Category: Yoga
REVIEW: MoveGB
by Carly
What is it? A nifty little concept and one that might be familiar to some of you already – instead of buying a membership to one gym or studio, you pay for a membership to MoveGB instead, which gives you discounted access to loads of studios and gyms in your area. It’s still very much a nimble little start-up, being run out of the … Read More REVIEW: MoveGB
BLOG: #SweatYourselfAmazing at Hot Yoga Society: The Round-Up
by Carly
Back in June, I signed up for the #SweatYourselfAmazing challenge at Hot Yoga Society. I did it for two reasons. Firstly I wanted to enjoy a last, heartfelt hurrah to the first studio that really got me into fitness and wellbeing, before I moved out of my beloved London town. And secondly, I did it because by taking part, you had to set an intention with … Read More BLOG: #SweatYourselfAmazing at Hot Yoga Society: The Round-Up
BLOG: Sweating Myself Authentic with Hot Yoga Society
by Carly
Hot Yoga Society (HYS) have launched a new campaign called “Sweat Yourself Amazing“. The idea is nestled in the sanskrit word ‘Sankalpa”, which in layman’s terms means a notion, idea or intention formed in the heart or mind, and a solemn vow or determination to make that intention happen. Hot Yoga Society-er Naomi explains about Sankalpa far more beautifully than me over on the … Read More BLOG: Sweating Myself Authentic with Hot Yoga Society
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REVIEW: Sky Garden, Sky High Yoga
by Carly
Update added May 2017: these are now back! I think it’s now a sunrise yoga and buffet breakfast style thing that you can book here. Please note my review below was for a basic yoga class in the winter in the same space, back in 2015! THE BASICS: Yoga at 6.30am at the top of the Walkie Talkie (20 Fenchurch Street) on weekdays, and … Read More REVIEW: Sky Garden, Sky High Yoga
REVIEW: Yoga Supper Club at God’s Own Junkyard
by Carly
The trek to Walthamstow was a frantic one in order to get to the special location. I power walked 20 minutes from Walthamstow Central, through the borough I first lived in when I arrived in London 10 years ago, barely recognising it. But there was no time to marvel at Walthamstow Village. I had a yoga class and dinner date in a junkyard to … Read More REVIEW: Yoga Supper Club at God’s Own Junkyard
REVIEW: Yotopia- Hot Ballet
by Carly
It’s 7.30am and I’m trying to remember what a plie is supposed to look like. Our incredibly serene teacher Lizzie is calmly instructing us through a series of elegant ballet positions, all of which make my muscles shake. The bead of sweat trickling down my back indicates to me that I’m probably not going to be a ballerina when I grow up. Nevertheless, this dabble with … Read More REVIEW: Yotopia- Hot Ballet
BLOG: #GetYourOMBack with Sweaty Betty in July 2015
by Carly
I’ve been in a yoga funk recently, and although some lovely Hotpod has been gently coaxing me back, I was excited to see Sweaty Betty are holding a #GetYourOMBack challenge on Instagram in July. That means it starts THIS WEDNESDAY! What better way to get back in to my some daily OM-ing? The challenge promises 31 days, 31 poses up on Instagram, and some … Read More BLOG: #GetYourOMBack with Sweaty Betty in July 2015
BLOG: Some hippy shiz, because I love yoga
by Carly
21st June is Summer Solstice and the day the UN officially recognised as International Day of Yoga. A good day indeed for getting a bit spiritual! The relationship between a person and their yoga practice is a unique one, and I thought I’d share a bit about mine to celebrate the day. I love yoga because if I get a good class, I’m a … Read More BLOG: Some hippy shiz, because I love yoga
REVIEW: Surfsup Fit Yoga (Yoga on Surfboards)
by Carly
THE BASICS: Surfsup Fit Yoga offers you the chance to paddle out onto a stretch of the Regent’s Canal on a big, floaty surfboard, and then work your way through a yoga class while trying to maintain your balance (and composure!) on top of it. We took a class for 5 at London Paddington Basin on Sunday afternoon (you need to get to Sheldon … Read More REVIEW: Surfsup Fit Yoga (Yoga on Surfboards)
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REVIEW: Aerial Yoga London, Adaptive Aerial Yoga
by Carly
(A long review, but this was a very unique class so I wanted to give as much detail as possible to help those looking for classes of this genre) THE BASICS: Aerial Yoga London held its first Adaptive Aerial Yoga Workshop recently up in Stoke Newington. An aerial yoga workshop for all physical abilities; from the partially paralysed to the completely able-bodied; everyone in … Read More REVIEW: Aerial Yoga London, Adaptive Aerial Yoga
Hosting the Sunset Sessions- What A Summer!
by Carly
I was on my way out of a long illness fug. My lovely friend and Dru yoga teacher, Lucy, was facing a reluctant moving house scenario. A 100 day illness and moving house in a rush. We were not a jolly pair. We sat at the top of Frank’s cafe in Peckham, drinking our too-sugary drinks, looking at a grey London skyline, and talking about all … Read More Hosting the Sunset Sessions- What A Summer!
