Did you know the original intention of yoga was to prepare body and mind for stillness and meditation? Yoga is a rich practice that has enormous variation—every style is distinct and every teacher teaches in their own way. So if you're new to the scene, or you're looking for a change up, it can feel pretty overwhelming trying to find the right space for you.
That's why I've jumped onto many a mat and got my om on, I've sweated it out at hot yoga studios and I've done more sun salutations than I can shake some incense at, all in the name of whittling down the expansive offerings to present to you the top studios in the city, whether you've been practicing for years or you're new to yoga. My top tip? Most of these spots are on Classpass. Snag yourself a trial and try as many as possible.
Here are Auckland's best yoga studios.
Jump to:
- Best Yoga Studios For Beginners
- Auckland's Top Hot Yoga Studios
- Specialty Yoga Studios In Auckland
- Auckland's Prettiest Yoga Studios
Best Yoga Studios For Beginners
Yoga Ground
56 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn, Auckland | On Classpass
Image credit: Yoga Ground | Instagram
Yoga can be this gorgeous realm of serenity... unless it's your first time and you're filled with anxiety about whether you'll be expected to touch your toes (let alone balancing on one leg). While most yoga classes can be adapted for beginners, the best approach is to enrol in a course specifically for beginners like the six-week Introduction To Yoga course ($169) run by Yoga Ground owner, Kara Sweney and her team. Reward yourself for all your hard mahi with some contrast therapy at Genki Vitality or brunch at Honey Bones.
Stretchy
Varies, Grey Lynn
Image credit: Stretchy | Kate Battersby
Like a run club—but chill—Stretchy is your friendly neighbourhood yoga club with weekly meetups to "stretch body, mind, soul and social circles." If you're new to yoga or find studios intimidating, you might just adore Stretchy. Founded by Kimberley Torrie, each session, which is open to newbies and yoga teachers alike, includes 60 minutes of yoga led by a different teacher each time, followed by a half hour of coffee and chats. They currently meet every Friday morning at Bayfield Primary School and Honey Sundays (açaí bowls on point, just sayin') and every Wednesday fortnight at the Grey Lynn RSC and Freida Margolis.
Vital Energy Yoga Movement
5, Level 7/7 Kingdon Street, Newmarket, Auckland | On Classpass
Image credit: Vital Energy Yoga | website
It's all about layers at Vital Energy Yoga Movement. Owner Ewa has created a graded approach to yoga (and movement as a whole) that's fantastic for yoga newbies or anyone who just wants to move more consciously. Start with the Core Benefits class to strengthen your mind-deep core conection, progress to Slow Stretch (designed to relieve body stiffness and soothe the nervous system) and Mobility Flow and then Vital Energy Yoga Movement's hatha beginner yoga course, and beyond.
Being
Māngere Bridge Scouts Hall, 29 Taylor Road, Māngere Bridge, Auckland & Roaming
Image credit: Being | supplied
I first met Being founder, Soph Kaufusi at a spicy lil' workshop called The Social Climax at SOMM where yoga met mindset and sexology. Needless to say, it was electric (and I'd recommend keeping an eye out for the next one—just sayin'!). Soph's flows are dynamic, fresh and fun with fiery moments and lots of laughs, and are suitable for everyone regardless of yoga experience. You'll encounter Being pop-up and collab wellness events scattered throughout the city plus their regular offering at Māngere Bridge indoors at the Scouts Hall or, through summer, revel in their stunning sunset sessions at Ambury Farm. *Currently on hiatus*
Auckland's Top Hot Yoga Studios
Basecamp Yoga
18 Westmoreland Street West, Grey Lynn, Auckland | On Classpass
Image credit: Basecamp Yoga | Instagram
I've been obsessed with Basecamp Yoga’s Powerful Flow Beats class for years now. Set in their beautiful and spacious industrial-aesthetic studio, heated, this is the studio’s dynamic all-levels signature class set to dope music. Add to the experience by refuelling at local cult-favourite Ozone or combine with contrast therapy, PBM light pod therapy or a massage at nearby Hana. Yoga mats are available to hire for $2.
OYF
234B Ōrākei Road, Remuera, Auckland | On Classpass
Image credit: OYF | Instagram
This neon-lit, infrared-heated fitness studio offers a bunch of different yoga (and pilates) styles but it’s their Hot Candlelight Deep Stretch & Relaxation class that keeps me going back. Part relaxing stretches and flows, part yin yoga-inspired shapes, I'm so impressed by the clear, detailed instruction that’ll ensure you move in and out of stretches with ease. This class is the tonic to a stressful day and is especially cosy during the winter months. The heat is gradually turned down as the class progresses but you’ll want a big water bottle on hand regardless. Yoga mats are available for hire for $5.
