As an all-round exercise for mind, body and spirit there is nothing quite like yoga. Whether it’s the day-to-day stresses of work and family life, or a desire to strengthen your body and regain the flexibility you had as a younger version of yourself, yoga has the answers. Leeds is lucky to be the home to many great yoga teachers who hold classes in some beautiful spaces. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer.
Yoga Hero – Mexico Project Space, Wharf Street, LS2 7EQ
Set in the super cool surroundings of the Mexico Project Space, Yoga Hero offers a range of classes and styles to suit all abilities and personal goals, and with classes from just a fiver, every budget is covered too. If you’re feeling like supercharging your practice we recommend signing up for Rocket Yoga – a fast-paced flowing class based on Ashtanga, during which you’ll move through 142 poses in 75 minutes!
Yoga Lunchbox – Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen 1-1A Cross Belgrave Street, LS2 8JP
Taking lunch at your desk again? If you fancy something a little more inspiring, pop down to the Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen on a Thursday lunchtime between 12:15 and 1 pm and join a yoga session where the emphasis is on fun. There’s nothing dry and stuffy about this popular flowing class, where giggling, falling over and having a good time are just as important as perfect form. Teacher, Helena Rix, encourages newbies to take their first steps into yoga in a relaxed and enjoyable environment ─ oh, and there’s a free slice of gourmet pizza available when you’re done!
Leeds Yoga Shala – Natural Health Centre, 1st floor, Kilkenny House, 7 King Street, LS1 2HH
The Natural Health Centre in King Street plays host to Myka Ransom and Kate Woodcock every Wednesday to Friday, where they offer Iyengar yoga classes for all abilities. One of the first masters to introduce yoga to a Western audience, BKS Iyengar created a teaching style that focuses on precise form and correct structural alignment of the physical body. Expect to use props from foam bricks and blocks to sand bags, straps and chairs to support your practice.
Ling Chi Yoga – Leeds Chinese Community Centre, 84-86 North Street, LS2 7PN
Carole Park has combined the healing arts of Ling Chi Master, Jason Chan, with traditional yogic practices such as asana, pranayama, mudras and mantras to create a new form of yoga. Her aim is to provide you with the tools to remove energetic blockages and heal at a deep level.
The Yoga Space – 378 Meanwood Rd, LS7 2JF
A mile or so outside of the city centre, but absolutely worth a visit, is The Yoga Space. Since 2004 this old Baptist Church has been home to some of the finest yoga teachers in Yorkshire, offering classes in Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga and pregnancy yoga, as well as some great classes for babies and kids.
So if your body is creaking and you dream of creating a new you, grab your yoga mat and drive down to us at Trafalgar Street, where we’ll take care of your car while you release the stresses and strains of the modern world and take care of your body at one of these great yoga classes in Leeds.