The best Wellington yoga studios aren’t in the city centre – and that’s exactly the point. If you’re living in Wellington or passing through and you want a yoga class that does something more than stretch your hamstrings, these two studios are worth going out of your way for. Both are set in nature, both have views that make holding a pose feel less like suffering, and both are the kind of places you find yourself thinking about long after you’ve left.
I’ve practiced in both and this is an honest account of what each one is actually like.
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.
Wellington Yoga Studios You Need to Try:
SPACE Studio: Yoga Above the Harbour
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. There’s a reason SPACE has a near-perfect rating after 300+ reviews – it earns it every single class.
The interior is minimalist and deliberately calm – clean lines, natural light, the kind of space that starts doing its work before you’ve even unrolled your mat. With its clean aesthetics and oodles of natural light, it’s hard not to feel zen when you gaze out at postcard-perfect vistas of the harbour and hills.
SPACE Yoga Essentials
Classes: A solid range covering all levels – Yin, Yang, Yin Yang Space (a mix of both), Align + Flow, Restore, and a Yoga for Healthy Lower Back class that’s genuinely useful rather than a rehab afterthought. They also run special events throughout the year including sound journeys and silent retreats.
Pricing: Drop-in is $25. New Wellington residents can do 2 weeks unlimited for $75. A 5-class pass is $115 (valid 6 months), 10-class pass $215 (valid 12 months), and a 1-month unlimited pass is $160.
Getting there: Walk up Mt Victoria from the city – about 20 minutes and a decent warm-up in itself. By car it’s 5 minutes from the CBD. Bus #20 toward Kilbirnie, off at Alexandra Road, then 2 minutes on foot.
Location: 8 Lookout Rd, Mt Victoria
After class: Walk back down Mt Victoria and stop at Squirrel Café for ACME coffee and something from the cabinet. One of the better post-yoga coffees in Wellington
Pause Yoga: Inside a Tree, Above the Bay
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. The architectural award-winning studio was designed by NZ architect Paul Rolfe with a specific vision: to feel as if you were inside a tree looking out over the bush and the harbour. The light wooden interior and darkened stained wooden exterior reflect the surrounding beech trees.
Near the end of a narrow street in Days Bay, up a winding gravel path, you find a little piece of paradise. The wooden studio is nestled on a hill with floor-to-ceiling windows providing views through the tree tops. The walk up through the bush to reach it is part of the experience – by the time you arrive you’ve already started to decompress.
Pause Yoga Essentials
Classes: Hatha, Yin and Vinyasa Flow – all taught with a focus on mindfulness and therapeutic movement rather than performance. The style is modern, athletic and therapeutic, focusing on whole body and mind function. Owner Cathy teaches most classes herself and the scale of the studio keeps it genuinely intimate.
Pause Yoga provides black Lululemon mats, bolsters, blocks, mosquito repellent and a variety of Manduka mat cleaners with essential oils.
Pricing: Drop-in is $32. A 10-class pass brings it down to $17.50 per class ($175 total), a 20-class pass to $13.75 per class ($275 total). They also run a Thursday yoga and sauna combo for $40 casual or $35 with a multi-pass – worth knowing about in winter!
Getting there: 30-minute scenic drive from central Wellington via Petone. Or – and this is the better option – take the ferry from Queens Wharf to Days Bay Wharf (about 25 minutes, operated by East by West Ferry) and walk 9 minutes to the studio. The ferry option turns the whole trip into a half-day out.
Location: 28 Moana Road, Days Bay, Eastbourne
After class: Drive or ferry back through Petone and stop at Revive Espresso – excellent coffee, great brunch, the right pace for after a Yin class.
Want to Take Your Practice Further?
If a drop-in class has you thinking about a longer immersion, New Zealand has some outstanding yoga retreats – from a 19-day 200-hour yoga teacher training on the shores of Lake Taupo to weekend wellness retreats in the South Island. Find and book your yoga retreat in New Zealand on Tripaneer – filter by style, duration and budget and book directly through the platform.
Practical Notes for Visiting Wellington
Getting around: Wellington is small and walkable in the centre. For Mt Victoria and Days Bay you’ll want either a car, bike or to use the public transport options above. Bolt works well for shorter trips.
When to go: Wellington’s weather is famously changeable – locals joke it has four seasons in one day! For yoga purposes this doesn’t matter much since both studios are indoors, but the harbour view from SPACE is at its best on a clear day. Summer (December-February) gives you the best chance of that.
Travel insurance: If you’re visiting New Zealand from abroad, I recommend SafetyWing for travel insurance – straightforward coverage, good value for longer trips.
FAQ
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes for both studios – neither is walk-in. Book online via their websites or through Mindbody before you go.
Are these studios suitable for beginners?
Completely. Both offer beginner-friendly classes and neither has the competitive atmosphere that puts new practitioners off. Pause’s Hatha class and SPACE’s Yin 1 are both perfect starting points.
Is the ferry to Pause Yoga worth it?
Yes, unambiguously. The ferry across the harbour to Days Bay followed by the walk up through the bush to the studio is one of the better ways to spend a Wellington morning. Do it.
What should I bring?
SPACE has mats available for hire ($2). Pause provides Lululemon mats, blocks and bolsters. Bring a water bottle, arrive a few minutes early, wear layers since both studios can get cool before class begins.
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‘.
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