Morning Creatures know that it’s important to take some personal time – you have to take care of yourself! What better way than to get in a great workout to start your day. Some morning creatures like the aggressive side of fitness; others prefer the spiritual.
For the more mellow morning creatures, Boom Breakfast conducted a survey of yoga studios in Toronto. Criteria were general: range of activities, pleasantness of studio, and quality of location(s). The results are in – and we’re happy to present our Top Five Yoga Studios in Toronto – and hope you’ll go check them out.
Breath in – straighten that spine – raise your arms over head – fold down to your toes – breath out – and check out one of those awesome yoga studios. You’re worth it (trust us, we know).
1. Downward Dog (www.downwarddog.com). This long-time studio, located at 735 Queen Street West, is as close to a yoga institution as you can get in T.O.
Downward Dog was opened in 1997 by Ron Reid and Marla Meenakshi. Their schedule is impressive – basically any time you want to practice, you can. They also offer a range of weekend retreats and month-long intensives. Downward dog is a serious yoga studio, but practitioners at all levels are welcome – so don’t be intimidated.
For our more intense yoga-lovers, their practice is based on the Ashtanga Vinyasa lineage.
As a bonus, Ron and Marla have a music group named Swaha. Check them out at http://www.swaha.ca/music.html
2. Misfit (http://misfitstudio.com) is a great studio located at 761 Queen Street West.
As the name implies, these guys like to go against the grain. They offer a bit of everything: yoga, pilates, dance – and it all happens in a converted church. The space is quite beautiful and light.
Tons of classes are offered throughout the week day, although choice is a bit more limited on the weekends.
3. Tula Yoga (www.tulahotyoga.com) has two studios in Toronto: 352 Adelaide Street West and in Liberty Village.
This is a more upscale studio – and it’s big. The Adelaide location is 3500 sq./ft., so you don’t have that overcrowding that’s endemic at so many studios. Along with the expected yoga and pilates, they also have ballet barre classes and fusion classes (yoga and pilates). Their collection of pilates reformers will bring a tear to any pilates practitioner!
Tula was runner up in NOW Magazine’s best workout studios; and prices are very reasonable even though it’s so nice, so don’t be afraid to check them out.
4. Yoga Tree (www.yogatree.ca) is one of the bigger yoga studios in Toronto.
As the name implies, these guys like to go against the grain. They offer a bit of everything: yoga, pilates, dance – and it all happens in a converted church. The space is quite beautiful and light.
Each studio has its own look and feel – but overall you can expect a warm, clean, and spacious yoga experience.
5. Spynga (www.spynga.com) has two locations: 1415 Bathurst Street (south of St. Clair) and in Thornhill. Spynga is a bit different and it’s the only studio in our list that offers spinning classes.
Spinning is a big deal at Spynga, and their most popular class, which is called Spynga (can you believe it!), is a combo yoga-spinning workout. The space has been renovated recently, so you’ll find it warm and comfy. Judging by these ladies, I think their clients like it.
BOOM Breakfast & Co. has four locations in the GTA and Vaughan, open from 7 to 4. Please come in after one of your classes and let us fuel you up for the rest of your great day!
