On a list of The Most Instagrammed Things Ever, yoga studios would be up there with green smoothies, puppies and overly optimistic inspirational quotes. And when they’re this gorgeous, how can you not go to town with an Amaro filter and share them with all of your followers? But don’t assume these five Melbourne studios are all style and no substance – behind that polished concrete, blond wood and, um, mural of Biggie Smalls, they also offer some damn good yoga. Here’s where to get your ‘om’ on in the Victorian capital.
One Hot Yoga, South Yarra
A studio designed by one of Melbourne’s top architecture firms, an ‘intelligent fresh air system’ and mats that were graced by Florence Welch during her 2015 tour: this is One Hot Yoga. Best known for their grueling-but-addictive Slow Hot Flow classes in the main 37-degree studio, they also offer a range of Power Flow and Yin classes in the less-sweaty 27-degree room next door. This is a popular studio that attracts a lot of seriously experienced yogis (in their best Upside tanks, no less), but newbies can ease into things with the Beginners’ Slow Hot Flow on Saturday mornings. Casual class: $25
Yoga 213, Richmond
This is where you’ll find that mural of Biggie Smalls, which greets you at the top of the sunshine yellow stairs in Yoga 213’s bright, eclectic Richmond studio. This is the Australian offshoot of Steve Ross’s ‘hip hop yoga’, which originated in LA (where else?) and came to Melbourne in 2013. Hip hop yoga is exactly that: a Vinyasa flow set to a backing soundtrack of Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, Kanye and friends. The music is loud, but if you can’t hear the instructor they’re more than happy for you to freestyle – like any good rapper would. Casual class: $25.
Power Living, Fitzroy
If you’re ever going to get a reluctant husband or boyfriend to yoga, it will be at Power Living – this yoga studio was started by former paratrooper and professional rugby union player turned yoga teacher Duncan Peak. Here, you’ll find just as many dudes in singlets and footy shorts as you will ladies in Lululemon, bending and stretching their way through heated Vinyasa, non-heated Vinyasa and Yin. The Melbourne studio is one of nine around Australia and New Zealand, housed in a light, bright converted warehouse (it is in hipster-central Fitzroy, after all). Casual class: $22
Humming Puppy, Prahran
Hear that? That’s the special combination of audio frequencies in the studio that quite literally puts the ‘hum’ in Humming Puppy, designed to deepen and enhance your practice. This Prahran studio doesn’t limit itself to one specific type of yoga, instead offering four different classes that take the best bits from a range of styles – Mellow Hum, Unified Hum, Dynamic Hum and Deepen Your Hum. And as if the sexy New York loft vibes weren’t enough, they’ll even let you choose a specific mat when you book your class so you can nab your favourite spot every. single. time. Casual class: $35
Happy Melon Studios, Armadale
Walking into Armadale’s Happy Melon Studios is like walking into your most stylish friend’s living room – if that friend also happened to offer killer yoga classes (plus meditation and Pilates). As the name suggests, Happy Melon’s philosophy is all about fusing mindfulness with movement to be your healthiest self. If you’re new to yoga, start with the Beginners class then work your way up to a Yin, Flow or Slow class. Make sure you get there 15 minutes early to enjoy a pre-class herbal tea from Melbourne’s own Impala and Peacock. Casual class: $35
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