Toronto Yoga Tour

Canada's largest city is home to some of the country's most inspiring yoga spaces and revered instructors.

By Chris Jones

Sage Yoga and Meditation Centre
Canada's only Jivamukti outpost, Sage is one of Toronto's most tranquil yoga spaces—despite being situated above chaotic Yonge Street and across from the city's largest temple of consumption, the Eaton Centre shopping mall. Each open class includes meditation, chanting, and a brief Sanskrit lesson in conjunction with a vigorous vinyasa-style asana practice. "We try to elevate the practice so that we're really raising our consciousness and not just moving through the physical postures like it's an exercise class," says Sage co-owner and instructor Jeannine Woodall. Pulsing world music is an integral part of the Jivamukti approach, and once a month, the studio hosts Moksha, a Friday-evening yoga event featuring a live DJ. 5 Shuter St., third floor; (416) 530-0039; www.sageyoga.ca.

Esther Myers' Yoga Studio
Although it suffered the loss of its founder (to cancer) in January of this year, Esther Myers' Yoga Studio continues to champion Myers's teachings and approach under codirectors Monica Voss and Tama Soble. Hatha yoga and a range of specialty healing classes are the focus. 390 Dupont St.; (416) 944-0838; www.estheryoga.com.

The Yoga Studio
With two yoga studios composed of three practice rooms each, the Yoga Studio claims to have Canada's largest yoga facilities. Its midtown locale is slicker than that of its environmentally conscious sister on Bloor Street, downtown, but both locations feature first-rate instruction in a range of styles, including hatha, Ashtanga, Kripalu, restorative, prenatal, and Pilates. "I'm a firm believer that there is no single path," owner and director Helen Goldstein says. Orange slices, filtered water, and herbal tea are always on offer. 344 Bloor St. West, fourth floor; (416) 923-9366; and 40 Eglinton Ave. East, eighth floor; (416) 322-9936; www.yogastudio.net.

Yoga Centre Toronto
One of Canada's most dedicated Iyengar instructors, Marlene Mawhinney, is the president of Yoga Centre Toronto. A stern but sympathetic teacher, Mawhinney makes regular pilgrimages to Pune, India, to study with her mentor, B.K.S. Iyengar. YCT offers yoga for seniors and those with cardiac difficulties, multiple sclerosis, and other special conditions. "Yoga has a remarkable power to heal," she says. The center has three bright studios that were renovated in early 2004 and are equipped with an astonishing range of pulleys and props to assist with proper alignment. 2428 Yonge St.; (416) 482-1334; www.yogacentretoronto.ca.

The Yoga Sanctuary
Located in the cavernous ballroom of the hundred-year-old Odd Fellows Hall, the College Street arm of the Yoga Sanctuary features an ornate vaulted ceiling that soars 40 feet above a sisal-covered floor. Owned by down-to-earth sisters Cynthia Funk and Kimberley Sopinka, the Sanctuary's schedule includes hatha and Kripalu Yoga classes, but the main focus is on Ashtanga Yoga. "That's what our clientele seems to prefer," Sopinka says. During the day, sunlight pours in through Baroque windows; special evening classes are lit by 108 tea candles placed on a ledge that runs along the perimeter. 2 College St., third floor; (416) 928-3236; second location at 348 Danforth Ave. (in Carrot Common); (416) 461-6161; www.theyogasanctuary.net.

Moksha Yoga Danforth
This holistic hot yoga room prides itself on offering a healthy, environmentally conscious setting. It's spacious, and it needs to be; this is one of the city's busiest sweat shops. "We have a very dedicated following," says studio director and teacher Jessica Robertson. The studio has a cork floor and a comfortable cool-down lounge, plus a newly installed Wellness Room for therapeutic massage and more. Friday evenings are reserved for pay-what-you-can "karma classes," with the proceeds donated to a revolving list of local charities. 372A Danforth Ave.; (416) 778-7744; www.mokshayogadanforth.com.

Downward Dog Yoga Centre
Located in the heart of artsy Queen Street West, "The Dog" attracts a fervent crowd of Ashtangis whose heartfelt chanting takes on a religious quality in the resonant main studio. Sting, Willem Dafoe, and Julia Stiles are just a few of the visiting celebs who have practiced here. Co-owners Ron Reid and Diane Bruni (host of the Canadian television series Breathing Space Yoga) are among the city's most noted instructors. 735 Queen St. West; (416) 703-8805; www.downwarddog.com.

See All Travel Articles »