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Moksha Yoga North York
Category: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Yoga Yoga
100 Sheppard Avenue EToronto, ON M2N 6N5
Neighbourhood: Willowdale
(416) 225-6767
- Good for Kids:
- No
8 reviews for Moksha Yoga North York
8 reviews in English
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Review from Charlotte W.
North York, ON
2/2/2012
Swimming is my form of exercise and I can't get enough of it (2 hours per week). However, as I age, it seems my muscles need other simulation to keep it from flabbing, so I decided to venture into hot yoga. I love heat...love, love, love. I have never attended a formal yoga class before, and any of the poses I learned was from those cheesy at-home videos with ladies in leopard leotards. Still, it seemed like there were many regulars at this Moksha location, and I was nervous I would have "newbie" written all over me.
Introduction.
This Moksha is located inside an office building, and when I first entered, I was greeted warmly by a lady who immediately knew I was Charlotte! I had pre-signed up online and I love this aspect. All Moksha locations probably have their own sign-in page, but you can pay and reserve classes online. What I find really neat is that you can see how many spots are available for a class, which instructor will be teaching and length of class.
I signed up for the $40 introductory rate which is only available to first timers. $40 for a month and all-you-can-yoga. The lady introduced me to the facilities and asked if I had done any yoga at all. She recommened that I take a spot in the back row so that I can get a feel for what goes on. Near the check-in desk was a little lounge area with two beds for relaxation.
Change-room.
It is adequate, but smaller than I imagined. During the end of each class, this change room becomes a bustling metropolis with those leaving, and those coming for the next class. Two bathroom stalls and some showers. I haven't used the shower facilities, but it was nice that it was available. I kind of liked the non chalant attitude of everybody...bags and things put on benches. Trust system here for your things not to be taken.
Yoga Class.
The room is nice and heated. Lovely wooden floors give the room a spa like feel. I immediately went to the back and started pretending that I came here forever, but someone asked me if this was my first time (what!) I said yeah and she said don't worry if you have to leave the room for a bit as the heat can be too much at times. The instructor was hard core and she really made us work. I was sweating buckets and I was so glad I had bought an extra large towel to cover my mat. In the end, I felt like I lost a ton of pounds (yes!)
I would highly recommend this Moksha location, and because I live and work nearby, this is my go to place. I have now since been promoted to the front row because I find I can't do my balance moves staring at someone else's sweaty behind in tight pants. The front of the room gives you access to mirrors to focus on perfect posture.
One tip I can offer: Come early before your class so you can find your perfect spot, get settled, and de-stress. The class fills up quickly.Listed in: February Food-Free 2012
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Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
10/7/2010
Ever had moksha with live music!? I thought it was incredibly awesome that we had guitarist playing some super relaxing strings while we were practicing tonight in the Moksha Yin class. I was told that it's only for this class we get this treat. At first a welcoming distraction, but it was so good and especially for this class. When he stopped, I was quite sad..
But let me talk about the studio..... I couldn't find my passport to prana, and actually paid for a class ($19.95 drop in, $40 for an intro month pass, free class on my birthday!)
Given I can't fill out the Passport Survey til my next visit, here it is here:
CUSTOMER SERVICE
- the customer service was okay. although busy, they were still courteous. but they didn't ask if it was the first time I did hot yoga, nor about any injuries. however, I think if I brought it up, they would be really good in explaining it. The instructor was there to answer questions.
- hairties are available at the front
AMBIENCE AND DECOR
- the studio was gorgeous, and looked like it could be inside a magazine. There was a function for everything, and big plush couches for waiting
- the changerooms were big, and had over head shelves, hooks everywhere, and (my favourite) little cubby holes below the bench to lock and put your valuables. also some long cubby holes for yoga mat bags. they thought of everything!
- drinking water from a filtered spout
- 4 large showers, that had a private-ish back room
- the studio is heated by the heat panels, and has a ceiling fan
TEACHER (Moksha Yin)
- Amanda was really good. Very clear in her explainations, variatons and adjusted people where needed.
- I learnt some new poses, and helped improve some old ones.
- I don't know if it was favourtism, or she didn't think I needed help, but I was struggling a little, and she saw it, but didn't do anything.
THE CLASS
- this is half a Moksha class, where we do all of the standing poses, but held for a shorter time for each. I built a good sweat, not dripping as much as other times,
- the transitions between poses was like a flow, with some vinyasas in between, but didn't feel as aggressive as a flow class.
- the other half is a Yin class, meaning long stretches and poses held for a long time. I like the gradual transition between the first and 2nd half. Its like an alternative to the floor series, which I was never a fan to begin with
- I thought Yin was not good for people like me who are really flexible. But tonight I still felt a really good stretch and learnt some new ones to do at home. I was so relaxed I almost fell asleep in the final savasana.
