Two classes down at Ten Health & Fitness and I'm definitely a fan. First of all, they are on…read moreClasspass, so you can try a class without commitment- big plus. I never thought I would like pilates. For some reason, I imagined it like yoga but without all the good parts, but it's actually quite dynamic and not like soul-less yoga at all. The studio offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced Reformer classes, their own spin on HIIT called TenHIIT, personal training, as well as massage. I've tried the Beginner Reformer class and TenHIIT. Reformer was was an hour long, small group: only about 4 people in the class, but I still would have liked a little more personal instruction. TenHIIT was an even smaller group: only 2, me and one other girl, in the class. Our instructor tortured us with a variety of strength and cardio circuits: weights, squats, lunges, jumping jacks... repeat x4 then onto treadmill sprints, TRX arms, burpees, plank... it was 45 mins of *tough*. Really, it's just like having a personal training session but on Classpass. The showers look nice (I showered at home before work) and there's towel service, which is convenient. 4 stars for small classes, great value, and variety from targeted Reformer for newbies like me to kill-me-now personal training sessions.

I tried my first ever reformer Pilates class at Ten Health and Fitness and I'm addicted. It's…read morebecome my favourite work out by far. Got to admit - I was kind of nervous for my first class and wasn't entirely sure what to expect but I came out feeling amazing. My alignment and posture has improved massively since starting these classes. The beginners class moves nice and slow to get you used to using the reformer. Do advance to the intermediate when you are ready to keep challenging yourself though. The studio is gorgeous and have 5 other locations around London. Each just as lovely!!

I joined The Shala a couple of weeks ago with their 45 pound intro month deal. I've been quite a…read morefew times since then, to both yoga and Pilates classes. This weekend they're having a free shiatsu massage workshop that I am dragging my husband to. The studio itself it beautiful. It has three different spaces, nice hardwood floors, and showers. It's well-lit and has a nice "energy." You can say that sort of thing in a yoga review. I really like Claire, who teaches pilates. She's super friendly and helps students individually. She works with students at their own level, which I appreciate. The general vibe of the studio seems a little serious, but people are also pretty friendly. I've met a couple of nice women, and people are welcoming for sure. My main feedback is they don't do a lot of adjustments in class, which is something I really liked from Satori Yoga in SF. I think adjustments are really helpful both for safety and learning. They let you use their mats if you have a towel to put on top. I really do need to buy my own mat, since communal yoga mats tend to a smell a little funky. I really like that this place is walking distance from my house and an actual studio/community, not just a single teacher renting a space. It's near West Norwood/Tulse Hill train stations, and really not a far walk from Streatham.

Set in the heart of Norwood, this yoga studio is easy to get to with excellent rail and bus links,…read morewith the nearest station being a five minute walk away and bus stops opposite the studio. Once inside, the studios are on the third floor, before entering the yoga/Pilates studios there is a beautiful open and modern reception area with comfy seating and the temptation of a post class or treatment coffee or tea. There are changing rooms for both female and male students with showering facilities and clean modern toilets. The studios are all light and airy and retain some of their original features from the buildings previous incarnation. A special feature for winter and cold evenings is the under floor heating, perfect for a 6:30am Mysore class on a chilly January morning. All the teachers I have met so far are warm friendly and so unpretentious, their knowledge of all the disciplines on offer is not only extensive but trust-worthy. I've been attending the studio for over a year now and so happy that South London is supplied with yoga studios that are not only clean, modern and large, but warm,friendly and welcoming in every sense.

Took a BLOKSCULPT class that I booked off of ClassPass. Really didn't know what to expect because…read morethey have a million class options and the online descriptions are a bit vague I found. This class ended up being a combination HIIT/barre I would say. It was all women in the class and the instructor was lovely and very high-energy. The props they had were in good shape and we incorporated light weights, ankle weights, bands and sliders into our workout. The front desk people were very pleasant and the main area doubles up as a cafe with coffee type beverages and smoothies. There were people in there with laptops working as I was going to my class. It seems to be more of a lifestyle facility than just a straight-up gym. It was cheaper on ClassPass than most other studios and for that reason I'd book again. I think I would try a different class concept next time though, maybe yoga.

Being a Tai Chi first-timer I was a bit nervous about the class as I joined the course a few weeks…read morein. But I shouldn't have worried as I was made to feel comfortable and got the extra attention I needed without feeling like I was holding up the class. I was given just the right amount of autonomy to figure out the stuff I could and gentle instruction to progress to ensure I got the most from the class. I even got a chance to feed back to other beginners how they were getting on in a constructive manner which was pretty confidence-boosting. The first part of the class was Tai Chi with some Qi Gong, which challenged my co-ordination, gave me a chance to relax and forget about the office, without any overt emphasis on meditation or religious aspects which I've found slightly uncomfortable at some Yoga institutions. The class left me feeling like I'd had a good physical workout as well as mentally relaxed. The second part of the class was some applications of the Tai Chi moves, performed at a higher intensity so I worked up a bit more of a sweat. It ended with punching some pads which reminded me that the gentle actions of the first half are really a martial art. Being quite an active sportsman I found Tai Chi very much on the relaxing side of sport. Far less painful than Yoga, this felt a very healthy way to spend a couple of hours after work. In terms of a beginner's class this studio was impossible to fault.

