Downward Dog Yoga Centre

YAY to Simon A — thank you. Not so, Monica B…

This is home. I’ve been a member at Downward Dog since 2012 and yes I have also seen change happen. But I believe that change is good and we must face change to grow. I mostly attend the mysore classes but from time to time I do jump into Led classes. As a teacher myself I find that the classes are inspirational and eventhough some are packed, I feel fueled by the beautiful energy and it really feels to me like collectively we are sending love into Toronto. I began my practice here because I wanted to be fit and flexible but my teachers Ron, Marla and at one point Diane showed me that there was more to the practice, the key — spirituality. When you evolve in your spirituality you are not bothered by what’s happening around you, my focus is growth… my own growth. So I don’t really care about chatter around me before class. Quiet mind and sound heart comes from within and it’s part of the practice. Yes the change rooms are small but the space is small and what can they do? The business of yoga is tough so I understand why they have to pack classes… they have bills to pay! Like all of us. I’d rather be in a room full of love and energy then in no room at all. They really work hard here and I think we need to give credit where credit is due. If you are looking for a place that offers more than a practice that emphasizes how fit you are, you won’t find it here. If you want good quality classes, high level instructions and to feel like you are in a safe space, go to Downward Dog.

It breaks my heart to give DWD two stars, but alas, I feel that I must do so after a long conflicted battle with my thoughts about the studio, especially over the past year.
I began coming to DWD in 2006 and fell in love with it. I couldn’t imagine doing yoga anywhere else, and I didn’t (except for the few sporadic times when I attended their other location in the Beach [now rebranded Beach Yoga]). I practiced yoga since 2006, ritualistically, benefitting from the beautiful, the inspiring, the calming, the grounding, and the mesmerizing instructors such as Diane and David Bruni, Ron, Delia, Jennifer H. And so on — the ‘old timers,’ as I came to call them, of course, in a figurative sense. I loved every minute of it and I continued to do yoga there until my departure from Toronto in 2011 for about two years.
Upon my return to Toronto, in fact the immediate neighborhood of Queen & Bathurst, one of the first things I did was go to DWD, take a deep nasal breath in and return to the beautiful scent and space of the studio. I got an annual unlimited membership and began practicing there again. Much to my disappointment and sadness, the once fantastically calming, grounding, people-​centered and humble studio no longer existed.
People are now being packed like sardines, the men’s change room is getting more and more to be a hazardous storage space for equipment (ladders, boxes of sort, etc.), and that’s not really the issue for me. The biggest problem was the dramatic personality change and culture shift of the studio. I found myself sitting (stretching pre-​practice) often for 20 minutes or more, listening to various people loudly conversing about their everyday trivialities, often from which people retreat to yoga in order to escape. Many times, I observed little groups of people (read cliques) huddled together, loudly debriefing irrelevancies to me, of these, many were yoga instructors themselves or what appeared to be their acquaintances. I could not find a single day in which this did not happen, thus, never since my return to DWD I was able to bring myself into a calm and quiet space before any of my yoga classes. Compare to Moksha’s practice of «the quiet room,» and what a beautiful and simple idea that is!
I am disappointed, saddened, and disheartened that this shift is taking place at DWD, but I am hardly surprised, especially after Diane’s departure and the business-​first-​type paradigm everything seems to be heading towards.
I practiced for three months, and while sitting on the fence about quitting DWD, waited another month but couldn’t bring myself to go back, and so I sat out for a whole month thinking… then sadly, I left the studio. DWD now easily melds with the rest of the Westernized, dilute, cliquey, efficiency-​driven businesses.
Awful!

I’ve had the opportunity to practice yoga in different cities (for work related reasons), and I must say, Downward Dog has the best instructors. They are the most qualified and informative. Yes, the studio (especially the change rooms) can get quite crowded, but I know I will have an amazing session when I go to Downward Dog. I especially enjoy David Bruni and Kathryn Bruni-Young’s classes. My very first yoga class was with David and I fell in love with yoga from that moment on. David does an incredible job at explaining the benefits of yoga and really makes you aware of the movement of your body in everyday life. It’s not just a workout, it’s a way of life. Recently, I received notice that they were doing renos in the big studio, and I was glad to hear that, I think it needed some attention.

