YOGA, PILATES, REFORMER, BARRE

Are you a creature of habit? Is there something you MUST do every morning? Even when I travel there are 2 things I need to do before I get my day started – search for a cup of coffee to start my day and head to a gym class. When I travel for work or for fun, I want to experience all my favorite things and as someone who is obsessed with yoga and pilates (and rarely travels without her mat), I search for a class or two to drop in to where ever I travel. I am happy to report that if you are travelling to Toronto there are hundreds of options for you to choose from as it houses some of the most well-known instructors around the world and I feel extremely lucky to have access to them here at home.

My first yoga class was back in 2011. It was extremely challenging and calming at the same time. It was a humbling experience and it was not long before I started practicing on a daily basis. I completed my 200h yoga teacher training and have practiced in Toronto, Hong Kong and New York. Yoga is primarily my form of exercise; however I realized the importance of diversifying your workout. It is essential to building a well-rounded set of muscles that shapes your body and prevents injuries. I now combine my yoga practice with various reformer, pilates, barre, and cycling classes using Class Pass. Class Pass is an application that offers a seamless platform for you to search and book fitness classes wherever you are to fit your busy schedule. There are participating studios across North America in over 50 different cities. A majority of studios in Toronto offer bookings through Class Pass and as a first time user, you can attend up to 3 free classes within a two week span!

Classes are only worthwhile with a high quality and experienced instructor. Good teachers provide effective verbal cues and sequences that are challenging and enjoyable at the same time. You leave the class not only feeling stronger and balanced, but also that you have progressed in your practice. I have had the pleasure of practicing in various studios across the city with many teachers and I am here to offer you a list of my personal recommendations of the best of the best classes in locations across the city.

This week:

Wednesday, March 15, 2018

All Levels

· Pilates with AMBER JOLIAT – 10:30am – Misfit Studio

o What to expect: core, dance, stability and yoga flow. Unique and seamless sequences that challenge and empower the body.

· Core pilates flow with LESLIE PARKER – 6pm – Mindful Movement Center

o What to expect: Core, full body strengthening, and more core. Activate deep stabilizing muscles that shapes and tone your entire body.

Level 1:

· Level 1-2 flow with TARYN DIAMOND – 1pm – Octopus Garden

o What to expect: alignment, core stability and fundamentals. Integrity at its highest level.

· Fundamental flow with DAVID BRUNI – 7:30pm – Downward Dog Yoga

o What to expect: Foundation of basic poses, alignment, deep relaxation and self-massage techniques using props such as dowels, blocks and rails. You may end up buying all the props after class.

Level 2:

· Vinyasa 1 with PATRICIA DOMINISKI – 4pm – Downward Dog Yoga

o What to expect: Alignment, core, stability and body awareness. Be prepared to activate muscles that you never knew you had before and leave the class standing taller than you walked in.

Level 3+:

· Mysore with AMICA HILTON – 6am – Yoga Space

o What to expect: self-practice for advanced practitioners. Personal guidance and hands on adjustments.

· Fluid flow 2 with SHELDON SHANNON – 9:30am -- Downward Dog Yoga

o What to expect: strength building, advanced arm balances integrated in to complex sequences and flows with music. Bring your towel, you will need it.

· Vinyasa level 2 with MARLA JOY – 5:30pm – Downward Dog Yoga

o What to expect: traditional ashtanga sequence, strength building, core, stability and body awareness. Build on the poses you know, and more. This class ends with soothing chanting by Marla during savasana.

Thursday, March 15, 2018

All Levels:

· M3 Fusion (Reformer) with ALISON PALOHEIMO – 9:30am – Studio Lagree (King West)

o What to expect: full body sculpting with cardio and endurance training. Shapes your body and works muscles that traditional exercise cannot.

· Pilates Matwork (L1) with LESLIE PARKER – 10:30am – Mindful Movement Center

o What to expect: Full body strengthening, core, arms, legs and back. Activate deep stabilizing muscles that shapes and tone your entire body using weights and exercising balls.

Level 1:

· Vinyasa – Level 2 with SCOTT MACBEAN—9:30am – Downward Dog Yoga

o What to expect: Flow, breath and alignment. Begin the class with basic postures building strength and opening for that final pose.

