Posted on March 25, 2026 at 05:55 AM
For a long time, I loved the idea of yoga but hated the actual practice. That was until I realized that my aversion had less to do with yoga itself and more to do with the yoga studio where I was training.
One of my first classes was a hot yoga session in a sweltering room with no windows. I knew something was up when the teacher discouraged anyone from leaving the 100 degree space or drinking waterespecially when he started walking around the room loudly and shaming the starters for their incorrect alignment.
“You He does Do you realize you’re doing Downward Dog completely wrong?” He sneered next to my mat before forcefully pulling my hips back without consent. The retouching continued for the rest of the class. I left feeling embarrassed and defeated.
I thought yoga wasn’t my thing. It wasn’t until I tried it again a decade later, in a completely different environment, that I realized how important the right studio, style and teachers were.
While I was living in Lisbon, a friend of mine invited me to attend a class at a studio she loved. Despite my hesitation, I agreed. From the moment I entered the breezy and light-filled space, the experience felt completely different. The school owners welcomed me warmly, helped me set up the mat, and asked about my experience level before the class started. The teacher encouraged us to approach difficult situations with a sense of play, which helped me relax.
While lying down Savasana“Like East Forest and Ram Dass.”I love awareness“Played, I finally understood Post-yoga joy Everyone is talking about him.
Within weeks, I was training daily. My weekly Rocket Yoga class in Lisbon—a fast-paced version of Ashtanga that uses modifications and props to make advanced poses easier to reach—quickly became my outlet for work stress. My favorite teacher also taught me to let go of perfection and embrace the inevitable fluctuations. I’ve learned that if I don’t make it the first try, I can always try again.
The same old adage applies to finding the right yoga studio.
4 tips for choosing the right yoga studio for you
Whether I’m traveling or trying out a new studio near home, here are the things I look for.
1. Choose the studio you’re actually going to
One of the main reasons I was consistent with my practice was that my studio in Lisbon was a 10-minute walk from my apartment. Even after a long day of work, going to class was relaxing.
For some of us, what matters most is proximity to work, public transportation, or parking. For others, it might be practicing where friends go or choosing a studio that offers classes in the morning, midday, or evening. Be honest with yourself about which classes you’ll actually be taking and think about some reasons you might want to skip them.
2. Start with the right classroom technique
There are more than a dozen styles of yoga, including slow hatha and fitness-focused power yoga. The best studios offer a variety of classes to suit different needs and experience levels, although some may focus on a particular style (like a hot yoga studio I tried more than a decade ago).
The style you choose depends largely on your goals and mood. Those looking to relax may gravitate towards this Restorative yoga or yin yogawhich is characterized by remaining in less intense positions for longer periods of time. Students looking for a more physically demanding practice may prefer ashtanga, a highly structured style built around a specific series of poses, or vinyasa lessons, which range from gentle flows to athletic flows that link movement with breathing.
Even if you’re already active, it’s wise to start with a class for beginners or all levels to learn proper alignment and basic postures. I learned this the hard way during my first hot yoga class, when years of dance training made me assume that yoga would be a walk in the park (it wasn’t!) Many studios offer introductory passes or trial classes for new students, making it easy to test out the teaching style and atmosphere beforehand. Commitment to a class or membership package.
3. Find a coach you trust
Finding a yoga teacher that resonates with you often depends on your personal preferences, but there are some things you can look for before stepping into a class.
A teacher bio on studio websites can provide insight into a teacher’s background, including how long they have been teaching and any specialized training, such as prenatal yoga or trauma-informed yoga.
Equally important is how teachers handle safety and physical modifications. My first yoga class included strong hands-on correction, which is why I now appreciate studios that prioritize consent over touch. Many studios now use sign-up systems to make physical adjustments, such as a token or sign with a yes/no placed next to the mat. In other studios, teachers ask for verbal permission before touching students. If you prefer to adjust your body alignment yourself, you’ll want to find a teacher who can provide clear, easy-to-follow verbal cues.
The best teachers also offer variations to make poses easier to access and sequence classes in a way that properly warms up the body before asking you to try difficult movements. You should also never feel pressured to do anything that doesn’t feel right, even if the coach is encouraging you to “push yourself.”
Some other red flags to watch for include teachers who give unsolicited medical advice or bring personal drama or politics into the classroom.
4. Pay attention to the atmosphere
You’ll likely know soon after you enter the studio whether you want to practice there or not. You want it to feel like a welcoming and supportive space without being pushy or sales-driven. Visit before you sign up for a class or arrive early to familiarize yourself with the space, speak with staff, and sign any required paperwork.
Although it’s more about the people than the physical design, the Lisbon studio that changed my mind about yoga was a basic space, but the high ceilings and sunlit entryway made it look inviting. It regularly hosted special events that fostered a sense of community. The 30 Day Yoga Challenge inspired me to keep coming back and helped me connect with other students.
You might also pay attention to finer items like lighting, cleanliness, and whether the studio offers the amenities you need, like lockers and showers.
Ultimately, trust your instincts. The right studio should feel like a place you want to return to again and again. It could be a place that completely changes your mind about yoga.
