Yogacara Studios

I really like the vibe of this studio. It’s unpretentious, low key, and I enjoyed my Vinyassa Flow class the other day. I didn’t think that because it was near Fraser Street, that it was loud at all. I felt calm and relaxed the whole time.
The studio is decorated really nice, and the small classes make it feel like a community. This studio and Moksha are the closest to where I live and I definitely prefer Yogacara — it feels like a more spiritual experience, and you feel great after.

I tried this studio because it’s so close to home — I live on Fraser. Normally I go to yyoga, but it is a bit of a trek, so I’ve been looking around.
I enjoyed how small the class was (there were only 8 of us). This is quite different from yyoga’s packed classes… But, i did not find the class physically challenging enough, even though it was a vinyasa flow class…
The room is not at all heated, so that was also a minus — I am generally cold everywhere, so I always appreciate the heat… Especially when I’m wearing a skimpy shirt and shorts, and hanging out in downward dog, unmoving, for like 10 min… K, that’s an exaggeration. But you know. You get kinda chilly.
Also, because studio is small, not very insulated, and situated on Fraser, you can hear the traffic outside. This did not really contribute to the whole ohhhmmmm thing.
Anyway, if you need to focus on alignment, looking for some not so straining exercise, looking for more of a stretch than a workout, then this might be a great place for you. I personally prefer the bigger studio feel, with it’s heat, insulation, sauna, etc…

I’ve resisted trying yoga for a very long time, mostly because of its association with a certain type of Vancouverite but also because yoga is decidedly my sister’s «thing». However, I’ve been plagued with upper back problems for the past few years and decided that yoga was worth a try. You know, embracing new things in the new year and all that.
I chose Yogacara as the studio to initiate me to yoga because it’s in my neighbourhood and because I wanted to avoid the big name studios and the large, intimidating classes that come along with them. The less eyes to witness me struggle, the better. This particular studio is fairly small and unassuming, ensuring that my crippling insecurity around being a n00b and/​or being bad at something would be mitigated. Mats and props are provided, which is also a bonus for those like me who don’t have an array of yoga related accessories in their arsenal.
I took a Hatha class with Camellia, and let her know when I checked in that it was my first time. She was very friendly and welcoming, and provided helpful feedback throughout the class without singling me out. The class was small, and although there were some master yoginis in the bunch (and some moments where I had no idea what I was doing), any pressure or awkwardness that I felt could likely be attributed to my own neuroses.
There is a very community feel to the studio, and from what I can gather, they really put an emphasis on making sure that everyone feels welcomed. The space is very clean and there’s hot tea for the taking. The studio offers classes 7 days a week, and also has an infrared sauna, but note that there are no showers available in house. Fees seem generally in line with other similar establishments.