Moksha Yoga Calgary West

For a yoga studio to have ‘Moksha’ in it’s name it doesn’t seem to offer many moksha classes. Lots (too many) fusion type classes and flow classes, both which are a challenge if you are still easing into yoga or are doing yoga with old injuries and aren’t able to do the more challenging poses in a fusion class.
Been to the moksha yoga calgary north, they offer tons of moksha classes throughout the day, sadly it’s too far to drive as the Aspen location is closer for me.
Overall it’s a great facility and the moksha classes I do attend are amazing.

My friend got coupons for a 10 card pass to this studio, and knowing I enjoy hot yoga, she passed them on to me. I usually go to the location on Macleod Trail, as it is closer to where I live. But, I thought I would check this place out nonetheless. The studio is quite nice, very modern. The front desk staff were friendly, and the room itself is pretty large, much bigger than the one at the Macleod Trail location. But, as other reviews have stated, they tend to pack in as many people as possible, so it gets really crowded and I start to live in fear of accidentally whacking someone with my arm or leg when trying to do a pose. I felt I could not do some of the poses properly because I did not have much room. Others around me were struggling with this as well.
Another thing that did annoy me was when I was trying to lay on my mat and relax, I could hear ladies sitting outside the room chatting loudly. While I am glad they were chatting outside of the room, the staff should have told them to keep their voices down. It’s hard to relax when all you can hear is a bunch of people laughing and talking loudly.
Overall, it is a really nice studio, and the instructors are great. So, if I happen to be in the area, I will go in. But since I live quite far away, it’s more likely that I might end up at the Macleod Trail location.

While not really a yogi kind of guy — I like the idea of Yoga … especially with my wife. I guess I may have done a dozen Yoga classes since my first 20 years ago in 1994 at Pam Stewarts Yoga studio in Charlottetown, PEI.
For a Friday night date a few weeks ago … my wife and I decided to go to Yoga near our home in Marda Loop. It was awesome … so we invited friends to do a double date of Yoga and dinner. These friends had some sort of pass to this studio … so off we went for a 4:30pm class in Aspen.
I was showing home homes on the ridge in Colgrove Avenue, NE in Bridgeland at 3:40pm … and was quite concerned if I would be able to navigate traffic and make it on time. It was actually pretty easy … traffic was no problem. (… well … I think I choose a pretty good route which is hugely important in this City!)
I met my wife in the parking lot at Safeway … and luckily she knew exactly where to go. (Okay … we were a wee bit late — as I arrived prior to her and returned a few phone calls). I actually learned that she can walk fast … when she is late for Yoga. I never knew she could walk fast!)
This Aspen Landing is darn nice. When I moved to this city in 2003 … Aspen Landing … was Aspen Trees. It ASTOUNDS me … the amazing developement that has occured here. Calgary is Spectacular in soo many ways.
I digress.
Yoga.
The entrance to the studio is wonderful. Big room and big entrance to change room.
Since I never got to go home prior to Yoga (I was planning to) … my wife brought my Yoga gear. She handed me my black bathing suit that was still wet from my Morning Swim at Glenmore Pool. I was pissed. «I get to wear my wet bathing suit … where is my shirt?»
She said, «That’s a bathing suit? You don’t need a shirt.»
… this is when I thought … be peaceful … things are evolving exactly as they should.
However, I was angry inside. (I recently listened to an Audio CD from Stuart Wilde … tittled «Infinite Self». Basicaly … allow ease … water of a duck’s back kind of stuff.)
I put on my wet bathing suit … and thought … perhaps we are at hot yoga. All will be fine. I put the towel over my shoulders … and was kind of embarrassed — feeling naked as I walked past reception into the big room. Luckily my wife was near the door … so I placed my mat close to her. As per normal — there were many beautiful women in the room … and a few guys … without shirts.
I lied on my back … sunk into the floor … and relaxed. (This is my favourite part of Yoga!)
Regrettably the class started … interupting the growling relaxing music. However, I guess it had to start.
The instructor was quite difficult to hear … most of the time I didn’t really have a clue what she wanted us to do. There was a REAL Yogi type two rows in front of me … who I watched — which was fine with me.
Somehow the class didn’t really flow. I found myself trying hard to do the poses … and was looking for some feedback from the instructor. However, very little was given.
Actually … crazy … at one point we were doing this pose … you’d know the name … where you are on one leg, foot on knee, bent … with arms around foot and shin. Shoulders are supposed to be held back. Well my shoulders suck at the best of times. The instructor comes to me … and actually says … somewhat under her breath as she touches my shoulders … «Oh … this is really bad …»
Well … I was a bit offended … but mostly I think it is funny.
She really doesn’t offer a correction … or tell me how to make better. I know what I’m doing isn’t feeling great — so is probably wrong. However, I don’t really care. I’m here to kick start my weekend and let the stress of the day go away.
After 75 minutes … we get to do my MOST favourite pose — Shavastna. This is when you lay on your back … and just about go to sleep.
It was awesome.
A quick shower … check some email & text messages, and off to Redwater for Supper.
Probably I will do a lot more Friday night Yoga dates. I love kick starting my weekend this way.