Downward Dog Yoga Centre has been my go-​to studio for at least 10 years now, having moved through and amongst 3 – 5 others. Some of the very good teachers have come and gone (and a couple have stayed!), but what remains consistent is the quality, and I hope this is what continues to be the priority of the owners, as it is what keeps me there. Yoga can be seen as many things these days, but it should always be a positive experience that combines mind, body and spirit in a healthy practice that can benefit all. The classes at DD are some of the most reasonably priced in the city, as well as the longest. That’s also what appeals to me. For newcomers to any studio, it is best to try out a number of instructors and classes at your practice level in order to determine if the studio is good for you. Perhaps you may go to more than one studio in order to develop an optimum practice. But one thing is for sure about Downward Dog… the calibre of teachers and the intensity of the classes cannot be beat.

After reading some negative reviews about this place, I was nervous about it, but it’s so close to where I live and they had a $ 40 unlimited month deal, so I tried it out. I think this place is great. Every yoga studio had it’s own flavour and Downward Dog is a studio you go to if you want high level classes with great instruction and a sweaty class.
The classes are definitely packed, which personally I enjoy. I like the energy of many people around me. There are no hot yoga classes, but the rooms do get pretty warm as everyone works up a sweat. There is mat rental for $ 1, but I bring my own.
This place does a good job at respecting the spiritual aspect of yoga while hosting a high level of practice. I found a few studios I went to either really focused on the spiritual/​meditative aspect to the point where my body wasn’t getting a workout, or I would go to those horrible yoga-​fitness classes that shouldn’t be allowed to call themselves yoga because they butcher it so badly. Downward Dog has found a great balance.
I do find the energy at the start of the class a little bit competitive, which is not ideal, but as we all moved through the class, and breathed that competitive energy seemed to transform into an appreciation for yoga and exploring what our bodies will allow us to do.
So far I have taken Level 2 classes with Ron, Marla and Grace, all of which were very respectful to the students and seemed very knowledgeable. Each of their classes were different and unique, which I appreciate because it keeps me coming back. I sweated buckets in each class and felt so happy and refreshed afterwards, as well as some new muscle development in my body. I especially enjoyed Marla’s class. It was very challenging and she has a wonderful energy, as well as cool dolphin pants. After reading her teaching bio, I learned she started studying yoga in India in ’88, when I was born, haha! That woman is fit and she inspires me to do this for years to come.
I think this place is great, it’s not for everyone, but no yoga place is!

Was a regular years ago, but not so much now as we’ve moved to N.York. Still yoga-​at-​its-​best in the GTA. Diane’s departure (even years later) has left a void but other teachers (ex: Marla and Ron) and in-​class assistants are great. The women’s changing room (and shower) need an face-​lift but devotees overlook this flaw in favour of terrific instruction. DWD teaching and pre/​after class on Queen West makes it worth the drive.

I’ve been going to Downward Dog on and off for several years. If I lived closer to the studio I would be a regular. As a yoga teacher, the most important part of choosing a studio should be teacher experience and Downward Dog wins in this regard. It is a safe place to practice yoga because the teachers will know how to correct you if you are doing something wrong that will lead to injury, and they will not suggest poses that are beyond the skill level of the particular class. Many of the more popular classes have student teachers working the room to do adjustments which is an amazing feature. There are so many fly-​by-​night yoga new studios constantly popping up in this city, with transient and inexperienced staff and I would be weary of those. For the long term, you’d be better to stick with somewhere like Downward Dog if you want to learn and grow as a yogi.

