I have been curious about Fireflow Yoga for quite awhile now as it is in my neighbourhood. I have walked by the studio countless times and have even looked them up online to see what they offered. That said I just never managed to take the plunge and go to a class there or even go inside to have a look around. I think the main reason why neither of these things ever happened was because I didn’t like where the studio was located on Eglinton – upstairs and next to a psychic/tarot reader place. In my head I decided that this equalled something that wouldn’t appeal to me. 

This changed last night.

Throughout the 18 weeks of recent marathon training I really ignored my body’s need to do some stretching, so last night I decided to put my Passport to Prana to good use and try out Fireflow Yoga. 

Fireflow Yoga it turns out has a really nice studio space (with an awesome boutique section!). I discovered as I often do that one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Upon arrival I was immediately welcomed to the studio and made to feel at ease. The teacher was accessible and throughout the class she demonstrated modifications which I really appreciated as I should definitely not have been in the Level 1/2 class that I was in! Thank you for this and for helping to give my limbs the stretch they needed. 

What I would go to this studio for:

Fireflow Yoga offers a 4 week absolute beginner workshop which I think would be great for someone like me who has never really been taught how to do anything from a sun salutation to tree poses properly. I think I would really benefit from being in a class with others who are probably as clueless as me.   Their next session starts on November 21st and is $80. Mmm, maybe this will be my next fitness challenge?

I seemed to be in a punishing mood this Saturday as I swapped my regular Pilates class for a 90 minute hot yoga class at Moksha Uptown. I used to go to this particular Moksha studio quite a lot in the winter, but have slacked off in recent months as my schedule has gotten busier. I also found that their 90 minute classes are often a bit too much for me – 60 minute classes seem to suit me better but aren’t that convenient for me to get to. It’s not really so much to do with the heat, but the extra length of time holding poses that aren’t my favourites in the first place. Dancers pose and something called salabasana are definitely positions my body is not meant to be in.

This particular class I found myself in on Saturday was taught by one of their more hardcore teachers – normally @ Moksha you don’t end up doing a lot of downward dogs, but she kept on having us do some flow sequences which meant that I had to take a lot of breaks. I do find, though, that you tend to “get away with a lot” at any of the Moksha studios I have been to. Teachers there just don’t tend to correct – not sure if there is some form of philosophy behind that. So chances are I’m probably not doing a lot of the poses correctly?

What to expect at the studio?

The studio itself is clean, but kind of tight on space. The woman’s change room is actually extremely cramped and you will often find yourself waiting for some space to use. I would not advise showering there either. Bathrooms are also not located inside the studio space which is kind of annoying.

Why go here?

Escape the winter air and feel some warmth

Getting soft skin (I swear after class here your skin feels so soft!)

Try something new

Tip: Check out Yoga Journals’ online pose directory for some good tips/variations about what yoga poses are and how to do them properly.