Bikram Yoga Yonge

Great location with good and friendly teachers. Reasonable prices and always clean. The studio gets a lot of natural light from west and north so it is bright for afternoon and evening classes. They occasionally had classes with music that were also nice though I have not taken one recently.
Bikram yoga is challenging so it is not for everyone, however it is hard to beat this studio in overall experience. Men’s changing room could use one more shower, though there are seldom lines longer than two minutes. If you like Bikram I highly recommend this studio.

I have been going to this studio for some time now and I really love it. It is a real challenge for those looking to really push themselves to the limit. The staff is phenomenal and welcoming. The space is always very clean and yes it is hot. But that is because this place is for people who come in well hydrated, ready to pace themselves if they feel energy wavering and willing to challenge themselves. The staff create the right environment but it is up to the students to listen to their bodies, take breaks when needed and build endurance.

I really enjoy Bikram yoga and have been to a few different studios in Toronto. Bikram Yoga Yonge is by far my favourite for a few reasons:
— Very convenient location. Just South of Yonge and Bloor. For me it’s super convenient, because it’s near work, but even on my off days, it’s an easy travel by subway and a hub type of location with food, shopping, etc all around.
— Clean and spacious studio. The change room and practice room are always nice and clean. The practice room is also well-​designed for a Bikram class because it’s very wide so there are only 3 – 4 rows of people, which allows most (if not all) to see themselves in the mirror. I find being close to the mirror really helps me to focus on myself and not get distracted. I also have to take off my glasses for some postures so I like to still be able to see myself.
— Mats and towels always available. I don’t like to carry my mat because I’m usually coming after work and already carrying a couple bags. Plus I just don’t like having a lot of bulky things with me on the subway. I rent a mat for $ 2 every time and they’re always clean, dry, and ready when I come in, which can’t be said for every studio I’ve tried.
— Very friendly staff and friendly vibe. Some Bikram studios I’ve been to were not very welcoming (I won’t name which ones, to be nice). The teachers at this studio are very warm and encouraging, despite Bikram as a practice being really quite strict. They follow the Bikram dialogue in class but let you know how to adjust and improve your practice, and they acknowledge when you’re getting better, which is also encouraging. They’re very welcoming to new people, which is important, because Bikram can be an intimidating practice when you first start and being a newbie at a studio which is cold and unfriendly can put people off the experience as a whole.
— Affordable. Hot yoga is not cheap, but prices do vary somewhat across studios. The intro special here is a great way to see if you really like the practice and if you can only come a couple times a week like me, the 20 or 40 class passes are actually a really great deal and don’t expire! It’s a much better price than I would be paying at other places, especially considering all the other things I love about this studio.
Note: You do need to buzz up to get in if you’re coming for an evening or a weekend class, but it’s an easy code to remember so call the studio and ask for it. Then you’ll never have trouble getting in! And yes, it is very hot. That’s kind of the point!

Bikram Yoga Yonge is a good studio where everyone is friendly. It’s a solid, nice space, which used to be occupied by another yoga studio. It is busy, which is pretty much expected for yoga in Toronto. The busiest classes are following the standard workday, no surprise. Weekends can be quieter but sometimes you get a packed class. There are more women than men, but men are in regular attendance.
The practice room has lots of windows and the floor is dark hardwood. It can fit about 40 people. It is a VERY hot room (and I say this in comparison to other studios I have attended), and becomes hotter with more bodies in it. They don’t have a fan so the teacher will likely open the windows during class to bring in some fresh air and to circulate the air; that’s been my experience here. If you find that they don’t (oh yes, it can happen), it’s not good and it can be really unpleasant. Even when you get air, it’s still hot! On the natural desire to have more versus less space between you and your neighbours, don’t expect it. For a very busy class, you can expect there to be only a few inches between mats. If the class does not fill up, just before start time you can take the opportunity to adjust your mat to have more room. When space is tight, for full locust posture, yogis should negotiate with their neighbours so all can extend their arms.
All teachers follow the Bikram «dialogue.» Some teachers give you straight dialogue. Others have variations and provide further guidance and tips on the postures. I try not to prefer one teacher to another because it’s all good. Where additional information is given (e.g. a posture is further explained), it is generally beneficial. If you’re really listening, you can refine your practice and improve. Hands-​on adjustments don’t normally happen in Bikram Yoga but sometimes do. You are more likely to be verbally guided to make the adjustment (s) yourself. I’ve noticed both here.
Overall the space is clean. The ladies’ change room is big. There are four showers with decent water pressure. There are two sinks and only one toilet/​water closet and a long line up is not unusual. For storage of belongings, there are cubbies in benches, hooks, and some small lockers (you will need to bring your own lock). There is a sitting area outside the practice room if you have time to spare. There’s a tap where you can fill up your water bottle. In the practice room, oddly they don’t have a supply of old towels/​rags for cleaning up your own sweat when class is done. I’m accustomed to doing this at other studios. (And I have to say, earlier reviewers, if you don’t sweat under these conditions, that’s odd.)
Additional information, intended to be helpful:
Directions: closest to Bloor station and South of Bloor Street. The entrance is a few doors down from Noah’s Foods on Yonge. Located on the 3^rd floor of an office type building. There are some times where access to the street level door is restricted and you have to be buzzed in. Scroll on the directory to buzz the studio.
If you’re new to Bikram Yoga, read the FAQ and read elsewhere on the web. The practice is open to everyone but it’s always challenging. The dialogue and postures are Bikram standards so expect repetition. The dialogue has a demanding tone although some teachers are more relaxed sounding (but don’t be fooled into thinking it will be easier!) Don’t take it personally, just listen to the cues and follow them. I’ve also never been in a class where any teacher hasn’t been completely welcoming and encouraging to new students (i.e. do the best you can, go at your own pace, take breaks when needed). When they say the best thing to do is to come back soon for a second class, it’s true. Give it at least four classes and try different teachers. There are many benefits to this practice including better sleep, better focus/​concentration, calmness. Bikram Yoga has done positive things for me that Vinyasa Flow (love it) did not.
Basic tips/​etiquette: go well hydrated (minimum 2 litres during the day is recommended, if not more). Don’t tank up on water just before class. You’ll need water on hand in class (a litre or more). Have a mostly empty stomach, whatever that means for you. The guidance is to allow 3 hours between meal and class time. No talking in the practice room and be quiet with mat placement etc. Bring a towel that covers the length of your mat; you can rent one at the studio. Don’t wear pants, you will regret it. No cotton, acts like a weight. Bra top, close fitting tank, shorts, and crops are common for women. Men usually wear longer shorts (nothing on display please), maybe a technical shirt, but most men go shirtless. You will definitely need to shower afterwards so bring another towel. Don’t change into jeans, you’ll regret that too (lol, hard to get them on and you’ll still be hot).
You can see pictures of the studio here
& on their Facebook page.