What is nice about this set of classes is that they are a fun mix of Chi Kiung (which is relaxing…read moreand somewhat meditative), martial application (martial art practice with others), and Taiji (something in between the two!). It is hard to describe, but that is why the classes are challenging everyone goes for different reasons and it is as much about personal experience as it is about learning different ways of moving to improve physical fitness. This class has a great feel to it and is a ideal setting for testing yourself to whatever limit you think you have. Some parts are physically demanding but there isn't an uncomfortable competitive atmosphere, so if you are struggling with something it could be flexibility, strength or balance it doesn't really matter. Making mistakes in front of each other is absolutely fine!

I've been practising Mysore-style ashtanga yoga here for nearly 5 months now, and it's just as good…read moreas the first 2 weeks. My asana practice has been improving steadily, and I've genuinely been deepening my yoga practice under Catherine, for which any yogi should be particularly grateful*. The space offers you a wonderful environment in which to practice and build a rapport with Catherine so that you can ensure you're progressing at an appropriate pace for your body and its limitations. I attended a back-bending seminar a while back hosted by another one of the studio's teachers, and it was informative and an exceptional value for money. All the students who do self-practice in the morning are friendly and personable. I honestly can't think of a better place to practice. *and I am.

Headed here for my first ever yoga class as the evening timing worked perfectly around my family…read moreschedule. Being a first-timer, I was pleased to see that mats and all the other bits needed were provided, saving me potentially wasted purchases if I decided it wasn't for me. I was given a warm welcome and the class size of 11 people of a mix of ages and abilities meant I was not overwhelmed or self-conscious at my complete lack of flexibility! I think it represents great value at £12 for 90 minutes and a discounted rate is available for booking a number of classes in advance. Online booking and cancellation make the whole thing a breeze and the instructor was very patient, offering clear advice on how to improve. All in all, a very positive first yoga experience for me and I can happily recommend the North London Yoga Centre.

Amazing little Hot Bikram Yoag studio that offers a range of classes and an introductory offer (20…read moredays for £35). Tucked away in the center of Balham the studio is also very easy to get to. I've been coming to this studio for about three years and haven't found another that beats it! They've recently had a refurbishment so the changing rooms/toilets/reception area now look very modern and fresh. They have a lot of great teachers and the staff are always friendly. The room is pretty well ventilated but the heat/humidity will vary depending on how many people are in the class. You might get a bit of fresh air if the teacher decides to open the back door for a few seconds! There are mirrors at the front and right hand side of the class so that everyone can work on their posture - which is also pretty useful for newcomers as they can easily follow the more experienced students. If you haven't tried it before - give it a go! The hardest part is staying in the room for the first time but an enjoyable challenge - enjoy!

Sweaty yoga, mmm lovely. I actually enjoyed this class a lot more than I thought I would. I hate…read morehumidity and my rubbish Celtic skin burns at the first sight of sun (good job I live in London, eh?) so I've never been particularly good with heat in general but I actually adored these classes. I have never felt so relaxed in all my life and was mesmerised by the fact that it is so hot in here you sweat from places you never knew you could sweat from..."oh look at that my hand is sweating!" This studio, however, has lost out on two of my beautiful stars for one BIG reason: the changing facilities. Seeing as they fit about 75 people into a class - predominantly women - they really should be looking into larger changing facilities to accommodate everyone. At £13 a class (it may have even gone up by now) it's really not on to then cram all of us into the cupboard-sized changing room, all lovely and sweaty from our class, clambering over one another to find our belongings and get showered and changed...this is all starting to sound a bit wrong. I don't want to get all zenned-out and calm only to then have someone's sweaty armpit (or worse) in my face while I try and dig my belongings out and get changed in a room that is perhaps hotter than the one I have just done a Bikram class in. It does nothing for my relaxation and I may as well have just got on the baking Victoria Line during rush hour - just as hot and just as stressful! I actually took these classes on a £10 for 10 days offer but was reluctant to sign up afterwards for the full whack because of the changing situation. Perhaps if I was able to go during the day when it might be less busy I may be inclined to join as a full paying member. Such a shame.

Yoga Junction is affiliated to the British Wheel of Yoga and is as much a place to take class, as…read moreit is to learn how to become a qualified yoga instructor. With over fifty classes per week ranging from beginners to instructor classes, you are spoilt for choice. The standard of teaching is very high. There are two studios, of which both are spacious and airy. Like most schools they are trying to get students to commit to booking block classes. There best offer is £100 per month for unlimited walk-in classes. If you do want to just PAYG classes range from £7-£12 which is cheaper than most schools.

highly rate this place, not just for the bright, airy and relaxed enviornment, but more for Tara…read moreFraser's classes. She founded the place quite a few years ago now, and is one of the most down-to-earth teachers i've had the pleasure to learn from. her style is of the desikachar/krishnamacharya variety, which means that the focus here is on exploration for individual needs. alongside beautiful postural awareness, the classes introduce more than just the physical side of the yoga coin, tara also manages to drop in all manner of theory/philosophy without ever coming across as worthy or detatched. alongside weekly classes and workshops, she also teaches the BWY (british wheel of yoga) teacher training course.