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Iam Yoga
Category: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Yoga Yoga [Edit]
661 Yonge StSte 300
Toronto, ON M4Y 1Z9
Neighbourhoods: Church-Wellesley Village, Downtown Core
(416) 920-9642
- Good for Kids:
- No
18 reviews for Iam Yoga
18 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
1/13/2012 6 Check-ins Here
4.5 Stars
Close to my office, and offering lunch time hot yoga, I was interested in giving Iam a try. Me, along with a couple of co-workers, bought a recent deal and were eager to try the studio out. I have now visited once a week for about a month and I think I can give an accurate review.
First of all, Gorgeous studio, exceptionally clean and spacious with four showers. Spacious practice room (although I did go to one class where it was actually packed.. maybe 50+ people?) nice light filled lounge and really friendly staff. Good Vibe.
I have to say that after trying a couple of instructors, Bruce is by far my favourite. PLEASE MORE LUNCH HOUR BRUCE! He is warm, welcoming, soothing, and provides perfect direction. If he taught every day at lunch I would be a constant visitor. Unfortunately, on the recent schedule, Bruce teaches mostly in the 10am hour, or too early for me. His classes are prefect for "hot" - just the right amount of challenge and flow, not too much to overwhelm me in the heat over lunch.
I really like this studio, and its an EXCELLENT location for me, so I will for sure be attending regularly. My only complaint is that the Wed and Thurs Core Flow and Detox Flow are a little too much for me to handle during lunch hour. I'd like more regular flow, or hatha flow classes during that time. Afternoon meetings and still sweating.. not my thing. -
Review from Emily H.
Updated - 2/29/2012
*2.5*
Since my review from January, I have been going to Iam Yoga on a regular basis. I am sad to report, however, that they have gone downhill by A LOT.
The change rooms, which were the highlight of many people's experiences, are now a nightmare. The showers no longer have the shampoo, conditioner and body wash that they once boasted, and the drain is constantly clogged. The shower heads have been broken on several occasions as well.
I have also discovered that the after-work classes (5pm, 6:30pm and 8pm) get extremely packed and smelly. Luckily, I've been able to avoid those.
The lobby area, the practice room and the staff have remained alright, but the bathrooms really turn me off from continuing here now.Listed in: Food-Free February Challenge!, Yay for Yonge!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/22/2012
I enjoy this studio a lot. After being used to the underground dungeon-ness of a certain yoga… Read more »
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Review from Charlotte W.
North York, ON
2/29/2012
I am so behind in the Yoga craze. I finally NOW just got into the "hype" of it and am signed up to Moksha North York. However, my bf wanted to try Hot Yoga and since I have always wanted to do a class with him, we decided to do a mini Yoga retreat in downtown.
The good thing about IAM yoga is they offer a free introductory class to new comers of the place, and my bf and I quickly took advantage of that offer. Sign up was so painless and everything was online. I bought a yoga mat for my bf at Winners for $19 and we were set! The only thing I forgot to mention to my bf, as a first time Yoga-er, that this was HOT yoga. I was slightly worried for my bf as I wasn't sure how he would handle the poses (a), and the heat (b). Time will tell.
The class is on the 3rd floor and signing in was very easy. Staff were very smiley and friendly and we were asked to sign our waivers. I didn't access the ladies change rooms, so I went into the hot room first. We were advised that the area by the windows would be the coolest. My bf and I ended up being in the middle row.
The instructor was great and no complaints there. The only thing I was slightly grossed out was on my way out of the class, I saw this big puddle of water on the floor...(blech!) On that note, I did see someone sweep the floor after my class which means before each class begins, there is someone that wipes the sweat away.
My bf and I had a great time, and this class was great. However, because I don't live or work in this area, I probably won't be coming back here again. That being said, I still am loving hot yoga, and for anyone in the Yonge and Bloor area, IAM Yoga is definitely a place worth checking out.Listed in: February Food-Free 2012
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Review from Alice T.
First off, I just love how clean and spacious the studio is! Not at all cluttered and change room has actual shampoo, conditioner, and lotion available, how sweet!
