As a first time visiter to Seattle, I was eager to practice some yoga during my stay. After looking at a bunch of options, I was fortunate to find that The Grinning Yogi was not only a ten minute walk away from where I was staying in Capitol Hill, but that it offered a new client special - 3 classes for $39 (good for 15 days). Drop-in classes are $26, so I opted to purchase the new client pass. My yoga instructors were all very friendly and welcoming. The space has warm wooden floors, with mats and props readily available. There are a number of classes, and I found the 7am classes perfect for my schedule. As a seasoned yogi, I was delighted to have found a place to land during my stay in Seattle. read more

I visited The Grinning Yogi while I was in the city and instantly felt at home. The studio has a warm, welcoming energy, and the instructors are genuinely kind and encouraging, especially if you're newer or easing back into practice. The class was challenging but still very approachable, with plenty of space to modify and listen to your body. I left feeling both grounded and energized, which is exactly what I want from a yoga class. It's one of those studios that makes you want to come back again and again‍ read more

This review is for the Capitol Hill location. Pleasant, knowledgable, helpful instructors. Nice space. Other yogis are friendly. Their In Studio Groove class is flowing without being excessively fast paced like many hot yoga classes. Personally, I wish the music was softer or not there at all; sometimes I cannot hear the teacher well and in any case I prefer no music at all so I can better focus on form and breath. However, this is just my opinion; music is evidently what most people want. Other than that personal quibble, The Grinning Yogi is highly recommended. read more

Background: I attended the in-studio groove class with Ashish at the Capitol Hill location. I had never been to an in-person yoga class... ever... but a friend invited me to go with (Got in for free, since they're a member). I have very minimal yoga experience, some extremely sporadic self-practice with YouTube videos, but am by no means an experienced yogi. I also have a pretty marked autoimmune history with Polymyositis and often have anxiety surrounding my bodily ability, since the autoimmune condition I am in remission for primarily targeted my muscles and caused severe muscle weakness/fatigue. Experience: Ashish is an incredibly compassionate, knowledgeable, positive and motivating instructor. My favorite thing he said was "option to smile here." Might seem silly but I really appreciated the gentle reminder to enjoy the experience and be in the moment. I do run quite warm and sweat a lot () and although the rooms are advertised as "lightly heated" - and I do believe they are compared to hot yoga classes - MAN was I SWEATIN. I did experience that old friend anxiety popping up to remind me of my learned limitations... however I did truly feel very supported and guided through this experience. After the class, my mind and body were SO grateful for the time I set aside to nourish them. I felt as though I got a great workout, without overextending myself which is extremely important in the management of autoimmune aftermath. During the class, I definitely modified some of the poses/flow and felt empowered to listen to my body and act accordingly. It seemed like there were folks from many different levels of yoga practice attending, so I did not feel pressured to adhere exactly to the instruction, which added to the positive experience. Overall, my experience with this studio was extremely positive and I absolutely plan to attend more classes and get a membership. Special thank you to Ashish who supported me the whole way. read more

Everyone is so kind here! I was kind of confused when I first arrived, as there seemed to be two doors that lead to this studio. The door on the left already had a class going on in there, so I wasn't sure if I was supposed to wait since I got there about 10 minutes early. I soon figured out that the door on the right was also a part of the studio, so I went in mostly to avoid the rain. It turns out that that's where people normally enter, take off their shoes, and even take class. I'm from out of town, so I also love that there are mat rentals and the hand towels are free!! I took one of the evening classes with Summer and she was so welcoming and sweet. She has such a bright smile and a warm heart! I've been doing yoga for almost 10 years now, so I'm always excited to travel to different cities to get a taste of local studios. The Grinning Yogi has such beautiful, local and select vibes. Their space is clean and low key. It gave off ZERO competitive vibes that other corporate yoga spaces do. It seems like such a nurturing space that holds memories for a smaller community of yogis. Their restrooms are clean and they have a separate space where the props like bolsters and blocks are. Any yoga space that offers restorative/yin is a solid studio! They seem to offer lots of membership options (I'd maybe recommend a new student drop-in option or something for those of us who travel through here and are not here to stay for months at a time) as well as a YTT. I'm so glad I did yoga here since I was in the Cap Hill area. I didn't sweat as much as I do in other yoga classes back at home in Austin, but the heat and humidity in Seattle is different :) Chill space with welcoming vibes always make for a great place to zen out and get my stretch on! read more

