I like to think that one day I will be one of those people who, after a hard day at work, hits the yoga mat rather than the bar. I love the idea of having an hour and a half to myself to focus on my breathing, to perform rhythmic sun salutations and to close my eyes and not give a thought to what’s going on outside the studio.
In theory, I am totally sold on yoga; a little meditation, a little stretching, a little strength training, a little postural re-alignment and a whole lot of time to stop thinking. In practice, I barely ever go to yoga because, well, I find it a bit boring.
But, in the name of Sweat and the City, I decided to head to Yoga Elements, one of the best known and most reputable studios in the city, to take part in a 90 minute class. I’m the kind of girl who walks out of exercise classes early to avoid the stretching, so the idea of a 90 minute class was a little daunting.
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I opted for a Flow class, which is recommended for intermediates (there are classes for every level of yogi). As soon as you arrive at Yoga Elements, you can see it’s the real deal when it comes to yoga; expensive mats are piled high in the hallway, yoga iconography is scattered about the reception and there is free herbal tea available while you wait. I decided to skip the tea and hid in the bathroom Whatsapping instead.
About ten minutes before class, I decided to make like a yoga pro and hit the class early to do some show-off stretches. The studio has two rooms, one small, one large. This class took place in the larger one, where the spacious room, floor to ceiling windows overlooking Chitlom and mood lighting after the sun sets make it a very pleasant environment indeed to get your savasana on.
The class was slow and challenging; perfectly positioned for an intermediate like me. However, if you don’t remember the Sanskrit names and basic sequences of the basic sun salutations, you might find it easier to start off in a beginner class as Apple, our teacher, often called out ‘exhale uttanasana’ and the like, and prompted us to perform sun salutations with our own breathing pace.
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The instruction (mainly in English but with some clarification in Thai) was brilliant and reminded me of why I always moan about gym yoga. Apple was great at making adjustments, making me feel I was really progressing in my yoga, rather than just going through the motions as I do in gym-based yoga classes.
As well as loosening up the muscles I tighten during weight training and running, the class humbled me a little by reminding me just how tricky body weight exercises can be (lots of chaturangas and arm balances will do the trick) and, though I was a little sceptical about a 90 minute class, I admit that I went into the studio in a very dark mood indeed and when I emerged from the class, it had gone. I think I really did succeed in leaving my troubles on the mat.
Suitable For: Intermediate yogis with knowledge of basic yoga lingo and sequences. However, there are lots of beginner and advanced classes on the timetable, too.
FIND IT:
Behind Central Chidlom department store on Soi Chidlom (Off BTS: Chidlom)
Vanissa Building
29 Soi Chidlom, 23rd Floor
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