Yoga studios can be found in almost all Toronto neighbourhoods, as the practice has become more and more popular over the years. Perfecting the art of yoga is easier than ever with studios that offer classes as intense or straightforward as you need, many of which are also hubs of community activity.
Here are my picks for the top yoga studios in Toronto by neighbourhood.
See also:The best yoga studios in Toronto
THE ANNEX
Kula Yoga in the Annex has a loyal following. With two rooms to practice beginners and more advanced yoga, Kula also offers hot yoga classes. Their $8 power yoga class will have you sweating and moving through a serious yoga flow. There are a lot of classes offered throughout the day, and even 10 p.m. classes for the night owls.
BEACHES
Prana Fitness in the Beaches offers classic yoga as well as more intensive full body TRX workouts and classes catered to kids and teens. There's also fun and unique monthly workshops like Sacred Sound Saturdays that include an evening of live music, chants, meditation and yoga!
BLOORCOURT
Union Yoga offers a great variety of classes, known in the community for being very welcoming of all levels of yoga. Beginners find it easy to settle into their yoga class at Union thanks to the gentle environment and friendly instructors who are happy to make adjustments. There are hot and regular yoga classes and chair yoga...yoga practiced while sitting on a chair!
DANFORTH
Akasha Yoga is a therapeutic yoga and seminar studio located across from the Carrot Common on the Danforth. Akasha focuses on Nidra yoga and includes Tai Chi and Pilates classes. The studio is one long space where shiatsu and therapeutic massages take place as well as a small number of classes offered throughout the day.
DUNDAS WEST
Studio Blue is a recent addition to the Dundas West fitness scene offering unique classes like Yogacamp which combines bootcamp and yoga. And, ballet yoga, a combination of yoga, ballet and pilates. Owner Jessica McIntyre went from successful marketing businesswoman to yoga teacher and studio owner, and turned a plain office space on Dundas West into her studio with blue accents to get the feel of blue sky and deep sea.
ETOBICOKE
Branch Yoga is still a new player in the game, having only been open for a year, but has received positive feedback and enthusiasm from the community for their knowledgeable and fun staff. If you're new to yoga, Branch offers a Yoga Basics class where you can learn key poses, or go through the schedule of Vinyasa, Aeriel and Restorative yoga.
THE JUNCTION
Breathe Yoga Studio offers a variety of workshops inclusive for all level types like how to nail the king of yoga moves - the headstand. They also offer "yoga for stiff men," a must if you're not as bendy as you'd like to be (or used to be). You can also receive massage therapy and a session in an incredibly relaxing and detoxifying infrared sauna. It's the perfect way to amplify your relaxation.
KENSINGTON
Spiritwind in Kensington Market offers restorative yoga and meditation in an environment that specializes in traditional Chinese postural alignment principles like Tai Chi and Kung Fu. Spiritwind combines an Eastern and Western approach to yoga with its Yoga from the Heart Canada class and allows a Pay What You Can drop in rate.
KING WEST
Moksha at King West removes you from the urgency and rush of King West and transports you into a quiet space for 90 minutes of hot yoga. They also have monthly workshops that welcome your mind & body into the different seasons, and offer acupuncture in the workshops.
LEASIDE
Power Yoga focuses on doing one thing really well - hot power yoga starting at 6 a.m. The studio has been a staple in Leaside for six years, and has since opened five studios from Etobicoke to Muskoka. At Power Yoga you'll get a Baptiste Power Vinyasa style which is a powerful and energetic flowing class focusing on breath.
LESLIEVILLE
Yogathletix is an intimate space in Leslieville that offers hatha yoga and intense power yoga classes as well as ballet barre workouts. They practice what they describe as "Goldilocks Yoga," not too spiritual, not too physical, but just right for what you need.
LIBERTY VILLAGE
Tula Yoga has three locations across downtown with its most recent opening in Liberty Village. At Tula Tula offers a mixture of hot yoga and pilates classes, community yoga and creates corporate yoga programs. You can even take in a hot rock yoga - a yoga class set to rock music.
LITTLE ITALY
Octopus Garden near College and Ossington focuses on healing and exercise through yoga as well as meditation classes and teacher certification programs. After taking in a yoga class, you can book a session with a naturopath, physio or massage.
OSSINGTON
YogaSpace has been around for 20 years on Ossington and offers intensive teacher training program. Classes are held in a spacious studio with all types of vinyasa and restorative yoga classes. And, after your intensive workout, you can book a massage offered at the studio.YogaSpace offers $8 community classes taught by recent grads of the teacher training program.
RONCESVALLES
Yoga Village is more than just a yoga studio but a...village of health practitioners coming together under their love of yoga. Yoga Village offers naturopath services, energy healers and registered massage inside a 100-year-old church with a pilates studio. They believe in the inclusion of all who want to practice yoga and have implemented a Pay What You Can system for classes.
ROSEDALE
889 Yoga offers a range of services. Whether you're looking for a great yoga-core fusion class or meditation, or a massage, 889 is a warm and inviting space.
SCARBOROUGH
Mitra Yoga is a popular hot yoga centre in Scarborough that offers hot Hatha yoga, core intensive yoga and a class special to Mitra, Yoga Tune Up, a blend of yoga and corrective posture exercises in a heated atmosphere.
ST. CLAIR WEST
Spynga will get you energized. Not your regular yoga workout, prepare to push yourself, combining spinning and yoga in a large and bright studio space. The signature Spynga flow combines 30 minutes of intense cycle and 30 minutes of gentle yoga with background music or you can upgrade to Spynga HIIT and Super Spynga Flow classes.
WEST QUEEN WEST
Misfit Studios is owned by Amber Joliat who has sustained a loyal following in her small studio located inside an old church. Joliat has created the perfect balance peace, serenity and a hardcore workout. Yoga is offered everyday with either a slow-paced flow or fast dance-like movements to get your heart pumping!
YONGE AND BLOOR
Iam Yoga is relatively new to the area and one of the larger yoga studios with three studios to choose from - hot, warm and non-heated - in an exposed brick, modern setting. The chalkboard of daily inspirational quotes is kept at the front, and the studio has an extensive schedule of detox, core and regular yoga flow.
YONGE & COLLEGE
Yoga Sanctuary offers a great education in the practice and philosophies of yoga and meditation. If you covet personal space, Yoga Sanctuary is bigger than many other studios: high ceilings, large windows, big rooms and a serene space located in the penthouse of a heritage building at Yonge and College. All levels and types of yoga are offered including, Ashtanga, Hatha and Vinyasa.
YONGE & DAVISVILLE
Prashanta Yoga is a boutique studio tucked away in a corner on Davisville Avenue and Cleveland Street. Classes are limited to eight students so each person gets attention from the teacher throughout the practice. Prashanta offers Yoga Basics, Hatha, Flow and Swing yoga as well as Kids yoga classes!
YONGE & DUNDAS
Yoga Tree has five different locations dispersed throughout the city and in Vaughan. They offer a variety of hot yoga classes throughout the day, and a one month intensive teacher training. The space near Yonge and Dundas is huge with an open lounge seating area and everyone's favourite, a juice bar!
YONGE & EGLINGTON
Fireflow Yoga is an Ashtanga-based located in a clean and bright second floor space. Morning, afternoon and late evening classes make scheduling simple.
YORKVILLE
Mindful Movement is led by owner, Leslie Parker who specializes in Budokon yoga which is a fusion of yoga, martial arts and meditation. Class sizes are kept small, and private & semi-private classes are also available.
What did I miss? Add your favourite yoga studios in the comments.
Photo of Yoga Tree