Bheda Yoga

I can’t say enough good things about this studio and the instructors!!!
Five stars just doesn’t do it justice but I’ll try my best to describe my amazing experience!
The minute you walk into the Bheda Yoga studio, you are greeted with a smile, vibrant colours and the subtle smell of incense. And that’s just in the front lobby! The studio is super clean and has change rooms equipped with both bathroom and shower stalls. The Hot Room is also very clean and has mirrors along the front wall, very useful when practicing (and perfect for checking yourself out when doing some of the more «sexy» postures!).
I first learned about Bheda Yoga through Groupon.
I had previously been practicing Bikram but was looking for a change (and a challenge!) and Bheda Yoga definitely gave me that and more! I noticed the difference right away between Bheda Yoga and Bikram. Bikram is very strict and structured (i.e. the same 26 postures each class, each posture is done twice, etc.). However, at Bheda Yoga, I found myself doing a variety of postures depending on the instructor and the class. This was a welcome change because it really kept me on my toes and made me listen to the instructions for each posture. And believe me when I say, each class is a high intensity, total mind and body workout!
The instructors are awesome! They describe the postures well and make sure to point out any necessary adjustments. I love attending Teena and Marni’s evening classes because they really push you to give your best each and every class, no exceptions! They also explain the benefits and emotions you will experience while doing the various postures. These classes are both physically and mentally/​emotionally satisfying! I have yet to leave a class without a smile on my face or a feeling of fulfillment!
To be honest, when I first started at Bheda Yoga, it was more for weight loss than anything else. BUT after 5 months, I can honestly say that Bheda Yoga has not only helped me physically (I’ve lost more than 10lbs and I can fit into my skinny jeans again!!) but mentally as well. Teena and Marni always begin their classes with some form of positive affirmation and I found this to be one of the GREATEST benefits of attending these classes! I’m sure most people would agree that life in general can sometimes be overwhelming, whether its work, family or both. For me personally, I found myself overwhelmed with work and as a result I noticed a decline in both my health and the way I felt about myself. But after attending a few classes at Bheda Yoga and reflecting on the positive affirmations provided during class, I noticed a change in myself. I started to focus on the positive aspects of my life and made a commitment to myself to CHANGE the things that limited me from being the best that I can be. Sometimes, all you need is to be reminded of how great you are and how much better you can be, and Bheda Yoga will do that for you each and every time!
So, if you’re looking for a challenge, a place where you belong or just someone to remind you of how great you really are, I strongly encourage you to give Bheda Yoga a try! Trust me, you won’t regret it!

If you’re looking for boot camp style yoga, this is a great studio for you. Teachers are really tough, and you work 110% in the class. Hardly any time for rest or sipping water in the class. The teachers will yell at you if you do not at the prescribed times.
That being said, I did enjoy going to this class. It got me in shape, fast.
The room is heated to 40 degrees. Always very hot.
I signed up for a Groupon with this studio and didn’t end up returning. I didn’t find there was any variety in the classes. Each teacher taught the exact same sequence with the same script. It got boring after a while.

This studio is warm and welcoming. A lot of people may take the teachers the wrong way thinking they work on them too hard… like no wiping sweat or drinking water when wanted. Yoga is about discipline and challenge yourself physically and mentally so you become strong. We all ‘want’ a lots of things but we don’t really ‘need’ them. Bheda teachers won’t stop you from drinking water if you need it, but they would encourage you to hold on to the thirst and test your limit… whether your are a beginner or seasoned yogi there is no excuse. All you need is to work hard (for your body and health) and see the transformation this yoga studio can help you achieve.

