While many locals enjoy dashing through the streets on their morning run, some people seek a less strenuous form of exercise. Thankfully, Seattle is equipped with a number of reputable yoga studios that offer just that. Below, we explore some of the best yoga hotspots in Seattle. Before trying out a new class, it’s important to make sure you’ve got the right gear. For a flexible pair of sweatpants, we recommend the Ana Heart Yoga Leggings.
Whole Life Yoga
Dedicated to the Viniyoga style, Whole Life Yoga welcomes both experts and novices alike. The Viniyoga style is easy to adapt, allowing instructors to tailor the sessions to the abilities of each student – even those with limited mobility. Focusing strongly on meditation and deep breathing techniques, the approach is great for those interested in learning how to relax and unwind.
Since their opening in 2001, the studio has focused on providing ‘Yoga for Real People’. Newcomers can rest assured that most of the class are not super bendable, nor do they keep up with the latest yoga fashion trends. The students and instructors are all just regular people, using the power of holistic therapy to improve their health. For those interested in becoming part of their community, book yourself in for a session online.
Location: 8551 Greenwood Avenue Suite 2. Time: Various sessions available. Price: Various.
Eight Limbs Yoga
Boasting four studios across the city, Eight Limbs Yoga are one of the most renowned studios in Seattle. The company offers 23 different class types including Hatha, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Pregnancy and Postnatal sessions, Family yoga, Yoga for 50+, Gentle yoga, and Restorative yoga. Additionally, they hold a range of workshops for prenatal, children’s, and mindfulness yoga. With this in mind, it’s clear that Eight Limbs has something for everybody!
The studio pride themselves on their welcoming and supportive environment, designed to encourage students to listen to their body and mind. The company’s motto is “Many Paths, Find Yours, Follow Yours”, which they focus on supporting through their classes. One of the most popular workshops is their ’28 Day Commitment’ which is held annually in February. The workshop is designed to help practitioners commit to daily practice.
Location: 4546 1/2 California SW, Seattle, WA 98116. Time: Various sessions available. Price Various.
Modo Yoga
Offering a range of sessions based on the traditional Hatha style, Modo Yoga is a firm favorite in Seattle. Each class focusses on breathing, alignment, depth, and expression. Alongside the classic postures, a class at Modo explores the 7 Pillars engrained into the vision of their yoga: Be Healthy, Be Accessible, Live Green, Live to Learn, Community Support, Reach Out, and Be Peace.
The studio welcomes practitioners of all abilities. The experienced instructors ensure that each student feels comfortable, tailoring the postures to people’s individual needs. Complete novices can begin with a series of simple stretches, while experienced yogis can challenge themselves with more complex postures.
Location: 7110 Woodlawn Ave NE (Greenlake Village) Seattle WA. Time: Various sessions available. Price: Drop-In $20.00.
Shefayoga
Shefayoga offers a variety of different sessions throughout the week. One of the most popular classes seems to be their ‘Hot Hatha’, which encourages students to focus on the traditional Bikram style. The posture series consists of 26 Hatha asanas. These simple poses are designed to strengthen and stretch the muscles. Alongside the asanas, two different breathing exercises are incorporated – these are formally referred to as pranayamas.
When performed correctly, the twenty-six posture series is designed to target each of the body’s key muscle groups. When carried out in the suggested order, each asana is thought to strengthen and stretch the muscles, ligaments, and joints needed for the next posture. For these sessions, the recommended studio temperature is around 100 degrees. The heated room allows the muscle to fully relax, meaning that they are able to stretch further without injury. With the ability to stretch further during each posture, hot yoga helps to increase muscle strength, flexibility, and also build up fitness levels and stamina, too. The heat also helps the body to detoxify. As toxins leave through the pores, the increased blood circulation means fresh oxygen can easily be supplied to cells throughout the body. In turn, this encourages new cell production. For those interested in taking part in a session of Hot Hatha, the class schedule can be viewed via their website.
Location: 6521 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, Washington 98115. Time: Various sessions available. Price: Drop-In $17.00.
Kula Movement
Although Kula Movement offers a range of traditional yoga classes, the most popular sessions available focus on AcroYoga. This partner class is best described as a mixture of acrobatics, yoga, and healing arts. Boasting an array of physical and mental health benefits, the practice focusses on strength building, improved concentration, and overall stress relief. Typically, the practice consists of three main roles – the base, the flyer, and the spotter. The person taking on the role of the base will support the flyer in air-based positions, while the spotter will stand back and constructively critique their form.
While the practice has many of the same benefits as traditional yoga, it also helps to form long-lasting relationships. It doesn’t take long for partners to realize that the postures cannot be completed without both parties being fully engaged, making each individual realize how much they need the other. Promoting deep-self-love and increasing empathy, the practice of AcroYoga can lead to long-lasting friendships. For those interested in yoga with a twist, visit the Kula Movement website to browse their class schedule.
Location: 5340 Ballard Avenue NW, Seattle, WA 98107. Time: Various sessions available. Price: Drop-In $18.00.
Whether you’re interested an energizing morning session to set you up for the day ahead, or you would prefer an evening class to wind down after a stressful afternoon, our handpicked selection above has something for yogis of all sorts. Before attending a local class, consider picking up your own mat to take along with you. For a comfortable option, we recommend the Ana Heart yoga mat.