Yoga Classes, Teachers & Studios in London
👀 Discover the best yoga people and groups in London
Yoga in London
Ahhh, that buzz of London. Meeting friends for weekend brunch. After work drinks with colleagues. Rushing around to big client meetings. Kind of thrilling isn’t it? There’s nowhere quite like it. As Samuel Johnson put it: “When a [hu]man is tired of London, [they are] tired of life.”
But if we’re being completely honest with ourselves, London life is a little bit stressful too. Tough jobs, packed commuter trains, polluted roads all make living in the UK’s capital less than perfect.
Fortunately, London is filled with yoga teachers to help us cope and flourish with modern life.
Benefits of doing yoga in London
London life is hard on our physical and mental health. Yoga provides a heap of benefits that set us up to flourish in London.
Yoga improves flexibility. Sitting at a desk all day makes us stiff. Our bodies hardly move. Yoga puts the body into wonderful positions. Beginners to yoga are surprised by stretching muscles they forgot they had. Over time, those stiff desk bodies become limber and supple.
London life can be stressful. High pressure jobs lead to stress. Packed commuter trains leave us little space to relax. The science shows that yoga reduces tension and relieves stress.
Yoga improves mental health. Beyond stress, London is hard on our mental health. Expensive rents and increasing living costs add to our woes. Responsibilities with friends, family and work are a challenge to balance too. Practicing yoga helps us manage our mental health.
Yoga improves sleep. Studies have shown people fall asleep faster and stay asleep after practicing yoga. Higher quality sleep leads to improved health and recovery. A good night’s sleep sets you up for the next high intensity day in London.
Work in London is competitive. Companies want to hire the best and brightest. Workers are compensated with the highest salaries in the UK. Studies show that yoga doesn’t only improve the body. Yoga has a positive impact on the mind too. Parts of the brain responsible for attention and executive functioning are activated during yoga. Likewise the brain improves neuroplasticity making learning more effective.
Vinyasa Yoga Classes in London
Vinyasa yoga, often called “vinyasa flow”, connects a series of poses with smooth movements. Each movement is synchronised with the breath. The breath is the focal point as you move between poses.
Whereas other types of yoga are fixed in their poses and sequences, vinyasa yoga teachers pull in from a variety of styles connecting them into original sequences.
Vinyasa is popular in London. There are many vinyasa yoga teachers teaching in this way. Classes range from 45 minutes to 90 minutes.
Upcoming Vinyasa Classes
Hatha Yoga Classes in London
During a hatha yoga class, a teacher will guide you through a sequence of postures (asana) and breathing techniques (pranayama). The postures are generally held for a longer time than other styles like vinyasa and ashtanga. Some of the earliest known hatha practices date back to the 11th century in both Hindu and Buddhist scripture.
Upcoming Hatha Classes
Acro Yoga Classes in London
Acro Yoga combines yoga and acrobatics. It is usually practiced with a partner (and often a third). Many of the postures involve one partner lifting (called the base) another partner (the flyer). A third partner works as a spotter to ensure the first two partners are safe. The spotter also provides assistance. In Acro Yoga classes, attendees learn and cultivate the acrobatic techniques required for these challenging postures.
There are two types of practice: lunar and solar. Lunar practice focuses on healing through Thai massage and slower holds allowing the flyer to stretch and twist. Solar practice is more dynamic. The base supports the flyer through faster active postures.
Upcoming acro yoga classes
Beginner Yoga Classes in London
If you are new to yoga, beginner yoga classes are highly recommended. Despite the easy and relaxed appearance experts make yoga seem, incorrect alignment through historic injury, regular routine and underdeveloped muscle groups can cause injury to beginners. Finding a beginner yoga class allows you develop unused muscle groups and improve flexibility. Good teachers provide education and assistance to postures, suggesting alterations and offering adjustments reducing risk of injury.
Upcoming yoga classes for beginners in London
Best Yoga Studios in London
There are many fitness studios offering yoga classes across London, the list below focuses on studios predominantly focused on authentic yoga practices.
