You’ve heard all about the transformative qualities of yoga: increased flexibility, decreased stress, and even alleviating minor back pain. But with the multiple studios in Gauteng and the myriad types of yoga, it can be a bit daunting for newbies to choose the right one. So we’ve done the hard work and compiled a list of our favourite yoga studios in Gauteng.
Yoga Love
Yoga Love is found in an intimate, calm and friendly studio in the heart of Illovo.
With its wooden floorboards and a delicate Japanese-style painting stretching across the wall, it’s a minimalist yet immensely elegant setting. Owner Nadine Hurwitz’s loyal following will readily vouch for the results of her detailed and passionate sessions.
Many confirm that they leave feeling relaxed, revitalised and calm, with greater mental clarity and that unbeatable feeling you get after a thorough elimination of tension. Yoga Lova, like any of the top yoga studios in Joburg, ditches superficiality and focuses on something much more meaningful and more transformative, such as a Yoga Lova Alignment Masterclass led by Hurwitz, an intensive 90-minute session aimed at improving alignment, focus and understanding of the yoga asanas.
With 5 talented and experienced teachers to choose from, Yoga Lova is an excellent option for those seeking a well-rounded and immersive yoga experience.
When: Monday to Friday, 7am to 10am. Sunday, 8.30am to 10am. Closed on Saturday.
Where: Yoga Love, 1st Avenue, Illovo
Website: yogalovaonline.com | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 082 771 6105
The Yoga Republic
The Yoga Republic, formally known as Bikram Yoga on Republic, is a yoga studio offering training and classes in numerous types of yoga.
The studio provides classes in a range of yoga styles, some where participants sweat, work hard and are challenged; others where one can relax and find one’s centre.
One of their main drawcards is Hot Yoga. The studio is designed according to Vaastu Shastra principles to develop a harmonious and productive space that meets the functional and aesthetic needs of the yogi/yogini. The room is maintained at 38°C for up to 72 hours, and during a hot yoga session, ample fresh air is provided at approximately 60% humidity.
When: Monday to Friday, 5.30am to 7pm. Saturday and Sunday, 7am to 10.30am.
Where: Corner of Hester and Gertrude Roads, Randburg
Website: linktr.ee/theyogarepublic | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 791 6228
Jivana Yoga Studio
Jivana Yoga Studio is a great place to escape the hectic world and immerse oneself in some yoga.
Nestled in the scenic Carlswald Valley, Jivana Yoga Studio is not to be missed if you’re interested in the fundamentals of the much-revered Iyengar style of yoga or just want to get a really solid, comprehensive full-body workout.
Owner Carla De Gouveia’s personal journey to discovering this intricate yoga form serves as the blueprint for Jivana’s simple, practical and entirely unpretentious exercise. With her sessions, she imparts a passionate wealth of knowledge, detailing structured sessions for everyone from total beginners to experienced yogis. She also places a lot of emphasis on individual progress, and her classes are dynamic yet grounded enough to develop a deeper self-awareness. Also featured on the line-up is her popular Kids Yoga.
When: Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm
Where: Jivana Yoga Studio, 59 Norfolk Rd, Carlswald, Midrand
Website: www.jivana.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 082 402 8169
Revive Studio
Owner of Revive Studio, qualified Iyengar yoga tutor Rhé Wessels has become renowned for her clarity in teaching and her willingness to adapt to nurture the flexibility, strength, and inner tranquillity.
With 16 years of yoga experience under her belt, Wessels’ tutelage serves as the ideal resource to achieve ultimate and overall body conditioning. Yoga Renew’s studio setting is a tastefully tight-knit space with glass and wood accents, overlooking a serene garden. Yoga Renew keeps a deliberately simple schedule and takes things back to basics by focusing exclusively on the art of Iyengar form. Wessels’ airy studio is just the right size to offer personalised support throughout sessions while students can enjoy their yoga journey at their own pace.
When attending a class, students are guaranteed to receive a demanding full-body workout to help deepen, strengthen and progress their individual yoga practice. Slightly daunting? Perhaps, but it is well worth the challenge.
When: Monday to Thursday, 6.30am to 7.30pm. Friday to Saturday, 6.30am to 3pm. Closed on Sunday.
Where: Revive Studio, 45 Curzon Rd, Bryanston
Website: revivewellnesscentre.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 072 408 4614
The Art of Movement
The Art of Movement’s morning time slots are geared to demand the highest order of dedication by kicking off as early as 5.30am. The studio hosts a separate, faster-paced Ashtanga regimen aimed at beginners, just to make sure all groups are on the same wavelength.
With the shala located in a spacious and airy environment, this studio’s trump card is the expansive mirror sweeping from wall to wall, which allows a yoga teacher to pay close attention while students are practising. In addition to Ashtanga, The Art of Movement also offers gentle Hatha with a slower release of poses and moderately paced Vinyasa with an emphasis on breathing patterns. If you prefer something a bit more chilled, there’s also the Restorative Yin class, which incorporates a healing and energising style of yoga.
From basic postures and breathing techniques to mastering self-awareness and exercising yoga philosophies in daily life, you’ll find a complete and holistic spiritual yoga experience for beginners and expert yogis at The Art of Movement. This unique yoga studio also serves as a thriving dance school, with expert lessons aimed at both adults and children.