I stopped in here just the other morning to catch a yoga flow early on the weekend! Our instructor was Katie, and she was so wonderful! We did a solid flow that was just challenging enough to be difficult, but still doable for me (a relatively inexperienced yogi!) I have done yoga practices before casually on my YouTube (Yoga with Adrienne, mostly), but this was my first class! When I arrived, Katie was super welcoming. I had a ClassPass so I signed a waiver and set up my mat. The floor has these cute little hearts called mat mates, so you could line up your mat. People started flowing in right before class began, and Katie was so great as an instructor! She had us get foam blocks (provided) to help support certain stances, and informed us that we could get an affirmation card and lay it by our mats if we wanted to be adjusted in our positions or possibly a small massage during poses. I got an affirmation card, and was so grateful I did! Katie was gentle and kind. I was brand new, so she showed me where the bathroom was (through the blue door on the far end of the studio) and showed me where the cubbies are. When people come to class, they mostly take off their socks and shoes and practice barefoot, so I followed suit. Throughout the flow, there were two calming space heaters running to keep the room warm, and calming music playing in the background. Throughout the practice, I would follow instructions as best I could and Katie would come around and adjust my stance if I needed it. Boy, did I feel the difference it made to be in the proper form! I was also grateful during the ending portion, she came over and did what felt like a cervical release on my neck, and in one of the child's poses, a small massage on my back. I left literally feeling relieved, comforted, an in touch with my mind, body, and spirit. The theme of the practice was patience, and I practice patience while flowing through even the more challenging poses. The people there are also really friendly. I chatted with a few of the regulars after class while packing up, and also spoke to the instructor a bit more. Everyone was so kind and warm. Overall, I adored The Grinning Yogi and I am signing up for my next class as I speak! Super excited to go back :) read more

I visited here on a work trip. The basement studio is one room with a change room / washroom in the back. The class was full of energy and absolutely packed. Be cautious if you don't like being too close to your fellow yogis. Room heated up quickly because of all the moving bodies - I was dripping in sweat at the end of class. The instructor was very eccentric, and had an interesting flow. Made for a very cool Seattle experience! read more

Great instruction, studio vibe is great, lots of props to borrow. Anya was very welcoming to me as a newcomer and it was clear she had a relationship with many of the students. She also gave me a free mat rental since I was there from out of town. I will definitely be back next time I am in Seattle for work. read more

What great classes! Really warm, professional teachers and a cozy room. I love this location and will be continuing to go here, highly recommend read more

The Grinning Yogi is a hot yoga gem in Capitol Hill. After visiting many yoga studios in Seattle through my ClassPass membership, the GY always has me coming back for more asana-kicking goodness! Classes are perfect for all levels, so you'll be sure to fit right in. The room is lightly heated (maybe 80-90 degrees) to soothingly relax your muscles before getting a good sweat in. Like all workouts, the amount you sweat depends on the amount of work you put in -- but it's safe to say that the vinyasa flows here are always quite the workout! I'm a big fan of the Groovin' Flow and Rockin' Flow classes -- specifically because their poppin' playlists are always on point! It makes practicing yoga so much more fun when you're doing it to good tunes. The instructors are very laid back, knowledgeable and welcoming. They provide hands-on assists and occasional savasana neck massages. I love that they all have wonderful senses of humor, poise and personality; it makes it easy to come back time and time again. Aside from lack of shower and lockers (which are not a necessity for me), I love practicing yoga in this studio. Plus, the bolsters that are provided for you at your disposal make it even more worth it to practice here! read more

