I wish I'd found Ashtanga 20 years ago. Or maybe not, could have wrecked myself in youthful…read morefoolishness. Like a martial art, ashtanga yoga is not just a physical discipline, it's about learning restraint, mental discipline and respect for both the body's abilities and its limitations. Zero gimmicks, zero props. Just you, the mat, and your breath. Shala is like a Co-Op, a more true to nature yoga centre versus a studio. Yoga is more a life-style or a daily practice to many practitioners who attend or lead in Shala, and thus the overall focus is self-led / Mysore style. Newcomers are welcomed and there are frequently beginner/refresher sessions on offer. Lead Yogi Kellie is the real deal, still travelling to Mysore to refresh her own practice, and sometimes hosting yogis from abroad for special sessions. There are also led classes, mostly ashtanga based but other options are available. As an older, creakier person I love the Ashtanga Lite on Wednesday and the Hatha class. The latter is legit, the facilitator is someone who grew up with a daily practice, which is refreshing. So often hatha is just rando stretching with a few traditional poses thrown in at yoga studios these days. As a yoga "home", classes at Shala are comparatively inexpensive. One can buy passes at a "pay what you can" rate, as low as $12/class. One of the drawbacks to this model is sadly not unexpected, but a reality nonetheless. Cleanliness is lacking. This yoga home is warm and inviting but the floors are not swept between classes. This drives me crazy. Nothing is worse than gravel on your yoga mat. The cloths used for wiping down mats are malodorous, like they sat wet in a cupboard somewhere. It's just a little unnecessarily ghetto, given the effort taken to make this historic building space comfortable. The other drawback is cancelled classes and late starts. I feel this is offset by instructor kindness, time flexibility (no rush to vacate ASAP), and understanding if one can't make a prebooked class. If you're an Ashtangi, or even contemplative, I'd highly recommend joining the Shala community to deepen your practice. I learned so much in just a few months here that my other yoga instructor commented on the noticeable improvements in my practice. Challenging to be sure, but so worth it.

Yelp has the address of this studio wrong! The correct address is 10018 105 St NW. Gold door at the…read moreback of the building. I love this place, and the people who run it. I've done lots of yoga in many of studios, and I have never learned as much as I have in the month I've been attending here. They have led classes (from restorative through the a**-kicking lunch-hour 3-count Ashtanga class). They also convinced me to try Mysore-style class after years of me being too scared, and it turns out I LOVE it: in Mysore style, you are given a sequence of positions to do at your own speed, and the teachers watch you and help you tweak each position for your body, so you're NEVER lost, you always know what muscles to use in what way, you can move at whatever speed works for you, and if you're not sure about something you can just ask the teacher. Mysore has made me and my practice way stronger than I ever thought possible. This place is super down-to-earth and not trying to sell you beauty products, just teach you the best yoga for you and your body. It's the best.

This has been my favourite yoga studio since my university days, and still to this day!!…read moreI had a tendency to travel to the south location regardless of what area of the city I lived in LOL Being the broke student I used to be, this studio was great for the budget-friendly clientele who couldn't afford full memberships or punch passes (or could not commit to using the passes) I mostly did the drop-in Friday night karma classes, which cost $5 for EVERY attendee (including pass holders) and goes into a pot that is donated to a particular charity chosen for that month (Customers can also put in their 2 cents of charity ideas too!) The karma classes were also a great way to encourage new yogi instructors in learning to teach a class and finding their own unique style I love hot yoga studios, the Metta (previously Moksha) yoga studio in particular, as they also seem to be at the right temperature for me in the last class of the (Fri)day The last class starts off pretty hot from the previous class then the fans get turned off midway & very slowly cools during the last half of the 60 minute flow class (Fantastic way to stretch before taking a nice hot shower & hitting the sack ) The staff are pretty friendly, who usually turn out to be the yoga instructors. My 2 favourite instructors are Trevor Robert & Jenn Clara - both high energy, outgoing, positive people with different styles of teaching the yoga classes!!

I've been going to the South Edmonton location as well as the West Edmonton location infrequently…read moreand have to say both are very welcoming, clean, well laid out studios. The staff are incredibly good at what they do and the classes are fantastic. You get out what you put in and you can have a fantastic workout in any of the classes. Instructors are knowledgeable, friendly and engaging. I drive from Sherwood Park to these classes. Well worth the drive for some of the best Hot Yoga sessions I've ever had.