Specialty Yoga Studios In Auckland
HIYOGA
Level 2/125 Queen Street, Auckland Central | On Classpass
Image credit: HIYOGA | Alice Rich
Sometimes I just need to escape my desk and give my brain a break with the ultimate switch up. For me (and maybe you, too) that involves hanging upside down in a light blue silk hammock. So, of course, I hit HIYOGA. Offering 90-minute and express beginners hot yoga classes, intermediate and advanced hatha yoga, hot HIIT, yin, vinyasa, and classes in Mandarin, there's a lot to love about HIYOGA. But my all-time favourite is their Fly Yoga class, offered on Monday evenings and Wednesday lunchtimes. Top tip: Wear long pants, a t-shirt and thick socks for the most comfortable experience.
The Contemporary Yoga Centre
351 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland
Image credit: The Contemporary Yoga Centre | Instagram
If your nervous system is shot—you've got a stressful job and live your life at rush pace—you might just adore The Contemporary Yoga Centre's blissful offerings. I'm captivated by the Restorative Yoga led by Karla Brodie (so much so I got trained in it myself). Forget what you thought you knew about slow-flowing yoga, this class is the ultimate luxe edit and bolsters are just the beginning. Request to be put into 'Vampire On A Lilo' and thank me later. They also offer free wellness classes for people living with chronic illness and long-term health conditions. All props are provided.
Unity Studios
1a Rocklands Avenue, Balmoral | 29C Woodside Avenue, Northcote | 330 Point Chev Road, Point Chevalier | On Classpass
Created by physiotherapists, Unity Studios is the gym equivalent of a one-stop shop but they're particularly renowned for their work in the pre- and post-natal space. Their pregnancy yoga (as well as pregnancy and prenatal reformer and mat pilates and barre) classes are designed specifically for women's health and pelvic wellbeing.
Limitless Studio
Unit 4/159 Marua Road, Mount Wellington, Auckland | On Classpass
Contrary to popular belief, the point of yoga isn't to get more flexible—it's to prepare your body and mind for meditation. Regardless, I've found that loads of clients (did I mention I'm also a yoga instructor?) often arrive on the mat with flexibility as one of their goals. So I'm including Limitless here. It's actually a pole, aerials and dance studio but they offer this brilliant Active Flexibility conditioning class led by teachers who are experts in pole and if you've ever seen pro pole dancing before, you'll know the flexibility it demands is next level. If you want to bend and not snap, this is the class to hit.
Auckland's Prettiest Yoga Studios
Kenkō Studios
40 St Benedicts St, Eden Terrace, Auckland | On Classpass
Image credit: Kenkō Studios | Instagram
Some of the best yoga in Auckland is offered in the most aesthetic of spaces and Kenkō Studios delivers on both accounts with a Japandi minimalist, semi-industrial vibe and a concrete spiral staircase that's a feature piece in and of itself. Just wait until you've hit Warrior II and got a side of glorious golden sunset. Revel in dynamic vinyasa, breath-supported hatha, relaxing yin and invigorating power flows. And if you're keen to try some other holistic classes, sound baths, breathwork and meditation are on offer at Kenkō too. Yoga mats and props provided.
Sala
48 Brown Street, Ponsonby, Auckland | On Classpass
Image credit: Sala | Instagram
My first experience of Sala yoga was at a media event at the Van Gogh Alive exhibition back in 2021 (I know, it’s a charmed life). There, flowing through shapes while we were literally bathing in projections of Van Gogh’s famous artworks, it occurred to me that there couldn’t have been a more perfect pairing. Sala is as much a creative space as it is one of movement. A case in point? Their yoga classes are held in 'the solar room.' Mats and other props provided.
The School of Modern Meditation
1/1 Howe Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland | On Classpass
Image credit: The School Of Modern Meditation | Instagram
Climbing the stairs to The School of Modern Meditation (aka SOMM) feels like entering another world. Hidden just off Karangahape road, this loft studio offers contemplative, gentle yoga flows blending yin-energy movement with cacao, with reiki and, while the weather gods permit, something they're calling walk, breath, plunge. Think: a highly refreshing walking meditation and breathwork session, beachside.
Want more movement? Check out :
Image credit: supplied.
Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.