Octopus Garden Holistic Yoga Centre

Octopus Garden is a really great studio. They have two studios that fill with natural light which is really nice for yoga practice. Most of the classes are based on Hatha yoga, but they do offer a range of other classes they offer as well, including meditation, self-​practice, restorative classes, and classes for beginners. My friends that are parents really like the baby and kids classes that are offered. The upstairs studio has a rope wall, which I think is used in specific classes, but is also occasionally included in some level classes too. The classes are often quite full but there is enough room and you make it work. A couple of my friends have done the yoga teacher training program here and really liked it.
They have communal mats and water bottles, and filtered water stations. Also their monthly membership fee is one of the lowest I’ve seen in the city, and you get a discount if you are a student/​senior. They also sell yoga gear, books, and really nice yoga clothes.

I love this studio! I came here for the first time years ago when Octopus Garden Holistic Yoga Centre first moved to this location. Before Urban Herbivore opened shop! Finally visited the studio again yesterday for the Nepal Asanathron Fundraiser!
The studio radiates such positive energy! The practice room is spacious and bright! Instructors are present and pleasant! Unlike most studios, Octopus Garden feels like a community.
Octopus Garden Holistic Yoga Centre is undoubtedly one of my favorite studio in Toronto.

Before I even start, I need to give a huge thank you to Rose for lessening my fear of doing inversions!
Octopus Garden is a very interesting space in that its lobby is Urban Herbivore. You can just as easily pop by solely for some grub as you can get your juice fix after class. The entire building is clean and has a lot of natural light. Stairs lead to the studio and unmarked change room on the second floor. There’s a basket of reusable bottles inside the change room in case you forgot your own.
The receptionist was very helpful when I asked her about the Passport to Prana (which allows you to try out different yoga studios for a single $ 34 fee) and she offered that my first week at Octopus Garden was free. Since I didn’t have my yoga mat on me, she also allowed me to borrow on of theirs. But overall, my recommendation is to bring your own. Apparently, members leave their yoga mats in the cubbies provided so they don’t have to lug them around all day.
The class I attended was a bit on the crowded side but all participants seemed respectful of one another’s space. I took a Level 1 – 2 class. Overall, it seemed to focus more on the physical aspects of yoga practice and felt like a group fitness class. Rose, the instructor, was fluent in modifying poses to accommodate our diverse group, and I was particularly impressed at her instruction for slowly building up to a headstand (not that I did it this time, but now I know what I need to work on).
If you want a place that will challenge you physically but still keep you safe, Octopus Garden will blow your mind. There’s not as much focus on prana or spirituality, however, if that’s what you’re looking for.

I absolutely love it here! The classes and instructors are great! So informative and present with their students. The studios are spacious and very comfortable to practice in. There is a great salad bar on the main floor as well so before or after practice I love grabbing a bite to eat or a fresh smoothie!
They offer one week of free yoga to new students which is awesome so come check them out :)

A while back when recovering from an injury, I decided to get myself a yoga membership. Now, I’ve been going to Octopus Garden for almost 2 years… so this is not a review based on my first impression– although that was very good!
Originally, I chose OG because of their affordability and flexibility when it comes to the month to month membership. (At times, knowing that I’ll be away travelling, they have paused my membership a couple of times with absolutely no hassle.)
For a ‘monthly’ its the best deal in town and definitely worth it, if you go to at least 4 classes per month it’s paid for itself. That being said, the membership is unlimited– so you can go to as many classes as you want. Sometimes, I’ll plan to do a flowing class and then restorative afterwards and let me tell you, the body is ready to relax at that point! In general, I’ve noticed is that I get much more benefit out of yoga when I started doing it more regularly.
I could also attribute ‘getting more out of yoga’ to the truly great teachers at OG. Without question this has made the biggest difference; Pat, Jesse, Scott and others. Their passion for teaching yoga is infectious. And OG has such high standards for their teachers (all have more than 500 hours of education, so important when they are instructing you to do possibly risky things with your body, and you might not know how to do it safely, that is a yoga teacher’s job). I was surprised that these are people who clearly have a better understanding of the body and it’s anatomy than some physiotherapists I’ve seen! Really, they have genuine expertise from years of teaching. There is also a health and wellness clinic onsite with amazing staff too.
After a year of going to OG, I was confidant enough to start doing yoga at home when I’m away, or can’t get to a class during the week. Through these amazing teachers I’ve learned things about anatomy and yoga-​safety. Now I can downward dog comfortably in my own living room when my schedule gets too busy.
But I love going there! No doubt, I work out and push myself more in class than at home. Plus, it’s social. The café is a great meeting space. The whole environment, and the community of people have an amazing good vibe. They offer a fantastic range of classes with yoga for everyone, and I’ve even surprised myself by branching out into meditation! Overall, my experience has been that this is the best

Just love the new location of Octopus Garden! It might not been as convenient as close to the subway station as before… but it is really worth your while to trek down here!
Octopus Garden is radiating with positive vibe. When we checking in the front staffs were super nice and friendly. This is the first time we visited the studio wanting to use our passport to prana but we were advised that the first class is FREE! and we are more than welcome to come back to use our passport again for another complimentary class! Sweet
The Restorative Class was at the maximum capacity on this Sunday afternoon. Mat to Mat and don’t even think about personal space… but since it is a restorative class and most of the poses are passive so it was ok.
Tons of props: blankets, cushions, straps, blocks, eye pillows… and ACUBALLS! This is the only yoga studio I experienced the Acuball (
).and it feels so good and relaxing especially on this cold winter day!
I was snoring as usual… Zzzzz Zzzzz. it was that relaxing!
The change room though small, with 2 washrooms with no showers. but is bright and tastefully decorated. Since there are not lockers, students are encouraged to bring their valuable into class.
Teaming with Urban Herbivore providing Vegan and healthy food choices for yogi, Octopus Garden really become more than a yoga studio but becomes a complete lifestyle experience!