Are you a busy mum in need of some time out? In this crazy, Covid-19 world that is our new reality, I think it’s more important than ever for all of us to take care of ourselves on all levels – physically, mentally, and spiritually. For me, that means taking time to do some of the things I love; spending time with family, anything involving sparkly things and … yoga. Here are 8 Wellington yoga studios worth checking out if you are in need of a bit of self love.
It seems Yoga is becoming more and more popular as one of the ways we can bring some mindfulness and some sort of calm into our daily lives, and to help us keep healthy. Yoga involves movement, meditation and breathing techniques to promote mental and physical well-being. It improves your flexibility, strength, and balance. It also helps calm your mind, which in this age of never-ending emails, messages and alerts constantly delivered to us by our beloved technology, is often difficult to attain. If you are feeling stressed, and have never tried it before, I highly recommend you give yoga a try. Approach it with an open mind and you never know, you might fall in love with it, just like me!
Here are 8 yoga studios in and around Wellington. Some of them offer online classes, so you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home!
Space Yoga | Wellington Yoga
Address: 8 Lookout Road, Mt Victoria, Wellington
Tel: 04 974 6830
Email: info@spaceyoga.nz
Looking for inspiring yoga and mindfulness in a wonderful studio overlooking beautiful scenery? SPACE Yoga could be just right for you! The philosophy of the owners, Lana Bright and Oliver Ferry, is “to create a rejuvenating, invigorating & inspiring yoga & mindfulness space, where you can feel calm, well & thrive.”
Nestled at the top of Mount Victoria, this studio enjoys beautiful panoramic views of Wellington harbour and allows you to look out over the ever-changing landscape during your classes.
The passionate and experienced teachers are very welcoming and run a good range of classes including Yin & Restore, Yang, Yin Yang Space, Yang +Restore, Yang Fusion, Hatha Flow, Meditative Yin, and Athlete’s Restorative Yoga.
SPACE run an intro class, Beginners Intro to Yoga & Mindfulness, which is limited to 18 people and, as well as regular classes throughout the whole week, they also offer weekend workshops, retreats, and a monthly “Mindfulness SPACE” event.
You can book classes online and there are a range of pass and membership options, from the casual “Drop into SPACE” option ($23) right up to a 6-month unlimited pass so you should be able to find an option to match your budget. There are also options for a SPACE student pass (full-time students), a private session, and even a year membership. Mats are available to hire ($2).
With numerous 5-star reviews, this has been called one of the best yoga studios in Wellington and makes it a must try if you need SPACE from the fast pace of your work environment.
Awhi Yoga & Wellbeing
Address: Level 2, 15 Johnston Street, Wellington Central
Tel: 04 499 5006
Email: kiaora@awhiyoga.co.nz
If you are looking for a holistic approach to wellbeing, then Awhi Yoga & Wellbeing might interest you. The philosophy at Awhi Yoga & Wellbeing is based on Te Whare Tapa Wha, the four pillars of Hauora or Wellbeing. Co-owners Justine Hamill and Jase Te Patu feel that “within a supportive community or Whanau, mindful movement & physical health – Tinana – can support our mental & emotional wellbeing – Hinengaro – and thus connect us to our Wairua, spirit or sense of connection and purpose in the world.”
Housed in a beautiful historical building with lots of natural light, there are two studios. The larger main studio, “Whare Oho”, is used for most classes. There are showers as well as cubbies and mat storage for members.
Awhi Yoga & Wellbeing offer a range of classes from Vinyasa Flow (heated & non-heated), Yin Yoga, Meditation, Yin Therapy, and Pilates as well as live music Yoga events, self-development programs, retreats & teacher training. Awhi Yoga & Wellbeing also offer Awhi Yoga Online so you can enjoy classes from anywhere in the world.
Bookings are optional and can be made online or via the Awhi App. If you don’t want to book, just turn up 15 minutes prior to the class start time. There is a range of pass and membership options starting with the Drop In – Casual Class fee ($25). Awhi Yoga Online costs $19.99 per month with a 7-day free trial available from their website. Mats and towels can be hired for $2 per visit or you can bring your own. Bolsters, blocks, cushions & straps are provided when needed.
Described as a community hub, members are welcome to hang out, drink complimentary Libertine tea, read books and even shop in the boutique retail space!
The Yoga Studio | Wellington Yoga
Address: 6/149 Karori Road, Karori
Email: hello@theyogastudio.nz
Located in Marsden Village, Karori, this intimate studio is described as calming, peaceful, and cosy. In this lovely retreat, situated outside of the city, you are invited to “step out of the hustle and bustle of daily life and take some time for yourself.”
The Yoga Studio offers a variety of classes for all ages and stages “to compliment you wherever you are in your life journey”. Classes include Yin, Yin Yan, Hatha Flow, Yin & Tonic, Wake Up Flow, Slow Flow, Alignment Flow, Dynamic Flow, Pilates and Energise & Restore, and are limited to 12 people per class to keep it intimate. The Yoga Studio offers live online Zoom classes if it’s more convenient to practice from the comfort of your own home, and also run regular workshops and retreats (check out their website for more information).
There are a variety of passes and memberships starting from the Online Drop-In Class ($15) or Drop-In Class ($20) and ranging upwards. There are also special rates for students.
Hot Yoga Wellington
Featherston St Studio – Level 2, 139 Featherston St, Wellington
Tel: 04 499 4257
Email: featherston@hotyogawellington.co.nz
Lower Hutt Studio – 21-23 Andrews Ave, Wellington
Tel: 04 589 8381
Email: lh@hotyogawellington.co.nz
If you like a bit of heat, then Hot Yoga Wellington might be for you. Both studios offer five different class styles – Hot, Yin-Yang, Power Vinyasa, Yin, & Hot Sampler. In these classes, the room is heated to no more than 37 degrees. This heat allows your muscles to become more oxygenated, which in turn means your muscles can respond to poses with less resistance, reducing susceptibility to injury. Both studios are equipped with showers, bath products and changing rooms.
