Wake Up Yoga

I joined this studio in the beginning of January, and I am very happy with my choice! Granted, I do live within walking distance, so I’m not sure how someone with a car would like the location of this studio, being in the middle of the Fairmount neighborhood. Nonetheless, the instructors here are absolutely wonderful. I love the class options and times they are offered at, and everyone is just so nice! Most of the classes I’ve taken have been pretty beginner-​friendly, but still challenging enough to make you sweat. I’m very glad to have found this place!

I’ve been meaning to review Wake Up forever! What a lovely studio. The community is great, the teachers are fab, it’s clean, class times are convenient and, lucky for me, it’s in my neighborhood!
I mostly attend Katy Hawkins’ classes. She is THE BEST. She is, hands down, my fav teacher in the city. Her classes are the perfect mix of challenging and restorative, with pranayama, spirituality, poetry, and humor sprinkled throughout. She makes a conscious effort to get to know her students, their practices and their bodies, and it truly makes a difference. My practice has grown so much since I began taking her classes. I look forward to Thursday nights every week and only miss her class if absolutely necessary.
I also really like Marissa and Elliot’s classes. In my experience, they teach some of the more challenging classes at Wake Up (in a good way). I always leave sweaty and feeling like I got in a great workout.
I also love that they have yin yoga here. I don’t get to near as many yin classes as I’d like to, but I’m always excited when I can get there.
Try Wake Up, you won’t regret it!

This is my favorite yoga studio, and I will go out of my way to go there! If you are looking at yoga as only about exercise or a competition of whatever kind, Wake Up Yoga is not going to be your cup of tea. But if you want to feel inspired, not judged, part of a community, spiritually renewed AND physically challenged, you will love it here. Some people have said in reviews that they are turned off by the chanting and harmonium that many of the teachers offer in the beginning of the class. You don’t have to participate — you can totally just sit quietly. But I recommend giving it a try as you might be surprised by the benefits– after all, yoga is a contemplative practice, and about more than just toning the body (though that is certainly a plus too). Only downside is that some of my favorite teachers at Wake Up seem to have left, or don’t have many classes in the week. But if you practice at Wake Up yoga, you will have confidence going anywhere else and knowing how to safely do the poses and doing what is right for your body.

Since this studio is in a super convenient location for me, I really wanted to like it here. Unfortunately, Wake Up Yoga was not for me.
When I go to a yoga class, I look for classes where poses are invigorating and I leave feeling refreshed. I bought a 2 week new student deal, and despite trying multiple classes and styles, I barely broke a sweat. I don’t expect that a yoga class will give me the same kind of workout as a spin class, but I do want to challenge my body’s flexibility and strength.
What really threw me off, though, was the heavy handed spiritualism that accompanies each class. I was born in India, and am a practicing Hindu, and must say that I felt very uncomfortable when the harmonium was pulled out in multiple classes with all the students singing the Gayatri Mantra etc. As it is practiced in India today, yoga is neither a religious nor spiritual practice, but is a form of exercise (albeit a more thoughtful, introspective form of exercise). The chanting of prayers and abundance of quotes about awareness seemed so forced, like a group of people fascinated with the mysticism of the east because it seems like right vibe to accompany their veganism.
In sanskrit, ‘yog’ means union, or to join. Yoga is about experiencing these connections– your breath with your movements, your feet on the ground beneath you, your muscles in concert with each other. It is hard to pay attention to the subtle changes that are so important in yoga when the teacher gives a non-​stop monologue. Sharing one’s wisdom (complete with quotes by your favorite philosopher) seems to be the style of teaching here, but I could barely hear my own thoughts amongst all the chatter.
Although the teachers were friendly enough, and students seemed to be regulars, something about this place just rang insincere. If you’re looking to fill the spiritual void in your heart, come here. If you’re looking for a stronger, healthier body, I’d suggest going elsewhere.

Great neighborhood studio for those of us in the Art Museum area. I’ve done the 2-​weeks-​for-​$ 30 deal and I’m currently in the middle of a 5-​class card deal purchased through Living Social. It’s an unassuming building (maybe an old home?) in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Similar to the South Philly location, it’s a long narrow classroom, with a very tiny hallway at the back for coats and a bathroom. You line up your mat with a short end against one of the two long walls, so that you’re facing the opposite row of yogis — sort of strange to get used to the first time I did it, but now I don’t give it a second thought. No one is judging you, I promise. There are few obstacles in the room — floor vents, walls jutting out slightly — to finding the perfect spot, and sometimes you’re packed in with literally no more than an inch of room between your mat and your neighbors’, but it’s a good exercise in ignoring distractions.

I’ve been to an assortment of classes — mostly Burn to Shine and Yintense. As one might assume, the class is really shaped by the teacher, and there are quite a few of them teaching at Wake Up, so I’d suggest finding one you like and sticking with her. Some Wake Up teachers bring a bit more Sanskrit to the class than I’m used to, and depending on the teacher, there could be a lot of chanting and/​or use of a harmonium. I have to leave my judgment at the door, but once I do, I’ve enjoyed every class and found strengths in every teacher.

