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The Yoga Sanctuary Danforth
Category: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Yoga Yoga [Edit]
95 Danforth AveToronto, ON M4K 1N2
Neighbourhood: Riverdale
(416) 461-6161
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
9 reviews for The Yoga Sanctuary Danforth
9 reviews in English
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Review from Gunnar S.
East York, ON
3/28/2012
The Yoga Sanctuary at Danforth and Broadview offers a wide array of yoga practices and levels. The instructors are amazing, the atmosphere very peaceful. I must suffer from anxiety, tension, poor health, incessant thoughts. The practioners are very knowdlegable about the various traditions,
REASONABLy PRICED -
Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
1/4/2012
As part of my 30 day yoga challenge, I couldn't get to one up near work so I decided to try the Yoga Sanctuary studio right at Broadview and Danforth.
VIBE
Three floors up, I got a bit confused as to where it was (they share a floor with Joy of Dance studios) but it's around the bend from Joy of Dance. Their hot studio is located upstairs.
It's a yoga studio so it's pretty relaxing. One class plus water and mat will put you back about $25. Changing room quarters are a bit close but everyone is pretty cooperative. Bathrooms and showers are across the hall.
The actual studio is gorgeous. It's a big room and held twenty of us comfortably.The floors are hard wood and there are many windows encasing the brick walls. Lots of blocks, blankets and boulders if need be.
During our evening class, it started snowing. So yoga in a dark room with snow is quite whimsical and relaxing.
THE YOGA
The class I did was Yin Yoga where you hold your poses for one to five minutes. I'm someone who is always moving so for me, at times, it was hard to get into the "stay still" mode but our instructor Andrew was great. He gave us lots of options so we could modify our pose or move within it. If anyone had an issue, he would personally come to each participant and assist them.
What I learned: man, have I lost my flexibility!
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
If you need a sanctuary, this is a good one. The College Street location is equally as beautiful. -
Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
6/7/2011 15 Check-ins Here
This is my current favourite studio. It is different for so many reasons. The signage upon entering alerts you that this is a "safe place" and well that sounds cheesy for some, it really feels this way. Completely unassuming and non-judgemental. This studio is about yoga and positivity and nothing else. Very welcome change from some of the studios in the west end. My naturopath specifically recommended this studio and I see why.
The instructors here are very professional. All older than I am, all have been practising for ages, all very understanding. You will not find 25-year-old-new-grads-of-Toronto-teacher-training here. These instructors have a great deal of experience, and impressive bios. High quality instruction. Obviously some I like better than others, but that is a matter of taste and style.
The teachers are also about 50% male. There are also men in the classes, and your classmates are made up of a wide variety of people. Old, young, teenage, new to yoga, very advanced, pregnant, rehabbing, in it for the exercise, in it for the other.
With alot of props available and good quality instruction, these classes really are suitable for all levels. Everything can be modified. The Yin classes are particularly special, the teacher is trained in Kinesiology and has a model of a skeleton in class to explain things to you.
Two gorgeous, light filled studios in a heritage building. One "heated" to warm. Impressive schedule with a large number of classes and styles to choose from. Classes from 7am to 9pm.
Minus points for no filtered water, tiny change rooms and no showers (there is one shower for the heated studio). If they had all of these, 5 stars.Listed in: Leslieville, Riverdale &…, Yoga Studios
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Review from Kat F.
7/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
Not that I was surprised, but Yoga Sanctuary Danforth is gorgeous - like its sister location at Yonge & College (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...), it's conveniently located (literally at the corner of Broadview & Danforth, steps from the subway or the 504 & 505 streetcars) and it's equally gorgeous. There are no 19th century vaulted ceilings here, but the practice studio is just as beautiful, with exquisitely finished wood floors, tons of windows, plant life and a great round-ish layout.
I came here with the Passport To Prana and had no problems signing in. The Tuesday 8:50pm Hatha Flow class with Sebastian proved to be a wise choice - he was the PERFECT instructor for beginners looking to learn the fundamentals of yoga. Sebastian's style is completely freeflow - at the beginning of the class he asked us what we wanted to work on, whether a body part, specific pose, or aspect of the yoga practice (breath, meditation, etc). He also encouraged us to ask questions and request help if we needed it, and I really appreciated this openness to feedback and structure. There were a few poses that I didn't quite understand and I didn't feel shy to ask him to repeat instruction or demonstrate them again. At the same time, he provided modifications for the more advanced students in the class who felt like challenging themselves.
My only complaint would be that the billboard immediately visible from the practice studio is for Pizza Pizza (out of the studio's control, obviously). I don't have to tell you how hard it was to maintain Tree Pose while staring out the window into a sea of melted mozzarella and the words "$9.99 for a walk-up XL pizza." It as quite distracting, but both Yoga Sanctuary locations seem to be cursed with food distractions (on College it's the smell of charbroiled burgers from W Burger Bar wafting in through the windows).
Change rooms are cramped and the waiting area is also quite small so like other reviewers, I'd advise arriving ready to go into the class. The selection of yoga merchandise (Klean Kanteen, books, mats, videos) is astounding. If you need to buy a yoga gift you'd have no trouble finding one here! I will definitely be back for another class given the convenient location and excellent caliber of teachers at this studio.Listed in: Toronto's Top Yoga Studios
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Review from Roma M.
Updated - 7/2/2010
I dropped in once again at an UYE for a Hatha Flow class with Sebastian, and I returned truly feeling like my first class here wasn't a one off experience.