Stretch Yoga, Meditation
by Carly
THE BASICS: An early, quiet 45 minute meditation class on Columbia Road. Stretch Yoga has two studios; one here and one off Broadway Market. Meditation is available, as are different forms of Yoga. £10 for a meditation class. THE (peaceful) BITCHES: Carly THE CLASS: Saturday mornings tend to be about throwing myself out the door and round the park, or else into some fast paced, … Read More Stretch Yoga, Meditation
Fitness Five Challenge- Hosted by Project HB!
by Carly
A couple of Saturdays ago (one of those days that requires you to take out both your brolly and your sunshades) 20 of you headed down to the gorgeous new studio Victor’s Lab in Peckham to take part in a Project HB hosted challenge: The Fitness Five! The idea was to introduce HBs to five new classes they might not otherwise have tried, give … Read More Fitness Five Challenge- Hosted by Project HB!
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Aerial Yoga
by Carly
THE BASICS: I’ve been trying to organise an anti-gravity yoga class for ages, but been reduced to scrapping around on big-named gym websites, who like to make it really difficult to book a class without being a member. It was so frustrating that I’d given up. And then, thanks to a recommendation from HB Dione, along came Aerial Yoga London – independent, small, and accessible for … Read More Aerial Yoga
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Secret Yoga Club
by Carly
THE BASICS: Secret Yoga Club have recently put a series of Sunday night yoga classes on. Being Secret Yoga Club, these aren’t just any old yoga classes. Oh, no. This was Jivamukti yoga… on a Sunday night in the Royal Academy of Arts with well known instructor Emma Henry with live musical accompaniment, followed by a gong bath (indeed!), and a 3 course vegan … Read More Secret Yoga Club
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Embody Wellness, Relax & Restore Yoga
by Carly
THE BASICS: This is yoga like nothing I’ve tried before. 75 minutes of snuggly, gentle poses, held for a long time (at least 5 mins per pose) in a softly lit but airy Embody Wellness studio, 3 minute walk from Vauxhall tube. Relax and restore yoga uses a lot of props including bean bag bolsters and blankets to cocoon you as you rest, setting … Read More Embody Wellness, Relax & Restore Yoga
Hot Power Yoga
by Carly
THE BASICS: Hot Power Yoga offers hot (warm rather than piping hot) yoga in a happy, approachable, airy ground floor studio, flooded with light. The community classes are those run to allow almost-newly-qualified yoga instructors who have been training at the studio, to run 30 mins classes in front of Real Live Students! Each class is 90 mins, and 3 teachers take a 30 … Read More Hot Power Yoga
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Yogahaven Clapham, Broga
by Carly
THE BASICS: Broga is simple: yoga for Bros. “What” I hear you ask “is a girl like you doing in a yoga class that is clearly designed for men? And how can yoga even be labelled by the gender of those who attend it?!” All will be revealed in due course, my friend (and no, I am not about to grow a mustache and … Read More Yogahaven Clapham, Broga
Fierce Grace, Classic 39 class
by Carly
THE BASICS: Fierce Grace is a new studio and a new yoga practice. Michele Pernetta, the woman behind this studio, brought Bikram over to the UK in 1994 (to put this into context,: 2 Unlimited were at the top of the charts. We are OLD). Fierce Grace yoga combines 5 interconnected yoga practices, with one toe still dipped in the pool of Bikram sweat. The … Read More Fierce Grace, Classic 39 class
Gogoyoga, “FUSION” with Kathryn
by Carly
THE BASICS: Fresh over from Canada where FUSION is already known, this class is “rooted in Yoga, informed by Pilates and inspired by dance”- an hour of all three combined, in a class of constantly flowing movement. FUSION was invented by Amber Joliat of Misfit Studio (one flight to Toronto to try this studio out immediately please!) The lovely Kathryn Griffiths is the only … Read More Gogoyoga, “FUSION” with Kathryn
BoxingYoga, Lululemon class
by Carly
THE BASICS: BoxingYoga™. Yoga. For boxers. The peaceful nature of yoga and the fact that boxing is a way of fighting didn’t make sense to me at first. However, I know and trust these guys, and having recently spent some more time with instructor and co-founder of BoxingYoga™- Kajza Ekberg- the more I heard and the more I wanted to try it. A practice … Read More BoxingYoga, Lululemon class
Hot Yoga Society, Candlelit Hot Bikram Yoga
by Carly
Hot Yoga Society was known as Hot Bikram Yoga (HBY) previously. I took this class when it was called HBY! Now- where were we…. ah yes… THE BASICS: Hot Yoga Society (or HBY as it was formerly known) London Bridge is tucked down Magdalen Street, between London and Tower Bridges. During the class itself, you’ll complete the 26 postures series that is Bikram Yoga. … Read More Hot Yoga Society, Candlelit Hot Bikram Yoga