You know what? forget Downward Dog. I’ve been three times. I really want to like it because it’s close to my house and I have no complaints about the teachers. But… it kinda stinks, they have poor ventilation, the rooms are rammed because they have no class limit, and they’ve schedule classes so tightly that the change room is jammed and impossible to maneuver when two classes intersect. Sometimes there are little pools and splashes of sweat or water on the floor, left there by the previous class. Gross! Someone’s gotta go in and do a little inspection/​tidy up. Today when we had to squeeze together to fit yet another student, the teacher was like «The more the merrier!» OK, that’s sweet, but $ 18 should get me an island of exercise and serenity but I can’t even do the poses properly without putting my face in a pair of bicycle-​shorted balls. I also actually kicked a woman’s hair bun! I just about left halfway through. Also, the entrance area is a soggy mess of shoes and boots in the winter… why aren’t people utilizing the shelves, i don’t get it.

I’ve explored many yoga studios around Toronto, and had seen so much praise for this studio in actually teaching yoga in a way that always challenges. I bought an introductory package very exited to find classes that would be challenging and vinyasa based. I’ve taken classes with Amica, Cecily, Sheldon, Tamara, and Kathryn. Coincidentally most of the classes I took due to the time fitting my schedule were from Amica. Like most instructors there I personally felt that the classes were great at challenging (Level 2). However I noticed 99% of the time instructors and staff would only pay attention to students whom they were knew or were friends with. Whether the classes ranged from 10 — 50 students, I felt the same students only getting attention. Not to mention to wouldn’t kill the staff to be a bit more welcoming. I found Tamara to be one of the best instructors there since she actually took the time and effort to be kind, welcoming and provide adjustments to everyone. Everyone else just seemed so full of themselves. Might return for a couple of drop in classes since the class difficultly level was actually beneficial, however the community they have created there seems a bit to «exclusive» for me to continue practicing there on a regular basis.

When I walk in, I sense wisdom and serenity. When I walk out, I feel calmed and fulfilled.
I go to Marla’s Sat morning classes. It’s part of my life now. Others teachers I tried and love: Cecily, Amica, Grace. Ron is amazing but my schedule doesn’t work for his classes (yet).

I first discovered this studio in 2010 on my Passport to Prana. It was such a pleasure and coincidence for me to take Diane Bruni’s (co-​owner of the studio) class then. I still remember how unconventional and exciting it was. Having been doing yoga for 7 years, I had never imagined starting a yoga class where we put our yoga mats to the side, lined up and made our way across the room in a myriad of ways — sprawling, hopping, downward-​dog-​jumping. It was a class not to forget… it was one that opened up my eyes to the endless possibilities of movements in a yoga class.
Two years later, recently, I took my yoga teacher training here. I have gained much insight about why we do yoga poses in certain ways, how to maximize benefits. There are so many behind-​the-​scenes benefits happening in each pose depending on what cues instructors use. At Downward Dog, all of the instructors (I can not say this about many studios) know what they are doing to teach proper alignment. And boy, do they make you work!
Yes, the changeroom is small with one toilet and one shower but that doesn’t phase my rating…

I think this is one of the best studios in Toronto.
The actual studio is big and has a great atmosphere.
Ron and Cecily are fabulous teachers.
I wish Ron was still teaching the thurs 10am class which used to be the most challenging and enjoyable class. Now it’s been taken over by Sheldon who I find stuffy, arrogant, and he is a new teacher teaching one of the most advances classes which is too bad. The numbers in that class have really dropped.
The workshops at the studio are top-​notch.
Some of the students need to cool their jets though, it’s not the yoga olympics, nor the fashion olympics. Chill out :)

WIPE THAT SMILE OFF YOUR FACE.
Yep, that’s what I was told.
Don’t smile in class.
I debated whether I should give this studio one star. But, the class itself was actually challenging and interesting.
I know this studio is popular for their variety of classes and the quality of instruction. However, my experience here really wasn’t that great.
1) The studio was uncomfortably packed. I was there using my passport, but I can’t imagine paying money to practice with absolutely no space. I could actually smell the dude’s feet in front of me. I had to turn away and tried not to die from not breathing.
2) The instructor was a jerk. Don’t tell me to not smile. That’s not zen. No namaste for you, don’t be an ass.
3) The change room was tiny. I had to grab my stuff and change outside.
The use of props to stretch was different and effective. However, there is a wood stick thing that you step on… all I could think about is how many other feet had been on this stick.
Anyways, this is not the studio for me.

