Moksha Yoga North York

The good:
1. Absolutely awesome instructors! You get what you pay for! I’ve been practicing with them for 2 months (2x per week) and yet to come across a bad one. All of them are very knowledgeable! I give them 4 stars! (1 off for not always adjusting students as needed due to packed classes.)
2. Environmentally-​conscious studio
3. Cleanliness: Studio floors are mopped in between classes. Change room and toilets are spotless.
4. Various levels of classes offered, from Pilates to Yin (both @ reduced heat) to Moksha to Flow and Flow 2. Classes range from 60 – 90 minutes in length.
5. Easily accessible by subway if you don’t drive. It’s an easy 5 min walk east from Yonge/​Sheppard TTC station.
The bad:
1. Classes are super-​packed! Signup per class is capped at 50. But this limit is totally ridiculous for a room that comfortably houses up to 30. I’ve been to 2 evening classes at full capacity and the gaps between my mat and my neighbors’ were no more than 3 inches. Be prepared to share some flying sweat and for the fact that your instructor will step on your mat/​towels when he/​she walks around the room! Mine stepped on my face towel. Ewwww! Also she kept making students move their mats when they had more than a one-​hand gap at the beginning of class. So we lost the first 10 minutes to these mat adjustments. I wish they had grid-​lines on the floor like some other hot yoga studios to indicate where mats should be placed.
2. Only 4 shower stalls in the ladies’ change room! If the class is packed, there will be a line to get into the shower afterwards.
3. Their DIY lockers in the change room are small. Plus most of their lock latches are broken. Good luck finding a functional one! I guess the alternative is to leave your valuables at the front desk? There’s a sign on the change room door saying «No Stealing!» Does it happen a lot there? Is that why the sign was up?
4. No underground parking validation. Be prepared to pay $ 3 per 30 mins during the day, or $ 3 for evenings after 6 pm and weekends. Parking on side streets and along Kenneth aren’t usually a problem though.
5. Membership cost. I was seriously considering quitting my fitness club to join Moksha North York. At $ 95 per month, I expect a much lower cap to class size (say 30 instead of 50) to allow for proper illustration of poses and corrections/​adjustments by the instructor. Also it’s difficult to relax into poses when members are packed like sardines.
6. Orientation tour didn’t happen. On my first day, I arrived 20 mins before class. There was another lady who was also expecting an orientation tour but neither of us got one. The receptionist simply told us to turn right for both the studio and the change room and left it at that. Some Unilocalers mentioned the corner with tea service which we were never told. I suppose if these little extras are important to you, you can always inquire.
There are a few instructors whom I’ll miss. But I’ll continue my quest for a good yoga studio after my time is up at Moksha North York.

The staff was nice, and the facilities were in good condition. My main gripe with this place is that I felt like the studio was trying to make as much money as possible per class at the expense of a quality experience for its patrons. There was little to no guidance when it came to alignment, and they managed to cram so many people into the room that I could not do several basic poses comfortably. Apart from the heat, there was no discernible reason to be doing yoga at this studio as opposed to home.

So BAD! 50 people in a small room! only one hand gap between each yoga mat.
room is hot with strong body odor and pungent-​smelling perfume. and I threw up on my way home.

Great Great Great studio! I signed up for the intro unlimited month and been taking advantage of it as much as I can. I couldn’t beat the price of $ 40 plus tax for a month unlimited in to all their classes. This is the second studio I have signed up to be a part of. (First one Bikrim) I enjoy the fact it is a close, a 10 minute subway trip away (2 stations away from my house). Once you get off the subway it is less than a 5 min walk down Sheppard to the studio.
I like how they are very welcoming and always have a smile on their face when you enter the place. My first day at the studio when I signed up, the reception told me that if I didn’t have a lock for the lockers in the change room, I was free to leave my purse at the from desk. That was awesome! Nice to know how a few little gestures make you the customer feel right at home. I chose to try this studio out because 1– it was close to home, 2– it was a different type of yoga (moksha) and 3 — it had classes that seemed to fit my lifestyle and worked around the hours I work. With your pass at this location you are able to take advantage of all the classes at the Thornhill Location as well. I found this nice considering both studios offer many choices and Thornhill also offers classes that are non-​heated and other types such as Ashtanga, Pilates and Prenatal.
All in all worth the price to get your sweat on!

