This studio has all the makings of a great place but has a few areas to work on. First, there is a…read morelot of chatter in the yoga room itself (and a few cell phones going off during class). I prefer a quieter experience when I enter my yoga space, but that's me. The class itself was hatha so I wasn't expecting an experience where i would be dripping sweat, but this was a very gentle class...yes you can deepen the postures as you need to, but that was challenging when there were so many people in the class that we had little room to accommodate. There is a really beautiful alter that adds a lot to the atmosphere, along with plenty of props for use. There was restrooms and changing areas available as well.

A great studio that offers a wide diversity of classes, from 'hot flow' to Vinyasa to Gentle Yoga…read moreand even occasional specialty classes of sorts. The studio is beautiful. Michael, the owner is a knowledgeable teacher and often brings in new practices from the conferences / etc he attends. There's signs on the ceiling of the main studio that remind you to "focus" and "smile," and the smaller details add a nice touch that demonstrates that a lot of care was put into making this a welcoming environment. The reason I'm only giving it four stars is because there is definitely room to make this place more homey and welcoming. I would suggest: a) Free tea, free mat rentals, a free class every now and then, just some perks. Maybe I like free stuff a little too much, but I think this place could benefit from being more generous to its regulars (they do deals on LivingSocial every now and then) and getting the community more involved.

The Pilates Loft is located inside East Meets West Yoga (Buffalo Foundry location). Parking can be…read morea little wonky so you might want to get there early (this is a shared space so lots of competition for parking, but generally you can find something). When I entered I was greeted by the EMW front desk staff and directed back to the Pilates room. The room itself is quite beautiful and well appointed. There is some Pilates equipment (forgive me that I don't know the name of all of it), but the course that I was taking focused on mat work. There are plenty of mats available if you don't have one. Larry was our instructor and he was outstanding. He walked the class through a series of warm ups and then the Pilates exercises. Larry was clearly an expert in anatomy and physiology, which really impressed me. He walked us through each exercise and made sure that we were all attending to proper form. Since the class was small, Larry was able to give lots of individual attention (which I loved). After class was over, he checked in with me to ensure that everything went well and that I felt comfortable in the class. I even forgot my water bottle after class and he ran it out to me in the parking lot. Overall, I would recommend the Pilates loft if you are looking to get friendly and personal Pilates instruction in a location where you could also get your yoga on. The workout wasn't as intense as I generally like, but keep in mind tha this was only my second Pilates class and I'm sure that with time it can be intensified.

I am a huge fan of pilates regardless, but was blown away by this class and the space here. The…read moreinstructors know what they are doing and are fantastic at giving you no-touch, descriptive instruction that completely changes your form. I feel like I actually understand what I am doing when I'm in class here. Wonderful open loft/factory style space with large windows. Max I've seen in class here is four people, so you can really get the customized attention you might want. Parking is a bit of a pickle, as the spaces are two deep and you may get blocked in by someone at a longer yoga session. So just be aware when parking. If you know you have to leave in a hurry you can let the front desk know and they'll stick a cone behind your car.

If you are considering becoming a certified hot yoga instructor, I highly recommend Evolation Yoga…read more& 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.

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

Great teachers, amazing flow. Challenging and enlivening. Love the fireplaces and the variety of…read moreclasses available.

Power Yoga Buffalo is one of my favorite spots to get in a good sweat! Located in the heart of…read moreElmwood, you're going to love your first yoga session with this amazing, welcoming team! All of the yoga instructors are very friendly, help you through poses and encouraging. Whenever I leave, I'm certainly feeling the burn in places that I didn't know even existed, but I walk away feeling restored, mentally and physically. I'd leave a longer post about how wonderful Power Yoga Buffalo is, but I have to go book my next class!