I absolutely love this studio, and since moving to Pittsburgh several years ago, I am increasingly frustrated that I’ll never be able to find a studio like Wake Up in Pittsburgh. Ever.
The owner, Corrina, is absolutely phenomenal. Her kind and gentle spirit is incredibly inviting, and she always makes me feel comfortable and at home. Because of this, I am confident to expand and push myself because I know that there is no judgment here. I really attribute Wake Up to getting me through law school with grace and dignity (most of the time!). Knowing that I could come to my mat and completely lose myself in the practice of yoga was always a magical feeling.
Corrina teaches yin classes in addition to the traditional vinyasa classes, and if you have never tried yin before, you absolutely must! It improves flexibility in a way that no other form of exercise can. Holding poses for 3 – 5 minutes is incredibly challenging at times, but I have never felt more flexible or strong.
Victoria is also incredible, and the first class I ever took at Wake Up years ago was with her. My friend dragged me along to Victoria’s vigorous vinyasa class on a Monday night after having not practiced yoga in a long time. I’m glad my friend didn’t tell me beforehand that it was a vigorous class, or I would have surely bolted.
Needless to say, I survived, and though it was incredibly challenging, I left with a yoga high I’ve never experienced before. I was hooked from then on out, and am always looking for excuses to go back and visit so that I can attend a class at Wake Up.
This location is perfectly charming, and there is plenty of street parking. The studio is small, but you would be surprised how many bodies can fit inside! All of the teachers are welcoming, and even if you have never tried yoga before, there’s no need to be scared! Just show up, and the kind teachers will show you what to do.
If you are looking for a yoga practice that will literally change your life, you must try Wake Up.

Did the «Peak of the Week» Tues 1 PM class. Smallish space, basically the first floor of a house, maybe limited amenities. Students seems like regulars, fit mommy types. A few Sanscrit tats. Class started slow, mostly floor work. Overall very nice. I feel my quads now!

I purchased the $ 30 two week unlimited class pass. One week into it I have taken three classes. I appreciate the variety of the classes offered and the instructors are very present in each class– meaning, they will assist you if needed and are very encouraging to practice participants.

I am torn about my review as it is a fine yoga studio, if Wake Up Yoga is your style. I was disappointed with my experience as when I practice Vinyasa style yoga I am used to a hot room, flow in motion and a faster pace. What you should expect to experience is a moderate temperature room and slow moving motions with long pose holds. I tried the 2 — week new student pass and was really hoping to love Wake Up Yoga as it is in the neighborhood (Fairmount) and I can walk to it but it’s not the studio for me. I barely worked a sweat. On the plus side, because of the smaller class room size and the slow motion movements the teacher is able to facilitate and walk through any students that are lacking. I have to ask, what is with the nasty blankets that are intended to comfort but people actually put them over their bodies during Shavasana. Also, the chanting and organ I just don’t get it, when I went to a 90 minute class last week and the first 30 minutes was chanting and organ playing I honestly thought I was being punked, I had one eye open and no one else thought it was weird. Wake Up Yoga is very spiritual and just not for me. I wish someone else had mentioned these things in their review… While I wouldn’t write off Wake Up Yoga it would be more of a last resort if I wanted to pick up a class last minute.

Welcoming Yin Yoga back in 2012 with open arms! I am no hardcore yogi by any means and have only practiced Yintense at Wake Up Yoga & I can say every teacher I have had for this class has been excellent in instruction with both words and practice. Last night was my first night back since the New Year and Sandie was awesome! She walked us through every move, part to part, limb to limb and she closed with the most beautiful poem by Mary Oliver. Thank you Wake Up Yoga! I need more of you and of my time for myself to devote to this awesome practice

As a runner with horribly tight muscles/​tendons/​ligaments/​anything else that could possibly be tight, I had always considered practicing yoga in order to increase flexibility, but was either too busy or was somewhat intimidated just showing up to a yoga class. But then I moved to Philly and discovered Wake Up Yoga, which is a short walk away! Better yet, they offer workshops for Brand New Beginners (1 night a week for 8 weeks), and upon seeing that, I couldn’t come up with any more excuses– so I signed up!
Biz teaches the beginners workshop in Fairmount, and she’s most excellent. New poses are gradually introduced week by week, so you’re not overwhelmed all at once, and she’s really good at helping you with alignment and answering any questions you may have. Now I feel comfortable walking into most classes they offer– check out their website for a schedule and which classes are good for beginners or some that may be more advanced.
Lately, I’ve been attending Corina’s Wednesday morning yin yoga class, and I absolutely love it. Holding poses for 5 minutes is a challenge I now look forward to every week, and I’m beginning to notice an increase in flexibility (I can almost touch my toes for the first time ever!), as well as a much needed reduction in stress.
And thumbs up for the studio itself– you definitely grow to love the mustard-​colored walls!
Wake Up Yoga, you rule.