I recently quit this yoga studio. It had a lot of potential, but sadly, a lot of negatives that just kept adding up.
Challenging classes and you can pick days when your favourite instructor is teaching (bring Steph back!!). It’s ok if the class is too hard, because you can always take it down a notch and do poses at your pace and at your comfort level.
But some of the instructors feel the need to cater to the ‘newbies’ and don’t realize that when teaching anything, you need to base your lesson on the most advanced members of the group. There were a ton a first time students in one class, and instead of keeping normal pace, she kept us all in a downward dog for about 15 minutes while she went around and corrected all the new students who were doing it wrong… And proceeded to do the same for each pose after that — this happened in A LOT of her classes… not impressed. I don’t pay $ 100/​month for this.
I was a beginner once too — and I sucked, believe me. But class after class I just kept trying and asking the instructor for tips after class and eventually I got my poses down. I was able to advance without the instructor having to hold up each class on my behalf.
And this teacher taught quite frequently in the evenings — so it came to a point that if I wanted to avoid her classes, there were barely any classes I could take. No good when you have the unlimited monthly membership.
The studio is clean, super nice, with classes that will fit with most peoples schedule. Prices are comparable to other yoga studios around the city.
Biggest drawback — Marni keeps doing Groupon and other deal site deals for the studio. I get that this is a great way to attract new clientele and to bring in business. But it comes at the expense of the paying members.
When a deal became active, the studio became insanely busy. I would have to arrive at 8:00 for a 9pm class. And not just at the building — I would need to go in the studio as soon as they opened it to get a spot. Thats 30 – 40 minutes of lying in heat before your actual yoga session starts. I would be leaving my house at 7:30 and getting home at 10:30 for a one hour class. (Note: they do have an option for you to sign up for a class to guarantee a spot — I didn’t always know that far in advance if i would be able to practice that evening, and there were numerous times the registration site was down).
Bheda has crazy strict rules (which I love, by the way) about absolute silence in the studio and not bringing in anything but your mat and towel. Keeps the vibe super calm and really good way to start up your practice. But apparently these rules don’t apply when the new groupon hordes overtake the studio. People come in and have full conversations, throw their stuff loudly on the floor, use their phones… it’s a zoo. And nothing is ever said to them.
I was tired with the random and frequent waves of ‘temp’ clients who signed up because they got a deal, but did not respect any of the studio rules, and I was tired of fighting for a spot, even though I was the one with the membership.
Because of this, Bheda sadly lost me as a client, and I have found myself a new, lovely yoga home ~

Overall, it is an average studio.
The instructor can be challenging. I would not recommend it for anyone with chronic heart diseases or with anxiety disorder. The studio had to call an ambulance due to a student experiencing a panic attack during the class last year.
Classes can be at capacity during the evening classes. Be sure to arrive at least 20 minutes before class.
The studio is clean, tidy, and pleasant. Unlike other studios, there is no shampoo or soap available in the change room. Remember to bring your own!

I went for my first class (after going to Moksha for 6 months) with a Groupon. I ended up with Mahshid as my instructor who told us at the beginning of the class it was her «second class.» She also instructed the beginners to go to the second row — but really there was no space in the second row.
Throughout the class we were not allowed to wrest in the ‘child’s pose’ and had to lie on our backs, nor were we allowed to even DRINK WATER when we needed too. She was constantly picking on my friend (beginner) and I (with 6 months experience at Moksha) throughout and even admitted to her manager at the end that she «was going on hard us.» At the end of the session she then said it was ‘basically her first class.‘
I spoke to her after the class and gave her constructive feedback — none of which she actually listened too. I said (in a respectful manner) that she should ask everyone who is a beginner to raise their hand in the beginning of the class and also ask who is not ok with being adjusted. That way no one feels picked on. Her response was that «I asked beginners to go to the second row.» But there was no room in the second row? I also asked about why we couldn’t sit in child’s pose and she said that was Bheda Yoga’s ‘rules.’ I then asked why I couldn’t drink water when I needed too — that I wasn’t disrupting the class etc. Her response was «I went the first year without water and trust me you can do it — just push yourself.» I believe someone that is doing Yoga for the first time — or in my case after a few months should be allowed to drink water at their convenience. The instructor shouldn’t dictate this. Overall she interrupted me throughout my feedback talk and didn’t even let me finish what I was saying — anything she couldn’t answer she wanted me to speak to the manager about.
I was so turned off by the class and by her lack of ability to take constructive criticism that I haven’t gone back in 2 weeks. Definitely not attending her class and leaving Bheda if this continues with other instructors. As for my beginner friend — I don’t think he has any intention of going back at all. He said the Bheda Yoga Session prior to Mahshid’s was really great and also felt Mahshid was picking on us (considering her class was his second I find this credible).

