What a wonderful yoga studio! Excellent location, with parking in the back of the building. As a beginner into hot yoga, I was able to check out a couple free classes during their Hot Yoga Week this year, which I saw in the events section on Facebook. After checking in, you walk upstairs to a very clean and spacious locker room area right next to the studio. Staff and teachers are very helpful and answer any questions you may have. I like to rent their special yoga towel for my mat (it's $2). Or you can order your own online if it's something you get into and prefer to use your own. I love that they have an app you can download to your phone that allows you to view and schedule your yoga classes. The app is called Achieve. Occasionally they have free classes that are taught by new teachers (usually on Saturday's around noon). I would highly recommend checking this place out if you've ever wanted to try hot yoga! They also have other types of classes, which I hope to try out soon. read more

I'm a little late for the hot yoga craze, but after many months of hemming and hawing, I finally decided to sign up for classes with Essential Yoga. There are TONS of hot yoga classes in the Valley now. Several years ago I took a total of two Bikram yoga classes. From what I remember, they were incredibly hard to get through, our water breaks were regulated, it was hot as Hades, and we were highly discouraged from leaving the room. I knew I didn't want to go back to Bikram but I wasn't sure where to go in the Valley until a friend told me about Essential Yoga. The first plus for me is that Essential Hot Yoga is close to my house. And there are four locations: Nampa, Meridian, Glenwood, and Broadway. I can go to whatever location works for me on a given day. Secondly, there are tons of class options. If I don't make a morning class I can easily adjust my schedule to make an afternoon or evening class. One thing I noticed is that they don't have late classes, so you pretty much have to commit to waking up early or taking a class by 5:30ish. Sorry, night owls! My very first class at Essential was in Nampa. I was nervous but the teacher that day (shout out to Linda S!) was SO friendly and understanding. The big difference between Essential and the other classes I took years ago is that it is sooooo easy-going. You can drink water whenever you want to. You can leave the room if you need to. You are strongly encouraged to focus on your own body, your own work, your own progress, and not to compare yourself with others around you. You can literally spend the entire class in savasana if you want. In every class we get (more or less) the same script, and this is part of it. Do you. Embrace the progress you are making. Don't compare yourself to that skinny, freakishly flexible person working next to you. Also in that first class I met some very friendly, outgoing people in the dressing room. They were encouraging, affable, and cool. I don't remember meeting anyone like that at the other studio I went to, where everyone seemed so competitive and self-absorbed. I signed up for the two week introductory package and tried to go every day. Somewhere around day 4 I had to take a day off to go to the chiropractor. Rather than feeling like I failed, I took a different perspective. I have since discovered that going every day might not work for me, but with every class I learn a little more and am able to do more. It's the first time I've ever felt that yoga - hot or otherwise - might be something I can commit to for awhile, and not just a fad. I haven't had a bad teacher yet. Each instructor is different, but on the whole I feel like I've encountered some very caring and understanding guides. One big con of the studios for me is that it's sometimes hard to hear because of the acoustics in the room(s). I wish that could be improved, but if you are going for the first time, just make sure you look in the mirror and follow the people near you. One teacher also gave us some valuable advice: If you have any issues or need any help, talk to your teacher beforehand. I have done this - explaining that a part of my body was hurting and asking for modified poses - and my husband has done this (most recently he asked a teacher to watch the position of his feet), and each time we were very happy with the direction and extra attention paid by the teachers in class. One plus I see about Essential is that yes, it is hot in class. But for some reason it seems more tolerable than the other studio I've been to. Temps are usually between 100-105 degrees with humidity at 40-50%. In the short amount of time I've gone, I've only felt like it was unbearable once, and I think that had to do more with my hydration levels than anything else. If you're new to hot yoga, understand that you basically have to change the way you hydrate yourself. I make sure I stay hydrated all day, so that my body is not in shock when I go to class. One of the things I've also wondered about is whether it would be a good thing to have more medical information about the students in class. I didn't have to fill out a form that said I had medical issues, and if anything happened to me in class, I wonder how that would be handled. I've read many articles about the benefits and pitfalls of hot yoga, and I know that it's not for everyone. I think this would be good information for students to have when signing up for classes. Tip: After day 3, you will start to know the flow of class a little more. You may want to move back from the front if that's the case. The teachers don't necessarily do every pose in class, but if you situate yourself towards the back of the room (which means you won't necessarily be near a mirror or be able to see yourself as well), you may be able to see and hear the teachers a bit better, as they tend to hang out in the rear quite a bit more. Sometimes they will demonstrate poses near you, which is a huge plus. read more