The Grinning Yogi - Beautiful mural inside the studio - Yoga Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I have been to so many yoga studios around the country--so when I sing praise, you know the place is good! And The Grinning Yogi is THE BOMB! I had a friend in the area and I suggested some yoga to relax us both. I had heard good thing about The Grinning Yogi, but had yet to try it out. But, heck, if it's called The Grinning Yogi, it better be fun. We went to Michael's Rockin Flow class...which I later found out was the advanced class. LOL...we just thought "rockin" meant higher energy music. However, Michael really tailored the class to each person and every level. He was really hands on in adjustments and really pushed my practice to a new level! He did some super creative poses with props that we wouldn't usually use. He was also awesome himself (and we spent like twenty minutes chatting with him after class). He was so encouraging and gave everyone a hug after class. Anyway, he was amazeballs!!! Studio: We walked into the studio, and I was a little surprised to see a one room studio. I am used to the larger ones with yoga seeming to be built up these days. However, it was no issue as our class was very small. Schedule: They offer classes at great times here-- even later at night than most studios. They also have yoga jolt classes which are a super quick and convenient way to get in your yoga in 35 minutes! I also just love the names of their classes. Super creative. They also have donation classes that support a good cause! Nice!! Prices: The prices here are pretty standard. I got the new student special which is a super good deal. You can bet I will be back to use my other two classes! Anyway, this place is really a yoga gem! read more

I checked out the the Grinning Yogi on a weekend up in Seattle. it was (in my best Jess from New Girl voice) hot, hot, hot. Figuratively and literally. I took class with Jamie and it was hella fun. Great energy and really fun soundtrack. If you're into gentle movement and a new-age soundtrack, this probably is not your yoga home. The class kicked my butt. And I liked it. The Grinning Yogi is an adorable one-room studio (Read: be nice; they're a small biz and the instructor is the cashier/receptionist. And don't a bumhole and show up 15 mins late to class.) Tip 1: The studio has new student specials. Yay! Tip 2: It's adjacent to Remedy tea for post class sips. read more

I attended Flow Down here on Sunday via Class Pass. Ryan was the instructor. I frequent a few places for yoga on the hill and downtown. Ryan's instruction was the best I had experienced in awhile. Very nice flow, and much appreciated assistance when needed to get into the correct stances & postures. His assistant that day was very helpful was well. I take off 2 stars, because this was the grimiest studio I've been to ever. As soon as I sat down on the mat I spent the entire class trying not to touch the floor. It looks like it hasn't been swept or mopped in forever. Hair everywhere. Old stickers, and sticker residue on the floor. Then when I was on my back and looked up towards the ceiling there was a fan, with at least 2 years worth of dust on it. Actually all of the pillars and pipes around the room needed a good cleaning and attention. Cleanliness is pretty high up there for me with everything so it dampened my experience. Don't need to be packed in small studio with several others breathing in dirt, dust and debris. read more

I love my yoga studio. The teachers are very good. They share open authenticity, great yoga teaching skills, wonderful mindful practice and a fun connecting community. I've been to many studios in Seattle and this in my fav. They've also made classes as accessible as possible during covid with virtual, recorded, outdoor and in person classes available. read more

Annie led a "Chill" class, and she has so much energy! The sequence was interesting, and I enjoyed the class.