Love this studio! The teachers are friendly and qualified. The space is very zen. The only downfall is that it’s so good, it’s often crowded in the evenings. I’ve been doing yoga for nearly 10 years, and I can say without a doubt that Chris is the best teacher I’ve had. I keep coming back because of him!

Being new to yoga I can’t really compare Moksha to any other place. I am currently trying the $ 40 introductory month, and am loving it so far. The space is very modern and clean. The actual studio is is very large, and smells really good (I think they add some essential oils in the air). The staff have been very friendly and helpful as well. Unlike the other reviews I haven’t found the classes to be that packed, but that may just be the times I’m going at. There are some instructors I prefer over others, but that’s just me being picky. If everything goes well this month (fingers crossed) I will be renewing my membership.

I am a member of Moksha now for the past few months and love it. I would have never thought I would like yoga but the staff and the atmosphere are awesome and the workout is second to none.
I just read a bad review below and really cant assume what was wrong because of the yoga studios I have been to this one is the BEST.

Amazing studio! Have done yoga in edmonton, calgary and toronto. Staff is quite friendly. Saw one of the staff argue and disagree with the way an instructor spoke to someone in the class once. They argued infront of everyone which wasn’t very professional. Most of the instructors are great.

This is the most amazing yoga studio i have ever been in (and ive been in over 10 toga studios in Calgary). Its so beautiful, the classes are great and the staff is amazing. Their teachers are lovely and so helpful and the environment is always so relaxing.

As this location is new, the studio is very nice and modern. While a little difficult to find (2^nd floor, one of few businesses in a hallway that is still incomplete), there is a large open area when you first come in, ample changing facilities and a large room for the classes. I also very much liked the «tap» for filling your water bottle. They offer big mugs for water for those who’ve forgotten their bottles (a must when doing hot yoga).
The door on the studio is neat — it reminds you of a vault door. However, it also opens and closes slowly, and since it’s such a large door it lets out a LOT of heat when people enter or leave the class. Beware setting up anywhere near the door.
All of this aside, the instruction wasn’t quite what I was used to. The class seemed to move very slowly — we didn’t do as many poses as I’m used to in most classes. The class was supposed to be «more difficult» than other classes but I wasn’t challenged. Details about what we were supposed to be doing in the poses were lacking, even for people who have done hot yoga for years, and the instructor was pretty casual and kept cracking jokes. While I don’t mind a little comic relief, it crossed a line for me. I’m also used to a more relaxing savasana at the end of the class, but as soon as the instructor uttered «Namaste» EVERYONE left except for me and one other person. The noises & opening/​closing of the door (changes in temperature galore) interrupted my meditation and was a bit disappointing. I know this isnt the studio’s fault, but I can’t help but mention it since it was part of my experience.
I understand that the studio just opened (in fact, right now, they have a time-​limited deal for $ 20 for an unlimited week or $ 40 for an unlimited month) and that many of the people who are attending are first-​time yoga goers, so this may be impacting the instruction in the classes. I might try the studio again in a few months to see if both it and its attendees have matured a little, but for now there are better yoga studios much closer to me that I’d rather go to.