Fierce Grace Hothouse – North

I’ve been here several times and I really enjoy the class itself. However, they could brush up on their hospitality at the front desk. When I’m paying almost £20 for a class, towel and water; I don’t want to be listening to the receptionists conversation about her personal life with their friend and waiting forever for them to acknowledge me and return my change. No it wasn’t busy! Plus, there’s a lot of catty middle aged women who go there. The teachers are professional and there’s nothing wrong with the class itself. However, I want to leave with a smile on my face and not thinking «people in there are so rude I don’t feel comfortable to return».

Being closer to home I thought I would try out this class instead of taking the long treck to Balham’s Bikram Yoga class, of which I am a huge fan. Exactly the same positions devised by Bikram are on offer 3 — 4 times a day for 90 minutes. The basis of all the classes, no matter where you go, are the same, so I guess it’s just the proximity and preference of centre which determine your choice.
The studio is along the market area, on the second floor above the busy row of shops so to find it you just look out for their door marked with a sign. The same type of friendly yoga fiends come here, yet the same lack of space in class apply during the evenings. One man actually flicked sweat onto me all the way through a session as we moved through the positions last week. And I’m actually paying for this?!
Unfortunately I really don’t like this studio, which can only be described as scruffy and at £13 a lesson you’d think that they could afford a refurb. It’s in a carpeted room that seems unclean, not surprising, as it must get drenched in sweat every lesson, there are large windows lining one side of the space that let in too much outside noise and light, (which is very distracting) the heat doesn’t seem to circulate well and is only controlled by turning up the radiators full blast rather than providing a hot air steam. I’ve had my mat next to the radiators before and the heat was so dry and heavy that it was unbearable.
Bikram yoga isn’t just exercise, it’s a powerful form of yoga, which if done in the right settings should have an amazing effect on the mind, body and soul. I much prefer the wooden floors, clean sauna style and lack of natural light in the Balham yoga class that overall has a much more positive effect on me.
After stretching out in Kentish Town I felt more ripped off then rejuvenated so I wont be returning.

yer man mr. bikram choudhury might sleep with his students, charge up to £8k for teacher training, own multiple rolls royces and have franchised his brand like some fast food retailer, but hey he’s on to a business winner so why not?
bikram yoga is practiced in a specially heated room which reaches up to 90 degrees farenheit. the practice is comprised of a series of 26 postures that are taught in the same manner and order the world over — with no deviation EVER!
you won’t find people in baggy t’s and sweat pants in here — rather micra shorts, lots of lycra and even swimming suits! the practice is HOT and challenging, but the idea is that the heat not only encourages your body to detox, but that warm muscles are less like to strain and allow you to ‘go deeper’ into your postures.
plus, there’s a much more even balance between the male/​female ratio, lots of mirrors, so that you can admire your red, sweaty demeanor whilst to grunt your way through to the last pose, and the teachers sometimes where headset mics — i presume this is so that they can be heard above the groaning…
i’ve taken advantage of their ‘introductory’ offer twice now (naughty me!;) which is basically a months pass for the cost of one class — i suppose the idea is to get your completely hooked and then charge you an arm and a leg… i did really enjoy it, but it is very commercial, there seems to be a distinct lack of relaxation — which is a little worrying considering the intensity of the classes, and it’s all rather egositic, body beautiful…

An empty stomach, searing heat, waves of dizziness and soaking wet clothes. Sound like a good time?
Whilst literally melting in class, my body does feel like it’s getting gradually cleaner. All the food sins and caffeine fixes are slowly seeping out of my pores, dripping from places I didn’t know could sweat.
I have now experienced the 46 degree heat on three occasions, craving my next overheated visit but also desperately watching the clock while I’m in there. I am yet to get through a session without being forced to take an anti-​dizzy break. Being fairly physically fit, this is extremely irritating and becomes a battle of will, mind you I’m not alone in needing to head for the floor to find mildly cooler air. My last class we were dropping like flies.
I was recently trying to convince a friend of Bikram’s fabulous qualities. Apparently, I make it sound more like torture so here are the highlights. You walk out feeling like your organs have been wrung out, literally scrubbed down. Since you have to go on an empty stomach, you leave craving wholesome goodness like fruit and muesli and stay on the healthy eating path for the rest of the day. You don’t have to be the next Mr. Universe to participate, the class is full of all shapes, sizes and age groups. And finally, there are classes starting as early as 6:45am so there’s no excuse, Bikram North provides the mat and some lovely teachers and you sweat your ass off without running a marathon.

Waking up at 5.45am is usually not a good thing. There was a good reason for it today though. I was going to an early morning Bikram Yoga class.
Finding Bikram Yoga North isn’t easy, as its name is not displayed other than a small placard above the door buzzer. After buzzing in and climbing the two flights of stairs, I entered the reception. Everything you’d expect from a yoga school is on offer, retreats, clothing, mats etc… Plus the vibe just had that yogi feel to it.
My partner and I signed up for the very reasonable £29 for thirty days. This introductory offer means we can train as much as we like for thirty days. It is £13 a class after this introductory period.
Once the admin was sorted it was time to sweat. The studio is spacious with plenty of natural light and famously heated to a thankfully bearable but still hot temperature.
The teacher was a lovely Latino lady who spoke using a headset. Unlike all other styles of yoga classes I have attended she instructed but did not do the movements herself. This in no way distracted from the quality of the teaching and spared her time for correcting students.
Based on twenty-​six Hatha yoga postures the movements and stances are not difficult to do but they are to master. With the added heat it wasn’t long before I was bathed in sweat. Rather than an overtly physical workout, it really felt like I was working from the inside. My organs felt freshly squeezed and my core felt thoroughly worked. There were no downward facing dogs, no plank and very few of the traditional postures I’ve performed before. Yet I enjoyed the class and will be back.

I first tried Bikram Yoga two years ago not knowing what to expect.
It is practiced in a large heated, mirrored room. The heat eases muscles and joints and aid the healing of existing injuries, as well as promoting detoxification through sweating.
I was advised to carry a two litre bottle of water with me which i drank every drop of. The exercises are tough and you really feel the stretches but you come out feeling really light, refreshed and healthy. Definitely worth a try!
Drop in class is £13
As a first timer you can avail of the £10 for 10 classes rate which is what I did!
Enjoy and Namaste!

I was told about this yoga where it is practised in a large heated room a few years back but took noticed of it. Recently, my friend mentioned it again and we decided to try it out. It wasn’t as I expected it to be but to be fair I didn’t really know what to expect. We were told to bring a lot of water so we did.
Yoga is performed in a room that is heated and with mirrors everywhere. The first time I went it felt so hot and I was sweating so much. The really good thing is that I felt refreshed when I was leaving. It just felt so good that I went back again. It has helped me lose weight and I feel so much better. I don’t feel bloated as much now and I have started eating healthier.