The Best Yoga Studios In Istanbul
When Istanbul’s chaotic urbanity becomes too burdensome, the city’s many yoga studios are some of the best places to unwind and focus on your inner world. With great studios on both the European and Asian sides, the city’s yoga scene is strong with classes, retreats, international guests, and much more. Check out some of the most popular yoga studios below.
Cihangir Yoga
Cihangir Yoga, one of Istanbul’s most popular yoga studios, is befittingly in the bohemian neighborhood where locals head to one of the roughly 100 classes offered every week. Yoga therapy, Mysore, Ashtanga, Tao Vinyasa, Yin, Power Vinyasa, and Anusara Yoga are all among the class schedule. There are also different levels on offer from beginner to advanced so that you’ll never end up with people who are much more flexible than you. Certified teacher programs also feature for those who would like to take their yoga practice to the next level, as well as yoga for pregnant women, new mothers, babies, and young children. https://instagram.com/p/BLqo0AjhH_A/
Yoga Şala
With a few branches in Istanbul, Yoga Şala is another favored option when it comes to yoga practice. The Nişantaşı branch is on the sixth floor of an apartment building with two large rooms where all the teachers and students know each other by first name. On the schedule are Yin, Hatha, Vinyasa, and Kundalini Yoga as well as meditation and breathing classes, plus pre-natal yoga. Yoga Şala also hosts yoga instructors from abroad for weekend workshops that fill up fast. Check out the program at a Yoga Şala near you to make sure you don’t miss out.
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Naya Istanbul
Bringing together island life and yoga, Naya Istanbul occupies an entire and beautifully renovated white wooden villa that serves as a complete yoga getaway on Büyükada. From the light and airy rooms with balconies overlooking the green garden to the daily summer yoga classes taught by an island local and instructor on a specially constructed wooden platform, everything at Naya is about thorough relaxation (through a bit of escapism). During the winter months, classes can be set up by request, but being able to leave Istanbul for a weekend to stay in a house on a green island is pretty great in its own right. https://instagram.com/p/8yDH1zIKfq/
Derece Bikram Yoga
If you don’t mind getting sweaty during your yoga session, then 40 Derece Bikram Yoga is the right place. Translating to ‘Bikram Yoga in 40 Degrees,’ you know exactly how hot the studio gets during these special yoga classes. Opened in 2011 and one of Turkey’s first Bikram centers, all instructors have been trained by Bikram Choudhury, the founder of this particular style of yoga. Twenty-six postures are performed while the heat allows muscles to stretch and toxins to flush from the body via torrents of sweat. https://instagram.com/p/1Fw6fCxw5M/