Staff is very helpful (See Stephanie Mills and Nicole in massage) and the place is great.
Wish they had more secure boxes for locking up your wallets and stuff. They only have these mini wood mailboxes. It would be very hard to pop one of them as they use mini screws in particle board.

I want to love this studio and rate it higher since its so close to home. To me, it’s an ok moksha studio (I’ve been to many). They get really busy and the sun streaming in for the windows makes the room too hot if u r in the sun (which is saying a lot since I like it hot). The one time I took a class here and was in the sun is the only time I’ve ever actually had to leave a hot yoga class. It also gets very corded, especially the weekday evening classes. Finally, being uptown they really ought to offer free parking in the underground garage (its discounted at certain times but not free). I know there is some free street parking at times, but that’s not fun to get to in the winter (especially if I don’t wait in line to shower and jus decide to go home).

Turns out I was not the only person who got a Groupon to join the class today.
I was worried I couldn’t find the place, but it was right on the first floor with a huge sign that was widely visible from the outside.
The entrance has a tiny cubby where you can put your shoes. You hang your coat right on top it and then you’re greeted by an overly eager and enthusiastic receptionist. They have a tiny selection of yoga matts, clothes and accessories for purchase and there’s hot flavoured decaf tea you can drink after the session. I tried the lemon and it was delicious! There’s incense burning and you get a general good feeling about the ambience.
Who said the room is not hot? The guy next to me was dripping sweat by bucket. *metaphor intended* But seriously, that room is like a freaking sauna for those who haven’t been to hot yoga before! There were about 30 people in the room and there was almost enough space between the mats. I could not believe how challenging hot yoga could be and that power flow class definitely made me breathe heavily and even stop at some poses so I don’t faint.
The instructor was a young girl and she was very precise and helpful in adjusting the beginners.
The bad part of the experience was the tiny change room and I believe there were only two showers for over 20 women who had just stepped out of the class. They didn’t have paper towels, just two regular brown towels.
Overall, I think this was a good experience considering I had never done hot yoga before. They say Moksha classes are less difficult, so I’ll just stick to those for now.

LOVE, LOVE LOVE,
The staff is incredibly nice, the classes are excellent

Swimming is my form of exercise and I can’t get enough of it (2 hours per week). However, as I age, it seems my muscles need other simulation to keep it from flabbing, so I decided to venture into hot yoga. I love heat… love, love, love. I have never attended a formal yoga class before, and any of the poses I learned was from those cheesy at-​home videos with ladies in leopard leotards. Still, it seemed like there were many regulars at this Moksha location, and I was nervous I would have «newbie» written all over me.
Introduction.
This Moksha is located inside an office building, and when I first entered, I was greeted warmly by a lady who immediately knew I was Charlotte! I had pre-​signed up online and I love this aspect. All Moksha locations probably have their own sign-​in page, but you can pay and reserve classes online. What I find really neat is that you can see how many spots are available for a class, which instructor will be teaching and length of class.
I signed up for the $ 40 introductory rate which is only available to first timers. $ 40 for a month and all-​you-​can-​yoga. The lady introduced me to the facilities and asked if I had done any yoga at all. She recommened that I take a spot in the back row so that I can get a feel for what goes on. Near the check-​in desk was a little lounge area with two beds for relaxation.
Change-​room.
It is adequate, but smaller than I imagined. During the end of each class, this change room becomes a bustling metropolis with those leaving, and those coming for the next class. Two bathroom stalls and some showers. I haven’t used the shower facilities, but it was nice that it was available. I kind of liked the non chalant attitude of everybody… bags and things put on benches. Trust system here for your things not to be taken.
Yoga Class.
The room is nice and heated. Lovely wooden floors give the room a spa like feel. I immediately went to the back and started pretending that I came here forever, but someone asked me if this was my first time (what!) I said yeah and she said don’t worry if you have to leave the room for a bit as the heat can be too much at times. The instructor was hard core and she really made us work. I was sweating buckets and I was so glad I had bought an extra large towel to cover my mat. In the end, I felt like I lost a ton of pounds (yes!)
I would highly recommend this Moksha location, and because I live and work nearby, this is my go to place. I have now since been promoted to the front row because I find I can’t do my balance moves staring at someone else’s sweaty behind in tight pants. The front of the room gives you access to mirrors to focus on perfect posture.
One tip I can offer: Come early before your class so you can find your perfect spot, get settled, and de-​stress. The class fills up quickly.

