Wellington just makes a top destination for visiting various yoga studios, including the three I picked here. For the perfect place to flow when you’re in Wellington, keep reading on to discover the best studios!
Have you ever been standing in Utkatasana with one leg lifted, trying to breathe mindfully but also wondering how to get through it? As much as I wish I could always just focus on the present moment to keep going, I have to admit that I do like to practice in yoga studios that have a view to distract me.
If you like doing yoga and are living in Wellington or passing through on your travels, two yoga studios are a must-go – especially if you like a good view!
Its a thing – humans like views. Whether it be from viewpoints, from the top of a mountain or from a skyscraper. Looking into the far distance, into nature just got something intrinsically soothing and visually pleasing.
In Lima, Peru I attended a class on the Malecón (check out YogaMalecon) – a two-mile strip of gardens and parks – overlooking the Pacific Ocean. At The Yoga Barn in Bali, it was the exotic plants from the garden and the actual ceiling-hanging barn that grounded me and provided some needed mental focus.
Even though Wellington is one of the calmest capitals you can go to and live in, city life does get too much at some point.
I have been lucky enough to visit two local yoga studios that are blessed with the most incredible calming view one can think of. One is up a mountain, overlooking Wellington harbor, the other overlooks a typical New Zealand forest. Both are SO worth the visit.
Wellington Yoga Studios You Need to Try:
SPACE Studio
SPACE Studio is one of those places that you go to and you are speechless. The yoga studio sits right on top of Mount Victoria in Wellington – giving the best view of the Wellington harbour, its surrounding mountains and nature.
How To Get There
It’s a great warm-up before the class if you walk up the hill yourself (which I did). Most people though do arrive by car or bike. You can take bus #20 towards Kilbirnie and get off at Alexandra Road and walk another two minutes from there.
Location: 8 Lookout Rd, Mt Victoria, Wellington 6021, info@spaceyoga.nz, 04 974 6830
What You Can Expect Apart From The View
It’s a minimalistic, sleek-looking and bright yoga studio with space to change, leave your belongings or store your mat if you’re a regular.
They are organizing various events throughout the year, ranging from retreats to workshops and hosting visiting international teachers.
Which Yoga Classes Are Available
Restoring Beginner Yoga Classes
Yin & Restore 1
- involves yoga poses that you’ll do seated or lying down.
Yin 1
- a foundational class to explore what Yin is about
Yang 1
- a foundational class to discover a flow of sun salutations, standing yoga poses and balance poses.
Yin + Restore
- a quiet class that goes beyond the foundational class, making use of bolsters and blankets.
Restore
- bolsters and blankets benefit with restore and rest of the body
YHB – Yoga For healthy lower back
- focused on releasing pain and tension and increasing mobility
Cyclists restorative yoga
- centres around restoring a cyclists body on a rest day
Challenging Yoga Classes
Yin Yang Space
- a mix of restorative seated Yin poses and challenging standing sequences. It also includes a meditation part!
Yang Fusion
- an intermediate version for Yang 1.
Align + Flow
- all levels are welcome for a dynamic flow
Check out the schedule.
Prices
If it’s your first class at SPACE the drop-in fee is 18NZ$. Wellington residents can get a two-week yoga deal for 42NZ$ (11/11/2019)
A regular drop-in class costs 22NZ$ – otherwise, you can opt for a five or ten-class pass; one or three months unlimited or one-year membership.
Where To Go For Coffee Afterwards
If you are hungry after a sweaty morning yoga class, make sure to pop by Squirrel Cafe. It’s nearby if you come down from Mt Victoria and got you covered with some awesome ACME coffee and a snack from their varied cabinet food section. One of the best Wellington coffee shops!
Pause Yoga Studio
Some yoga studios are such hidden gems, that you need to hear about them by someone who had been there. This at least was my case with Pause Yoga Studio. My friend used to go in the mornings, attending their sunrise classes. Yoga studios that have a view of the sunrise over the forest just sound magical to me.
Location: 28 Moana Road, Days Bay, 5013 Eastbourne, pauseyogadaysbay@gmail.com, 021410890 & IG @pauseyogadaysbay
How To Get There
A 30-minute scenic drive around the bay of Wellington, passing Petone and you are in Eastbourne. The studio itself is tucked away on Moana Street. Its entrance only identified through a little wooden sign, covered by flowers. The way leads you up a steep walkway – again, a good warm-up even for the somewhat fit people among us.
From Wellington, you got two options for public transport. You can go Queens Wharf and take the ferry (operated by East By West Ferry) to Days Bay Wharf. The whole ride takes about one hour (according to Google). From there it takes around nine minutes to walk until you reach the studio.
The other option is to take the bus #83 towards Eastbourne Terminus. You get off at Days Bay – Moana Rd and walk appx. seven minutes to the studio. Depending on traffic, it might take longer than the ferry.
What You Can Expect Apart From The View
A modern studio, with wooden floors and walls, one side got a mirror the other side has a window wall overlooking a native New Zealand forest. If you looked closely you could see the nearby ocean.
The yoga studio provides black Lululemon mats, bolsters, blocks, mosquito repellent and a variety of Manduka mat cleaners with essential oils. Nothing better than being able to properly clean your mat!
Which Yoga Classes Are Available
Yoga Classes For Beginners
Hatha
One of the best yoga styles to go for if you are new to yoga. Class duration is 60 minutes.
Yin
A rebalancing and restoring class that really calms the mind and stretches the body. Class duration is 60 minutes.
Challenging Yoga Class
Vinyasa Flow
A fast-paced flow that combines mediation, a flowing sequence and pranayama. The class duration is 75 minutes.
Price
A regular drop-in class will cost you 25NZ$ – payable at the studio, in cash or via Eftpos.
Where To Go For Coffee Afterwards
If you are heading back to Wellington make sure to stop over in Petone and visit Revive Espresso. They are a Wellington coffee company with two delicious blends on offer + great breakfast/brunch. Find out more about options of where to stop for coffee after a yoga class over at my post ‘A Journey Through The Best Coffee Shops in Wellington‘.
I hope this list of Wellington yoga studios have inspired you to grab your mat and head out to practice. Have you ever practiced in yoga studios with a great view? Let me know in the comments below!
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