Unlike other hot studios I've been to, Iam Yoga is super clean and not at all smelly, despite working you into a sweat.
There are a lot of different types of classes at the studio so I'd try a few before you make a decision about the studio. Luckily new members get unlimited classes for a week for $20 so try as many as you can even if it doesn't sound like something you'd be into.
My review will be on the Yin Meditation class on Sunday evenings which I was hesitant to take at first but it has come to be something I treat myself to each week.
Some think of it as a beginner class because it's a bit slower and the room isn't as hot, and it is great for beginners, but as someone who's been practicing yoga for over 10 years I also find it challenging and rewarding.
It's my favourite class by far and embodies a lot of the elements I love about yoga... Stretching, breathing, openness, relaxation, and meditation. And having it in a hot room really increases it's benefits.
You hold positions for long periods of time allowing your body to stretch and to adjust to the sensation of slight discomfort (it should never be painful). It's surprisingly therapeutic to both physically and mentally learn to accept the sensation of discomfort and learn to manage it.
I always find myself super relaxed after this class which is perfect for a Sunday evening before starting the work week.
Iam Yoga has a lot of great "fitness" type classes too which I take during the week but Yin is my favourite by far. -
Review from yyz a.
Toronto, ON
2/8/2011
The bathrooms were the best part of my experience at this studio. They're lovely.
Unfortunately the instructors here have a sense that they don't genuinely care about the students or what they're doing. They're just reciting poses to a room full of people. I've also noticed a lot of errors with the teachers forgetting or messing up poses from one side to the other.
Also be warned that this studio is really really hot. Like the sun. Even though I've been practicing in a hot room for nearly a decade WOW is it hot. So if you're bringing a friend who's new make sure they know to drink lots of water and take breaks. -
Review from Giselle g.
Toronto, ON
1/29/2011
The facilities here are nice. There is plenty of room in the changerooms and the staff were very pleasant.
My only complaint was overcrowding in the Saturday F1 hot yoga class. There was only about 6 inches of space between the mats. The heat was unbearable and being so close to other sweaty bodies squicked me out.
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I need to add, upon further reflection... Why would anyone enjoy being packed into a dark room like sardines, sweating in hellish heat and humidity. Doing contorted poses? I could pack myself onto a train in the third world for that kind of torture.Listed in: Yoga for the Lazy
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Review from Sanita M.
5/19/2011
This is the best yoga place I have tried. Everyone is so nice and friendly, love it. Also the place is clean and beautiful, nice showers and changing rooms. I used $20 offer for new customers and it was totally worth it, I tried many classes and decided to stick with this place. Right now when I have moved, I still want to go back because this is amazing place. I only noticed they do not have 8 am classes on weekends, I wonder why, that was perfect time for me. Also they could have more Reduced Heat classes as I find them little too hot, almost fainting sometimes.
I also love that they do not have so many people in the class and there is enough space around you for streching your body parts :) I do not want to feel like a pickle in the jar. -
Review from Chad M.
7/14/2010 14 Check-ins Here
Namaste bitches!
My romance with Yoga has been on again off again, but after my visit to Iam Yoga today I think I'm ready to go steady.
Jennifer was minding the front desk and was very nice to me, introducing me to the owner as well as my instructor for the day, Alyssa. Jen gave me a quick tour of the place and was easy to talk to. She seemed genuinely interested in me and excited about working there.
Everyone was incredibly friendly and outgoing, which I think contributed to my positive experience.
While I'm not new to Yoga, this was my first hot yoga experience so I was naturally a little apprehensive.
As an instructor Alyssa seemed very knowledgeable and I never felt awkward or out of place during her session. As a beginner, the F1 CC class was seriously challenging, but I made it through till the end.
I'm going back tomorrow to sign up for their $20 all-you-can sweat for a week.
Highly recommended for beginners.
EDIT: Went twice today, I think I found my groove with this place. If you are new, make sure you go to a class with a 1 in hit, such as F1 (Flow) or H1 (Hatha). Also make sure to bring a towel (I bring two towels, one for the mat and another for all the crazy sweat!), at least 1/2 litre of water and a yoga mat (duh). My first time I forgot a towel and they dinged me $2 bucks.
