Feel the Heat: Canada’s Top Hot Yoga Studios

Between work, family, friends, chores and other commitments it can feel like the hustle never ends. While we strive to incorporate physical activity into our jam-packed schedule, workouts can, at times, feel like another stressful obligation, when they really ought to be a time to self-reflect and unwind. Enter the hot yoga class, which combines the intensity of a cardio workout with the calming effect of meditation. With studios typically heated to 30-plus degrees, you can expect to sweat out your toxins and get a good stretch as your muscles heat up throughout the practice. Best of all, across the country, you’ll find a number of great hot yoga studios with offerings for every skill level. To ensure you find the best spot to strike your downward dog, we’ve rounded up our favourite studios across Canada. So fill up your water bottle, roll up a mat and get ready to sweat. Namaste! —Mackenzie Shand

yogalife. With locations in south and north Edmonton, Yogalife is a can’t-miss spot for YEG yogis. The studio offers a wide array of classes including non-heated options like Hatha: Happy Hips (focused on relaxing and opening the hips) and heated ones like Hot Flow (hatha flow in a 38-degree room). Their locations are contemporary and tranquil and the teachers are committed to giving students a great experience.

enso yoga. Montrealers hankering for an amazing hot yoga experience love downtown-situated Enso with its serene and stylish setting. This studio boasts more than 60 classes a week with two types of hot yogas (yin and flow) in addition to hot barre and pilates offerings. Rates for courses vary, with first-time trials, reduced-fee community classes and class package options available.

yoga tree. This yoga lovers’ paradise boasts more than 400 classes a week, five studios across the GTA and, best of all, lets you access it all with just one pass. Yoga Tree has an endless variety of unique classes including Candlelight Yin Yoga, Momma & Baby Yoga and Hot Flows. Their studios are modern and sleek with inspiring wall decals bringing a sense of energy and motivation to your practice.

bikram yoga commercial drive. This true-to-the-Bikram-method studio has built up a large and devited following across the Vancouver area over the years thanks to its high-quality (and very hot!) classes and skilled, certified teachers. In fact, BYCD is listed as the only official Bikram yoga studio in Canada! Drop in for a series that includes 26 postures and two breathing exercises designed to help realign your body and focus and still your mind. A variety of class packages are available including special offers for newcomers (because once you try this class you’ll be dreaming of the next one).

hot yoga and spin. Voted the best yoga studio in Calgary, Hot Yoga and Spin provides a premium hot yoga experience for those in the YYC area. With locations on 17th Street and Crowfoot, yogis can choose from a variety of class options. Classes include everything from traditional hot yoga flows to more unique practices like Baptiste Vinyasa (often referred to as meditation in motion). This studio always offers spin and barre classes, as well as yoga workshops, too.