The downtown Barre Centric might be the second location out of the current three, but it's where I…read moretook my first official Barre Centric class (my true first class was at Wilkeson Pointe Park, and I liked what I saw, and here we are). Now that the new year has started, I'll be spending plenty of time at the location that kicked off my experience. This location is at the corner of Main and West Ferry, so it's easy to get to from most directions. There is off street parking, which can fill up quickly, but I've never had an issue with street parking and finding a spot right in front of the building. It's easiest to enter through the back entrance in the parking lot, that door is closer to the storage area and restroom, and there's more room to switch out of your shoes and into those grippy socks. If you forget your socks, never fear, there are socks and other gear for sale, just like the other locations. Downtown is definitely the smallest of the three locations, so classes fill up early here. Do yourself a favor and sign up in advance, especially if you're trying to go to Barre Resist. As always, the taller barre is in the front. Don't fear the tall barre, some moves are just easier on it. I promise, you'll be fine. This studio has all four classes on the schedule, although as of this review, there aren't any Barre Bounce classes at Downtown. I tend to go for standard Barre Centric (also in 45 minute express format) and Barre Resist (for those PT friendly stretches). Barre Bounce originally debuted here, and I preferred it here with the high ceiling, although the chances of actually hitting the ceiling were low. If it's your first time, consider choosing a class with either co-owner, Gia or Rachael. Both ladies are wonderful teachers and truly enjoy what they do, and it's obvious to anyone watching. Now that I'm in the middle of a barre challenge, I know I'll be spending lots of additional time at the Downtown location. Barre Centric is a great place to make big changes with small moves. Take it up an inch and down an inch downtown!

This may be the best run studio business in Buffalo (2 locations, one Buffalo, one Clarence). Ive…read morebeen coming back to the Buffalo location since they offered a special with Revolution, just down the road on Main. If you don't know what Barre is, here's a layman's explanation: Ballerinas are the result of hours, days, months, years of practicing the art over and over. At Barre the instructors are all ballet trained, and the classes are based on the moves they did millions of times in the past. Anyone can do the moves, which is great. You see people of all shapes and sizes here, its friendly to all. No matter your past ballet experience, you will see results here from day one, and you'll see improvement over time if you stick with it. I know this from personal experience. You arrive here to a clean and well lit studio and parking lot. Even when its dark, the parking isn't. Gotta love that in the winter. You can come in either the front or back doors, but the "changing area" is in the back. They do ask that your outside shoes come off right at either door, don't track that salt and other wet stuff in. You wear socks or Barre socks (which many wear for yoga too, those footies with little grippy things on the bottom). I wear regular gym type socks and they work just fine. But you can buy the other kind here, and I think that's what most people do. At this location they offer 4 classes - Barre Express - 45 minute Barre class Barre Centric - 60 minute Barre class Barre Bouce - Barre on the trampoline. Yep, on a trampoline. Everyone has their own small, low to the ground, trampoline. There are various moves done on it, interspersed with some other floor work. Its a whole new ballgame from Barre, but lots of fun and challenging in a different way. Barre Cardio - Barre at a faster pace with some different moves The class most people take is Barre Centric, and its offered the most as a result. The Barre Express is often offered at lunchtime I have found. The classes remain more or less the same for a few weeks at a time, so you are not spending each class trying to figure out what's going on. For someone like me, that's great. If I had ballet training it might not matter as much, but I appreciate the consistency. The other location in Clarence doesn't have Barre Bounce, but does have Barre Stick, which uses Pilates sticks in class. You can go to either studio, and I gather that many do mix it up depending on where they will be that day. Classes here start right on time. As a result, its rare for anyone to arrive late, so everyone is pretty focused on the class from the start. I love that they start and end on time. Makes things easier to plan. There is a changing room here with cubbies for your things. Its got plenty of hooks for the winter coats too. The rest room is large with a shower that's fully stocked with shampoos and lotions etc.. Some people do use the shower and facilities Ive found. They must bring their own towels as none are available here. But the facilities are very nice and always so clean. There are even some men who are taking Barre here these days. Nice to see that in the mix. ** The reasons I think its the best run studio in Buffalo - The owners have created a schedule and color patterns that's consistent with the two studios. They have the same themes running throughout. The owners teach tons of classes themselves, but they also hire women who are well trained and consistent in temperament with each other. There is no visible drama here in the workplace. Its a fun place to be as well. As a studio junkie, I have plenty of experience with studios, and this is a well run, well organized, very pleasant place to "get your exercise on".

Owner Megan is friendly and talented. The vibe is warm. Feel great after class. Love to support…read morethis small business.