And onward goes my Passport to Prana-​ing!
I tried a Level 1 class at DD after a short post night shift sleep and a delicious lunch with my baby bro and his gf. I will be honest and say that I too had heard a lot of bad press about DD from friends, all of whom do yoga, and some of whom are extremely proficient. I went in with eyes and mind as wide open as I could make them.
The studio is a little hidden; I have seen the massive mural so many times on my walks on Queen, but seem to have always missed the door! Once inside, one goes upstairs to the small foyer and reception. Yes! There was a receptionist! (Do we see a pattern???) She took my card, booked me in, gave me a temp pass that would be collected… but I don’t think she actually looked at me. That is, until I kept standing in front of her (it being my first time and all, I had no idea where the change room was). I was directed to the ladies change room and off I went.
The changeroom is small; an open square with cubbies all around it. Before my 4pm class, it was basically empty, but afterward, there were some serious near-​misses with elbows in various places as the room was packed and people were precariously teetering on one foot trying to get their work clothes off and yoga clothes on. I was very glad to grab my things and go!
My class was in the small classroom and taught by Tessa. There were 6 other students, plus Tessa, and so lots of space. I did enjoy the class very much; I think I could have gone up to a Level ½ and really challenge myself (and may try when I check out the beach location), but not really being sure of where my abilities lay in the «Downward Dog» spectrum, I decided to play it safe. That said, I was definitely perspiring and am a stiff girl today! I love classes where I feel like I’ve worked :) Tessa as a teacher was great; her voice was soothing and she made sure to give each student attention and adjustment when needed, certainly not only focusing on students she knew (which was the case in a previous review). My only dislike was that the studio location is a) right on Queen and b) right over a bar. This made for car honks, streetcar rumbling, and rihanna coming in the windows almost consistently.
Will I go again? Yes, most certainly; I want to really get my juices flowing in a ½ class in the beach or with next year’s PTP ! Will I be a member? Probably not in the near future, but one never knows!

This is one of the first yoga studios in Toronto that I tried back around 2004. Then I was living out of town for a few years. I recently moved back and ended up at various other studios with my Passport to Prana. I went back to Downward Dog today for the first time in about a year (I used to take Martin’s class, I don’t think he teaches here anymore?). I have to say, after having experienced various other studios, it’s still my favourite. This place has been around for ages (apparently Madonna and Sting have taken class at DD when they were in town…, also, the founder Diane Bruni used to host «Breathing Space Yoga» on WTN) and has been consistent in the quality of the teachers and commitment to ashtanga yoga. I’ve seen too many other studios jump on the hot yoga bandwagon or try to offer too many styles of yoga or mix in things like pilates or «yoga-​lates» or whatever it’s called. DD sticks to what it knows and what it does best. It is not the fanciest/​nicest studio (change rooms get reeeally crowded between classes), but you are guaranteed a great workout and experience.
I have to agree with Stephen L., they have some of the most challenging classes in the city. I am not very advanced but I have been practicing yoga on and off for about 7 years. I used to do the «prep» classes here years ago. Today I decided to try the level 1 class (Sunday 9 am, taught by David Bruni). I was told that in addition to some yoga blocks I also needed a piece of dowel (to roll under your feet), and this really intense rubber band loop thing. They didn’t have those props the last time I came to the studio, so I was kind of alarmed at what I might have gotten myself into: S While waiting for the class to start, I was just sitting there stretching my hamstrings… meanwhile this ripped shirtless guy in front of me is calmly standing on his head… Yeah. A little intimidating! At the beginning of class, David asked us to go from plank to chaturanga and then back up to plank as many times as we could (like yoga push-​ups). «I want to see how strong this class is», he said. After watching people struggle through, he waived his hand — «I’ve seen enough». Anyways, suffice to say that «level 1» is NOT for beginners. But this is yoga after all, and it’s not a competitive atmosphere and after my initial panic (I can’t stand on my head…), it turned out to be an excellent and invigorating class. Challenging, fast-​paced, with lots of attention thanks to the 2 teachers’ assistants who helped with corrections and adjustments.
Great place, convenient location (so many post-​yoga weekend brunch options!), always reliable, nice yoga community with no attitude. Sure, you’ll spot some lululemon, but it doesn’t feel like a fashion show like at some other studios. Also, if you forgot your mat, you can use one of the studio’s for free (many other places charge). Try it out if you are serious about yoga, and be prepared to sweat!

