YYoga

231-1233 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver

Northshore Elements Studio: "Hot Fusion"

Teacher: Melanie

Drop-in: $15.00-20.00+(extras)

Intro 2 week unlimited special: $30.00

SUMMARY: Hot Yoga is very effective for developing strength, discipline and flexibility rapidly. This class was no exception. There wasn't much originality but what was offered was solid; challenging but not exasperating.

SETTING: The location was in a great new integrated shopping centre off Lynn Valley Road. Live music was playing outside and there were lots of family friendly businesses. The 'northshore elements' studio is one of a comprehensive network of YYoga yoga studios in Vancouver. The features of this corporation include multiple classrooms and styles at each location, infra-red sauna and boutique.

STYLE & PACE: The attitude of the class I attended was demanding but not overbearing. The heat did not seem as overwhelming as other hot yoga classes I've experienced either. The teacher was understanding, encouraging and staunch. Modifications and level 1/level 2 variations were encouraged. The postures were mostly focused on individually (instead of in a series) and held for long periods of time. The series was similar to Bikram's (maybe copyright infringement? :oP).

SCENE: Lots of young ladies with lulu lemon brand allegiance, about %25 middle aged women and three middle aged gentlemen. Yoga's pretty seductive to young women who aren't afraid of spandex. This stylish, modern location is definitely a place to be 'seen'.

MY EVALUATION: In my experience, there is a post (day after) hot yoga energy high that is hard to beat. Sometimes you pull a muscle a little bit, sometimes you are wicked sore, but all in all the benefits of rapid results are very pleasing to the 'live fast' American palate. The aspect of corporate yoga culture has some benefits but does not yield a personal, heart-warming aura.

Spartacus Athletics

Commercial Drive & Grant Street
Hatha Yoga
Teacher: Jennifer
Drop-in: $7.00

SUMMARY: Awesome, down to earth yoga for all levels at an affordable price (though sessions are only 1 hour where as most studios are one and one half hours). Teachers offer individual adjustments (something you don't often get in crowded vancouver yoga classrooms) and there is a strong work out vibe in the environment but still plenty of mental room to relax and release stress.

SETTING: In the heart of an underground, greco-roman, urban gym lies the glass walled yoga studio. Walking into this building you pass through a tunneled stairwell muraled with ancient ruins and modern humans enacting athletic activities of all types. You can see into/out-of the studio room to about waist level form the rear and side of the yoga space and the front and opposite side wall are full length mirrors. It was hot, hot in the room (from Vancouver's current heat wave) but a strong fan was blowing. The dank air reminded me of a jaguar stalking through a majestic, sticky jungle. Energetic and rhythmic music was playing: vibrant equatorial drumbeats and the delicious melodies of my favorite Indian buffets.

STYLE & PACE: The hatha yoga was easy on the body and effective on exorcising stress. Good for all levels, the teacher was very encouraging. The energy of this room which's also used for step-class and other power work-outs definately carried over in the instruction and enthusiasm for physical activity. Prop use was encouraged and alternative poses for greater or lesser challenge were offered and employed. There were also options to take or leave a vinyasa flow in between key postures. Om-ing was a lot of fun with this crowd. I enjoyed taking an Om at the end and seeing how my voice key had changed after my body had relaxed so much.

SCENE: The building is filled with the sweet, of-all-ages, alternative-leaning crowd of the Drive and the girl at the counter had a huge smile on her face. If you're looking for a regular gym membership by the way - this place has one of the best deals in town! Inside the yoga class there was a good variety of age groups and a roughly 25% attendance of men.

MY EVALUATION: A great class for some exercise and stress relief. Good, positive, encouraging energy and well known poses make it a good entry level class. For the more experienced yogi there is a great interpretation of yoga practice to absorb from the gym environment. I hear this studio offers great power yoga classes for the work-out hungry.