5 of the most uplifting yoga classes

Has your gym-based vinyasa class gone stale? If so, choose from our pick of 5 of the most uplifting yoga classes in the capital to restoke your love affair with the mat.

Yoga’s gone mainstream. Long gone are the days when the only class available was at a full moon with one long-haired woman who’s recently returned from India. Now there’s a whole host of yoga studios out there, run by teachers working in different styles, offering a range of workshops, and each offering something a bit different. We’ve been on an exploration of London studios over the last few weeks to let you know what’s out there.

Yotopia

Hot Yoga Flow does what it says on the tin. My class was led by Kate Lovell, who teaches using a strong and graceful style. Her practice is drawn from her interest in yoga therapy, which focuses on reducing stress and detoxing the mind as well as working the body. In a warm room in the centre of Covent Garden, we worked hard over the hour, streaming through various poses that opened up the body and had a strengthening quality to it. I left feeling rejuvenated, ready for my weekend. As did the sun, which after a gloomy and stormy start to the morning appeared after only two sun salutations.

http://yotopia.co.uk/

Light Yoga Space

Lying on my mat, sun streaming through the large sash windows and illuminating the bright white walls, I felt a sense of content peace. Light Yoga Space is run by Janice and Peter, and the studio is also their home, this invitation into their home seems a special action. They only use the sivananda practice, which integrates mind, body and spirit, and their drop-in classes include elements of chanting, meditation, study and devotion, all of which are explored in greater depth in their other more specialised workshops. To establish a calm mental attitude and inner focus the classes always begin with deep prayanama (breathing) before working through the powerful asanas, core strength and leg stretch exercises. Stress release and healing are emphasised, and the benefits of the practice solidified by the deep relaxation at the close. Tranquil and changing.

http://lightyogaspace.co.uk

One Life Studio

Stoke Newington’s a pretty little place, and One Life Studio is a pretty little studio in its heart. Immediately on entering the space I cooed and smiled with delight – underfloor heating, you say, wonderful! The class was focused on technique and building the foundations for a strong Pilates practice. Teacher Nadia Katz took us through a range of exercises to sculpt and strengthen, and the core muscles were definitely evident afterwards.

http://www.onelifepersonaltraining.co.uk/

Mindful Movements

Anyone who thinks that yoga is not a demanding form of exercise should head to one of the classes run by Mindful Movements. Hana and Aya run classes in the eaves of the lovely Islington Arts Factory and on the grass of Finsbury Park where their strong vinyasa flow style tones the body, works the muscles and fills the lungs. Both ladies are dancers, and their moves are strong and graceful. Continuous asanas are punctuated by sun salutations, reviving the whole being and working the body as they do so. Hana describes teaching and doing yoga as something that “is beautiful, exciting, transformative and has endless depth”. Even as my stomach muscles throb and my thighs tingle, I’m inclined to agree.

http://www.mindfulmovements.co.uk/

Fierce Grace

Bikram yoga works, but the endless repetition can get a bit dull. Michelle Pernetta, who trained under Mr Bikram himself, felt the same, and so last year launched Fierce Grace. All classes are hot, in a 35-degree room, and are designed to get the body moving and the toxins out. But they are breaking with tradition and mixing up styles and disciplines to deliver effective and efficient classes – of which there are five, of varying lengths and intensity. Whether you want to learn the building blocks in a seventy minute ‘Core’ class, are after a short sharp and intense ‘Fix’ class of 50 minutes, would prefer a more ’Classic’ 80-minute Bikram-style session, need the hip opening and deep twists in signature class ‘Fierce Grace’ or are a more advanced yogi and ready to hit ‘The Beast’, there is a motivating and stimulating class for you.

http://www.fiercegrace.com/