The Best Yoga Studios in Dresden, Germany

Besides cutting-edge art galleries and fashion boutiques, Dresden’s hip Äußere Neustadt neighbourhood also boasts some of the city’s best yoga studios. A stone’s throw from tourist magnets such as the Kunsthofpassage art centre and the Alaun park is Yogawaves. In synchronisation with the ‘waves’ of breath, the studio puts dynamic Vinyasa and Ashtanga classes and TriYoga – a Hatha practice which aims to combine the three elements of breathing, posture and focus with one another – on the map. The scheduled classes cater to all, from rookie and advanced yogis to pregnant ladies. For those with experience, the Monday evening chakra meditation is a great way to delve deeper into the meditative side of yoga. Drop-in classes: €12 – €14

You find the Freistil yoga studio just north of Dresden’s city centre in the Trachau neighbourhood. Here, the schedule is composed of not only yoga but also pilates and bodywork sessions. Freistil offers 90-minute-long Hatha classes which follow a routine of breathing (pranayama) exercises, sun salutations followed by a number of static postures and finally an extensive deep relaxation period in the end. You can always book a massage for extra stress relief. Drop-in class: €15

AIR Yoga occupies a beautiful, light-flooded studio in a leafy part of the Loschwitz neighbourhood. The jam-packed schedule offers a wide range of classes, including relaxing and mindful Hatha and yin practices as well as dynamic vinyasa flow. On top of that, a good part of the scheduled classes is specially designed for men, seniors, pregnant women and kids. A series of immersion workshops tackle more challenging postures, such as backbends and arm balances, and their list of events puts meditation, Thai yoga massages, partner yoga and a lot more on the agenda.Drop-in class: €15 – €18

The Ashtanga Yoga Center is another one of the Neustadt’s studios and has set the focus on the energetic and dynamic cousin of Hatha yoga. Each Ashtanga class consists of a set sequence of asanas where every breath of air is assigned to an individual movement with the overall goal in mind to boost flexibility, strength and concentration. Besides led beginner and advanced lessons, the schedule also lists regular Mysore classes during which each student practices the sequence at their own pace. Beginners can join a 10-week-long introductory course which covers all the basics and philosophy of the Ashtanga teaching. Drop-in classes: €15

Yofit in Löbnitz is a yoga and fitness centre – hence the name – in the Löbnitz neighbourhood, a couple of tram stops south from Dresden’s old town. The studio offers a myriad of indoor and outdoor fitness classes from spinning, bodyweight training and inline skating to Zumba, Pilates and Nordic walking. As for yoga, the studio focuses on a Hatha practice which is open to all levels and additionally has reserved slots dedicated to prenatal and kids yoga. Drop-in class: €13

Set on the eastern fringe of Äußere Neustadt, the Prana Yoga centre is dedicated to prana yoga, a branch of traditional Hatha yoga which sees the rhythmic breathing exercises as the most crucial element of the practice and as a link between body and mind. Led by Swami Brahmananda, who studied under the originator of prana yoga in Berkeley, California, the studio offers a set of classes designed for all experience levels and ages. If you want to explore the spiritual side of things further, join in on the last Sunday of each month when students come together for an evening of chanting, spiritual discussions, meditation and vegetarian snacks. Drop-in class: €10

Phoenix Arising is situated in Dresden’s southern district of Plauen. The name says it all. Offering both Ashtanga yoga classes and sensitivity coaching lessons, Phoenix Arising aspires to help people reconnect with themselves, start afresh and focus on the goals ahead. The studio welcomes both newbies and experienced yogis to their weekly led and self-practice Ashtanga classes, as well as regular sensitivity training sessions which incorporate trance dance, meditation, and breathing rituals in order to inspire more mindfulness, awareness and compassion in one’s life. Private lessons are available as well, should you be more comfortable with that. Drop-in class: €14 – €16