Breathe Yoga Studio

I’ve been coming to Breathe for 2 years now. I started off attending the vinyasa flow classes (which are fantastic), but then began trying out mysore (the early morning Ashtanga practice) a year ago and have found the experience to be transformative! The teachers at Breathe really encouraged my development, and the mysore practice is exceptional, since it allowed me to build a direct relationship to my own yoga practice with the guidance and instruction of my teachers. I’ve also developed a deep appreciation for the Iyengar classes at Breathe, which focus on strength, alignment and stability in yoga poses. The Iyengar classes can be challenging, but I’ve left every class having learned so much and improving my technique.
In January 2015, I decided to take Breathe’s Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program to deepen my practice and understanding of yoga. Like the classes at the studio, the YTT program offers instruction from many of the most knowledgeable and experience yoga teachers in the city. The extensive anatomy and yoga history and philosophy courses really stood out for me in the program, and I developed a much deeper appreciation for yoga through the curriculum of the teacher training. The YTT program also provided many opportunities to develop my teaching skills, with group work and studio teaching experience. I’m looking forward to continuing my education and practice at Breathe with more advanced training programs in the coming years.

Breathe yoga studio is easily amongst the top studios in the city. The studio space is one of the most beautiful ones I’ve ever seen; it’s tranquil, clean, big, and highly conducive to community building (e.g., there is a small area where students can gather and have tea before and after class). The staff always make a point of getting to know you, remember your name and details about your practice. Of course, one of the best things about Breathe is its teachers. I think they make a concerted effort at Breathe to really recruit the best of the best teachers and it really shows. The offer many teachers who all expertly teach different styles like Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Yin, and Restorative yoga. All the teachers that I’ve had at Breathe strike an amazing balance between clear technical, precise, instruction and using new, interesting, or creative ways to keep you engaged and focused on your practice. I feel so lucky to be practicing at Breathe! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a yoga studio in the west end.

The studio community is wonderful, everybody is helpful and the teachers are very committed to their own personal practice which shows in the quality of their teaching.
I did their yoga teacher training this year and I don’t have enough words to praise the program, the teachers, the inspiration, my personal transformation and the great students I met. I’m not sure if I will ever teach but it certainly took my personal practice to a new place. There’s a focus on Ashtanga but they’re very inclusive which is reflected in the variety of teachers that are part of the studio.
The program gave me the opportunity to take most of their classes and explore different yoga styles from Ashtanga, to Vinyasa Flow, to Iyengar, Yin Yoga, Integral Vinyasa, etc, I recommend you go a few times, try different styles, try different teachers, and find what best suit your current life stage, it´s great to have that option. On the practical side the space is beautiful, and always clean, it’s a joy to practice there.
Yoga is a personal journey, but when you surround yourself with people that are open-​minded, devoted to their own practice and willing to share, you enrich that journey.

I really enjoy yoga at the new Breathe studio. It was nice when it was on Bloor Street but now it is beautiful. The Junction is a little further for me to go but well worth the trip. The studios are clean and spacious. The teachers are experienced and seem very comfortable adapting classes for personal injuries. Even when the class has seemed crowded I find there is enough space to enjoy my practice and the class.

I’ve been coming here for a while, I love the instructors and variety of classes. My favourite is Jamiee’s Monday night Vinyasa Groove class. But the purpose of this review about the Beginners Yoga 4 week course.
After about 4 years of yoga practice, and just trying to figure things out as they go along, I finally decided to once and for all get proper instruction and joined the 4 week course. (I considered getting all this with the teachers training course, but the time and financial commitment was too much)
I was apprehensive about this. Will I be bored? Will I get a good workout, and have to supplement my weekly yoga with another class? Will I even learn anything?
I was wrong about all my thoughts.
To answer my questions:
Not bored at all. The class is small (max 8 people). I’m only on the 2^nd week and I’m loving so much, I had to write. The 1^st week focused on the Sun Salutation including Vinyasas, which has always been a question on my mind whether I’m doing it correctly or not. 2^nd week is about standing postures. I believe 3^rd week is about Balancing and 4^th week there will be some inversions.
An excellent workout. Imagine learning how to do a vinyasa and doing like 10 of them throughout the class. Although it’s 1h15m I came out of it feeling like it was a typical yoga class.
I’m learning so much! Its way more than just a ‘beginner’s class’ and goes through all the typical postures that one would find in any level class. You will not be bored. Throughout the entire thing, the instructor would give some tips, pointers and asks if there are any questions. Darren is super patient, informative and really knowledgeable. I love that people who are in my class are quite body aware and there are no stupid questions! I don’t find it slow or too fast at all.
This class is excellent for anyone that ever had questions about postures, who wants individual attention and understand the benefits of each posture. Beginner or Advanced, if you’ve never done a class like this before — it’s something I would highly recommend.

Glad to have found this fantastic studio in my neighbourhood. I have recently started taking early morning mysore classes and they are wonderful. I have also taken evening classes and the calm focus of a class as the sun is rising or setting is a great way to start or end a day.
The instructors are great, the studio is really clean and welcoming. There are showers and a tea area with magazines if you arrive a little too early for class.