After a long hiatus from Yoga (I want to say it's been close to 8 years since I last did it!), I finally had a chance to go back to try to pick up my yoga routine again. I decided to check out the Grinning Yogi because of a really high rating and the close proximity to where I live. After all, if I were to try to pick up a new routine again, the efforts must not be so great that I feel like I have to make a huge effort wake up, prep and drag myself out of bed and drive to where I can make myself work out all the kinks in my body. I'm so glad I found The Grinning Yogi. The instructor was really helpful, and they seemed to offer a lot of variety of yoga/styles and different types of teachers/flows, so that you can find the one you like/that matches your style/schedule, too. The community is very open. There's no judgemental people here. Even though I'm so stiff and can't possibly bend like all those hardcore yogis, I didn't feel out of place or weird...and didn't get any stare/glaring look from anyone like "OMG.she's weird" :)...so that definitely made me feel at peace. The style I did in the class today was different from the Bikram style (hot yoga) that I was used to doing in Thailand. Some poses I had never done (but you can still do/push at your own pace and really get to stretch out your body. Although their room is warm, it's definitely not as warm as Bikram Yoga. In an hour or so, I was definitely sweating like a pig..maybe my body wasn't so used to it yet..but I'm so glad..I feel so refreshed now! Plus, I sort of like how they have the soft music with changing beats/rhythm playing in the background, too. I went in there for the first time today wondering if I would ever find a place where I can see myself going often enough..and left the Grinning Yogi today feeling how much I've missed all the yoga practices all these years. Thank you The Grinning Yogi for connecting me back to my old feelings and how much I enjoyed yoga again. I will definitely stop by again soon! read more

Awesome studio. Wish they had early morning classes and I would've stayed a member. Feedback: have a regular 6am or 6:30 am hour long class. read more

Great instructors, lovely studio, all at and affordable price. I love The Grinning Yogi and wish I still lived in Seattle so I could enjoy it. On a 10-day vacation I decided to purchase the new student package, $18 for 3-classes (use within 15-days). Each class comes with a complimentary towel and use of their bolsters. I paid $2 to rent a mat. The FUNdamental FLOW was a great into back into my yoga practice and the Chillin Flow classes was a lot of fun. I've never done "hot yoga" before and at first I wasn't use to the temperature in the studio but easily adapted to it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I would recommend this to anyone in the area! read more

Oh, I loooove The Grinning Yogi. I have been coming here for about 3 years, and have never been disappointed. Love: - It's heated, but only enough to feel warm and cozy - Teachers are highly experienced, passionate, have their own individual styles, and have really creative and thoughtful flows - There is often a message to ponder throughout the class. It is usually a quote, a story, or a poem that the teacher shares that helps us think outside of ourselves. This is probably the most valuable part of the class for me. - The vibe of the space is calming- the colors, the murals, the lighting. - Awesome music! - Favorite teachers are Jamie, Sam, Tara and Anja =) Don't love so much: - Trying to find parking. Definitely give yourself extra time to find a spot, and probably walk a few blocks. - Can get crowded. The evening classes can especially feel cramped at times, but I can also appreciate the energy of all the yogis. I have attended a ton of yoga classes at many different studios throughout Seattle, and TGY remains my favorite. I tell every yogi about it, and would highly recommend it! read more

Found The Grinning Yogi on ClassPass, and I'm SO glad I did. I've taken two classes so far with Annie, and she is so incredible. She has such a welcoming, kind, and bright energy. Her classes are tough but so fun and rewarding. I've definitely noticed a good mix of deep stretch movements and then strength movements, which I love. I always feel so open and light and refreshed after the classes. I live on the east side, so I wish there was a location a bit closer to me, but it's worth the drive to experience these great classes. I haven't taken a class with any instructor besides Annie so far, but I've heard great things about the other instructors too :) I'm sure you can't go wrong with any instructor here. I also like how intimate the studio is -- it creates a small community feel, which is awesome for yoga. It really is an empowering, uplifting, and calming environment. I will definitely continue making the drive to Seattle for these classes!! 10000% worth it. If you're new to yoga or even advanced, I think you can find your place here. I've also noticed that all of the class attendees are super kind too -- this just seems like a place that attracts kind, positive, and welcoming people. Such a cool vibe. Finding parking can be a bit of a headache -- as it always is for me in the city -- so I always leave a bit earlier to give myself 10 or so minutes to find parking. I'd highly recommend bringing a little towel for your sweat... you'll get nice and sweaty here, but it feels great!!!! read more

