I Am Yoga London

I really dont like to write less than stellar reviews but I felt I kind of had to. I have been to a few classes at I am Yoga, and while I really have enjoyed the teachers, the facilities are not great.
It is in a basement just off Tottenham Ct Road. When you arrive much like many other studios you are asked to remove your shoes, but to be honest when you get into the bathrooms you really wish that you had your shoes. It is pretty grimy. The first time I went in to the bathroom it was before the first class of the day very early and the toilet had urine in it from the night before as well as a spot of blood on the floor. I came back the next week and the blood was still on the floor, meaning they had not mopped in over a week. Completely unacceptable in my opinion for a fitness facility. The showers were also quite moldy and looked like they didnt get the most detailed cleaning very often.
The studio where you practice is nice, albeit they pack you in very tightly and as a tall person I dont want to have to worry about reaching out and banging into someone as I am trying to harness my chi.
The instructors were great, but I just couldnt get over the dirty bathrooms. A real shame as the studio has potential and a really great location.

Terrible. Avoid! Classes advertised as hot, are not! Too many people signed into class so the teacher simply has people move around so they can cram more mats in. Class is barely tepid and room only heats up by the end of the class and that’s probably just due to the body heat accumulated. Showers are random with a weird blue curtain hanging in the middle of the changing room. Very unenthusiastic, lifeless staff on front desk. The studio rooms don’t even look finished, the walls are falling apart, not what you would expect for a «new» studio. There’s a really weird, sweaty smell that smells like sweaty feet. You can’t even practice yoga properly as you can’t extend your legs and arms past the confines of your yoga mat! They should rename the studio to I Am Not Yoga :)

If you’re anything like me, you know how hard it can be going to a new Yoga studio. You don’t know where to stand, or what to do and if it’s a new class you have no idea what is expected of you, or how to do it. It’s easy to feel like that new kid, whilst falling over because you’re all in a muddle.
I’ve been searching for a good yoga studio that’s either really worth the travel or is convenient in terms of location and schedule. So this means I’ve felt like that girl on her first day far too much for comfort.
I am Yoga is a recent addition to the Yoga scene and is based just a few minutes walk from Goodge Street… which gives it a tick as a great location for me.
They have a large selection of different classes, and whilst I had the intention of trying out as many different styles as I could to see which one fit, after trying Forrest Yoga with Mel I decided to stick with this class because I was made to feel so welcome.
Mel is a wonderfully bubbly person with a lot of energy and a fantastic vibe that is contagious. She’s also fantastic at explaining the poses and very helpful getting you into the very unusual positions you need for these. No awkward mis-​balances here, I felt at home, comfortable and supported straight away.
I’d never heard of this type of Yoga before coming here and I love it. After each class I’ve walked away feeling not only more flexible, but stronger. And I know I’ve been working because I’m sweating, and whilst it’s not as much as when I attended hot yoga, when I leave I feel great rather than giddy!
Forrest focuses more on breathing and holding poses for longer than most, it’s a modified form, with the intention being to deal with the aches and pains of modern life. Whilst a lot of the positions can be strenuous as you are asked to hold them, they’re slower so easier to achieve, to master and you don’t feel ‘over stretched’, however you’re always challenged.
The studio is pretty new… And you know it’s new because it smells like fresh paint and they’re still working out the kinks to get this place on its feet. However they’ve done quite a good job with the place so far. I’m not sure I like all the motivational quotes, but it’s clean and cheerful… and doesn’t smell like old feet yet!
The room we’re in for, and because of it’s size, the class numbers, are a good, however the changing room can get pretty busy. They have a lot of storage space which really helps.
Like most studios you need to pay for a mat if you don’t bring one, lockers require £1 which is refundable, and they have hair dryers and towel hire if needed.
They don’t have a water tap, which really annoys me, but you can buy bottles of water for £1.50.
Whilst I’m not sure I’ve found my Yoga mecca, I think it’s close. We’ll just see how the classes progress as unfortunately whilst close, they only do classes after work that are convenient for me, which is not ideal as I’d prefer them in the morning (and I’m looking for a weekend class near to my home, not office), being the social person I am.