I had done some yoga videos at home a few times, but YogaLife was my first studio yoga experience…read more Honestly, I think I had the perception that yoga was just fancy stretching, but I was so wrong! YogaLife is in South Edmonton Common, and the small store front is hiding a large and beautiful studio. The front of the studio has a tea lounge with couches, and there is a gentle smell of some aromatherapy in the air. There are benches and a large area to leave shoes and boots. You can check in for your class on an iPad at the front desk, and there are multiple studio rooms. There are change rooms with hooks for coats, sinks, washrooms and change stalls, and small lockers for valuables (be sure to bring your own lock!). I did my first visit with a friend and we got a short tour and explanation of the studio prior to the class. The whole studio feels very high end, and very welcoming. We picked a 75 minute Happy Hips class and it kicked my butt (literally)! The instructor was easy to follow, with excellent audio cues to guide us through the movements. I really appreciated this, as I'm not familiar with the names of all the yoga poses. The class had a perfect balance of stretching and warm up with strength movement, and I was sore for days afterwards (always a good sign). The class was completely full for a Tuesday night, and despite being new to yoga, I was never uncomfortable. It was a great experience and I'm hoping to try more classes soon.

So disappointed in Yogalife. Changing their clients membership terms, only to benefit themselves…read moreand reap the profits. I reached out to them and I thought they were going to right what they did, but the communication has ended from their end. This is a greedy company doing shady business.

I had previously heard about this place from a co-worker, and thought I would check it out as part…read moreof a Yelp event. The class I did was a combination of pilates, yoga, and cardio, which got the heart pumping in the 30 min introduction. It was fun, but at a hefty monthly fee of $160 a month, it's a little out of my price range. That, and it's located pretty far south (8708 51 Ave) for a northsider. They do offer a newcomer promo for $40 for 2 weeks, and then you can decide whether this workout is for you. Check out their website (http://thesurfstudio.ca/), as they offer a bunch of different classes. I came here at night, and the place was really easy to miss. Ample free parking out front.

Oh! Wow... this is WAY harder then I thought it would be, but such a novel and really neat way to…read morework out and get in shape. At first I thought this would just be a easy and fun way to get a little workout in, but after doing it a few times I am really blown away by how this is a complete, full body work out that you really work hard at - but not in that "I hate this" kind of way. The studio itself is really beautiful and gives you that "I just rolled into Southern California" vibe. With cool blues and Hawaii/Cali chic decor. And then there is not enough amazing things I can say about the owner, Natasha. She is cool, fun, positive and amazing at Surf Set fitness. I caught the tail end of one of the kids classes; amazing! Kids from 3 - 10 were woking out and having a blast - this is definitely a wonderful way for children to work out in a small class setting. Time to Hang 10 Edmonton!

Friendly staff, good instructors, nice change rooms, and decent pricing as far as hot yoga goes! I…read morereally enjoy going here. Arrive 10-20 min early, as certain time slots fill up quickly (especially weekend mornings). Overall, pretty great place. ** It is Bikram style, so the "Core 32" classes consist of around 26 poses (always the same ones). So over time you will really improve at these specific poses which is nice, but if you crave variety, try out their Yin class which incorporates other poses.

I must admit that I became to dislike many aspects of Bikram yoga and the things I disliked…read more(militant ways of teaching, not recognizing different bodies, pushing too hard, singling people out and discouraging modifications and drinking water) have been dropped and the better aspects (breathing exercises, the heat, the postures, experienced teachers) have been maintained. They also added new and different classes and are super welcoming. I love how this studio has evolved. I have been a student of theirs since the Whyte avenue days where lineups went into the street when they were the first hot yoga studio in the city. They asked us to grow as students and themselves have grown as a studio. This proves they listen to their students (and customers). They have a lot of experience and their classes reflect this. Overall it is a great studio. They have new laminate flooring, good air circulation and nice change rooms (although soap in the shower would be helpful). Definitely worth a try!