I honestly don't know why this place has such high reviews. I really gave it a good shot - attended 5 classes with 4 different teachers - but it just doesn't work for me. 1) The space is a pit. It's a basement space with little natural light. There's often loud noise coming from the the business upstairs. There's no separation between the entry-desk area and the studio. The wall murals are gaudy rather than calming. 2) The room is uncomfortably hot. It's not bikram level, but it's about 90 degrees. I know that some people like this, but personally i find it very hard to breathe in. My muscles feel heavy and lethargic and i have no sense for whether i've actually warmed my body up correctly. The classes are often extremely full as well, so this raises the temperature. They never air out the studio between classes, so if you come to a class at the end of the day you have to sit in the humid musk of over 100 people who have practiced before you that day. 3) There is no individual attention/alignment correction. This could be due to the style/preference of the instructors or because the classes are often extremely full. They go the whole class without touching you and then at the end while you're trying to rest/meditate in savasana they come by and spray essential oils on you. 4) Even though they have an online sign-up system they don't cap the number of people allowed in. One time I arrived after having reserved online and there was no room. I had to come back for a later class. read more

I bounce between sorta chubby and more than sorta fat and kinda in shape to basement nerd immobile more often than most people buy shoes. This isn't healthy. This isn't very "Seattle". But it's very me and that's where this review is coming from. I've started taking my health seriously again after a big swing in the other direction and decided (kind of out of no where) that I wanted to do yoga. I've never taken a yoga class and actually detest group exercise. I don't know where inside of me the motivation or determination came from but I decided I was going to try my first ever class and I picked the Grinning Yogi. The website was easy to navigate, had nice inspiring quotes, information on their instructors and sounded really fun. A few short clicks later and I was signed up for my first ever class - and on a Saturday morning no less! It's pretty enticing with an intro offer of $18 for 3 classes (15 day expiration) My first class was FUNdamentals with Adrienne and it was absolutely the perfect introduction to Yoga, Vinyasa, flow and the studio all in one. She did a great job of instructing the basics, encouraging our flow and all while playing great tunes. It definitely is a work out - and the best part is some super chill, relaxation at the end. I was pretty zen. Reasons why I've signed up for a 10 class pass and actually look forward to my classes (wow, who'da thunk?) * It's really small and has a friendly, neighborhood feel to the studio * no mirrors! I can pretend that this is my own personal little time, without being distracted by comparing myself or critiquing my body in a mirror. * Everyone is sweating! (Except the instructors who are impermeable to heat apparently) I don't have to feel awkward for getting red & sweaty - we're all in the same boat * I feel very welcome. I don't look like anyone else there. I don't move like anyone else there. But I don't for one second feel out of place or judged. It is the most open/encouraging environment one could hope for. I've taken a few Chillin flow classes too (Michael was awesome!) but am not yet ready for anything more challenging. I wish there were more intro classes but will take the ones I can get! Overall a great experience and highly recommended for ALL experience levels! read more

I absolutely adore this new little yoga spot and am always looking forward to a juicy, chilled out vinyasa class every Sunday afternoon with Jamie :) Even though I consider myself an athlete (actively exercising 1+hr everyday with high impact cardio/weights), I was still intimidated by yoga since I'd never gone to a practice before (to be fair, I do go to barre3, but it's a mixture of pilates/yoga/ballet, and pure yoga is much different!). On my first visit, Jamie was super sweet and helpful and made the experience comfortable and not at all scary. For the "Chillin' Flow," the pace is more relaxed and positions are held longer to really stretch you out (which, as a heavy runner, is totally appreciated and needed!). I've also taken the "Groovin' Flow" class with Melanie which is fun and funky! Each of the instructors will come around and help adjust you (unless you signal to them that you don't want them to, of course), and towards the end the classes usually cap off with a few restorative poses and some soothing massage (my FAVOURITE part!). The studio space is teeeeeny tiny, but that's part of it's charm. The proximity to Remedy Teas, and the Shop Agora are also a huge plus in my book, since I can grab a delicious iced tea and snack after sweatin' my butt off! read more