The owners of Yoga Sanctuary have set a high standard for instructional Yoga in Toronto. It seems like each one of the instructors have been hand picked for their ability to make each one of us fall in love with the practice. I've been doing Yoga for many years now (having also taken some classes in India) and by this time one would think I've lost my ability to be inspired. Not the case here!
Sebastian's class was very captivating, and he seems like he lives and breathes Yoga as he kept urging us to ask him questions, and gave us nuggets of information between postures. I was pleasantly alarmed with how far my limbs smoothly transitioned during some postures.
For beginners (and those uncomfortable with Hot Yoga), this studio is a great option, for the instructors are always keen to point out modifications, adjustments and guidelines throughout (some of which are still very helpful after your 100th class).Listed in: Yoga Fire!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/1/2010
On my visit to Yoga Sanctuary, I opted for a Vinyasa Flow class here, that I believe was taught by… Read more »
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
I have to say Yoga Sancturay Danforth never disappointed me!
This time I have Sebastian as my instructor. He is both funny and knowledgeable and really patient. He really spent time to show us the correct aligment and give us variations and options for our poses. This is what real yoga should be.. Yoga is not really a workout, if you want to sweat and detox, you can go to a step class, a kickboxing class or even get on the treadmills... When I go to a yoga class, I expect to work on both my mind and my body, not just getting in the poses or sweat a bucket!
BTW, the Pizza Pizza advertising sign is so distracting! When I looking at it and do the balancing poses, all I think about is CHEESE PIZZA for $9.99 and Can I eat a XL all by myself!
Try to find street parking since it is only $2 for 1 hour that is especially good if you going for a late class since it is free after 9 PM. If you don't mind walking, you can park in the residential streets either North or South of Danforth! That's what I usually do when I come for an early evening class, and walking is good for you too!Listed in: Yoga Studios I visited in…, Passport To Prana 2010, Can't Stand the Heat!!, Passport to Prana 2011
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/18/2010
What better than taking a Restorative yoga class at the end of the day! Not too many yoga studios in… Read more »
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Review from Janna S.
7/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
This studio is gorgeous and well-maintained considering the age of the building. It really does feel like a sanctuary, albeit with a few complimentary streetcar and Bloor traffic sound effects in the background ;-) Overall it was one of the nicest studios I've been to in Toronto.
I feel guilty for saying this, but I have to admit that hot yoga has spoiled me somewhat. I just can't seem to focus as well in regular temperatures, and I feel more compelled to do my own thing when I get bored. Sebastian, the restorative yoga class instructor, did an excellent job, but I didn't feel as engaged in the class without the heat. However, that being said, I'd return to this studio for sure! I'd love to try more classes here and I appreciate the expertise of the instructors. -
Review from Lauren M.
6/30/2010 1 Check-in Here
I joined some other Yelpers for a Hatha Flow class here.
The instructor was Sebastian and I found him absolutely fab. The class was very relaxing, nothing strenuous and beginner oriented; which was perfect because that's exactly what I was in the mood for.
The studio is smaller here, probably just big enough to accommodate 20 people comfortably. The room was bright and airy, bit of noisy traffic comes in as it's on the corner of an intersection, but nothing too distracting.
The reception area and change area are quite tiny, so I imagine it could get busy trying to get in and out of there at the peak class time. -
Review from Rana L.
6/30/2010 2 photos
It was tricky to find the place once ur inside cuz they didn't have a sign at the door. But it is right by the stairs on the third floor. Ladies washroom across from the studio. You don't need a key for access. This is a wonderful studio with very knowledgeable instructors. If it weren't for the distance I would def. sign up and be an annual member.
I took the 8:50 pm Hatha All Levels with some wonderful yelpers tonight. Sebastian was our instructor & was EXCELLENT. At the beginning of the class he mentioned he's got a freestyle approach & asked us what we would like to work on. Sweet!! Remember to speak up! Don't be shy. It's your practice! I liked how Sebastian went into great detail through movements so we would develop a greater sense of appreciation & understanding for each posture. I have always had trouble (cheater!) going from chatarunga to plank but he really made us go through it bit by bit and understand which muscles needed to work, etc. and viola! Suddenly I was doing it w/o much effort! Cool !! :D Overall, the postures weren't hard to do (he also gave us variations depending on your level). However, we held on the positions for a long while so that was a GREAT challenge! It was like a Level 1 class but you can push yourself more if you wish & do not have to worry if you'd get yelled at for not following instructions ;) FREESTYLE!! It's awesome !
Don't bother with the changeroom as it is very small. You can hang your jacket/coat in there and that's about it. I ended up putting my yoga bag in the studio as there was plenty of space (turned phone to silent!). The studio itself is very clean and they had a lot of props available. Great space! I liked the nice breeze that filled the room ever so often.
If you have gone to the College studio prior to visiting the Danforth location you do not have to sign the waiver again (helpful tip from Jen K). Front desk service....well I should talk. I'm often on facebook and gchat at work too. But I would never ignore my clients for 20 secs. while chatting online :)
I would def come back here even for a few random classes! Totally feeling a good burn & slight stretch atm in my legs.
Parking - if you are lucky street meter parking (u just have to pay till 9pm if ur doing a late class like us) otherwise there's a paid parking just north of Broadview/Danforth beside the subway station. $4 !Listed in: Yoga Yoga Yoga! Ohhmm....