TIP: Sit next to the north windows. Usually they open them about 10-15 minutes before the end of class. I find that it helps me keep going. If I'm too far away I find myself wishing I could feel the breeze and stop focusing on what I'm doing, which is essentially trying not to pass out. -
Review from Kat F.
STUDIO: 5 stars
Breathtaking. Gorgeous, walnut hardwood flooring throughout, with an array of delicate touches of decor, from inspirational quotes to stones and waterfalls. The storage here is ample - there is a huge EXPEDIT storage unit in the entryway for shoes and you are encouraged to leave your belongings in the equally ample (at least for the women) change rooms or with the front desk. Unlike some hot yoga studios there are multiple showers that afford enough privacy, and one private toilet stall. The location is excellent, steps from the subway at Yonge & Bloor. Front desk staff is cheerful and thorough in explaining the studio's philosophy, room temperature (48C/119F) and telling you where to go/how to set up. I had absolutely no trouble using my Passport To Prana here - sign-in was a breeze.
CLASS: 2 stars
Monday 8:15pm
"Hatha I" with Lexi
I don't want to penalize the studio itself for tonight's class, which is why I'm reviewing the class separately, with the intention of returning to try a different instructor. I specifically researched and chose this class because of the online description on Iam's website: "Class is suitable for students of all levels - we flow from one pose to another without downward dog and sun salutations." The "without sun salutations" was the part I was most interested in - I was not in the mood for a flow class at all. I must have counted 30 sun salutations and 40 downward dogs. Someone was in the wrong class - either me, or the teacher.
Normally at a yoga studio the teacher introduces him/herself to the class as well as what's about to transpire. Often they'll go around and ask if anyone has any injuries or special requirements, and then make modifications throughout the class. This instructor was on a mission to conduct her own class and began giving instruction the moment she walked in, without any preamble. It was a bit jarring, and I found her quite impersonal, not providing nearly enough instruction or modifications. This is not to say she wasn't talented, graceful and experienced - she certainly was, but throughout the class I felt stressed, instead of relaxed and/or invigorated.
Yoga is meant to be fun and lighthearted, at least, in my opinion it is. You should be encouraged to push yourself or slow down if you're unable to keep up, and this wasn't emphasized in this class at all. There were many of us struggling to keep up with the Lululemon-clad regulars in the class, when I think it should be the other way around: if a class is described as beginner, it should be accessible to all, with the basic instruction and demo given, and then modifications for advanced students. If the Monday night class is full of advanced regulars, maybe change the class description and bump it to a level II.
I will be back to try hot yoga with another instructor, but if you are not a seasoned yogini who practices in nothing but a sports bra and teeny spandex shorts, I would not recommend the Monday night class.Listed in: Toronto's Top Yoga Studios
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Review from Robin D.
9/19/2010
Went to hot yoga for the second time in my life, first time here at Iam Yoga. It is alright. Location is awesome and the place is nice, the floor is nice, the yoga room is nice, and even better there is not too many people, around 10.
The class I went to was Ashtanga, instructor Jonny. Had fun, found instructions very fast pace and generally had no idea what I was doing. Other people seemed okay so you can just follow their lead like me.
Got unlimited yoga for a week for $20 + $2 mat rental. -
Review from Lauren C.
4/6/2010
I'm just going to say it: this is a partisan review because I love Iam Yoga. I have tried several other hot yoga studios around Toronto including a couple different Moksha studios and Kula in the Annex. I have also tried several hot yoga studios around Boston, including Bikram and my personal favorite, Baptiste. After over a month of trying different studios around Toronto, I chose hands-down the vibrant and growing community of yogis at Iam. Why?
1. Downward-dog-based, vinyasa flow classes. I love the emphasis that vinyasa flow classes place on breath and energy in motion. I personally find that hot yoga classes which begin with a flow series moving through the inverted, downward dog position get my body warmed up gently, yet quickly, preparing me for any standing series, ab or back exercises, or more advanced balancing postures. Although there are a variety of classes at Iam from Hatha to Flow to Yin and Yang Meditation, I find many use downward dog as a home base, which I love. If you like this too, I particularly recommend Amy and Linda's flow classes--fantastic.
