One of AG’s lovely readers, Anne, has asked me to suggest a place for yoga or pilates in Chelsea. Well Anne, I must say that I’ve had a difficult time with this one as well- which is totally bizarre as you would think there would be a million yoga studios in the area! Well, thankfully I did find one that is not too far, (its walking distance for me) the Light Centre in Belgravia. I took a wonderful yoga class there with the instructor, Katy Appleton and she was fantastic!
Katy also organizes classes in Clapham and Southfields, so find her if you are in those areas. Katie has a whole yoga mini-empire, Apple Yoga, and she even arranges some looking yoga retreats, that look fabulous!
The Light Centre also does pilates, which I personally have not tried, but I am sure with the caliber of instructor that I had for yoga, there is bound to be some decent pilates teachers there as well.
For all you ladies in Notting Hill, one of my best girlfriends swears by the Life Centre (I know, similar name) and this gal should know as she just got back from a six month stint in India going all Eat-Pray-Love on us- practicing yoga and meditating a hundred hours a day…
If you’re not in either of these boroughs- let AG know where you practice!?
Happy exercising!
Cheers! xx
Dina Karim is incrediable – she teaches at Triyoga and the Life Centre and also has her own classes at the Chelsea Hotel on a wednesday – http://www.timelessyoga.co.uk/.
Happy practising.
Nameste
t
If you feel like a hardcore yoga workout then I highly recommend Hot Bikram Yoga in Parson's Green. Once you get over the extraordinary level of sweating that is going on, it really does make you feel phenomenally energised and cleansed. Wear your bikini top and shorts, anything more and you will expire. And don't forget a 2 litre bottle of water. http://www.hotbikramyoga.co.uk.
hi!
For the American girl in North London- triYoga in primrose hill, it is AMAZING. loads of classes to chose from; all with fantastic instructors. do you have a little one that keeps you from easily finding that inner peace? dont worry they even have a fabulous creche for kids from 4 months to 2 years old! best yet, once you find your inner peace you can eat and shop in their fabulous in house cafe. only downside is they tend to put mirrors in their rooms? WHY WHY must we be reminded how awful we look in downward dog?
fabulous yoga gems above!
if you like katy appleton (my fav as well), try her workshops with thai massage, or with maya fiennes, who often passes through for Kundahlini courses!
Alchemy in Camden is yet another haven, and a thrilling energy seems to seep into their studios from the stalls below.
It's worth getting on emails for triyoga and alchemy both, as they have fantastic speakers who pass through, and at the very least, an inspiring quote to lighten the week.
I swear by Iyengar Yoga (www.iyi.org.uk)- it's not about 'finding the goddess within you' – yet – as much as doing good for your body. They try to build the foundation properly before moving on to more complicated poses and practices like pranayama (breathing) and meditation.
It's in Maida Vale close to the tube and neighboring Paddington Rec (so you can hear the birds chirping through the skylights and see the trees through the long windows). Some find it strict, and depending on how hard you push yourself it can be somewhat strenuous, but I love their precision – one suggestion on where to put your weight and the whole pose changes! I've tried out lots of yoga classes where the instructors don't correct the essential basic forms – knee alignment, posture, shoulders, and doing yoga incorrectly can be really harmful! I trust all the instructors at this institute though, as they've been through a lot of training to qualify and they share the same basic philosophy about doing everything properly.
So as not to scare anyone off, they definitely modify poses based on needs and ability so no matter how new or comfortable you are with yoga, how flexible or inflexible, how young or old, the instructors will modify poses to fit your needs.
They're also really good about working with injuries, knowing how to adjust poses accordingly. My posture's improved phenomenally, I know how to adjust for my weak knee, and I feel incredible when I leave. I love Marco, Aubrey and Amparo especially.
Checking out a yoga class at Virgin Active with AG's “resident education expert” tomorrow…. we'll see how it compares! Cheers! xx
Pi Studios Chelsea is THE premier Pilates Studio for those who want a long, lean body. The instructors are incredible, and the results are amazing. First trial session is also absolutely free.
For yoga, I suggest Power Yoga Company in Fulham. It is the only studio, out of many, that I return to again and again!
Definitely look up:
1. TriYoga (there are three studios. Primrose Hill is excellent)
2. Jivamukti
3. Chris James (private sessions and at his studio in Richmond)
4. Yoga Place
5. Moksha
6. Iyengar Yoga Inst.
7. North London Buddhist Centre (I did classes here during graduate school)
8. Alchemy
9. The Power Yoga Studio
Those are the top top studios I can think of off the top of my head, having done yoga and pilates in London for years.
There are loads of tiny local ones too (like Yogabase in Islington) and there will be yoga classes at local gyms (council gyms and places like Virgin Active).
Hope that's helpful.
Thanks Beautywoome! SO helpful! Cheers!xx
The Life Centre in Notting Hill is one of London's first and best yoga centers and now they are opening a center in Islington too …worth checking out!!! lisa 🙂
Just saw this post, and in case anyone is still looking for a place then evolve wellness centre opened in South Kensington in September 2010. Dina Karim and Katy Appleton (both mentioned above) teach there. It is a wonderful and intimate centre with amazing healing holistic therapies too like Grinberg Method, Theta Healing and Create528. I highly suggest you give the centre a visit!