- throughout the whole thing, i loved the guitarist. It was so different, and so refreshing. It makes me want to come back.
SCHEDULE
- lots of classes to choose from. I wish I lived closer so I can come to more! I'm jealous of the people who work in this office buildlng
BOTTOM LINE
- definitely would be back. If i lived closer, I would just buy a membership and come here all the time.
- bringing my mom here, I think she'd like it.
Parking is on the street - but if you go to the website, they offer some tips as to where depending on when your class is. -
Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
11/19/2010
Moksha Yoga North York was my most recent stop on my tour-de-passport-to-prana. I luckily got to attend with a coworker/gym buddy who attends this studio regularly. I say luckily, because I don't know if I would have found it on my own not knowing the neighborhood at all. We chose a Friday evening 5pm class, left the office at 4:15 and got there in about a half an hour. Left the TTC, walked to Sheppard, turned left and walked maybe 100 meters to a nondescript office building. Just inside the lobby was the entrance to Moksha. (How lucky are those office workers!)
Just inside the door was a large hanging rack to hang your jackets and a selection of cubbys for shoes. Many Yogis did not bother with the cubbys, and after class there were shoes all over the entranceway. At Moksha Danforth, we left the studio after class and the desk staff had cubbyed all the shoes during our absence. Moksha Yoga North York desk staff did not do the same. Regardless, they were pleasant when we arrived to check in with no issues.
The space itself is LARGE with high ceilings. It is really lovely. The seating area here has these luxurious thai-style-beds and a selection of tea. Lots of Yogi goodies to buy including Dr.Bronners Lavender Castile Soap which is my #1 mat washing secret. I was thrilled to see them mirror my sensibilities. Good Selection of Emergen-C too if you forget to bring yours and are feeling a little weak.
The change rooms are large, clean, and have these beautiful distressed dark wood shelves and benches with plenty of stashing room above and below. Lots of hooks to hang your sweaters and apparently some lockers (!!) although I didn't see them. The showers (4 of them!) were super clean and had Dr.Bronners peppermint soap in them. Room to move about and not bounce into sweaty yogi neighbours.
The class was decent, not very challenging.. but it was obvious that I was more advanced than most of the patrons. It also was "warmed" and not, even though I was close to the heaters. Britt was a good teacher, was warm and explained things well, even did adjustments. There was soothing music, although only for the first couple of minutes.
Bonus Points
- Soothing Music (even if only for a bit)
- Minimal Moaning by surrounding yogis
- Beautiful Studio
- Large Changerooms (!!)
- Place to hang winter coat (!!)
- Filtered Water
- Lots of Hooks, Cubbys and Stashing Space (!!)
- FOUR Big Clean, Private Showers (!!!)
- Room to blowdry
- Nice Studio, good teacher, Vinyasa (!)
- Good Location for TTC
- Adjustments (!)
- There was a girl WAITING to clean the studio as soon as I exited. (!!)
- Peppermint Dr.Bronners Soap in the Showers, and Lavender for Sale.
Minus Points
- Kind of hard to find
- Class was not challenging enough(!!)
- Only Warm, Not Hot. (!!!)
- I could not find any lockers for my valuables
- I Like Music when I practice
- I also like More Adjustments
- Missing a little bit of character/coziness
- No Shampoo/Conditioner in the showers (have to go home after)
If this studio was in my neighborhood, I would definitely be happy to attend regularly. It really is a good studio. It definitely was no where near hot enough for me, but that may have just been this class. I also prefer a little more character and a cozier vibe, but this is a new studio and it is beautiful, so I cannot fault it for that. I can only imagine how nice the classes must be in the daylight, with all the sun.Listed in: Yoga Studios
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Review from Rana L.
7/6/2010 4 photos
Parking might be tricky on kenneth Ave if it's full. If ur out of luck, try Spring Garden or Hollywood as you are allowed to park there after certain hours. I went to a late class & was surprised to find a lot of spots. Thank god...
Was really looking fwd to this studio as I live close by. The staff welcomed me with opened arms. All very nice & even showed me around & offered tea. It's also relatively clean & nicely deorated. They also took time in between classes to clean and wipe up the studio.
Go early and grab a good spot., They don't let you in till about 10-15 mins b4 the clas begins. Their 8:15pm class was hella busy. Mat distance was about 8 inches. The closest I've had in a long time in a hot room! I thank my lucky stars that I was beside a fellow female yelper :) Sorry but some guys just naturally smell @@ But space was def. limited and I had to move around to avoid hitting anyone.