(If trying new postures and balances is your thing, you should try Joanne's Vinyasa2 class. If you crave predictability and the ritual aspect of yoga practice or you want to cumulatively build on your ashtanga practice, Jonny's class is the best.)
2. The temperature. These classes get hot! You just don't get the same sense of exhilaration and purification from a room temperature or even a 30C/86F class. You do get it here! And a whole lot of sweat--don't forget a towel or two.
3. Linda. She is the studio owner and she is awesome. She has super human core strength but I think she doesn't know it--I know her class will always give me a good core workout. Besides her teaching, she is always trying to create new opportunities, not only offering a $20 first week introduction rate (which initially drew me in), but also offering rejuvenating yoga retreats in beautiful mountain resort spas, partner yoga workshops so you can work on new inversions and balances, teacher-training, etc. If you have any questions or requests, don't hesitate to ask her. She is down-to-earth and generous with her time and energy.
4. Location. This is a convenient stroll from the downtown YMCA if that's your gym (which i highly recommend as well), the Yonge-Bloor subway station, there's great shopping, yummy asian restaurants and a starbuck's all within 2 steps--couldn't be better for those working or wanting to spend time downtown.
5. Facility. The panoramic windows looking in on the studio provide invigorating natural light in class. The showers are always clean and conveniently stocked with yummy-smelling shampoo, conditioner and body wash. There is also a very inviting room for facials/massage/spa treatments that I've never taken advantage of, but it helps complete the picture of this inviting studio.
So what don't I like about this studio? Not much. I do wish every class was 75-90 minutes. There are so many postures that I like (or ones that I don't like which I should do for exactly that reason) that you just can't get to in 60 minutes. I wish they had more blocks in the studio, and maybe a few straps for the occasional bow pose when I'm so sweaty I can't actually keep a grip on my foot. And for the busy classes, I wish that maybe there was just a sign or something letting people know that they should be ready to adjust their mat spacing to help accommodate more people if necessary.
Anyhow, I hope that this helps someone decide if this is the studio for them! -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
10/30/2010
Came here on a Friday night for the Yin Yang class. Overall, the class was okay, and could have been better. I'd give the Class and Instructor a 2, while I give the studio facilities a 3.5
The staff at the front desk was super friendly. The big spacious lobby allowed for people to come and go without getting trampled on. After filling in our waivers, the instructor was there to give a run down of the type of class we're going to, which I liked. She got to know us, and pointed us in the right direction.
The wait area was big with lots of seating. The decor was clean and calming. Although clean and bright, I found it a bit sterile.
The changerooms were big enough, with 3 big showers, behind a wall. I like that because then you don't need to show the world your birthday suit. Big cubbyholes on the floor act as a bench and storage space, and hooks on the wall for your other things. I'd say it would get crowded only if a full class was transitioning to another full class, which could only happen occasionally.
There was only one big bathroom stall. Two sinks, the drinking water facucet wasn't working. There was another faucet out side, not sure if it was for drinking water though.
The studio entrance is a plain white door. The studio itself was ig, mirrors only on the front wall, and high windows that overlook Yonge street. It was great and all, but not so much to HEAR Yonge street during your practice. We also heard a parade of halloweeners and a lot of honking.
The space could fit about 15-20 comfortably.
The class itself was okay, but I wish the instructor gave more instruction to the postures and about where to feel the stretch. For a newbie, it was hard to see the benefits. She did come and adjust where needed but not all the time.
The first half was a regular modified moksha series with some vinyasas in between. I used to hate them, but now that I hve more strength I think it complements the stretching with some cardio.
At one point we did the Warrior poses of one side towards the wall. For an instructor that was so keen on alignment, I was suprised, because now I couldn't see the mirror.
I probably won't come back again to this class, but I'd like to try a hot yoga class.Listed in: Om.........Namaste
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Review from Roma M.