Saw a one-​month Groupon for this Bikram location and got that excited feeling that I get when I tell myself that I’m going to get sooo into this new exercise thing and get sooo fit that I’m going to maybe even rock some abs. I’ve done quite a bit of yoga and even some hot yoga before, but never Bikram. After purchasing the Groupon, I started getting buyer’s remorse, but decided to go anyway.
This place is extremely difficult to find, there’s no signs so I had to use the Unilocal app to help me out. Turns out that among all the commercial buildings on Yonge, this Bikram is inside what looks like a medical office. Nobody would buzz me in. I waited for over 10 mins, nope, nothing.
I came back the next day with some more luck. Actually attended a class even though I was cutting it really close on time. Bikram to me = hot yoga, but even hotter and more humid (using a humidifier in the room) and you do each move twice with a rest in between.
The instructor was really nice and even called me out by name a few times, which made me feel really welcomed. Despite his efforts, it was just too hot and humid for me to properly concentrate on my practice. The lady beside me was starting to form a pool of sweat beside me, which also didn’t help.
Bikram yoga practice just seem unintuitive. Super hot and humid room, no water until the instructor allows you to drink, sweating pools and if you get dizzy, don’t worry that’s the toxins leaving your body. This goes against any physical training that I’ve received before. I’m a strong believer of listening to your body and so therefore this practice just isn’t for me.

This place should be called Sardine Can Yoga. With over 50 people in a room which would be full with 30, it got very crowded. Mats were about 8 inches apart and the instructor had to stand squished against the wall to give instructions. It doesn’t help to get there early as staff walk through the crowded room asking people to move over to make room for those who are still arriving. The man next to me was quite well built and wearing only a bikini bathing suit. Between his copious sweating and his sniffling from a recovering cold, with his mat so close to mine, it did not make for a great experience. At one point, I couldn’t do an exercise because I couldn’t stretch out both arms, the people on either side of me were so close. I couldn’t move vertically either to offset myself from those beside me. Afterwards when I complained, they said this was their fullest class and other classes weren’t so full. Maybe, but I wouldn’t count on it. Other places close a class when it gets too full. Not this place! Supposedly it’s a great work out, but what 90 minute work out wouldn’t be?
The instructor was continuously barking instructions like an auctioneer. «Keep your shoulders down!» «Breath out through your nose.» «Keep your legs like concrete.» I haven’t done Bikram Yoga before, but the constant yelling of instructions and frequent use of words like «concrete» haven’t been part of my prior yoga experiences. The place smelled like a high school locker room after football practice, also not an experience I’ve had with other hot yoga places. And one toilet enclosure for over 40 women. Makes the line up at the theater look good!
Finally, I wasn’t impressed with the pricing of $ 25 for one class or $ 45 for the month. I was assured I would «love the experience» because it was «absolutely fabulous» so I was urged to pay for the month. There is no opportunity to try one class except by paying $ 25. Afterwards, I asked for a refund of $ 20. I don’t mind paying for one class, but the assurances I would love it were absolutely false and I didn’t appreciate being pressured to pay for a month. Not a chance! Here’s my advice – save yourself $ 20 and try one class before falling for their «pay for a month you’ll love it line»!

I’m so pist up!!!
Some instructor too much complain to me…
Another instructor said Don’t drink water!!! And Don’t use towel wipe to face!!! I allways ignore that kind of instructor, but today instructor said Do u understand english??? That’s soooo pist up n soooo mean…
i don’t understand why I can’t drink water doing Yoga n why can’t wipe to face use towel, it’s not bother another ppl right??? Uncomfortable this studio!!! Another Yoga studio was never like that… when I finish my Tix never coming again!!! I feel so bad when I come there.