If you are considering becoming a certified hot yoga instructor, I highly recommend Evolation Yoga & Zafea's teacher training program. This experience challenged me, strengthened my practice, and helped me grow both personally and professionally. Zafea creates a supportive environment that inspires confidence, discipline, and self-awareness while providing the knowledge and guidance needed to grow as a teacher. I am truly grateful for this transformative experience and would absolutely recommend it to anyone serious about deepening their practice and becoming an instructor. read more

I love this place. Really love the atmosphere. Susan is a wonderful instructor, gentle vibes and very welcoming. This is my favorite place in Buffalo to practice Bikram yoga. read more

1 is too high a rating. Stay away from their teacher training! You have been warned! Room is uncomfortable, teachers act like robots,

Let me start off with the positive: the studio is beautiful, they sell water and rent towels and have showers that you can take. It can feel as if you're coming home because, well -- the studio is built into a post-war cottage architecturally-styled modern home (the first and second floors). With that said, I was not a fan of the classes. Let me disclaim this by saying I've only practiced Bikram-style yoga once before at another studio and I'm more fan of hatha/Kripalu style, so I'm being a little biased here right-off-the-bat. When I came to the classes, I was looking for something that is physically challenging (and this is definitely), but also instructors which cultivate a sense of presence, loving-kindness and 'invite' you to explore your body. Instead, I've experienced yoga instructors which are more like motivational fitness trainers who push you to "stretch BEYOND your flexibility" (yes they say this). My favorite yoga instructor has always said: "I invite you to stretch a little bit more, but be present, go to the point where it's enough to hold your attention, but not so much that you tense up." Maybe I'm being overly picky in the language the instructors use, but it's really important to me. Also, I took their 90-minute 105 degree class the other day and within half an hour felt extremely dizzy and left the room for a few minutes -- the instructor came in after me and explained that it's better if I stay in the room. When I go to a yoga class, I don't want to feel as if I'm in jail -- I want to feel safe to explore my limits and during Evolation classes I feel overwhelmed. I still go - it's a great work out, but I prefer more-gentle instruction. read more

Evolation - Store front - Yoga Near Me - Buffalo, New York

*Disclaimer: Not a Bikram fan* That said, this studio participates in classpass and I often find it the most accessible yoga studio for me. Hence why I continue to return. I have done the 75 minute flow and the 60 minute warm. Sorry for the pun, but I am lukewarm on both. The studio space is actually very nice; I love all of the plant life. There is water, a bathroom, showers, etc. available for your use. The heaters are loud while they are warming the room, but once they regulate things normalize. Of the two instructors I've had, there really isn't much "instruction"--it's more just the repetition of the Bikram series. It feels very robotic, but then again, that's Bikram. If that isn't your style, you are probably going to have an OK workout, but leave without that sense of fulfillment that you might get from other classes. read more

Having tried 3/4 classes offered a few times now I feel I have a decent sense of Evolation. I have yet to try the Yin Class offered, however I have practiced the hot (105 degrees), warm (90 degrees), and the flow class (90 degrees). The hot and warm classes are a series of 25-26 poses over 60 minutes (warm) or 90 minutes (hot). The flow class is where things change up. The flow class is delegated by the instructor, meaning the class and poses changes per instructor. Evolation has a different vibe from other studios I've practiced at. Instead of the instructor performing the poses and conversing at the same time, they walk around the room and instruct. It's motivating, but different. Another difference I immediately noticed is there are mirrors everywhere. I've never been to a studio that asks you to check your posture in a mirror. Tips: bring your own mat and towel (otherwise there is a $$ for rentals), bring some water (you're gonna need it), arrive at least 15 minutes early for week day classes and even earlier for weekend classes because the classes are first come first serve. read more

Evolation - Yoga Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Wonderful Sunday Morning Hot Yoga COULD CHANGE THE WORLD. Didn't catch her name, but she has a slight Canadian accent? Which makes me IMMEDIATELY TRUST HER. Really nice power flow in hot yoga, she took suggestions from us, which was great and rewarding. Pretty packed studio which will sometimes ruin the mood but the mood was set by the instructor as calming and comfortable. read more

Turns out, I like Bikram Yoga. It's challenging and attention grabbing, though definitely not for everyone. Evolation runs some pretty good classes, they always tend to be friendly, and I always feel worked-out when I am done there. Some of the instructors are super helpful and nice, with a lot of supportive and instructive speaking with their classes. One thing I have noticed, and perhaps I just got lucky at first, is that you really have to feel out who your instructors are. Some of them are speaking a little by rote sometimes - or at least it feels detached. Which, if you were running a few classes of hot yoga a day, I'm sure you'd feel the same too. Perhaps it needs some spacing out or to take shifts or something. I miss when they used to have morning classes - mainly because I had a fantasy that I'd actually wake up some days and go. As it is, they might be bringing them back and my fantasy can continue. Or perhaps, one day, be real. read more