Amazing, awesome, incredible, or just wow!!! I have wanted to try Yoga for years never building up the courage to do it until today and I am so glad that I tried The Grinning Yogi, everything about my experience today was fantastic, I think I am on my way to becoming a Yoga fanatic after one class!!! First off, I had no idea that there were different levels and like an idiot I went to a harder session (on my first ever attempt) but the person leading the session, Lindsay, (I hope I spelled her name correctly and more on her later) was so awesome and kind, she just kept saying, "don't worry, you will do fine, go at your own pace" so positive and supportive. So I jump right into my first session of Yoga and this stuff was hard and really rewarding at the same time. I'm sure I only got about 25% of it right and it was still an amazing experience. The studio area was clean and bright, it was warm for the session which I loved, great soothing music playing and the others attending could not have been any nicer. I showed up without a mat and they provided one for only $2.00. OK, the instructor, Lindsay, she was the best!!! She beamed enthusiasm, she could not have been any kinder had she tried, her positive attitude was infectious, and she never stopped providing direction and feedback. After the session was over she made a point to find me to tell me that I did great, she was being kind, and when I praised her she modestly stated that all of the instructors at The Grinning Yogi were great. I am taking up Yoga and I will be going to The Grinning Yogi when I go!!! Until next time fellow Yelpers, remember to ............. Be Local ......... Live Local ............. and BUY Local!!! read more

So, I go up to Seattle for the weekend to visit a friend. And she's like, I'll go to this bar you want to go to later so you can look for this other girl (long story) but first you gotta go do a yoga class with me. Now I don't really do a lot of yoga, but my friend's like, there'll be lots of cute girls in class and who doesn't like lots of cute girls in yoga pants? (Plus there was that whole bar thing). So we go to class, and my friend is right about the yoga pants. But I gotta say that I was also surprised at how much I liked the class. Half the time I've been dragged to classes at other places, they go boring-ass slow and I get sleepy. Or they do these crazy moves where they ask you to bend your back into some weird configuration that's not humanly possible. The class we took was well-paced and the moves felt really balanced. And I actually felt more limber afterwards. Which kinda makes me want to reconsider this yoga thing-- at least a little. read more

I visited TGY for the first time during my most recent Seattle visit. Anya's early morning Groove class was excellent... a bit more strenuous than my regular practice, but a great way to wake the body and start the day. The studio is small but spacious enough, and warm but not too hot. I shall return on future Seattle visits! read more

I've been going to the Grinning Yogi regularly for almost a year. I actually quit my gym membership for an unlimited auto membership at GY. I go here 3-4 times a week on average. I've had variable and somewhat negative experiences at other studios in Seattle. Reflecting on how good I have it with GY inspired me to write this review. Gently heated, which is perfect for me. The atmosphere is super laid back. I don't feel intimidated or out of place. The instructors are all attentive with a great sense of humor. They don't take it too seriously! Awesome playlists with 90's throwbacks. I really appreciate the emphasis on listening to and having compassion for your body. Very welcoming for modifications and skipping whatever doesn't feel right. They really approach yoga as a process. I literally don't know where the time goes sometimes. We start to flow and then all of sudden you are in shavasana. I can't imagine another workout where I'm so focused and enjoying myself that 75 minutes feels like 15. read more

This is my new favorite place on 15th. Great hours! Perfect temp! Sweet beats! Plus the BF broke his yoga cherry here! Gotta love that. I don't usually go with the flow but here I'm rolling down the river. read more

I suspected this would be an amazing experience and it way. Lovely understated studio, welcoming instructor checked me in, the props are organized very well especially the rentable mats- sweaty hung in one spot clean in another. The class was a myofascial release, it was taught beautifully start to finish and was exactly what I needed. Thank you , I'll be back read more

I'm new in town visiting and I wanted to reset myself a little bit. I've been practicing yoga at home with YouTube videos for about a month a half. I chose today for my first in person 60 minute yoga class. I had the last flow of the day with a sweet talented instructor named Shannon. I worked up a sweat and struggled with poses. There were a few poses I did not know. Shannon was kind and helped me out and feel accepted into the class. She is soft spoken ,calm and patient. It was a very encouraging experience. Although I was shaky, it was awesome to have this class for my first. I felt like I learned a lot because class had plenty of variety. The studio is very organIzed, perfectly spaced and very clean with a calm vibe. I'm looking forward to my next class. read more