I attended a Vinyasa Flow Level 1 class with teacher David at 10am a few weeks ago.
I have been practicing yoga consistently for about one month now but have done yoga for maybe 5 years.
The yoga studio is very neat and tidy, the staff are friendly and were able to answer my questions. I had to sign a waiver form when I signed up for a class, which is normal and the staff showed me around the relatively small studio. They have very nice bathrooms/​change rooms.
The Level 1 class was held in a small-​ish room, which could comfortable fit about 15 people. I entered the room and assumed I snagged the last spot but to my surprise the teacher asked everyone to move over so instead of fitting four comfortably in each row, there were five people, mats almost touching. I counted 25 people including myself, crammed into that little room. It got really hot, really fast. I could not stretch my hands out to my side or swan dive without hitting some one, not even grazing them, but possibly hitting their chest or middle of the their back because we were all so close. I was so disappointed with this class I considered getting up an leaving, but instead after about 50 minutes of clumsy, overcrowded, hot yoga (not the good hot yoga), I laid on my mat and waited for the class to end.
The teacher, David, was unable to give majority of the the 25 participants any advice or guidance on poses because there were so many of us! I prefer a more intimate yoga class where a teacher can help me. That’s the whole reason I attend a class, so this class was very disappointing.

I attended this location once a few years ago for an Ashtanga class, but can’t remember it well enough to rate that.
So instead, this review is focused exclusively on their prenatal classes at this specific location (they have a newer & larger location in the Junction as well).
I was glad to be able to find prenatal drop-​in yoga in the West End. This studio has enough Green P parking nearby, that getting to it hasn’t been an issue. The space is TINY and quite awkward though — it’s long and skinny, and for prenatal yoga, the women all line up along the 2 long walls of the studio, but it just feels a bit odd. There are definitely space limitations. If you are going for prenatal, arrive early enough to get a good spot on the wall!
Tracey, who teaches the classes, is friendly and personable, and tries to bond with her students. She makes an effort to remember faces, if not names too. She’s a bit chatty, and it can take awhile for the classes to get going. And if you’re going each week, you’ll find a lot of the chatter is the same week-​after-​week. (I won’t knock that though, because my first week or two, I was happy to hear the whole slew of information, so it’s probably good that she repeats it each week, since newcomers are welcome at any time).
As for the class itself — it’s very relaxing, that’s for sure. I can’t say that I love prenatal yoga period, but that I think is because I’m used to a fairly rigorous ashtanga class at Downward Dog, and this is pretty well the extreme opposite. Mind you, my body couldn’t handle much else throughout pregnancy! Tracey is attentive and if you look uncomfortable, she’ll offer you an alternative pose, or she’ll bring you a prop to make it more comfortable.
I was finding that $ 24 was a bit much for what I considered an hour and a half of relaxing… but having stopped going a few weeks ago, I’m now regretting not sticking to it!
I’ll likely check out some of the post-​natal classes when the time comes.

When Breathe seemingly popped up out of nowhere in the Junction, I was beyond thrilled! The location is very close to my house– hence– I have no excuse not to go all the time now. I was previously a fan of Moksha when I lived on the Danforth (still am), but Breathe is a great substitute now that I’m no longer so close to a Moksha location.
The studio can be very easily missed, as the entrance is at the side of the building and there is only a small sign. It is on the third floor, and is beautifully designed. You can gaze at the treetops while in warrior pose. I’ve witnessed some lovely sunsets from here. Calm is the foremost word I would use to describe the studio. Calm and clean (?) (seriously…it is extremely clean), and it is never too crowded.
The teachers are great and the classes have a good variety.
Also, they have extra hair elastics/​pins if you are short! A godsend!
I can’t think of one bad thing about this studio (and I’ve visited many!). It keeps on impressing me.
Go there!

I first learned yoga here with Andrea’s beginner class, which was great!
She’s an excellent instructor, and seems to embody much of what a whole yoga practice & lifestyle would include.
However after that I found many of the other follow-​on classes were geared towards ‘specialized’ practices, or more advanced students, or just for women (grrr). So I had very few options as a next-​step.
I also wasn’t fond of at least one of the other instructors, who seemed to insist that I force myself (with their physical hands-​on!) to try advanced positions I knew I wasn’t ready for (given some recent injuries).
So I’ve taken my practice to Moksha, which I thoroughly enjoy.

Breathe Yoga Studio though it is small in size with limited facilities/​amenities but just have this positive vibe and great teachers.
When I arrived for my first class using my passport, I was really puzzled to see all these students waiting on the stairways… I almost want to push my way through then I realize this is the waiting area!
The practice room is smallish. it is as big as some of the waiting area at some of the studio I been to. A small change area with little cubicles for your belongings.
The restorative class I have was great! Instructor walking around and checking making sure we did our posture correctly. She also explained which 7 chakras we working on for each of the poses.
I feel so energized and relaxing at the same time after the class…
Breathe Yoga Studio is another good example that good teachers are the most essential element in a yoga studio!