Wake Up Yoga changed my life. I’ve tried yoga studios all over Philly, always hoping that it would grab me as I thought it should. It wasn’t until I stepped into Wake Up Yoga last August that I found such a connection. When I had the time I was going every day, and every teacher had a unique and meaningful class to offer. They have a little bit of everything, from chanting to meditation to both vigorous and restoring vinyasa to blissful yin yoga, and I even recommend the events they offer outside of their asana classes. I could go on, but you really have to just try it for yourself. Oh, and don’t sweat it if you don’t have a mat — they have everything you need in the studio.

i needed an early morning saturday class, because i had plans for the rest of the day. i did my research and found an 8am!!! and even better, it was $ 7. score.
i have never been here. its a little out of the way for me. the space was cute. nothing fancy. which i prefer. it was crowded in a nice way. for 8 am? on a satirday? i thought i would be alone. its nice to see other people getting their yoga on, on a freezing cold morning in dec.
the class was challenging, but nothing a beginner couldnt do. it was fun, it went really fast. i felt great when it was over. im looking forward to trying out more classes here and at their other locations.

I did the morning Yin Yoga class held on Tuesdays and was less than impressed. I had a really hard time focusing my energy because the teacher wouldn’t stop talking. While her wisdom was interesting, I would have rather forfeited the jokes and personal stories for a more mind and body centric situation.
It was a muggy, rainy, day and the studio resembled that with low lighting and no temperature control.
There $ 30 for two weeks is a rip off unless you are dedicated to traveling to each end of the city for a good class. Other studios in the city have better deals and offer a wider range of classes.
I left feeling only a little less stiff and a little agitated.
The class was worth the $ 7 but I’d much rather pay double that for another studio.
Needless to say, I will not be returning.

It’s a damn shame the only class Victoria teaches at Wake Up is 9:30 am on Tuesday, because she is far and away the most inspiring yoga teacher I’ve ever had.
Opening each 90-​minute class playing the harmonium and leading call-​and-​response chanting creates a uniquely balancing environment, one entirely copacetic to yoking the mind, body and breath together.
Energizing vinyasa is the name of this class, and Victoria delivers. I feel blessed to be alive and able to move my body every time I walk away from Wake Up Yoga.

I took a Sunday morning class at the West Studio with Victoria and it was a fantastic workout! It was an hour and a half and included this beautiful chanting and new twists to classic yoga positions… then stretches, balance, saluatations and more stretches for the perfect amount of practice time. And it was only $ 7!!!
This is seriously a rare find. This is my new favorite studio next to Studio 34.

Since I work odd hours and I have some weekdays off the best deal is that their 9am classes on weekdays are only $ 7! They are never packed but beware the Monday holidays when things get crowded. Jill M is an amazing teacher who is the perfect mix of zen and humorous– she gets me out of bed on Monday morning because she is so motivating and I always feel good when I leave. Corina’s yin yoga class on Wednesday morning is a nice change that leaves you very relaxed and completely stretched out. I docked a star because I did have a bad experience with Renata– the teacher for Tues and Thurs am. She snapped at me to «pay attention! you are on the wrong side. you need better focus» then shook her head and moved on. No yoga student should ever have criticism hissed at them! Unfortunately the middle of a class is not when you can stand up and explain that if I did it on the wrong side the first time I know that I should keep things even and do it on the wrong side the second time. She continued to glare at me for most of the class (no, i’m not exaggerating) and she ruined my day. Since then I have never gone back on a Tues or Thurs. Without Renata Wake Up Yoga’s morning classes would be 5 stars.

I thought that moving to SF would mean I would have the best yoga at my fingertips.
The classes here are lovely, but I will never forget the incredibly gifted and wonderful teachers @ Wake Up.
Corina really changed my life.
She shows up with authenticity, respect, incredible creativity and a wonderfully articulate, healing manner.
I loved every teacher I ever had @ Wake Up, and will make time to go when I visit Philly.

one of the best, if not THE best studios in town. Renata is a yoga phenom with years of experience and always reads something inspirational and poetic at the end of class, teaches you the right way to OM, jill M is amazing and highly educated and has well thought-​out classes. Tina D. rocks the house with her creative classes and is always careful to check in with the energy levels of the class and the seasons and the weather to carefully craft her sequences. mats are always available for free, the prices are extremely reasonable. classes can get a little crowded esp. for the popular teacher classes, but the instructors are good about moving people, calling out the space hogs (you know the types-​they think they need a 5 foot radius to practice and get all wangered if another persons body touches theirs-​weird western cultural hangups) and accomodating all people and making it feel like a yogic community by making sure people are fit into the room.
could use to be sweeped more frequently.

Wake Up Yoga is a great studio with warm, welcoming teachers and well sequenced classes. Some of my favorite teachers are Jill M and Corina (who is the director).
My only negative experiences there have been when it gets too crowded during some popular classes and the teachers squeeze us in like sardines (usually saying, «oh this is how it is in India») but often making the duration of the class very stressful as other people’s body parts graze mine…
But other than that, I would totally recommend this place! Two very zenned out thumbs up!