This review is really for Steve, who is an incredible instructor. The studio itself is just fine- nothing special. The prices are reasonable and the space is clean, but pretty bare-bones, which is totally fine. I have not tried a class with every other instructor at Evolation, but I do find myself carving out time and energy to make it to Steve's classes because I leave feeling so uplifted. He is pretty selfless in his instructional style. He truly focuses on his students and genuinely delight in their efforts. He is motivational and inspires you to not only reach deeper in physical postures and steady breathing, but also to be gentle with yourself and practice humility. Going to a class with Steve is like really cost-effective therapy. For anyone new to Bikram yoga- you will sweat a ton. Bring a well insulated water bottle and a towel (or two). It's great exercise and an amazing way to center your mind. read more

Shady business practices! I've gone to Evolation for over a year, and I generally liked it -- though sometimes the classes are WAY too crowded. But I recently canceled my membership (confirming it TWICE), but the owner has continued to charge me and won't return any of my calls and emails. read more

Finally a good place for hot yoga! I've been looking for a place for hot yoga in Buffalo for some time now and have finally tried a place that I liked. They offer a variety of different levels which is nice because it gives you the option of going to something less intense than a 90 minute 105 degree class. Everyone is looking for something different when it comes to yoga. Some are looking for meditation, relaxation, strength/flexibility training, or a challenging workout. Different things are right for different people and the best thing is to find a place that best meets what you are looking for. I was looking for a challenging workout where I can work on my strength and flexibility. I've recently begun training to run a 5K. I thought that yoga would be a great compliment to my training. When it comes to yoga, I've always enjoyed the overly challenging push-you-to-you-limit type of practice. This is exactly what I got at Evolation. I went to the Hot 90 class which is a 105 degree class for 90 minutes. The only issue I had was that it didn't feel like it was actually 105 degrees. It definitely felt hot though so I'll be trying it again this week to see if I notice the same thing. Also, since it is on Elmwood, the parking can be problematic so definitely get there early. Other classes they offer: a Warm (90 deg) 60 minute class, a Chill 30 minute class meant for mediation, a Flow (80 deg) 75minute class, and a Gentle (75 deg) 60 minute class. There are lots of options, so it's definitely work a try. read more

The classes are pretty good but the space itself leaves something to be desired. It's in an old house, and it seems old. Not updated as much as it could be and the studio itself is awkwardly shaped with columns. The hot and warm classes are standard bikram and good. The flow class is even better. I wish there were more adjustments and direction. That really varies by instructor, but is generally lacking. Overall it's good but not amazing. read more

I just started doing Bikram yoga about a year ago and I love it! Evolation is the only place I've tried this style of yoga but I've found that the staff is so friendly and helpful and I love the classes. The studio is actually quite beautiful and peaceful inside. It is located in an old house on Elmwood, which makes finding parking a bit difficult at times but still worth the small hassle. They sell water bottles and have towels and mats for rent if you forget yours or don't own one. They have a cute little changing room with cubbies to put your belongings and also have showers for use after class...which is helpful if you take a mid day class and have somewhere to be after. As far as the yoga goes- I recommend that everyone try hot yoga at some point in your life. It is the most relaxing, peaceful, stress free thing I've ever done. It's great to take time for yourself and find inner happiness in a constantly fast paced moving world. It is so beneficial for not only just your mentality but also for your physicality. Yoga, especially hot yoga, is great to loosen up your muscles and joints. There are three different classes you can take at Evolation with different times all throughout the day, which makes it convenient...hot90 (105 degree room for 90 minutes), warm60 (105 degree room for 60 minutes), or flow75. I have never tried the flow75 class but I heard it is more of constant moving whereas the hot90 and warm60 classes involve holding poses. Hot yoga is also great to do on a cold winter day to warm up! The packages for Evolation are a little bit pricey, but fortunately, there are always specials for this location on Groupon! Again, I recommend that everyone try hot yoga. It really is amazing! read more

Been coming here for almost 2 years and it's a great Rebecca's 930 am flow classes are awesome. She is so genuine and really knows how to connect yourself to your body . my schedule changed and miss her classes to death . , I wish the warm/ hot classes weren't so repetitive but make my back feel amazing after all the bending down I do and lifting heavy stuff in a tiny basement were I keep a straight back. the bikrim classes help so much ! read more

Best yoga studio ever! I sweat, I meditate, I sweat, I think, I stretch, I sweat, I think more, I sweat, I stop thinking, I just go... And when flow is over after 75 minutes, I think "it just started" .... Thank you Evolation Staff! read more