After hearing from some friends that this was THE yoga studio in town for ‘real’ yoga, I ended up checking it out just this weekend. I didn’t check Unilocal before heading out to meet up with a friend for the 11am Sunday class. I got there in plenty of time and found the studio just east of Pavilion, the lovely furniture store. Though, if I hadn’t walked past it a million times, I might have missed the sign and painted Shiva door.
I just wanted to try it out and since P90X revs up this week, I didn’t buy in to the ‘upsell’ for the 1 week pass. I did end up paying $ 20 for the one class, though– Ouch!
The class room is huge! Enough to fit in 40 or 50 students, though mine wasn’t full. The room, though not Hot Yoga, was hot enough and I was dripping like rain during the final 45 minutes of this 105 (!) minute class.
I’ve been lifting weights and exercising a lot, but I could hardly lift my arms for days! This is a tough workout.
But, they have the same problems as other studios– not big enough bathroom/​change room space, but it’s exponentially worse here because there are 50 women trying to pee in one toilet and shower in just one stall!
Luckily for me, I’m tethered to a 15 minute walking radius from my place, so I walked home to shower it off. Phew– what a workout!

Picking a yoga studio is a tricky. What makes or breaks a studio for people has as much to do with the quality of the showers and change rooms as the quality and style of teachers. If you are looking for a relaxing, spa experience, this is not the studio for you.
Downward Dog is a busy studio. Busy, popular classes can have as many as 40 – 60 students. In the summer this can mean hot, steamy and crowded classes. Classes in the small room (usually reserved for intro classes) might have 6 – 15 people.
Busy classes may have an additional 1 – 2 instructors to provide adjustments with alignment. If you want more or don’t want adjusting, let the teachers know ahead of time to get the most from your experience.
CLASSES OFFERED
There are occasional meditation and yoga nidra classes offered, but the studio predominantly offers very physical, Ashtanga influenced, vinyasa flow classes.
FOR NEWBIES
DD offers some of the most physically challenging classes in the City. That being said, if you are new to yoga, want a little more hands on instruction, or simply want to brush up on the basics, you should consider taking their Intro to Yoga and/​or Level Prep classes. These focus on more instruction and providing breakdown of postures and preparatory options to harder postures, and less emphasis on maintaining or exploring flow and linkages in a practice.
Prep and Intro classes are some of the best you’ll find and will provide a foundation to really let you see the potential benefit of a regular practice. If you want to learn yoga, this is a good place to start.
FOR EXPERIENCED PRACTITIONERS
In general, a Level 1 class at Downward Dog is likely going to feel like a Level 1 – ²⁄₂ class at most other studios. The classes will provide less instruction than a Prep or Intro class, and assume a grounding or awareness of the basic standing postures. Classes will be quite challenging and the level of hands on adjustment really depends on the instructor, the overall apparent needs of the group, and whether or not you’ve told the instructor in advance that you are new and would like a little help and guidance.
FOR ADVANCED PRACTITIONERS
Downward Dog’s more advanced classes (Level 1 – 2, Yoga Jam, Ujjayi Pulse, and Primary Series) offer a level of challenge, excitement and exploration that you will be hard pressed to find offered at any other studio in the City.
This is the strength of the studio and NOT for new students.
They are physically and mentally challenging, fast paced and assume a solid awareness (not necessarily refinement) of the fundamental and standing Ashtanga postures. That being said, I’ve seen newcomers get completely whipped but hooked because of the challenge, and also experienced people leave completely intimidated and turned off at the difficulty. YMMV
Some classes (Yoga Jam, Primary Series) are filled with VERY experienced practitioners, and MANY instructors. There are few studios in the city that can offer instruction to advanced level INSTRUCTORS and DD is one of them.
MYSORE STYLE SELF PRACTICE
If you want to further or improve an existing practice, Downward Dog’s Mysore classes are a unique offering in the City.
They offer instructors qualified to safely and effectively teach Primary, Intermediate, and Advanced postures.
Unlike a traditional Mysore class, you are not restricted to following the prescribed Ashtanga Primary Series, and can incorporate any sequence that you feel works for you, from any variety of yoga styles.
If you can «entertain» yourself for at least an hour (or are able to follow along to a Primary Series «cheat sheet»), Mysore classes at Downward Dog really offer the best environment for 1:1 teaching and learning, and one of the only environments outside of a special workshop, to explore postures that you may have seen on Youtube.
If you have an existing self-​practice, and want an inspiring environment to practice in, Mysore classes are definitely the ticket. Morning classes with David are significantly less crowded and offer the opportunity for extended 1:1 instruction and support, while late afternoon weekday classes with Ron can be quite crowded offering less opportunity for adjustments.
Downward Dog is an inspiring studio, offering a level of instruction and physical challenge very hard to find at any other studio. Assess your personal yoga needs and ability, choose your class wisely, and you may find this to be the studio for you.
If you have a macho friend who thinks Yoga is for wusses, take them here and get them schooled.

