, rather than just somewhere to go and work out.

Whether you're a novice or a hard core yogi, Chi and Co has something for you…read more I've been around and have practiced in a number of Glasgow studios. After making the leap and moving south of the river *gasp* I started taking classes at Chi. I reconnected with one of my former teachers Cathy Moran, who I practiced under at the Movement Studio in Park Circus and Merchant City Yoga. From Seasonal Flow, Ashtanga (my personal favourite), Yoga for Runners, even Aerial Yoga; there is something for every skill level. Mat and reformer pilates classes are also taught in the smaller of the two studios. Pros: - Variety of classes - Ashtanga - Great teachers who provide adjustments where you need it - Small classes - Online booking - Great value if you're an avid yogi and attend classes often, which I do (£55/month) Cons: - Smaller studio space than what I'm used to (but hey I've been to a studio that was operating in what was essentially a bedroom in the West End!) - those classes are never overcrowded and you will never elbow/hit anyone - Can be expensive at £12/class If you want to see the human body do insane things check out Cathy's 10:30am Saturday class... but make sure you've been practicing for months before attending!

Chi & Co has now moved to Seasonal Yoga Academy, 46 Darnley Street, Polloksheilds…read more W: seasonalyoga.net E: admin@seasonalyoga.net

When I first started attending Pilates at The Yoga & Pilates Place, it had been close to a decade…read moresince I had practiced. I felt right at home in the studio, and everyone made me feel welcome. Gail is a great instructor, always with an encouraging word and making sure that everyone is working to the best of their abilities. The Yoga/Mat room is brilliant when the sun is out; it really warms up the room. I've enjoyed the mat based classes so much, that I'll be starting reformer classes this weekend and I'm really looking forward to it!

I've only started Pilates recently as I couldn't go to the gym due to a broken wrist…read moreSurprisingly I'm enjoying it. I'm really impressed with the studio it's clean bright and airy, not like my previous gym. My instructor Hannah has great patience and is encouraging If your thinking about starting a class then I'd recommend The Yoga & Pilates Place

This is a charming little Pilates, Yoga and Reiki centre tucked discreetly just off of Clarkston…read moreRoad. It's small but this makes it feel homely and welcoming. This homely and welcoming impression is furthered by the warm wine tones used for decoration. Meanwhile, inside the centre is comfortable, clean and inviting. The staff especially help make this centre approachable and inviting; particularly considering that some people may be slightly standoffish about these types of alternative medicine and/or treatments. As the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. This meant they took time to chat with my and a friend when we popped in out of curiosity (and a few enquires of the mother's). Leaving the centre, I felt comfortable and armed with much more information and ready to recommend this place further. While, it's not exactly my cup of tea, I can appreciate it and understand others enthusiasm towards it. So if you're at all interested, I'd recommend this particular centre for a nosey.

I love yoga, it really does make a difference to your health and body, honestly it does! So I am…read morealways happy when I find a place that does this sort of thing and has a bit of a belief that you can use alternatives to medecine, etc. There are some amazing stories, about people adopting this sort of lifestyle and curing various illnesses. Yoga Inspiration can ease you gently into a better lifestyle allround, whether you get benefit from only one aspect, it is a great place to go just for some relaxation. Everyone loves being treated and having great feelings through their body. The treatments are fairly priced, and staff are very nice. Ask them anything.