Yoga is not only a top source of exercise (as long as you’re not just lying on the floor) it’s always a brilliant way to unwind and relax after a hard week’s work, or to freshen you up with a bout of morning sun salutations. So it’s high time you check out these top yoga studios in Riyadh. You might even make some friends if you keep heading back to the same studio. If you’re looking to do yoga in Riyadh you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of studios to try out. Here are the best places to practise yoga in Riyadh.
Exhale Yoga Studio
If you’re a complete novice at yoga, one thing you might forget to actually do is breathe out (it sounds funny but it can happen). The experts at Exhale Yoga will soon have you up to scratch, though. And it won’t be long before you understand the real meaning of the studio’s mantra: ‘yoga is the journey of the self through the self to the self’.
Exhale covers a wide range of disciplines and teaches men and women both young and old, beginners or more experienced. Classes include ashtanga yoga, dynamic hatta yoga, fire core power yoga, prana vinyasa, yin yoga, yogalates, prenatal yoga, hatha yoga, aerial yoga, candle light relaxation yoga, dynamic Pilates, barre and meditation yoga.
In other words, Exhale has pretty much every base covered. One of the top yoga studios in Riyadh.
Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, exhaleyogasa.net (055 541 7550).
Kore
With a pair of venues in Riyadh and one in Al Khobar, Kore has quickly become a popular place for men and women of the Saudi capital to begin or continue their fitness journey, and one of the preferred yoga studios in Riyadh. And while many go there for a workout using spinning, cross-fit or weight training, those who want a more holistic (and less frenetic) way to invigorate their bodies and minds should sign up to one of its yoga classes.
Vinyasa/ashtanga, hatha and yin yoga are the specialities here, with practitioners of all standards and backgrounds welcomed with open, outstretched arms (metaphorically at least).
The team is super-friendly, as are the resident pets Mono the cat and Blue the peacock (the latter of whom has more strut than some of the more vain iron-pumpers you might find here).
Riyadh studios in Aqiq and Khuzamah, Riyadh, kore.sa (920 001 434).
NuYu
If you thought yoga only took place on mats, think again. At NuYu, one of the leading female-only gyms in Saudi Arabia, you can practise traditional yoga as well as aerial yoga, which is why it’s one of the most popular yoga studios in Riyadh.
With gyms across the country and four in Riyadh – Ishbiliyah, Al Waha, Irqah and Al Taawan – it’s the latter branch, located near Abi Baker, which offers aerial yoga. The studio has a great vibe: it has a lively atmosphere and is filled with natural light. During aerial yoga, you are supported by a hammock and manoeuver into acrobatic poses.
Absolute beginners are welcome – so if the thought of being flipped upside down fills you with fear, don’t panic, as you will be cocooned in the safety of the hammock. The classes will strengthen your muscles, posture and flexibility. As for traditional yoga classes, all levels are also welcome and the aim is to gradually move beginners to higher levels.
2093 Northern Ring Branch Rd, At Taawun, Riyadh, nuyu-ksa.com (011 225 2337) .
Reverie Yoga Studio
We’ve all dreamed of finding inner peace, and for some that is their ultimate goal. At Reverie, you need dream no more as the highly skilled instructors here will certainly set you on the right path. Offering a fine array of yoga classes – from ashtanga to aerial, candlelight to vinyasa – Reverie has a session to suit everyone and regularly has special offers on the go making the idea of them leading you on your spiritual journey even more enticing. One of the snazziest yoga studios in Riyadh.
Reverie is a community of like-minded people and while the chance to improve your yoga skills is basically why all the students come here, the owners are very keen on you making friends with your classmates and sharing your experiences as you all get more adept and confident at this fabulous form of exercise. There certainly won’t be any judging here…
Said Ibn Zayd Road, Qurtubah, Riyadh, reverie-sa.com (053 853 3370).
Soul Warrior Studio
We love a good moniker, and when it comes to the capital’s top yoga schools we can’t think of many better than Soul Warrior Studio. As soon as you meet the affable team you know the name isn’t just a gimmick, though, as Aida, Dima, Sahar, Sarah and Tania are full of spirit and determined to help you on the path to Zen. Easily one of the top yoga studios in Riyadh.
According to its owners, Soul Warrior Studio ‘is the inspiration of a passionate team of fitness experts who believe fundamentally in mental and physical well-being and in creating a thriving, healthy community’. It’s hard to argue with those core beliefs and there is a great variety of classes to choose from here. Plus, if you can’t find a babysitter after you’ve booked your latest session, they offer Kids’ Yoga as well as winged aerial yoga that is aimed the ten- to 18-year-olds in your lives so even the young’ uns can evoke their inner warrior. Nice one.
Recreation Center, off King Abdul Aziz Road, Riyadh, soulwarriorstudio.com (053 314 6622).
Tawazon Yoga and Martial Arts Center for Women
This hugely impressive women-only yoga studio in Riyadh is set on two floors with huge windows illuminating the rooms as the affable instructors set about enriching your minds, bodies and souls.
Mona Bardi leads the power, recharge, cardio and easy yoga classes (the absolute beginners among you will especially enjoy the latter), while Sara Raslan will put you through your paces (and poses) in her hatha and rise sessions. Atheer Alkhalifa will welcome you for a spot of Restorative and Gentle Yoga (best for those who are keen but not that flexible yet).
One of the most unique classes Tawazon offers, though, is Belly Dance Yoga, which is led by Haya Almadhi. It’s as much fun as it sounds! Vitality, tranquillity and harmony are the watchwords here and with the help of your brilliant instructors, we’re sure you can find all three at Tawazon.
Abi Sufyan Ibn Harb, Riyadh, tawazonyoga.com (053 755 1333).