Great vibe, great studio, great instructor. As always hot yoga is only for those who really like it and want to pay the price for it. But I loved and it and will be back. read more

I just recently got into hot yoga, and this was the 3rd studio I had visited. The other 2 studios were located in SoCal, and they can't even compare to Halo. I had a wonderful experience!! The studio is clean, hip, and very relaxing. The lady at the front desk and the instructor were both so nice, and I absolutely loved the flow. The best part is that it's only a $10 drop-in fee for students, which includes a mat and a towel rental! I will be back and I will be investing in a membership for when I'm home from college during the summer! read more

I am so disappointed! I have been taking classes here for many years. Unfortunately, the previous owner (who was amazing!!!) moved and new ownership is not helpful or pro-customer. After a problem with my billing and class card, I needed to speak with the owner. After 2 follow ups and no response, I finally got a message from the instructor that I spoke with. There was no attempt to resolve the problem only the response that I was out of luck in fixing things. Thankfully, my class card is used up (due to the error) so I will move my practice to a studio that wants the best for their clients versus seeing dollar signs. read more

Halo hot yoga changed my life. The environment is inviting, and the people are over the top welcoming. The instructors are great! Well informed and professional. Best of all, they all seem passionate about what they do. None of that lagging "when is this over?" Yoga. The facility is beautiful and offers multiple showers and lotions and all. The students are immaculate inspiration. I always feel inspired to come back tomorrow here. My new yogi life has helped me look some challenges in the face that have followed me my entire life: from body image issues and eating disorders to commitment and timeliness I can thank halo for an inspiring and uplifting environment to help me face my life's largest challenges. They also offer a variety of classes with a diversity of instructors who integrate a variety of poses so you won't get bored. Finally, the instructors are mini djs, the music is fitting perfectly organized. I can also clearly understand the instruction at this studio, and did I mention the class flies by?!? Fastest and most fun yoga of my life. Halo hot yoga is a fitting name, cuz everyone from there is an angel! read more

This was the second time that two of my teenage daughters and myself attended the class we attended the 5:30 class tonight and found out that $200 was stolen out of my wallet and $35 was stolen out of my daughters wallet as well as my cell phone charger was also stolen I have tried to contact essential Hot Yoga multiple times I have not heard back. I filed a police report they said they would look into it. On our first time as we registered I had asked if our belongings would be safe because at halo they lock the door when aclass is in session and they said oh we've never had a problem, people have left their things here before and had forgotten them and no one took them. I don't think I would have even realize that money was missing but we went straight to WinCo grocery store afterward class tonight and found that our money was gone. We wonder if this happened to anyone else this is very devastating and upsetting to our family. That was Christmas money for my kids and my Daugher was saving for a concert ticket. This was such a violation of our personal property and I hope the owners contact me soon! I pray there is a Camera and that if someone seen anything they will come forward; please!! read more

I've had the pleasure of going to various Essential Hot Yoga Studios for the last 4 years. It's a daily practice that I find enriches my life. A good part of that enrichment is especially due to the manner in which Essential Hot Yoga is run. I'm still surprised that a yoga studio of this caliber is available in this area. The instructors are truly encouragng an extremely helpful to all students, regardless of their level or experience with yoga. Being courteous and kind is the norm in these studios, consistently, regardless of when and what studio you choose to visit. You will find this yoga studio unlike any other in the treasure valley. Whether you have been practicing yoga for many years, or would like to see what yoga is about for the first time, You won't be sorry for walking through those doors. I know I'm glad I did. read more

We have been going to classes at Essential before it changed from Sumit Hot Yoga. We've been attending for over 5 years and always had a great experience, aside from classes being way overcrowded on occasion. Recently, we purchased a groupon for $39 that included 10 sessions. We've bought multiple groupons and purchased packages in the past. After our last class, the instructor told us as we were leaving, that we were out of classes and owed for that day ($30). We were surprised, and told her we had just purchased a groupon not long ago. She said it had expired, as they now do after 3 months. Were were never told that, and in the past they were always honored. She insisted that we owed and that whomever took the groupon should have explained the new policy. Well. she didn't, and they refuse to honor the groupon. So we are out $39 and will go elsewhere for yoga. So buyer beware! Additionally, I have had things stolen from the changing room, including a $60 yoga skirt (someone had the forethought to remove my panties first and throw them in the lost & found) and a pair of running shoes that later were returned. They have to have a sign warning people not to leave valuables unattended. Really? So sad. Namaste? Not really. read more