I like this small studio - I totally rolled my eyes when I saw they were yet another heated power vinyasa studio, but checked them out for their $18 for three classes in 15 days trial period kind of deal. I've been to two classes, and while it's heated, it's definitely not hot yoga. It's just warm enough to get you nice and bendy. They also play some pretty awesome music, well varied, good and upbeat, mostly rock and some electronic type music. They offer small towels for free, which is a nice touch, and rental mats and towels for $2. The paintings on the walls (murals, not portable art type paintings) are really appealing, and even though it's down a little underground, the studio feels sunny and bright. The teachers are nice here, too. My reason for only giving it three stars is that the teachers are all somewhat new. I don't think I saw that anyone had more than their 200 hour teacher training. So while the quality is high, the experience is less than at other studios I've been to, so it seems like the variations offered and corrections are simply not as advanced as at other studios, so I feel like the classes are somewhat less challenging. That probably means it's a great intro studio, and as it's pretty near my house, I'm sure I'll attend from time to time. I just don't feel pushed to do as well. == EDITED == I took a class from Michael (my third and final trial class) and boy am I glad I did. It made me upgrade this to a 4-star review (from 3 stars before). I like it when I'm challenged and learn new stuff every time. Michael's variations and adjustments were amazing, and he's such a sweetie that he gave me a hug on the way out. I had a lot of fun and sweated my butt off! Will definitely attend his classes again! read more

Amazing first class at this studio! Danielle is an excellent teacher, she made an effort to talk with each person who came thru the door, and her flow of the whole class was so natural and creative. I loved how she brought in a theme that stayed present throughout the entire practice. The studio space itself is at a perfect temperature for heated vinyasa, and has a very nice ambience and vibe. I'll definitely come back! read more

This is a great studio! Especially for beginners because they offer classes such as FUNdamental Flow and Chillin' Flow which are very helpful classes for those just starting for the first time or returning to yoga and want a refresher. For the more experienced yogis, they have classes like Rockin' Flow and Groovin' Flow! I've only taken classes with Jamie, and she's by far the most inspirational and enthusiastic instructor I've ever had the pleasure of taking a class from. She makes it a point to remember peoples' name and I was actually very impressed by how much attention she gives to each member to really get to know them. I think everyone should try this place out for the 3 classes for $18 deal! You won't regret it! read more

I am brand new to yoga but I have been to the grinning Yogi three times now and it was a good experience each time. They appear to have a wide variety of offerings, I went to three different ones, and all three instructors that I had were wonderful and friendly. The studio is clean and pleasant, heated to about 80F, which I found wonderful. I think they have given their music selection a lot of careful thought to reflect the various offerings, but I wish it were a little quieter and instrumental only. However I realize this is a personal thing, and anyway it's not something that would keep me away. I have really enjoyed going. The pace may be a little fast for people who are brand new like me, but they had suggestions for how to modify any of the poses to make them easier or more difficult for all levels, and they have been very happy to answer my questions about anything I didn't catch the first time afterwards. One last thing, the instructors have all been very respectful of personal space. They make sure you are ok with being touched before offering hands on correction and guidance. It made me feel so comfortable. read more

How I miss TGY! I moved from Seattle 2 years ago and in LA I haven't found the community or excellent instruction that I enjoyed here. I really miss flowing with other beautiful souls and the personal connection each class brought me. Many times when practicing on my own I hear Jamie's positive voice in my head, encouraging me to be kind to myself (in more saucy words) and to accept where I am as I am. Wish I could find a positive, beautiful space like this is Los Angeles! read more

