duCalme

+++PROS: I really like DuCalme as a studio — beautiful, tranquil and definitely way above the standards that I’m used to from US studios.
They have a hamam, offer chai and fruit after the class and you get a cold face towel in your hand when lying in final savasana. Sweet if you’re into those kind of luxurious details.
Classes are great, the teacher knowledgable and I appreciate there being a 10am class. The receptionist, often a black woman, is SUPER sweet.
—CONS: They use hard wood floors, fresh and hygienic but it bruises my hip bone, sacrum and chin in some of the postures. I couldn’t go after 3 days of practice because of the bruising. I would suggest using a thick, Manduka type of mat — not renting their old, worn out paper thin mats that seem to be a decade old.
The biggest down side is their booking system (non MindBody) that doesn’t work properly on an Android, coupled with strict rules around bookings, no drop ins and so forth. I’m sure they are there for a reason (perhaps because of the limited space?). As a practitioner I feel compelled to use another studio with a smoother and more accessible system.
Renting 2 towels is a gasping 8 dollars??? Maybe that’s standard in all Swedish studios.
Overall great impression — fancy and nice — but the booking system is really pulling down the score.

A sense of tranquillity and a scent of eucalyptus greets you when you open the anonymous door to duCalme. The reception area and hallway is dominated by the dark wooden floor and furniture and there is an oriental & luxurious feel to it. There are only a few small lockers inside the changing room and some outside in the hallway. Depending on the time it can be pretty crammed in the locker room and I advice for you to be there at least 15 min before class.
I have tried the 1,5 hour bikram yoga, the 55 min hot flow and the 75 min sun salutation classes. The standing exercises was a real challenge for me since I felt dizzy at times however this got better after a few classes. The instructors are professional, encouraging and they make sure that you push yourself to stay on top of your game. Once the class is over and all of your body liquids have been replaced in the 40 degrees heat you are rewarded with a small cooled towel to put over your head while resting in savasana. Oh boy does that feel good!
After the class there is fruit, two kinds of Pukka tea & cucumber and lemon water to enjoy in the hallway. There is a hammam as well and one of the regulars recommended that its nice to use it before class since it makes the heat less shocking. If you have ever been curious about bikram yoga this is a great place to try it!