While training for my first 1/2 marathon, I needed to get creative with my cross training. I have tried hot yoga in the past, so I thought I would give that a try. One of the instructors here, Stacy, was a co-advisor for an alternative break trip with me and on the trip she mentioned the yoga studio she works at. I dragged my friend to their hot 90 (that's 90 minutes in 105 degrees) class to see if we would like it before purchasing the groupon (10 classes for $59 or $100 for two months unlimited). We LOVED it! I have to say our instructor for our first class was not my favorite, but overall, I felt invigorated and absolutely rejuvenated with energy after the class ended. This converted house utilizes its first floor for the yoga studio and the second floor for check-in and changing rooms. When you arrive and walk up stairs, the staff is welcoming and the space is also very calming. They have two full bathrooms in the house for showering purposes and I think that is a very nice perk for guests, especially given their location in the heart of Elmwood. I have not used their shower (as my friend lives 2 blocks away), but I can see the convenience in it and have seen other students utilize it. They are kept very clean, which I really appreciate. After my first class, I started taking classes fairly consistently. Evolation follows the traditional bikram sequence of poses which is nice for those who enjoy the consistency and predictability of those classes. Hot 90 is definitely a challenge as all poses are repeated twice, where as the warm 60 classes goes through the same sequence but some poses are only done once. They also offer a flow 75 class (room temp), meditation and chill class. I like that they have classes throughout the day, starting as early as 6am and classes starting as late as 8pm. When I first started taking the classes, it was in the dead of winter, so it felt amazing taking the hot 90 whenever. Two weeks ago, I took a 6pm hot 90 and thought I was going to pass out. The room was already hot, but the sun baking down on the room made it that much hotter. Which brings me to my next main point for why this place does not get 5 stars from me. Your experience at Evolation (much like I have seen from the other reviews) will depend heavily on your instructor. I am sure they are all well trained and do a great job, but they are just so different. I have been to a number of classes now and I can definitely tell you my favorite instructors and my least favorite instructors. I am not a picky person but I do not enjoy instructors who are too forceful with their instruction (it is not calming) and those who are too relaxed and joking (it makes it hard to concentrate). My favorite instructor is probably a toss up between Stacy and Steve, two instructors who are clear in their instruction without being too forceful - their enunciate without yelling and react appropriately to the group's atmosphere. What I do not like is when instructors are so rigid that they do not adapt to how the group is reacting to something as intense as hot yoga. There was one instructor who did not open the door even for 5 seconds when most of the class was struggling from the heat. Challenge is important, but when most of the class is just lying there, it's time to switch things up. I am not sure if I will be purchasing another package with Evolation just because it is quite pricey if you do not attend regularly. They do have student packages, but I am fairly fickle when it comes doing exercise. I think I might switch it up and try spinning classes at the place next door, BIke o' Bar (get it?). Overall, a good place. read more

Evolation yoga studio offers strictly Bikram classes during which the temperature of the room is maintained at 105 F. This kind of yoga is pretty intense, so if you are a beginner, I would recommend starting with a few Vinyasa classes and building up to Bikram. With that said, the classes at evolation are pretty good, and leave you feeling flexible, and clear of mind. The downside of evolation is the facilities; the yoga studio is cramped and has an awkward layout, and the temperature fluctuates. If you attend a 6 pm class, come early, or you will end up squeezed in the corner, rubbing elbows with sweaty neighbors. This place is a pretty good option for yoga in the city of Buffalo, I just wish the facilities were improved. Classes are on the pricey side, but every few months there are great Groupon offers for unlimited monthly passes if you want to develop your inner yogi! read more

I used to go to Evolation when it was on Elmwood, I moved to Colorado 2 years ago and I am back in town and attended the Warm 60 class this morning. David was the instructor and he was always my favorite. I brought my mom with me and it was her first warm/hot yoga class ever and she loved it as well! This class is great for beginners and advanced levels. Will definitely be back when I am in town again! read more

I went for my first yoga class at Evolation yesterday and I left feeling like a million bucks. I felt rewarded physically, mentally, and emotionally. I was in a great mood the rest of the night. Yoga is really a treat. If you are tempted to try it I assure you that it is worth giving a try. This place is great! read more

This is a nice little yoga place in a great location (although there is a lot of competition in the Elmwood area). The first time I went, I had not realized how hard hot yoga would be. I showed up for the 105F class, and just was not prepared. I ended up leaving and they did not charge me for the class (I think I lasted all of fifteen minutes). A year and a half later and a bit more yoga practice, I showed up for the flow (80F) class. I definitely sweat, a lot, but I didn't feel trapped like I did in the hotter class. The poses were a bit repetitive and nothing too difficult, but were put in a rotation that went well for my body. Just as my legs were getting too tired/sore, the focus moved, which was nice. My friend really enjoyed it, too. It's two days later and I'm a bit sore, but in a good way. I will be going back again, though I will have to work my way up to even the "warm" class! read more