Instructors: Amazing! They always change it up and when there is enough room, they will come around and to correct your posture.
Space: large studio, though it can get crowded during «rush hours». They put a cap on the number of of attendees, so be sure to reserve your spot online ahead of time.
Change room: 4 shower stalls, 2 bathroom stalls. Not quite enough space to put your bags on a bench to change when the entire class is there.
Location: Awesome! It’s just about a block and a half away from the Sheppard /​Yonge subway station. It’s close to highway.
Parking: free on street and underground after 4 pm.
Overall: I love it! I love the online reservation feature. I love how there are yoga mat hangers to spray and dry after class. Overall the studio is very clean.

Moksha Yoga North York was my most recent stop on my tour-​de-​passport-​to-​prana. I luckily got to attend with a coworker/​gym buddy who attends this studio regularly. I say luckily, because I don’t know if I would have found it on my own not knowing the neighborhood at all. We chose a Friday evening 5pm class, left the office at 4:15 and got there in about a half an hour. Left the TTC, walked to Sheppard, turned left and walked maybe 100 meters to a nondescript office building. Just inside the lobby was the entrance to Moksha. (How lucky are those office workers!)
Just inside the door was a large hanging rack to hang your jackets and a selection of cubbys for shoes. Many Yogis did not bother with the cubbys, and after class there were shoes all over the entranceway. At Moksha Danforth, we left the studio after class and the desk staff had cubbyed all the shoes during our absence. Moksha Yoga North York desk staff did not do the same. Regardless, they were pleasant when we arrived to check in with no issues.
The space itself is LARGE with high ceilings. It is really lovely. The seating area here has these luxurious thai-​style-​beds and a selection of tea. Lots of Yogi goodies to buy including Dr. Bronners Lavender Castile Soap which is my #1 mat washing secret. I was thrilled to see them mirror my sensibilities. Good Selection of Emergen-​C too if you forget to bring yours and are feeling a little weak.
The change rooms are large, clean, and have these beautiful distressed dark wood shelves and benches with plenty of stashing room above and below. Lots of hooks to hang your sweaters and apparently some lockers (!!) although I didn’t see them. The showers (4 of them!) were super clean and had Dr. Bronners peppermint soap in them. Room to move about and not bounce into sweaty yogi neighbours.
The class was decent, not very challenging. but it was obvious that I was more advanced than most of the patrons. It also was «warmed» and not, even though I was close to the heaters. Britt was a good teacher, was warm and explained things well, even did adjustments. There was soothing music, although only for the first couple of minutes.
Bonus Points
— Soothing Music (even if only for a bit)
— Minimal Moaning by surrounding yogis
— Beautiful Studio
— Large Changerooms (!!)
— Place to hang winter coat (!!)
— Filtered Water
— Lots of Hooks, Cubbys and Stashing Space (!!)
— FOUR Big Clean, Private Showers (!!!)
— Room to blowdry
— Nice Studio, good teacher, Vinyasa (!)
— Good Location for TTC
— Adjustments (!)
— There was a girl WAITING to clean the studio as soon as I exited. (!!)
— Peppermint Dr. Bronners Soap in the Showers, and Lavender for Sale.
Minus Points
— Kind of hard to find
— Class was not challenging enough (!!)
— Only Warm, Not Hot. (!!!)
— I could not find any lockers for my valuables
— I Like Music when I practice
— I also like More Adjustments
— Missing a little bit of character/​coziness
— No Shampoo/​Conditioner in the showers (have to go home after)
If this studio was in my neighborhood, I would definitely be happy to attend regularly. It really is a good studio. It definitely was no where near hot enough for me, but that may have just been this class. I also prefer a little more character and a cozier vibe, but this is a new studio and it is beautiful, so I cannot fault it for that. I can only imagine how nice the classes must be in the daylight, with all the sun.