2/20/2010
This studio is in one of the most accessible locations ever. Upon entry, you meet the sweetest staff ever, who point you to the change room and the studio. Everything is immaculate, and I love that they have a deep sink with a tall faucet. So many studios overlook the need to fill up water bottles.
I took a core flow class here, and I loved how challenging it was and how unrelenting the bootcamp-esque instructor was being. Oh sweet pain in my vague middle region. I know you'll look nice in swimwear this summer.Listed in: Yoga Fire!
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Review from Starr W.
Scarborough, ON
1/11/2010
In general, the studio itself has a lot going for it. It's located in a prime location, just south of Yonge and Bloor (very accessible by the TTC), the studio is on the third floor and the one practice room is quite large, the bathrooms are extremely spacious and quite modern but unfortunately, there are no lockers and only one toilet stall.
I can't say that it's the best studio only because the class (F1 Flow) was just okay. On their website, it did not inform me that it was hot yoga and it was not a beginner class (although it describes the class suitable for all levels). The teacher was probably new, because I felt she described the moves poorly and was not very helpful when people appeared to be confused. I struggled for a good portion of the class. Usually yoga relaxes me, but this time it made me more anxious. -
Review from Janna S.
6/22/2010
The front-desk customer service stands out as some of the most enthusiastic and positive I've seen downtown - ever! The space is bright and pleasant; however, I think they should seriously consider using some furniture that can be wiped down. I realize it might not look as cool or on-par with yoga decorating trends, but consider this: I sat down on the cushioned bench while I waited for the next class to start and when I stood up, the back of my pants were soaked through....with someone else's sweat! After I checked the other furniture in the waiting area, I realized everything was soaked, so I opted to stand and "air out".
I feel a bit guilty because I know yoga is supposed to make us more comfortable with our bodies and natural functions, but I guess I'm not quite there yet when it comes to sitting on sweat-soaked cushions. Call me a germaphobe if you like, but it's hard to ignore the spicy aroma that lingers in the classroom...sorry yoga people!
I know the studio puts quite an effort into cleaning because a staff member was constantly mopping up sweat and wiping the area outside the classroom down (yes, it gets pretty slippery). Other than that, I agree with pretty much everything Kat F. says about Iam Yoga. The studio itself is gorgeous but I'd double-check before heading to another class. -
Review from Karen S.
Updated - 1/3/2011
Iam Yoga is definitely growing on me. Having now experienced a wider array of yoga studios, I've come to appreciate the variety of practices out there. Some of the classes offered here definitely fit my style and are a fun combination of sweaty workouts, challenging strengthening poses, relaxation and variety. Definitely hit the F2 classes for an interesting time!
Listed in: Keeping it active
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/14/2010
After a summer in the sun, doing everything but yoga, it was time to head back into the studio to… Read more »
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
Iam Yoga is another yoga studio that accepts Passport to Prana located at Yonge just South of Charles.
This is a nice looking studio. Big Spacious waiting area with comfy seats.
The change room has 4 showers (with all the supplies you need shampoo, conditioner and soap) but only 1 toilet (hmmmm). The change room is set up really spa like and is quite spacious.
There is only 1 practice room but it is big and spacious with big windows looking over Yonge Street. The room have wooden floor.
The class I attended is a Yin class. They have a lot of candles lit up that make the whole practice room feel cosy and relaxing. However there are NO props!! just a few blocks.. and towels or mats rolled up to pretend to be bolsters. This make some poses so difficult to get in and hold for a long time...
I think this is the only studio in the area that offers classes that late on Sunday evening (last class is a Gentle Hatha in Candlenight at 7:30 PM) -
Review from Julia C.
Vancouver, BC
3/9/2011
Iam Yoga is the best hot yoga in Toronto. It is hot but not Bikram, clean and spacious with great facilities, and classes that make you sweat. You don't have to worry about spending a lot of time talking at the start of each class, they just get right down to it. There is a huge variety of classes offered and great teachers. You will get an intense workout if you want, but modifications are described for each pose. I have recently moved away from Toronto and miss this place terribly - Linda you do a great job!!!