When: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 6am to 8.30pm. Wednesday, 5.30am to 7.30pm. Friday, 6.30am to 6.30pm. Saturday, 8am to 5.30pm. Closed on Sunday.
Where: The Art of Movement, 101 Barry Hertzog Ave, Emmarentia, Randburg (look for the blue wall)
Website: www.theartofmovementsa.com | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 076 686 3280
Indie Hot Yoga
Indie Hot Yoga strives to make you sweat. Using a combination of infrared and heat-pump heating, their studio is able to reach the ideal temperature and humidity for each discipline. The heat warms up the body, allowing yogis to deepen stretches with less chance of injury – making it great for both the yoga warrior and the yoga-clueless.
Other benefits of heated yoga include the release of toxins and an increase in the body’s circulation, immune system and lymphatic system – not to mention a killer endorphin rush! People come to Indie Hot Yoga to sweat, heal, stretch, find their breath, and find themselves.
When: Monday, 5.30am to 8pm. Tuesday to Thursday, 6.30am to 8pm. Friday, 6am to 5pm. Saturday, 6.30am to 12.30pm. Sunday, 8.30am to 11am and 3pm to 5pm.
Where: Pineslopes Office Park, Cnr. Forest Road and The Straight. Lone Hill, Johannesburg
Website: indiehot.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 082 924 2020
Yoga Experience
Founder Sally Gutjar launched the Yoga Experience after discovering that yoga could literally transform your life, and her commitment to honesty about the whole yoga journey has built a studio that reflects her belief that yoga helps you navigate life.
The studio features a range of classes, including sweaty Hot 26+ classes for the heat-seekers and gentle Yin, and progress is measured by how present each client becomes in their practice and beyond. The studio also provides yoga mats if clients forget theirs, showers, changing rooms, free WiFi, a yoga café, and even a comfy, stylish range of leggings.
When: Monday to Friday, 6am to 8pm. Saturday, 8am to 2pm. Sunday, 8am to 12pm and 4.30pm to 7pm.
Where: PDP World Wanderers Stadium, 35 Corlett Dr, Illovo
Website: www.yogaexp.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 082 639 2330
Living Yoga
The Living Yoga studio was established by Cherryl Duncan in 2006, and the space has grown into an environment where clients can immerse themselves in yoga, led by the teachings of current owner, director and certified Jivamukti teacher Sarah Bentz.
Led by a group of like-minded teachers, the class options include prenatal yoga, Jivamukti, Vinyasa, and Yin Yoga.
When: Monday, 7am to 9.30am and 6pm to 7.30pm. Tuesday, 6.30am to 9.30am and 5.30pm to 7pm. Wednesday, 6.30am to 9.30am and 6pm to 7.30pm. Thursday, 8am to 9.30am and 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Friday, 6.30am to 9.30pm and 5pm to 6pm. Saturday, 8am to 11am. Sunday, 9am to 10.30am.
Where: 13 Chester Rd, Parkwood, Randburg
Website: www.livingyoga.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 068 155 5255
YogaJo
YogaJo is a yoga studio offering transformative yoga classes both in-studio and online, helping to encourage expanded consciousness, healing and growth.
The studio provides a serene, safe and welcoming space, teaching various unique styles, with diverse tones, allowing for an exceptional yoga experience every time.
When: Monday to Friday, 5am to 7pm. Saturday, 7am to 12pm, Sunday, 9am to 10.30am.
Where: 27 Portico Place, 29 Saint Christopher Road, Germiston
Website: yogajo.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 074 156 5363
Ikagai Yoga & Massage Therapy
Founded by Jess McCallum, Ikagai Yoga & Massage Therapy is committed to healing through strengthening the mind-body connection, offering a host of classes, both in-studio and offline, that work to achieve this.
Class offerings include stretch and sound healing, which reorganises the body’s cells for optimal healing, prenatal yoga, mommy and me yoga, corporate yoga for employee wellness, as well as private, one-on-one classes tailored to suit clients and their goals, with sessions taking place at the studio or at their homes.
When: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6.30am to 6.30pm. Tuesday, 6.30am to 5pm. Friday, 6.30am to 4pm. Saturday, 9am to 12pm. Closed on Sunday.
Where: 13 Athlone Rd, Parkview, Randburg
Website: www.ikigai-yoga.com/yoga | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 072 983 0213
Being Me Yoga
Nestled within a quiet garden sanctuary, Being Me Yoga studio offers a space where clients can feel whole again. As their offerings are rooted in practices that honour the body and mind at every stage of life, their diverse range of classes, including men’s yoga and Vinyasa yoga, work to cultivate a sense of balance, connection, and holistic well-being.
When: Daily, 5am to 7pm
Where: 27 Northwold Drive, Saxonwold
Website: beingmeyoga.com | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 083 449 7040
Inbalance Studio
As suggested by the name, balance is at the core of every class at the Inbalance Studio, with balance between movement and stillness, effort and ease, and strength and flexibility.
Led by Caitlin, the dynamic classes are tailored to accommodate clients of every age and at every stage of their yoga journey. Beyond the in-studio classes, Inbalance also offers fun and energising outdoor yoga in the park, open to all levels and anyone above the age of 12.
When: Wednesday: 08.30am. Thursday: 4pm. Sunday, 9am (Yoga in The Park). Closed on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
Where: 17 Lovat Road, Hurlingham
Website: www.inbalance.net.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 084 491 1987