Ever had moksha with live music?! I thought it was incredibly awesome that we had guitarist playing some super relaxing strings while we were practicing tonight in the Moksha Yin class. I was told that it’s only for this class we get this treat. At first a welcoming distraction, but it was so good and especially for this class. When he stopped, I was quite sad.
But let me talk about the studio… I couldn’t find my passport to prana, and actually paid for a class ($ 19.95 drop in, $ 40 for an intro month pass, free class on my birthday!)
Given I can’t fill out the Passport Survey til my next visit, here it is here:
CUSTOMER SERVICE
— the customer service was okay. although busy, they were still courteous. but they didn’t ask if it was the first time I did hot yoga, nor about any injuries. however, I think if I brought it up, they would be really good in explaining it. The instructor was there to answer questions.
— hairties are available at the front
AMBIENCE AND DECOR
— the studio was gorgeous, and looked like it could be inside a magazine. There was a function for everything, and big plush couches for waiting
— the changerooms were big, and had over head shelves, hooks everywhere, and (my favourite) little cubby holes below the bench to lock and put your valuables. also some long cubby holes for yoga mat bags. they thought of everything!
— drinking water from a filtered spout
— 4 large showers, that had a private-​ish back room
— the studio is heated by the heat panels, and has a ceiling fan
TEACHER (Moksha Yin)
— Amanda was really good. Very clear in her explainations, variatons and adjusted people where needed.
— I learnt some new poses, and helped improve some old ones.
— I don’t know if it was favourtism, or she didn’t think I needed help, but I was struggling a little, and she saw it, but didn’t do anything.
THE CLASS
— this is half a Moksha class, where we do all of the standing poses, but held for a shorter time for each. I built a good sweat, not dripping as much as other times,
— the transitions between poses was like a flow, with some vinyasas in between, but didn’t feel as aggressive as a flow class.
— the other half is a Yin class, meaning long stretches and poses held for a long time. I like the gradual transition between the first and 2^nd half. Its like an alternative to the floor series, which I was never a fan to begin with
— I thought Yin was not good for people like me who are really flexible. But tonight I still felt a really good stretch and learnt some new ones to do at home. I was so relaxed I almost fell asleep in the final savasana.
— throughout the whole thing, i loved the guitarist. It was so different, and so refreshing. It makes me want to come back.
SCHEDULE
— lots of classes to choose from. I wish I lived closer so I can come to more! I’m jealous of the people who work in this office buildlng
BOTTOM LINE
— definitely would be back. If i lived closer, I would just buy a membership and come here all the time.
— bringing my mom here, I think she’d like it.
Parking is on the street — but if you go to the website, they offer some tips as to where depending on when your class is.

I had high expectations for Moksha North York so perhaps I should return for a Karma class to compare for a more favorable review. They need to put a limit on the number of people taking a class. I could not perform some of the poses because I had no room to do so comfortably, and the added humidity of so many people in such close proximity was stifling. I spent much of the time concerned about bumping into others/​walls with such limited space. To be fair, I was also tired and it was an inhumanely hot day to begin with — but that should have been all the more reason to limit the class numbers, no?
Overall, it seemed like they were concerned with herding in as many students as they could squeeze into the room, so the teacher had less time to address individual students and their needs. Essentially, I could practice whatever poses I chose or perform poses incorrectly and the teacher might not have cared. Indeed, about halfway through the class I basically decided to do my own thing and the teacher didn’t notice. I felt frustrated because the teacher didn’t seem to correct me or other students who could have used some help in the first part of the class. It seems like they compromise class quality in favor of higher numbers.
I thought the customer service was okay except that they spelled my name wrong… after I handed in a form with my name clearly printed on it. They tried to hand back the wrong Passport to Prana card (with my misspelled name on it).
The highlights of this studio are the large bathroom/​changing areas and the location. There is plenty of parking and it’s close to the Yonge/​Sheppard Subway.