Level 2:

· Vinyasa Level 2 with PATRICIA DOMINISKI – 9:30am – Roots yoga

o What to expect: Alignment, core, stability and body awareness. Be prepared to activate muscles that you never knew you had before and leave the class standing taller than you walked in.

Level 3+:

· Mysore with AMICA HILTON – 6am – Yoga Space

o What to expect: Self-practice for advanced practitioners- Personal guidance and hands on adjustments.

Friday, March 16, 2018

All Levels:

· Vinyasa flow with ADAM BOLTON – 10am – 889 Yoga

o What to expect: Strength, mindful movement, alignment and breath. Heighten body awareness with challenging sequences.

· Fusion with AMBER JOLIAT – 12pm – Misfit Studio (Queen West)

o What to expect: Core, dance, stability and yoga flow. Fluid dance like movements that challenge, empower and free the body and mind.

Level 1:

· Core Power Flow with ADAM BOLTON – 4:30pm – 889 Yoga

o What to expect: Core conditioning, body awareness, balance and stability. Build strength and empower the body, mind and spirit.

· Fundamental flow with GREG MORE – 7:30pm – Downward Dog Yoga

o What to expect: Alignment, strength building and focus on fundamental postures. Master the basics with Greg.

Level 3+:

· Vinyasa Level 2 with AMICA HILTON – 5:30pm – Downward Dog Yoga

o What to expect: Strength building, integrated with advanced arm balances, postures and sequences. Lively music and highly energetic vibe.

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Level 1:

· Fundamental Flow Level 1 with DAVID BRUNI – 11:00am – Downward Dog Yoga

o What to expect: Foundation of basic poses, alignment, deep relaxation and self-massage techniques using props such as dowels, blocks and rails. You may end up buying all the props after class.

Level 2:

· Reformer (L2) with LESLIE PARKER – 11:05am – Mindful Movement Centre

o What to expect: Full body sculpting, balancing and endurance. Reformer experience is highly recommended.

· Vinyasa level 2 with AMICA HILTON – 11:45am – Mula Yoga

o What to expect: Strength building, integrated with some advanced arm balances, postures and sequences. Lively music and highly energetic vibe.

Level 3+:

· Vinyasa Flow 2 with SHELDON SHANNON – 11:00am – Roots Yoga

o What to expect: Strength building, advanced arm balances integrated in to complex sequences and flows with music. Bring your towel, you will need it.

· Vinyasa Flow Level 2-3 with SHELDON SHANNON – 1pm – Downward Dog Yoga

o What to expect: Strength building, advanced arm balances integrated in to complex sequences and flows with music. Challenging is an understatement.

Sunday, March 18, 2018

All levels:

· Vinyasa Flow with SUNNY SMITH – 11:45am – 889 Yoga

o What to expect: Alignment, stability and breath with movement. Strengthen the body and mind connection through Sunny’s guidance.

· M3 Fusion (Reformer) with ALISON PALOHEIMO – 12:30pm – Studio Lagree (King West)

o What to expect: Full body sculpting with cardio and endurance training. Shapes your body and works muscles that traditional exercise cannot.

· M3 Fusion (Reformer) with RORY BRAY – 1:30pm/2:30pm – Studio Lagree (King West)

o What to expect: Full body sculpting with cardio and endurance training. Shapes your body and works muscles that traditional exercise cannot.

Level 1:

· Fundamental flow with DAVID BRUNI – 9am – Downward Dog Yoga

o What to expect: Foundation of basic poses, alignment, deep relaxation and self-massage techniques using props such as dowels, blocks and rails. You may end up buying all the props after class.

Level 2:

· Vinyasa 1-2 with SIMONE NITZAN – 10am – Roots Yoga

o What to expect: Alignment, full body strengthening through breath and movement. Flow through challenging postures mindfully.

Level 3+:

· Vinyasa Flow Level 2-3 with SHELDON SHANNON – 11am – Downward Dog Yoga

o What to expect: Strength building, advanced arm balances integrated in to complex sequences and flows with music. Challenging is an understatement.

Lastly, visiting a gym nearby is always an option and offers you the most flexibility. Equinox (Yorkville), Equinox (Bay Street) and Pure fitness (York Street) are all conveniently located and very well equipped.

Happy Sweating!