When you’ve gotta stretch, you want to do it in a lovely, peaceful environment instead of sweaty gym. Sound about right? Then yoga or Pilates is the perfect workout for you. These studios are some of the safest and most harmonious places to stretch in Edmonton.
This second-floor studio is located in the Roots on Whyte building, which conveniently has a grocery store, diner and cappuccino bar in it (you know, for post-Pilates parties). The instructors/owners are fabulous women who believe in putting the client first. There’s a variety of classes, ranging from mat classes to gentle restoration classes ideal for injured or recovering Pilates students.
This studio is a good fit for anyone looking to get a really good workout in during their Pilates class. The light-filled, lovely blue studio is full of equipment for mat classes. The instructors treat every person there like the unique little snowflake they are, ensuring you’re doing the exercises and stretches in a way that works for you, without causing injury.
The yoga studio inside this health centre is a small, bare bones room where the focus is on the exercise, not looking pretty. The room is warm (but not hot yoga warm), to ease the body into doing the exercises. This makes it easier to stretch out, especially if you’re a beginner or out of practice. The studio also offers meditation classes for various levels. If you like a side of relaxation with your yoga practice, try the candle lit yin flow class – it’s literally done by candlelight.
This awesome building contains an amazing vegetarian/raw restaurant, as well as the downstairs yoga studio (something about exercise and food obviously goes together so well, as this seems to be a trend in Edmonton). Noorish Yoga offers a good variety of classes, including Hatha, Hatha Flow, Vinyasa Flow and Restorative Yoga. Some of the classes are gentle and suitable for beginners, others are hardcore and only the strong will survive.
All of the classes at this environmentally-conscious hot yoga studio are drop-in, making it perfect for those who want to stretch on a whim or have a busy schedule. Teachers can modify classes as they see fit and put their own unique spin on them, but all of the classes here are moksha, meaning you will sweat your face off. So bring two towels and a bottle of water, and prepare to feel the burn!
If you like to stretch it out with your family (or are looking for a creative way to punish surly teenagers) make them work out with you during one of the studio’s family yoga sessions. It’s for ages three and up. They also offer classes for kids aged five to 11, or sessions for teenagers. If you prefer to sweat solo, there are classes that aren’t family specific and they range from “gentle” to “vigorous.”