Parking might be tricky on kenneth Ave if it’s full. If ur out of luck, try Spring Garden or Hollywood as you are allowed to park there after certain hours. I went to a late class & was surprised to find a lot of spots. Thank god…
Was really looking fwd to this studio as I live close by. The staff welcomed me with opened arms. All very nice & even showed me around & offered tea. It’s also relatively clean & nicely deorated. They also took time in between classes to clean and wipe up the studio.
Go early and grab a good spot., They don’t let you in till about 10 – 15 mins b4 the clas begins. Their 8:15pm class was hella busy. Mat distance was about 8 inches. The closest I’ve had in a long time in a hot room! I thank my lucky stars that I was beside a fellow female Unilocaler :) Sorry but some guys just naturally smell @@ But space was def. limited and I had to move around to avoid hitting anyone.
If it’s your first time in a hot room, take it easy. It was easily 43 degrees tonight. Our instructor Nikki was very nice & kept adjusting the fan to make it more comfortable for us. Wish she helped adjust some of the students too.

Moksha Yoga North York is located inside a commerical building. It is right on the ground level. They do not have a separate entrance, so in order to enter, you have to use the main entrance of the building instead.
Dropped by on a hot and humid Sunday afternoon. I am not doing any hot yoga in a heated room, but decided on trying one of their Yin classes.
The reception area is nice and roomy. Right when you enter the studio there are this big area for you to hang up your «winter» coat and little partition boxes for you to put away your shoes. This is great since you don’t have to drag your coats into the change room and that save students a lot of hassle.
I was greeted promptly and I signed in the class with my passport of prana. There are 3 different sitting/​waiting area in the reception area. Of course compare to other smaller studio I been to, this is so spacious!
The change room has all the facilities you need. 4 Showers, 2 toliets, 2 sinks and 1 hairdryer. There are also filtered water fountain to fill up your water bottle. There are just a few small simple/​home made lockers for you to lock up your valuables. Remember to bring your own locks.
The practice room is really bright with big frosted floor to ceiling windows. There are 2 ceiling fans which was on, so the room can be cool down to around 31 C for the Yin class.
Our instructor is really knowledgable and really patient when she was guiding out through the poses. She explained how each poses are done and demostrated them and then tell us about their health benefits. Each poses we held for 5 – 10 minutes and we were encouraged to use props like blocks and bolsters so we can held the poses longer. She also dropped by a couple of time to help me adjust my poses. I love adjustments! extra star for that!
I still sweating even all the poses are done on the floor. yes just lying there I was sweating! :)
There are also free tea set up at one section of the waiting area and you are more than welcome to have a cup or 2…
I will definitely be back to take some other classes in this location. The parking on the side street is free if you come to classes after 4 pm or weekend! Not too many studios in the area has a late class on Sun 5 pm, their schedules are great!

This Moksha yoga studio is just north of the 401, near Yonge st. While it’s a little tricky to find the entrance in the evening, (you have to go through the main building doors to access the studio which appears to be accessible from the east) it becomes fairly obvious, once you’re standing directly in front of the facility.
I took a Moksha flow class here with my Passport to Prana card, and the class was overflowing with yogis. Don’t be misinformed when it says some of the classes are not Hot, it felt like the heater was still up and running towards the end of the day, and that too, in the middle of winter.
The facility is fully equipped with showers in their change room, and a seating area if you’re early for class. The staff here was very sweet and helpful.
If you work in the area, or in the building I recommend trying out a class here for the best path to stress relief.
3.5 Stars.