I tell everyone to try Bikram yoga, because it may really surprise you. Evolation is really a great local studio. The instructors seem to know their stuff and the studio is really cute. They have towels/mats and water that you can purchase, little cubbies to hold your things and even showers in the bathrooms if you so choose to use them. The prices are a little steep, however I always go to Groupon to get the good deal with they have year round. Its a great workout, especially in a Buffalo winter. read more

Evolation has the antidote to the Buffalo winter - hot yoga. And Evolation has a hot yoga formula I haven't seen anywhere else, offering "warm" yoga. Warm is only an hour and only 90 degrees, it's fewer of the traditional poses of Bikram's hot yoga series. Evolation also offers "hot" which is 105 degrees/90 minutes and is the full Bikram hot yoga method. Warm yoga fits into a busy schedule, was perfect for me who needed a gentler start back after years of not practicing, and sometimes just because I want a gentler class. I haven't tried the "chill" mediation class or the "flow" class yet, but I will. Like the place, the instructors are warm and hot/nice and inspirational. read more

Loves this place. Thank God for Hot Yoga and the Evolation team.

Best yoga in Buffalo! I love the vibe, everyone is so friendly- staff and guests alike. I used to travel 45 minutes to go to this specific Evolation location because it is worth it. Love Love Love!! read more

I've been going here for a few weeks now and I absolutely love it! I've been searching for a yoga studio that had a wide range of classes and times and this was the one. Every instructor I've had has been so welcoming and kind. I'm a complete beginner and they've made this so easy for me to learn. It's the first exercise I've done that I look forward to doing. It's always clean and the studio is beautiful. They have some really good packages that make the classes very reasonably priced. I highly recommend trying a few classes out! read more

The trick here is finding a good teacher. At first I didn't like it as two teachers sounded like robots, but there are some good ones. Just feel it out. read more

I decided to go to Evolation because of an Amazon Local Deal that was offered (10 classes for $50 or so). I've practiced yoga for a while and in studios across the country. My best friend and I like to try them when we travel. For me, this is part of the fun of yoga- more than just the physical activity and the mental stimulation, it is a cultural experience. This being said, I'm not a yoga snob or anything, and have tried humble studios alongside more refined ones, I'm open to them all and for this reason, I was attracted to the offer. Unfortunately it was not what I expected for a number of reasons. First of all, I bought the deal a few weeks before going to a wedding in North Carolina. I expected to take all of the classes before leaving as a final attempt to relax before a long drive and potentially stressful weekend. I showed up to the first class a few minutes early, probably not enough to take care of the necessary paperwork involved with the deal but usually a studio will sign you in and take care of it after the session. This was clearly not the case! When I arrived, the studio door was locked and a sign was on the door informing the public a session was going on and no one would be let in for an hour. Unbelievable. I drove 45 minutes to get there and meet a friend and the door is locked? Come to find out, the studio is in the basement and the reception area is on the second floor and only one person (the instructor/receptionist) and the door was locked for safety. I couldn't believe that only one person was working. They must be losing business by not even being open to customers who would like information by walk in or phone for that matter. I was a little disappointed but I tried again and didn't write them off right away. My second time around, I was a bit more careful. I came about 25 minutes early to make sure I could get in, finish the paperwork and set up my mat. I arrived to two girls chatting at the desk. I didn't think much of it until I was standing there for a few minutes and was ignored until I said something. I took care of the amazon deal, which they did not know how to process properly and noticed that towels were extra. Luckily I was warned by the friend from story #1 about this. I brought my own. Once the paperwork was finished they told me to set up. Having never been there I had no idea where I was going but they had promptly started their conversation back up so I just did some exploring. When I got to the room, it was hot and wet everywhere (the yoga description was 'warm' not 'hot'). The room was also mirrored and had bars, perhaps an ex dance studio? There were columns breaking up the room, too which made it hard to see. I decided to stay despite these things. So, the class begins and the instructor is the receptionist. Having the experience I had with her, I was a little disappointed. Her style of "teaching was EXTREMELY distracting, too. She was loud and spoke very quickly and sounded more like a drill sergeant than a yoga instructor. I was immediately uneasy and the class seemed to be, too. Also, the skill set was mixed and she did not walk around to correct poses or do any individual acknowledgment. She was also about 7 months pregnant and was taking off and putting on clothes during the class. I was uneasy about the poses she had us doing, too. Some I had never performed or even heard of and they were uncomfortable and difficult even for me. People seemed confused throughout the class. I wasn't happy with the experience and didn't feel emotionally or physically involved, just dismayed and disappointed really. The next day I was in a serious amount of pain and probably won't ever go back. I feel as though I gave them the benefit of the doubt on many occasions but I am still very disappointed. The unprofessional nature of the studio and the sub par instructor that I experienced makes these classes worthless even at a discounted price. read more