I don't know if it was the style of Yoga they do here OR if it was the fact that I have spent the…read morelast couple of weeks road trippin' round the Southern States demolishing fried chicken and BBQ, but this was the hardest yoga class I have ever taken. I was full on sweating, like sweat dripping off my forehead, sweating (and no, it wasn't hot yoga). That being said I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did the intermediate class, which started with sun salutations and seemed to come back to this in some form after each position. It was reasonably fast moving and the positions were challenging so I definitely felt like a got in a good workout/stretch. Single classes here set your back $20, however your first class is $10 and there are plenty of different concession/membership options thereafter. Head to their website for more details and to check out their timetable. The only downside is the yoga room is preeeeetty small. It supposedly fits 12 but we had 7 of us in there tonight and there wasn't a heap of room - If I stretched my arms out, I touched the wall. Whilst, I wouldn't mind if they moved to a bigger venue, I hope these guys stay in Milford. We definitely are in need of a good yoga studio and The Mat more than fits the bill!

Got to experience this wonderful yoga studio with their great newbie special which meant unlimited…read moreaccess for a week. Definitely worth checking out if you want to try the different styles (Kundalini, Yin Yoga, Restorative, Vinyasa Levels 1-2-3) they have on offer- and they have 2 studios as well, both based around Takapuna. This is their most recently opened studio. They are upstairs from the Starbucks, down the alleyway and through the glass doors to your left. With beautiful calming white walls, cushioned wooden benches and a lovely black-white poster at reception. A sliding door hides the tea and fridge with cold drinks. Behind the desk are clean protein powders, yoga mats and other things on sale. You can hang up your jackets and layers on their chrome hooks above the bench and they also have sliding out drawers with keys if you need to lock up valuables. The glazed glass sliding door leads you into the most zen studio I've ever experienced. Venetian blinds around the top of the two walls and clean wooden floors. There is the front instructor mat with two candles burning and a soundtrack in the background. The have a lovely light wood, floor to ceiling shelving system that holds their gorgeous grey bolsters, thick woollen grey blankets and cosy black flannel blankets, blocks and ties. Gets warm in the evenings with their heater- so no excuse not to show up. After class they have two bathrooms with showers if you need to freshen up. Love the range of classes, with great instructors and in love with this studio. Highly recommend that newbie week pass and this yoga studio.

Sweat baby sweat! Bikram yoga is awesome. By awesome I mean it sucks while you're doing it, but it…read morefeels awesome afterwards, and you can pretty much hear your body going 'woah!' It's basically intense stretching in intense heat for about an hour. It is yoga in a sauna. The studio is pretty unassuming, but once you get upstairs you;re definitely in yoga-land. There is a small range of gear that you can buy and a mat. The actual studio has a big mirror acroos the front, mainly so that the instructor can help you out if you need it. Take the help, it would not be good to have bad technique in a class like this. When you first get started it can be a bit overwhelming, and this is perfectly natural. It truly is like nothing else you;ve ever done so your body and more importanly your mind will be trying to deal with it. My advice it to focus on the moves, focus on your body rathet than the heat. Tell yourself that it is good for you, and also that you can leave if you want to. It is challenging, but that;s why not everyone does it. Stick with it, and you'll experience one of the most unique and rewarding exercise styles i've ever encountered. There is a bathroom with full showers and change area for before or afterwards. I know it sounds a bit daunting, but go on, try it. It really is pretty amazing.

Want to try something completely different, fun and physical? Then give Altitude Pole a go! A…read morefriend and I rocked up to our first Aerial Yoga class, the introduction class on a Saturday morning and had an absolute blast. Aerial Yoga is a class with various yoga poses done on hammocks that are hung (securely we were assured - up to 500kgs!) from the ceiling. We were warmly welcomed by our class instructor and taken through the basics before the class started, such as an explanation of the hammocks. We were then placed at the front of the class so she could keep an eye on us, and away we went! We went through a number of really cool yoga poses with the slings, stretches, relaxation poses, whilst gradually building up the difficultly over the class until we were doing inversions and more! Was brilliant fun! Altitude Pole also offer Pole Dancing (definitely on the books) and Hula hoop classes.