Hotpod Yoga, Hackney
by Carly
THE BASICS: There are several “pods” around London and the rest of the UK, offering intimate yoga classes in heated, softly glowing, inflatable pods. I went to Hotpod Yoga in Hackney, located in a room at the top of the Trampery complex, on Mare Street E8. It’s accessible through the “Look Mum No Hands” cafe in the Trampery. £12 per single drop in class, discounts … Read More Hotpod Yoga, Hackney
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PMYoga, Islington
by Carly
THE BASICS: Sunday morning yoga on Upper Street with Pete, the peaceful yogi of PMYoga. Classes are run in the hall next to St Mary’s Church, and are £10 a session, which is darn good value for a central London yoga sesh. THE BITCHES: Carly and Freya THE CLASS: 12.30pm is the perfect time for a Sunday yoga class. Late enough to have a … Read More PMYoga, Islington
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Lucyoga, 80s Hip Hop Yoga (Peckham Liberal Club)
by Carly
THE BASICS: Lucyoga teaches Dru yoga classes in unusual and unique spaces around London. Class prices are very reasonable but vary depending on the class. Loyalty membership purchases are available. THE BITCHES: Carly THE CLASS: There is nothing quite like that sinking feeling you get when you left the house on time (for once) but, upon checking your phone, you realise that actually, yep- google … Read More Lucyoga, 80s Hip Hop Yoga (Peckham Liberal Club)
Yotopia, Gentle Flow Yoga Class
by Carly
THE BASICS: Yotopia is a yoga, hot yoga and pilates studio, offering a little slice of serenity close to Covent Garden. A drop in 75 minute class was £15. If you’re new to the studio, you can bag yourself a £35 ten day class pass. THE BITCHES: Carly and Nicola THE CLASS: Nicola and I had been looking for a new flow yoga class … Read More Yotopia, Gentle Flow Yoga Class
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Blue Cow Yoga, Flow Yoga
by Carly
THE BASICS: Blue Cow Yoga. YUM. Think Buddhas, incense, candles and ceiling drapes. Who knew that Zen was under a bank on Moorgate? To find Blue Cow, you’ll need to look down the right hand side of actual Number 7 Moorgate- a sign should point you in the right direction. Down the metal steps and heaven awaits. Sign up to Blue Cow and your first WEEK … Read More Blue Cow Yoga, Flow Yoga
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Simplyhealth/BackCare Yoga Workshop
by Carly
THE BASICS: Simplyhealth specialise in affordable private healthcare plans, and they seem to have a pretty decent ethos. Last Sunday, they put on a yoga workshop for lots of lovely fitness, health and lifestyle bloggers to learn about how to look after our backs and improve our postures, syncing up with the launch of their new Back Care app. THE APP: For most of us who … Read More Simplyhealth/BackCare Yoga Workshop
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Jiva Yoga with Zoe Sharp
by Carly
THE BASICS: A dynamic and accessible yoga class in the most startlingly unexpected little oasis of calm, on Commercial Road. THE BITCHES: Carly THE CLASS: The lovely Zoe who runs these classes had contacted me through twitter and invited me to come and try out her Jiva Yoga class on a Monday night. I love a twitter invite and so off I trotted to … Read More Jiva Yoga with Zoe Sharp
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Lucyoga, Dru Yoga Class
by Carly
THE BASICS: A new kind of yoga for me! Dru Yoga seems to be all about restoration and inclusiveness. Movements are slow, deliberate and therapeutic, and focus is very much on establishing a mind-body connection to enhance overall feelings of relaxation. You are encouraged to reach the stage you are able to, working with and accepting your abilities, rather than fighting your natural capabilities, trying … Read More Lucyoga, Dru Yoga Class
Barre Core, BarreMIXED Class
by Carly
THE BASICS: A low impact, high intensity work out that isolates muscle groups and works them until they are burning, in a way you are unlikely to have experienced in any other class. You don’t have to be a ballerina either. I know this because I have the grace of a chimp in a tutu (cute maybe, but definitely no Swan Lake). THE BITCHES: … Read More Barre Core, BarreMIXED Class
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REVIEW: Stretching The City, Hatha Yoga Class
by Carly
THE BASICS: A focused, ultimately incredibly relaxing drop in Hatha yoga class, in the upper hall at the Claremont Building, close to Angel Station (Wednesday nights) THE HBs: Carly, Sarah, Karishma and Alexandra THE CLASS: I was first introduced to Stretching the City when we invited them into our office in Farringdon to run an unconventional hen party for one of our colleagues. The lovely Paula ran … Read More REVIEW: Stretching The City, Hatha Yoga Class