If it's your first time in a hot room, take it easy. It was easily 43 degrees tonight. Our instructor Nikki was very nice & kept adjusting the fan to make it more comfortable for us. Wish she helped adjust some of the students too.Listed in: Yoga Yoga Yoga! Ohhmm....
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Review from Ana W.
2/15/2011
Instructors: Amazing! They always change it up and when there is enough room, they will come around and to correct your posture.
Space: large studio, though it can get crowded during "rush hours". They put a cap on the number of of attendees, so be sure to reserve your spot online ahead of time.
Change room: 4 shower stalls, 2 bathroom stalls. Not quite enough space to put your bags on a bench to change when the entire class is there.
Location: Awesome! It's just about a block and a half away from the Sheppard / Yonge subway station. It's close to highway.
Parking: free on street and underground after 4 pm.
Overall: I love it! I love the online reservation feature. I love how there are yoga mat hangers to spray and dry after class. Overall the studio is very clean. -
Review from Roma M.
2/16/2010
This Moksha yoga studio is just north of the 401, near Yonge st. While it's a little tricky to find the entrance in the evening, (you have to go through the main building doors to access the studio which appears to be accessible from the east) it becomes fairly obvious, once you're standing directly in front of the facility.
I took a Moksha flow class here with my Passport to Prana card, and the class was overflowing with yogis. Don't be misinformed when it says some of the classes are not Hot, it felt like the heater was still up and running towards the end of the day, and that too, in the middle of winter.
The facility is fully equipped with showers in their change room, and a seating area if you're early for class. The staff here was very sweet and helpful.
If you work in the area, or in the building I recommend trying out a class here for the best path to stress relief.
3.5 Stars.Listed in: Yoga Fire!
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
7/4/2010 11 photos
Moksha Yoga North York is located inside a commerical building. It is right on the ground level. They do not have a separate entrance, so in order to enter, you have to use the main entrance of the building instead.
Dropped by on a hot and humid Sunday afternoon. I am not doing any hot yoga in a heated room, but decided on trying one of their Yin classes.
The reception area is nice and roomy. Right when you enter the studio there are this big area for you to hang up your "winter" coat and little partition boxes for you to put away your shoes. This is great since you don't have to drag your coats into the change room and that save students a lot of hassle.
I was greeted promptly and I signed in the class with my passport of prana. There are 3 different sitting/waiting area in the reception area. Of course compare to other smaller studio I been to, this is so spacious!
The change room has all the facilities you need. 4 Showers, 2 toliets, 2 sinks and 1 hairdryer. There are also filtered water fountain to fill up your water bottle. There are just a few small simple/home made lockers for you to lock up your valuables. Remember to bring your own locks.
The practice room is really bright with big frosted floor to ceiling windows. There are 2 ceiling fans which was on, so the room can be cool down to around 31 C for the Yin class.
Our instructor is really knowledgable and really patient when she was guiding out through the poses. She explained how each poses are done and demostrated them and then tell us about their health benefits. Each poses we held for 5-10 minutes and we were encouraged to use props like blocks and bolsters so we can held the poses longer. She also dropped by a couple of time to help me adjust my poses. I love adjustments!! extra star for that!
I still sweating even all the poses are done on the floor..yes just lying there I was sweating! :)
There are also free tea set up at one section of the waiting area and you are more than welcome to have a cup or 2...
I will definitely be back to take some other classes in this location. The parking on the side street is free if you come to classes after 4 pm or weekend! Not too many studios in the area has a late class on Sun 5 pm, their schedules are great! -
Review from Janna S.
7/6/2010
I had high expectations for Moksha North York so perhaps I should return for a Karma class to compare for a more favorable review. They need to put a limit on the number of people taking a class. I could not perform some of the poses because I had no room to do so comfortably, and the added humidity of so many people in such close proximity was stifling. I spent much of the time concerned about bumping into others/walls with such limited space. To be fair, I was also tired and it was an inhumanely hot day to begin with - but that should have been all the more reason to limit the class numbers, no?
Overall, it seemed like they were concerned with herding in as many students as they could squeeze into the room, so the teacher had less time to address individual students and their needs. Essentially, I could practice whatever poses I chose or perform poses incorrectly and the teacher might not have cared. Indeed, about halfway through the class I basically decided to do my own thing and the teacher didn't notice. I felt frustrated because the teacher didn't seem to correct me or other students who could have used some help in the first part of the class. It seems like they compromise class quality in favor of higher numbers.
I thought the customer service was okay except that they spelled my name wrong...after I handed in a form with my name clearly printed on it. They tried to hand back the wrong Passport to Prana card (with my misspelled name on it).
The highlights of this studio are the large bathroom/changing areas and the location. There is plenty of parking and it's close to the Yonge/Sheppard Subway.