The Hot Yoga Wellington philosophy is that “everyone can benefit from a little yoga” and that “whatever brings you to your mat is absolutely perfect”. They pride themselves on a consistent and holistic approach to yoga where everyone is welcome. They “aim to create a safe, vibrant space withing the bustle of the city for kiwis to explore and deepen their yoga practices” and they “invite beginners and seasons yogis alike to sweat, laugh, and breathe with them in a space of honesty and openness.”
You can book classes online via the website and there is a range of passes and memberships to choose from, and these can also be purchased online. The Casual Class option starts at $22. The 6-month and 1-year membership options allow you to practice at both studios. Mats, towels, blocks, and straps are available for use, hire or purchase at both studios. Mat hire is $2, towel hire is $4 and there are concession cards available for both.
Yogis using the Featherston St studio are advised that there is a towing zone on the Eastern side (studio side) of Featherston St, which is active in the mornings from 8am, and also to pay for parking every day as wardens start ticketing from 8am.
Yoga for the People | Wellington Yoga
Address: Level 2, Stonewood Homes, 133-139 Tory Street, Wellington
Tel: 04 384 6825
Email: wgtn@yogaforthepeople.co.nz
Yoga for the People prides itself in just that, yoga for everyone. All ages, body shapes and fitness levels, or what they call the “young, old, fit, broken and everything in between!”. Whether you are looking to strengthen your body, improve your mobility or calm your mind, this could be the place for you.
This is a modern, spacious, well-equipped, purpose-built studio with highly qualified and dedicated teachers. The main focus at Yoga for the People is traditional Bikram Yoga, the original hot yoga sequence. This comprises of 26 core postures and 2 breathing exercises done in a heated room, to systematically stretch, tone, and realign your body and mind. Yoga for the People are the only studio in Wellington offering Bikram Yoga. They also offer Inferno Hot Pilates and Yin Yoga so there is something to suit everybody.
There are a range of passes including a Starter Pass for $25, which gives 10 days of unlimited access to all classes. Now that sounds like a bargain! The Casual Class pass is $22 and, when available, there is also a Virtual Class pass at $10. There are multi-class passes as well as weekly, fortnightly, monthly and annual pass options too. Discounts are available for Students and Seniors. Mat hire is $2 and towel hire is $3.
The studio has dedicated changing rooms offering full shower facilities and storage space. There is a Chill Out Zone for before and after your class, with tea making facilities and books on yoga for inspiration, and even a shop, which stocks the latest yoga gear.
90 minutes free parking is available outside the studio with Wilson Parking, although you might find you need a little longer as you can arrange massage, acupuncture, reflexology and sound therapy at the studio too!
Pause Yoga
Address: 28 Moana Road, Days Bay, Eastbourne
Tel: 021 410 890
Set in an architectural award-winning, purpose-built yoga studio nestled in the hillside of beautiful Days Bay, the yoga experience is enhanced by the ability to practice in a beautiful space overlooking a stunning landscape.
The Pause philosophy is that it is “a unique, special space where everyone is welcome. No matter what part of the yoga journey you are on, where you have come from or what you believe in, Pause is a place where everyone feels included and valued.”
The focus at Pause Yoga is to teach mindfulness coupled with therapeutic movement. Classes offered include Vinyasa Flow, Yin and Hatha, and are delivered with a strong focus on anatomy, mindfulness and body awareness. There is also a monthly Acoustic Yin class where acoustic guitar and vocals accompany your Yin practice.
Pause regular Yoga Spa Days, these are whole day events that include food, yoga, meditation and therapies, as well as a variety of Yoga Retreats in different locations such as Rotorua, Queenstown and Kaikoura. More information available on their website.
Pacific Yogaflow | Wellington Yoga
Ngatitoa Domain Hall – Northern Drive, off Pascoe Avenue, Mana
Extreme Dance – 5 Paremata Crescent, Paremata
Tel: 027 666 6331
Email: pacificyogaflow@gmail.com
For the budget conscious, Pacific Yogaflow may be worth investigating. Whilst the number of studio classes is limited, Pacific Yogaflow do offer online yoga classes, which includes access to a library of on demand classes.
Pacific Yogaflow offer Pacific Flow classes, a flowing, dynamic yoga practice, delivering strength, balance, flexibility and absolute calm. There are 4 in studio classes each week and 2 new live classes each week. You’ll need a FaceBook account to access the private membership page, Pacific Yogaflow Live.
Fees for Online Yoga classes are $9 a week. Studio Yoga classes are $20 and there are discounts if you take more than one studio class a week.
Tusk Yoga
Address: Level 5, 23 Waring Taylor Street, Wellington CBD
Tel: 027 780 4941
Email: tusk@tuskyoga.co.nz
An oasis of calm in Wellington’s CBD, Tusk Yoga is all about getting people away from their desks and moving. Their experienced teachers are well versed in the needs of their central city clients
Tusk Yoga offers a series of highly effective Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Ashtanga & Pilates classes designed to strengthen, align and re-balance the body, targeting the needs of those with busy work lives.
There are two daily 45-minute lunchtime classes and a 75-minute evening classes, and access to the booking system can be organised through the studio.
There are a range of membership options starting from a Casual rate of $22 for a lunchtime session and $25 for an evening session. They offer a Starter Package for $99, which includes a one-on-one hour class plus two weeks unlimited access. Individual private classes are $85, a lot cheaper than many other studios.