No doubt a yoga studio with lots of character, largely because of the owner who’s quite sassy and is an instructor herself.
I can echo that the premises are clean, tidy, and pleasant. For someone who has tried out other yoga studios, and who is also a professed germaphobe when it comes to floors, that’s saying quite a bit for me. Hair on the floor is an unfortunate reality of life, haha.
I would understand if there are segments of the population who don’t necessarily like the very vocal and individualized attention given during classes by SOME instructors, but I would balance that by saying that the vocal praise is also given when the instructors see students are trying hard and doing well. It is a matter of personality taste and personal preference for how hard you like to push yourself in a workout.
My partner and I will definitely be continuing our memberships here. Lots of love for this place.

I really can’t imagine how it can be better. The environment is very clean, staff and instructors are very nice, and it always smelled nice. There are showers in the change room and kept sparkling clean by I guess both the students and staff. There is a sign saying to use the facility as if you are a guest in someone’s house and this ensures proper and respectable usage of the facility for all attendees.

I attended a Sunday noon class here with a good friend and I was really impressed by how the studio and surrounding space was laid out.
Unfortunately, I neglected to read the sign on the front door about silence at all times. My friend and chatted briefly before the class began and we were scolded as soon as Teena, the yoga instructor, graced us with her enduring presence.
We were whispering — and as Teena walked in (at 12:06 pm, by the way) she told us not to speak during the class. We understood it was disrespectful, and we apologized. We then received a 2 – 3 sentence-​long micro-​lecture about respecting the class. This was unnecessary and further disrupted the already late class, if anything.
Teena is a yoga instructor who seems to have all the sweetness and charm of a military tribunal judge. She is fond of announcing participant errors to the entire class (i.e. curling toes during child’s pose is strictly forbidden) and she seemed to relish every opportunity to critique anything that didn’t meet her standards.
Towards the end of the class, she provided a scripted speech about respecting the space and relaxing during shavasan… and once again we got a little sermon about keeping quiet in the class (OK — message conveyed, loud and clear).
I guess my friend and I failed to demonstrate enough shame and/​or discomfort, because AFTER CLASS Teena pulled us aside to scold us in the manner of a much-​maligned yogi despot. She wanted to be sure we were aware of just how wrong we were for trying to perform other poses or modifications when her instructions proved to set the bar too high for us mere mortals.
The studio owner happened to be listening to our conversation at that point; she heard most of what seemed to be escalating into an argument. At that point I left the room to change. I returned in a few minutes with my friend so that we could speak with the business owner in more detail.
I waited some time between my experience and posting this review. My discussion with the business owner after class led me to believe that she would follow up with Teena about her unprofessional behaviour. Sadly, even sending a thoughtful email to follow up specific concerns yielded only a short, dismissive reply.
I hope the other yoga instructors here are better at teaching yoga. I don’t think I’d want to risk another yogi blowout. Consider yourself warned.

Did 8 weeks unlimited back in the later summer/​early Fall, so this review is a bit late. I agree that that studio is far better than Bikram (still hot but without angry instructors and all the «fall ball, way back» BS). Marni (owner) is funny and tough — she will push you to and past where you want to go (in a good way). She’s interesting to talk to and even offered to order me cases of coconut water. The change rooms are clean and spacious and the showers are nice, with good water pressure. The studio is a good size (not as massive as others in the area). The flooring is soft, which can make balancing poses more challenging, but is great for knee cushioning. They offered me a discount if I signed up for more classes within a couple days for my package ending, but didn’t respond back when I had some questions, which was the only turn off and reason for the one star deduction. I’ve actually recommended this studio to my bro & sis in law who were looking for a place and they’ve gone a few times and enjoyed it too.