Unfortunately I’ve always heard bad reviews of this studio, which is a shame. It’s one of the longest running yoga studios that I’m aware of in the city, and it’s insanely close to home that it would suck if they were horribly bad as people say they are. As a person who gives second chances, I decided them to try them for the first time a few months ago and again last night, using my 2010 Passport to Prana card.
Well, I’ve got to be honest that I’m still on the fence about them. I didn’t have any horrible experiences but I didn’t have great ones either.
With my friend Jen, we attended our first Downward Dog class, a level prep, in April. Our teacher was Jennifer Helland: she was kind, patient and encouraging. Despite being stuck in the smaller of the two rooms and teaching a full class, she took the time to visit each one of us, helping us with a move and providing alternatives to positions if we were having difficulty. I liked her a lot and will consider taking a class with her in the future.
The second one was taken last night with David Bruni, the Level 1 class. I felt that he wasn’t as helpful as Jennifer. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that it’s a Level 1 class and as individuals who have taken Level Prep, we should be familiar and comfortable with some of the positions and terms. I’ll be honest that at the moment I’m better suited in a Level Prep class. But I noticed that he only helped those whom he knew in the class, and not the entire class.
Starting from the centre, the first two rows on either side had students who were familiar with him and his practice. The back row seemed to be filled with newbies like my friend and I. I would see or hear him walk by us, and he never once came over to help or coach me with a position. Did I look like I was that much of an expert when doing the moves? I doubt it. I was struggling and worked my butt off to get it right but I heard him talk a lot to everyone, instead of actually helping. He may be a great teacher for those who have taken his class previously, but I might be less inclined to take one of his classes in the future.
The drawback of Downward Dog: the classes become insanely busy. There’s two rooms and the two classes I’ve attended fill up very quickly. This is inconvenient but also uncomfortable when so many bodies are bending and stretching, in rooms that feel like it’s a 100 degrees.
I’m not going to dismiss Downward Dog right away because yes, they are very close to home. But I like the idea that if I need brush up on a class, or take more Level Prep courses, I can do it here because they offer it so many times in the week.
A good point: their schedule is great. They offer a variety of classes for all levels at different times of the week. They also are quite active in offering specialty workshops and if you’re into yogi events, they have a bunch of them too.

Diane Bruni, who is the co-​proprietor of Downward Dog, is the best teacher for beginner yogis in Toronto. Diane breaks down the concepts and basics of Ashtanga Yoga and slowly builds up the series as the yogi progresses in his practice. Great location right in Queen West. The downside is the classes are insanely packed during weekends and the regular yogis are full of hipster attitude.