Location: Eccleston Yards, 25A Eccleston Place, London, SW1W 9NF
A beautiful yoga studio in Central London offering Yin Yoga, breathwork and various sound healing events.
Location: 120a Lower Rd, London, SE16 2UB
The Lodge is a yoga studio based in Southwark (South London). They host a huge array of events including Vinyasa Flow, Hot Yin yoga, Aerial Yoga, Power Yoga and even Qi Gong and Pilates.
Location: 14 Allen Road, London, N16 8SD
Yogahome is a lovely studio in the heart of Stoke Newington (East London). Yogahome offers regular yoga classes and workshops including vinyasa flow, ashtanga, Iyengar Yoga, Ayurveda, yin yoga. And adjacent practices with gong baths, qi gong and pilates.
Location: 2d Shelford Place, London, N16 9HS
Mudra is an independent studio set next to Stoke Newington’s green sanctuary, Clissold Park. The studio hosts yoga in the vinyasa, yin and slow flow styles. Mudra fosters "an open, friendly, supportive and inspiring community focused environment to explore yoga and its many teachings”.
Location: Units b1.1 + b1.2, The Bussey Building, 133 Copeland Road London SE15 3SN
Yogarise is a character filled studio based in Peckham’s Bussey Building (South London). The yoga studio launched in 2014. The space plays host to an extensive catalogue of yoga styles including yin yoga, hatha yoga, vinyasa yoga, jivamukti and rocket yoga. They even host specific yoga classes for beginners.
Location: 12 Eden Grove, Stapleton House, London N7 8EQ
MahaDevi Yoga Center near Highbury and Islington was started as a tribute to the amazing work of Sonia Sumar. Sonia developed a yoga technique as therapy for children with special needs. The yoga center specialises in Hatha Yoga and provides classes for all.
Finding a yoga teacher in London
Arguably more important than finding a yoga studio is finding a yoga teacher. Yoga studios host many teachers. Like any discipline, Yoga teachers have a variety of teaching styles and you may find a particular teacher works better for you than others.
There are some important considerations for finding a yoga teacher that works best for you.
What is your objective with yoga?
People have a variety of reasons for practicing yoga. Some people want to increase their flexibility. Others want to improve their strength. Others want to lose weight and get in shape. People wish to deepen their practice or develop their ability for meditation. People also wish to unwind and destress. Discussing your reasons with a teacher will give you a sense if the teacher is right for your needs. Perhaps another style of yoga (they don’t teach) would be better for your objectives.
What style of yoga should I try?
Teachers specialise in different types of yoga. Hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga, yin, nidra and acro types of yoga each have different focuses. It’s likely that one style is better than others for your objectives. Likewise you may just prefer one style. A slower yin style or an independent ashtanga practice may float your boat. It’s worth experimenting with different styles.
How experienced is the yoga teacher?
Most of London’s yoga teachers would have completed some form of yoga teacher training. Basic level of teaching typically starts at 200 hours certified by Yoga Alliance, a US-based professional organisation for yoga teachers. Particularly if you have any injuries, a teacher with more years of experience may help avoid injury and pain by suggesting alterations.
How does the yoga teacher make you feel?
Yoga teachers are people too. Just like anyone you meet in life, you may click with a yoga teacher and not with others. Perhaps their style of teaching doesn’t suit you. Maybe you doubt their experience. You should always feel comfortable in the presence of your yoga teacher. If not, find another.
Does the yoga teacher teach locally and at a convenient time?
Logistics are important for maintaining a good practice. Find a yoga teacher who teaches somewhere accessible in London. There are many studios across London (North London, South London, Central London, East London and West London). There’s likely one close to where you live and close where you work. Teachers often host classes before and after work. You may even find a teacher who offers classes during your lunch break.
About Flourish
We have a simple mission: help Londoners flourish by discovering new conscious practices. Thrive in the modern world by developing an ecology of practices. Attend the events we highlight to deepen your spritual practice, improve and maintain mental health, explore mindfulness, celebrate being alive or just try something new.
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