Wait… haven’t I seen these teachers before???
Sometimes I’m looking for a D-​Luxe, luxury yoga experience, sometimes I’m looking to have my butt whipped… and sometimes, I’m looking at having an intimate, neighbourhoody experience.
Breathe is the latter. It’s a nice, small second floor studio located in the fabulous Bloor West Village. Parking is limited to street and the occasional lot, but TTC access is a cinch.
It’s a one room studio with registration counter and tiny retail space in the back of the practice room, and change and bathrooms located off of a connecting hallway.
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THE INSTRUCTORS
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The instructors are some of the best in the City and include people like Christine Felstead (who pretty much has the monopoly on yoga for runners and teaches all over the City), Michael de Corte and JP Tamblyn (who is about to open his new Ahimsa studio in the old Octopus Garden space), Josh Babier, Andrea Peloso, etc.
These are all teachers who are regular instructors at some of the better Ashtanga based studios in Toronto, and many are folks I’ve had the honour of practicing alongside in Mysore classes at other studios.
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THE CLASSES
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The classes are predominantly Ashtanga influenced vinyasa flow classes (not strictly Ashtanga in that they do vary from the primary series, but follow the basic structure of sun salutations, standing, balance, seated and finishing postures for the most part).
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THE CLASSES
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My experience is limited to a Level 1 class I took with some beginner friends, and the class was of an appropriate level of difficulty, providing some challenge for newcomers and more experienced alike and a pace that allowed for figuring things out, if you’re a newbie.
I am however familiar with many of the instructors from other studios.
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THE SPACE
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Although attractive, and calming in the evening is a bit odd in that there is no separate checkin or waiting area. If you’re a bit late for a class, you have to walk THROUGH, the class to get to the change room or the registration desk.
The lack of waiting area means people crowd on the stairs that exit right in the practice space, so noise can be an issue in the transition times between classes ending and finishing.
The room itself is fairly long, and a little narrow, so in a crowded class can feel a bit like getting tunnel vision.
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CONCLUSION
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If you are looking for something very specific in a yoga studio, odds are good, you already know where to go. Breathe offers a good selection and schedule of classes of the more physical vinyasa flow style, taught by great folks who can be found teaching at a number of other studios across the City.
If you’re looking for a particular teacher to have a regular practice with, you would be able to get great instruction here and also find the same teacher at other studios that may have a more convenient schedule for that particular instructor.
However, if you are looking for a studio in the Bloor West area, I’m not sure of one that is better in the area.

Breathe Yoga Studio is a wonderful space in the heart of Bloor West Village. It’s easily accessible by subway (Runnymede Station) and it has a very flexible class schedule. I used to go to the Friday «Community Class» for $ 10/​class and I credit it with giving me the foundation for my yoga practice. I’ve also tried classes with JP (phenomenal), Christine Felstead (yoga for runners, which is absolutely a MUST to complement any runner’s routine) and Tracey (terrific). Basically all of the teachers are great and gentle on beginners. The one drawback to Breathe is that the studio gets unbearably hot in the summer — hopefully they’re able to install a better cooling system this coming season!
They offer an introductory special for newcomers that truly can’t be beat — $ 20 for unlimited classes for one whole week! Also, you can buy class passes online through their website AND pay by PayPal. I don’t know many other Toronto yoga studios that offer such convenience!

After making the move from Vancouver (yoga heaven) to Toronto, I was worried I was never going to find a studio as great as the one I had before. And then I found Breath Yoga Studio… right at the end of my street. It’s kind of tucked away, sitting above Simply Thai restaurant, but it’s a nice warm space with a beautiful view down Beresford street.
The studio offers a variety of classes; yoga for runners, Ashtanga, Hatha, etc. and almost all of them are taught by instructors with pre-​natal yoga experience.
I go mainly for Susan’s classes on Tuesday’s and Friday’s because it’s like she doesn’t even pay attention to the clock. I know yoga is supposed to be all about being in the moment but literally, time is suspended in her classes (they are supposed to be an hour to an hour and a half and they almost always run for two hours). Susan is careful with her instruction, takes time to meet people in the class, and always comes by to make sure everyone is in the right posture and comfortable.
This place makes me feel gooooooooooooooooood.

Breathe is primarily an ashtanga yoga studio and the teachers stick to the primary series. Most of the teachers are experienced and have been teaching in various studios in Toronto. The studio itself consists of a single practice room with small change rooms and a washroom in the back. It’s located above the Thai restaurant in Bloor West Village and the single floor-​to-​ceiling window of the practice room overlooks Bloor West Village. JP Tamblyn is one of the best yoga teachers in Toronto and he’s been teaching at Breathe for the past few years. However, he’s reduced his classes at Breathe because he’s concentrating more on his own studio, Octopus Garden in the Annex. The only thing I don’t like about the studio is that the practice room is right beside the stairwell where students wait for the preceding class to end. I was there last week and the chatter from the stairwell was distracting me from levitating during shivashna.