I took Adrienne's "FUNdamental Flow" class on Saturday and it was amazing! Trust me when I say that I've done my share of yoga classes and this was one of the best. This is a fantastic introductory class for those who have either taken a break from yoga or for someone who is new to the practice. Adrienne's a fabulous teacher who provides clear instruction that allows you to flow through the class seamlessly while still achieving a sense of peace. Her playlist is trendy, yet soothing and I left feeling calm and refreshed. The studio itself is cute, small (but not cramped) and welcoming. In addition, even though this is a hot yoga studio, the temperature is reasonable and you don't feel as if you are at risk for overheating. So far, I give this place 5 stars and will plan to keep returning!! read more

I love this place! The teachers are superb- so caring and considerate. I've been going to their Capitol Hill studio for over two years and cannot recommend the place highly enough. read more

I love this studio! It is humble--no locker rooms, one bathroom, no mirrors or flashy speakers. It's good flow-style yoga and is heated but not overly so. The classes and instructors really vary, so I recommend taking advantage of their new student specials to shop around! read more

I am writing his review after a full week during my ongoing membership from December. I was really bummed when I moved and didn't have Modo Yoga Greenlake accessible for me anymore. I love The Hill but I miss the lake etc. I missed those guys and had yet to find a studio that felt like actual meditative yoga and not too trendy or fitnessy. I go to the gym and run with my boyfriend and don't have a car so my cardio is fine. I need a place to meditate and practice my individual body. This is so right for that. Tara and Sarahrose really speak to me as instructors. They are so reassuring and keep me in the moment. The whole team is eclectic and free spirited. I feel at home but open-hearted. I'm about to go on the April challenge and I can't wait. There is no better time but now for me to do a yoga challenge now that I found Grinning. Yay! read more

Those who know me well - or even barely - know yoga is a central component of my life; I'm never far from a studio, and it's supported me through many a dark day, month, or year. Recently I spent a month in NYC completing a 200-hour yoga teacher training, an experience that transformed not only me but also my practice. As a student, I've found myself desiring different things from a class, and a teacher, than I did prior to my training. That phenomenon of the more you know, the more you know you don't know? So true. Because of that, I'm blessed and blissed to have discovered The Grinning Yogi, and Jamie. I knew about the studio since it opened, but never had the time or ability to head to that part of the Hill for class. Due to changes in life and circumstances and schedule, I do now, and am so grateful for it! The space embodies the spirit there: simple, welcoming, and infused with vibrancy, creativity, and brightness. Jamie and the other wonderful teachers bring their own individual expression of this, but the common thread is an emphasis on self-awareness and empowerment. The teacher's there to guide you, but you're the one who's responsible for your practice. There's never any dialogue about how a pose is supposed to look; rather, it's about what your body can be doing, how it might feel, what you might emphasize or focus on - and the culmination of that isn't anything that can be standardized, as we're all different. As Jamie says often, and as I heard time and again in my training, you are your own best teacher. But of course it takes a really excellent teacher to help students understand that, and to create the kind of space in which students can try new things, fail, fall out of a pose, challenge themselves, or simply rest...and there's no judgment. That's what you'll find at TGY; it's the studio with the most diverse class population I've seen in terms of ages, appearance, size, and experience. All of these values of safety, alignment (not the same thing as appearance!), and the gentle push toward self-awareness and responsibility are what truly spoke to me throughout my training, and I'm so glad I can feel them here. It's a neighborhood studio for sure; there aren't showers or lockers, but class packages and drop-in prices are lower to make up for it. (You can rent a mat if you need!) It's heated but not hot; as a long-time practitioner of hot yoga in various forms (Bikram, vinyasa), I usually don't need to even unroll my yoga towel. And there are short half-hour lunchtime classes, a great option for anyone with a time crunch. If you're a student who's done with the language in far too many yoga classes about getting a beach body or toning or some ridiculous thing like that, you'll never hear that here; it isn't about your body, it's about YOU. And if you're a beginner who has no idea what you want, TGY is a lovely studio in which to start learning more about yoga. And about yourself, in a safe, welcoming space where playfulness and joy are always in the air. read more