I just joined Bheda and have taken 4 classes from 3 different instructors so far. Since my previous Yoga exposures are all from Moksha (Richmond Hill and Markham), my review can be biased as I can only compare Bheda against Moksha. However, if you know Moksha, you probably can relate to my humble opinion.
Bheda is a quaint, privately owned Yoga studio. It doesn’t have a corporate feel (as opposed to Moksha), but more of a «personal dream comes true» business feel. The receptionist of the day is the instructor herself/​himself. The operation is so lean that once a class has started (meaning the instructor is not watching the reception area), the office door is locked. The door is re-​opened 30 minutes before the starting time of the next class. (Moksha’s door is always open for walk in inquiry and purchase). Is this really a problem? Not if you already know about this practice, and all you care is yoga. I did show up the first time while the door was locked and found this strange.
If you like to have numerous classes taught by a variety of instructors, Bheda does not have it. Bheda offers classes during the most trafficked time slots taught by mainly 4 instructors, weekdays and weekends. The instructors are good, I mean definitely better than Moksha’s average instructors who teach on weeknights (I have to stress this as Moksha has some awesome instructors, and my favourite ones teach weekends only). Bheda provides GREAT pose alignment instructions (Moksha is sorely lacking in this area as its class is too big — (sigh) Corporate pain). I like this, because, after a whole year with Moksha, my pose alignments are still hits and misses, making it very difficult for me to progress to more interesting poses (say the Crow pose). Due to fewer students and the quality of instructors, I got better instructions and tips to improve my pose at Bheda in a week than at Moksha in a month.
Class size — Bheda runs smaller class than Moksha, so the practice itself feels better. The class size at Bheda is capped at, I believe, 25 or so. I don’t feel crowded; I don’t touch /​hit someone and vice verse. The lighting in the studio is comfortably dim. The temperature is 110 °F. (Moksha is not as hot, even its Hot Flow is set at 95−100F).
Another good point about Bheda is that the studio is well kept and spacious. The sitting area is big, and many like to cool down there after class. The studio has a second floor where the change rooms are located. Moksha studio goes through so much volume that it feels like that it needs a renovation (more so at the Richmond Hill location than the Markham location).
Okay the minus. Since Bheda only has 4 instructors, there are at most 4 different yoga styles taught. Moksha and other bigger studios offer a much larger variety of styles. Ashtanga, Yin, Pre-​Natal, Iyengar, Gentle Hatha, Moksha, etc. I am not keen on learning dancing at a yoga studio, but if you are, some studios offer dancing classes. What does this mean? This mean a student cannot experiment with a variety of yoga styles and select the ones he/​she is inclined to at Bheda. Is this a problem? For Gentle Hatha, Bheda is great. When one feels like trying other styles, he/​she has no choice but to try out other studios.
Conclusion — Bheda is a good independent studio. It is run sincerely by its owner. It is new; the instructors are great and friendly. If you want a place to practice regularly, every other day for example, this is a really good place. If you want to do inversion, crow and basically become a human pretzel, Bheda currently does not offer this type of classes. It may later, and I hope they will one day.

This studio is close to my office and on the way home! I knew I had to try it.
Please note, it was definitely a nice HOT room 40 degrees +. Felt great after class and I was so relaxed whilst driving home! The room was huge and there was definitely a lot of space. Also love the ambiance of the whole studio. Nice, warm and zen… and very clean! :) There are no lockers so leave your valuables in your car. I love the sitting area upstairs.
I went to the 4:30 Bheda Matkarma class taught by Marni. What a nice lady. Very personable and made an effort to know all her students. If you like Moksha you might like it even more here as each class will always be different & you can probably do your own variations without getting cussed out like at Moksha. Nice and laidback.
The only con imho was the floor of the studio was like a thick yoga mat and i felt I had to try harder to maintain the balance for some of the standing postures. Guess that is what will make you strong at Bheda Yoga. I am looking forward to trying Rachel’s class another time as Marni told me it’s more challenging.