Guys, THIS PLACE. I'm loving boutique fitness more and more, but this has to be one of the nicest…read moreand most welcoming studios I have been to. Hive is located on Jasper and 104 street, with access right beside Corso 32. We parked in an Impark lot one block south of Jasper on 104th, but street parking is also available. There's a nice sandwich board pointing you in the door and up the stairs. When I arrived with my friend (also a newbie), we did the usual waiver signing and got a tour of the studio. After we had changed, a staff member sat with us and showed us how to use the rowing machines, and brought us all the blocks and bands we would need for the class. There are change rooms with bathrooms and showers, a lounge area, and some complimentary valuable lockers (I had to wait for one to free up after a previous class finished to store my purse). Hive offers rowing classes, yoga, HIIT and spin, meaning you can get a great variety of classes for purchasing one subscription or set of passes. We tried a rowing class because we had never done one before, and we were pretty nervous about the unknown. The class was tough, but also so fun! In between rowing we did mat work beside the machines that included arm work, lunges, push-ups etc. We did the class on Tuesday and my legs didn't feel normal again until Friday evening (always a good sign!). Our instructor was awesome, so high energy and encouraging, and consistently checking with us to make sure we understood movements and that our form was correct. Everything about our visit was great. The effort the staff have made to create a trendy environment that is welcoming, inclusive and encouraging is apparent. Definitely check out Hive for a great workout!

This place gets a 5/5 for me. I felt very Real Housewives of Edmonton coming with my girls at 9:30…read moreAM for Spin while our men slave away at work ;). Just kidding, we're all baddies with careers. I miraculously made it to class today so that's also a plus for me, yay! Anyway, the esthetic is on point. I especially love the honeycomb decor with the plants - I might even buy something like that and put it up in my home, very cute. They have some nice inspirational messages around as well so you can attempt to pump yourself up to workout. I do not like working out and I don't like being up at this time of day, but the ambience of the place made it more bearable. We're greeted at the door by a friendly staff member who helped me find spin shoes that fit properly. Then we were introduced to Lauren, our spin instructor. Everyone was so nice, asking me if I needed water, taking me on a tour, helping me stick my shoes in the peddles, adjusting my seat etc. I was like wow, this is a lot of care! I'm super low maintenance when I work out so all this attention was definitely an experience. I loved the seats here. They didn't make my behind ache when class was over. I'm actually sitting right now and feeling pretty comfortable. Class itself was awesome. I haven't done a spin class with weights before, and this was by far the best part of the workout for me. I love the isometric movements and could feel the burn for sure! I also had to laugh because so many people were hootin' and hollerin' it was awesome! I love when people get into the workout because it helps pump up those of us who were dragged out of bed kicking and screaming (not me). My favourite part of the workout was when it was over. No joke, they come around with MINT COLD TOWELS for you to wipe your face with. I was like damn, I must have made it. This is truly the life. I would definitely come back to this studio. I know they have a rowing class that I might want to check out. I will say that they do charge a pretty penny for these luxury workouts. There is also a no-show fee that is a whopping $15! I've never seen a no-show fee that high before. If money is your motivator, this is the place for you.

Took an advanced pilates class here and it was amazing! The instructor, the vibe of the studio…read more. everything.