Yes, "Buti" is pronounced the same as "booty". No, this is not your traditional vinyasa flow. Yes,…read moreyou have to park downtown. But all that aside, Raw Renewal Yoga is my newest place to practice the way I want to, and I absolutely love being able to absorb myself in a style of yoga that fits in with my personal practice. For the unfamiliar, Buti Yoga is probably the most fast paced style of yoga I've ever practiced, and also the one that seems the least like yoga. You will move around. You will sweat. You will get the same mental high that traditional vinyasa yoga gives you. You will dance, and you will dance for joy. Most importantly, you will work hard. I suppose you could say all of that for all of Raw Renewal's class offerings, at least the ones I've tried. Since Raw Renewal Yoga is so close to my office, it's been convenient to attend the lunch hour classes. Those classes are 30 minutes and you can get a lot done in that short time. Hour long classes can be found in the morning and after the work hours. If you're new to the studio, they offer a 2-week unlimited package, which I got in order to try as many classes as I could and decide what I liked the best. And there were many! Buti Yoga is fast paced and kind of insane, so if you want to try something similar but a little slower, consider Buti Flow. During the lunch hour, I tried Buti Bands (resistance bands on legs), Fit Flow (think vinyasa yoga with weights), Sculpt (think HIIT style training), and Hotcore (done in socks for extra drag while you swing your legs all over the place). The lunch classes had similar styles, you would do a cardio type move, then stretch it out in a traditional yoga pose and repeat this for a few sets. Again I say, you can get a lot done in 30 minutes during that lunch break! Megan is the studio owner, and she is extremely welcoming and helpful. I told her about my chronic shoulder injuries, and she has been conscious of it to the point where we were talking about certain yoga poses that may have caused my injuries and how we were going to build up my strength so that I could get back into them. How nice is that? I also took class with LauRen, who was great about getting me into a rotator cuff-friendly version of Hotcore (planks and I don't really get along anymore, so I did the plank moves on all fours and still felt it big time). I didn't make it to class with Mandy, but I've taken her class at Barre Centric a ton of times so I knew what I'd be getting into there, and I can absolutely see how she ended up teaching Buti Yoga! I can't wait to get another pass to Raw Renewal Yoga. It's so wonderful to have another studio in town and a new style to practice in. See you on the mat!

Flex Yoga in Clarence is such a welcoming, positive space! The hot yoga classes are challenging in…read morethe best way--you leave feeling stronger, refreshed, and like you truly did something good for yourself.

Lexi, the owner and are instructor made the event and in my opinion, all of us there feel welcome…read moreand at home. Her class had a different flare, and vibe she brought back home from San Diego where she lived for a few years. The studio was clean, located in a newer plaza, off Main St in Clarence. Relaxing, class overall; my favorite pose other then childs pose, was mountain, working the shoulders. When you work from home, like some of us do, they dont get enough stretch. The positive affirmation sticky notes, and lavender towels were a nice bonus; to maintain everyone zenful state. Hoping to attend another class on May 30, where proceeds are donated to local Mental Health chapter. Thanks Lexi, for the warm hospitality at your studio and for our CM Brandon for organizing, in addition to the guy , who still brought the refreshing drinks at the end; even though there was the issue with their food truck. My selection for drink Dragon Fruit, perfect after yoga.

They are the best! Very good for beginners and seniors. I highly recommend this business!…read more They are the best! Very good for beginners and seniors. I highly recommend this business!

I finally found a wonderful meditative yoga practice in Buffalo...and it turned out to be only a…read morefew blocks away from my apartment! I've heard about the Himalayan Institute for a while, but finally took the plunge and signed up for a 6-week long class series of their "Level II" yoga classes last night. The Himalayan Institute is a wonderful 501(3)c non-profit that offers yoga classes, workshops, lectures, etc inside their elegant mansion on Delaware Ave. When you stop in, you feel like you're inside a cozy home. There's a place to take off your shoes and an immediate bookstore to your left. Further down, there's the main living room where classes take place. It helps to take a class that has 10-12 people and not too much more as the room can get pretty crowded with 16+ people or so I hear. Here's what stands out about the Himalayan Institute: their yoga classes generally center around a meditation-practice. As a result, I feel incredibly relaxed and focused afterward. As opposed to some classes (such as Evolation), where I sweat like I'm inside some Finnish bathhouse and leave the class with more of an exercise high. With most classes, you have to sign up for a full 6-week commitment (usually $80), although they do offer drop-in classes on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30pm for beginners ($5) and on Saturdays (9:30-11am) for a more intermediate ($10) practice. In summary, I adore their meditative approach, yoga teachers as well as the novelty of practicing yoga inside a cozy old mansion. Unfortunately, there are no accessible showers in the facility, but there is a bathroom where you can change.