Wow! All I gotta say is, Wow!…read more I have never been to a Yoga studio like this one since moving to Canada. First off, this studio is literally in the same strip mall as my daughter's dance studio - Um, yeah... Why did I not go here last year rather than sitting on a couch for 2 hours every week? So let's get the cons out of the way - It's located on the 2nd floor and there isn't a washroom in the Yoga studio but there is one in the hallway you can access with a key. It's a nice washroom and there is nothing wrong with it but I would just rather prefer a washroom inside the Yoga studio itself. Okay, on with the AWESOMEness! When you walk in the door, it's like you are walking into an beautiful and bright Indian inspired oasis with gorgeous fabrics and silks draped from the ceiling, brightly coloured walls, comfy couches and chairs and a beaded curtain leading to chagne rooms. I don't think I've ever walked in without being warmly greeted by at least one person if not two or three. There is a Sun room (hot and warm) and a Moon room (room temperature), They offer classes ranging from hot ( flow, yin, etc.) to relaxation to Hiit (yoga and interval) and many more that I haven't even tried yet. Their website breaks down each style of class offered: http://www.lahariyoga.ca/classes-description/ So far, I've gone to three of the Blissology series by instructor Michellene Kandert and have fallen madly in love with her style. First off, she's hillarious and sometimes makes us dance - yep, dance (especially on Friday night Happy Hour). She is real, supportive, and empowering - pretty much all you could ever ask for from a yoga instructor or human being! After yoga classes, you can sit and enjoy fruit/herb infused water, tea, coffee and snacks at their kitchen bar or lounge in their comfy couches in the "Om Kitchen & Lounge." If you go to a Happy Hour Friday class, there is literally a mini potluck afterwards and wine. Yep, that's right. Yoga followed by wine and treats! Does life get better than this? Me thinks not! Lahari also offers Men's only classes on their schedule (way cool) and kiddo classes as well. Definitely check out their website and live schedule to see what is coming up and give them a try! Your first class is always free - You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Prices are comparable with all other Yoga studios in town with drop in at $10 or a punch pass of 10 classes currently for $90. They also offer monthly, three months, and yearly memberships which are the way to go if you practice 2 or more times per week! I really can't say enough great things about this place and look forward to continuing to explore this studio and the instructors here! http://www.lahariyoga.ca/

I went to Yoga Central for the first time; I joined the beginners class as I don't have have much…read moreexperience. The instructor was aware that I have low back pain and throughout the session, she made sure I was okay with the exercises and offered me to do a different posture if I had pain. They have lockers to put our stuff such as wallet, car keys and jacket; they also lent me the lock :) There is parking available so you won't have to deal with street parking. They also have a promotion for new members of $50 for unlimited use during a month.

I took a beginners class @yoga central on a beautiful Saturday early afternoon…read more Everybody is really friendly and willing to help. Class length was one hour and it was a really good experience. Instructor had enough patience and knowledge to modify some movements if you start felling any type of discomfort. I brought my yoga mat but If you don't have one they can help you with one, same as if you need a lock for the lockers. They offer hot yoga and traditional yoga style, they have classes for all levels from beginners, intermediate, advanced. Also offer courses for kids, seniors, and prenatal sessions. Parking lot is available in front of the business. Full bathrooms with 3 showers each.

I went to Larissa's class today. good class however I found her to be overly sexual with the male…read moreclients very uncomfortable

Love love hot yoga!…read more Very similar to the south side location I normally frequent, but CRAZY busy (when it comes to the Friday night karma class)! o_O Thankfully the karma classes are run in a similar fashion, which helps you understand and expect what moves are coming and helps you prepare for the transition into the next pose :) I believe the change rooms are slightly smaller than the other location, with slightly less space between the shower/bathrooms and the cabinets with the lockers. While the cabinet-turned-lockers were nice, I prefer the other location which had combination locks for your smaller valuable items like phones and keys and such. Not sure if it's because I keep happening to attend classes with the same instructors but I had found that this location's staff wasn't as pleasant or inviting as the other location this last time I went, but I'll be going a few more times so maybe it was just an off night for them. *Name change alert* Now renamed to Metta Yoga (same as the south location)!

So disappointed in Yogalife. Changing their clients membership terms, only to benefit themselves…read moreand reap the profits. I reached out to them and I thought they were going to right what they did, but the communication has ended from their end. This is a greedy company doing shady business.

When I first came to Yogalife, I was a little disappointed in not being oriented to the studio. I…read morefollowed people blindly, because I didn't know which studio (they have 2) to go into for my class. I still have no idea how their points system works. The studio and locker area is very clean. They clean the floors after classes, and they mark the floors as to where people should leave their mats. I feel like they could space their mats a little better. It's obvious they want to pack in as many people as they can, but if you're ever in the back row, you're very close to the wall. I like the variety of instructors and classes available. I also like how they have classes throughout the day. Some instructors are definitely more challenging than others. I wish their instructors would either do the poses along with you up front (which some do), or walk around the studio correcting postures (only a few do). I was kind of disappointed that they changed their introductory promo just after I had finished my one month trail to include a buy 2 month get 1 free special if you attend more than 12 classes in your first month. Showers available. Ample free parking in the Namao centre parking lot.