"The Yoga Lounge is a departure from the city, within the city. The space is fresh and modern, inspiring a deep restorative serenity from the first minutes in the studio to the last.  I absolutely love the hatha classes I take with Carlyn. She is a gentle, generous teacher, as well as a technician with regards to the proper execution of poses in order to avoid injury and maximize the healing effect of the practice. The instructors at the Yoga Lounge possess a youthful zeal in their approach, a natural beauty, and a genuine desire to help each student realize the potential within their bodies. It is easy to trust them because they bring love to their work. These ladies truly care, and they’re good at what they do".

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The New Face of Yoga - Yoga in the City

The Yoga Lounge is a boutique yoga studio, now in its sixth year located in the heart of downtown Toronto.  Voted as one of the ‘top yoga studios’ by several Toronto based magazines, the elevator opens into a 4000sq ft oasis illuminated by natural sunlight that is architecturally reflected through the use of frosted glass.  Built entirely from natural fibers accented with exotic African marble, mango wood and Oak, this luscious space has an auspicious aura.  Streams of sunlight traverse hundreds of windowpanes to release magnificent rays of light energy into the practice room.  The Yoga Lounge has a spa like atmosphere, but don’t let the stunning aesthetics fool you…it is all about the yoga.  Plant life is abundant with grandiose trees that bring fresh O2 into the yoga room as practitioners exchange CO2 and learn to breath.  Their MO…Relax and breath deeply, reflect and awaken your spirit!

We are the new face of yoga, irreverent, hip and joyful with a soulful purpose….. a true destiny to help others.  We understand it is very much the journey and living in the joyful moment that brings meaning to life and our teachers are very good at sharing the tools to guide one along this path…tools to find happiness in life.  It is so important to cultivate happiness…. and yoga is the tool that opens the heart both physically and spiritually.

We understand our clients have busy lives that dictate living in a forward bend, often hunched over a computer, inactive, sitting throughout their day.  The spine is in constant flexion and this contributes to back and shoulder issues.  The upper chest becomes closed and concave and as the back weakens the shoulders respond by permanently rolling forward.  The implications are that we know longer stand up straight.  Postures that lengthen the spine and bring it back into extension combat these pathologies that develop over time.  Essentially, we are turning back the clock and reversing the aging process in the body.  Secondary benefits are apparent internally in the organs and this is considered the organic work that comes from lingering in postures for longer periods.

We have immense appreciation for value of the over all experience that takes place both during and after the yoga class.  It is important to set realistic goals in your practice to allow oneself the opportunity to enjoy the journey as the true test of that experience is how one feels afterward.  One should expect to feel centered and refreshed with a new energy that emanates from within…this new ‘life force’ that comes from the breath.  Studies on the breath reveal a profound influence on the left pre-frontal cortex of the brain.  This part of the brain is responsible for how we feel and the breath work increases the activity in this brain center dramatically re-shaping our mood and perspective.

Yoga can solve a lot and I turn to my practice each day to set the tone in a positive manner.  It is extraordinary how the simple choice to breath deeply can clear the mind and bring it back into focus.  Yoga is not about being twisted up in some ungodly position…or being flexible.  It is about bringing life back to the body and if you can connect with the breath it brings the mind right into the present with the body.  And there is a great deal of joy to be found in this place we call the present!  We learn to find that place in the heart where we can discover the joy.  There is no past or future…its all about this very moment, allowing oneself to be in the journey of life.  This is where the joy resides….’the bliss factor’.  This is really where yoga is at!  We learn to live in the present and enjoy that journey we call life.  Yoga is the tool I have found to guide me through life…for the body and soul…. so it is my destiny to share this miracle.

The heart and soul of any yoga studio is found in the teachers, the experience they create and the desire to encourage growth in a healthy and loving atmosphere.  Yoga has moved them all in some sacred way and they feel destined to share this through their teaching.  There is a magnificent creative under tone that is encouraged to bring a personal and creative touch to class sequences making them interesting and unique.  The teachers are very good at this…’walking the walk’ of life as they often share their own personal thoughts and experience to bring understanding and meaning to the world of yoga.  Testimonials from such charitable actors as Evan Williams currently on the series Degrassi: The Next Generation, and his new series ‘Baxter’ tells the tale of our commitment to the auspicious journey we call life. He recently wrote:

“The Yoga Lounge is a departure from the city….within the city.  The space is fresh, modern, inspiring a deep restorative serenity.  I absolutely love the hatha classes I take with Carlyn.  She is a gentle, generous teacher as well as a technician executing poses with the proper alignment to avoid injury and maximize the healing effect of the practice.  The Yoga Lounge has a youthful zeal in their approach, a natural beauty, and a genuine desire to help each student realize their potential within their own body.  It is easy to trust them because they bring love to their work.  These ladies truly care and they are good at what they do”

The teachers at The Yoga Lounge are a vital force within their community often hosting charity events …walking the walk…contributing to the Karma of life by donating their energy to those less fortunate.  The 2010 Inspire Reach Yoga Calendar photographed at the studio to support the World Seva Project helping HIV+ women and children in Uganda or our recent Vinyasa class with DJ medicine man with proceeds going to the daycare project in India, or our United Way Day, are just a few examples of how these efforts have inspired others to follow in the simple and very rewarding path of giving back to the planet.  The studio also supports countless charities in our community.

We offer a very comprehensive yoga program and understand that just as the universe is always changing, so is the body.  It is essential to allow for this growth and evolution and our daily programs offer classes across the spectrum from restorative yoga to a rigorous vinyasa style.  One should be able to make a choice on the type and discipline to accommodate the various needs and desires of the individual and a class recommendation is always suggested.

A restorative class, although physical in nature also embodies a very meditative element, a mental aspect to the practice.  We discover that we can quiet the mind with a conscious effort and this is taught during this type of class.  Restorative yoga also offers fantastic physical benefits that help work thru the connective tissue that shrink wrap the joints and this benefit is achieved through long periods of holding in relaxed positions.  It’s just wonderful for the mind and body!  Josh, one of the restorative teachers at the studio, opens the mind and body with blissful cues and promises of a quieter mind…. if we would just let that thought go!  He brings supportive postures that can bring profound release to hidden areas of deep tension.  The use of props such as bolsters, straps and blocks allow simple postures to be held in a relaxing and extremely enjoyable manner.  This is particularly relevant to those that are stiff and tight or have come from a place of injury.  The mindful practitioner has already grown to understand that restorative class should be a part of every life to keep the body young and agile.

Yvette, an avid ashtanga practitioner is known for her rigorous vinyasa style.  Her voice purrs us to a place of co-operation where we push a little harder in our practice.  The studio has a world class music collection and she has captured some of the best and most exotic tunes there to entertain us through core efforts that will bring your abdominals ALIVE…and leave you with her memory for days!  This core strength will help move your yoga practice forward to a new place of consciousness…. and the body will thank you for the healing benefits.  If you like to sweat… this is your class!

Workshops with Ana are a studio favorite as she is the master of taming the tightest hips and freeing the stiffest shoulders in a sweet and gentle manner.  Her advanced hatha practice and soulful spirit make her workshops, designed to isolate particular areas of the body, a joyful and healing experience.  “Opening the hips” is a popular request and it is suggested we hold our past relationships in our hips.  Tranquil music sets the tone as Ana woos us into soulful submission with the use of props designed to ‘assist’ as we try and let go of our past.  Other popular workshop topics such as ‘nutrition’ can be found on the web site as we integrate the lifestyle component.  Knowledge empowers one to understand their eating habits and how to make changes that last a lifetime…. changes one can live with!

My teaching style has been profoundly influenced by such great yoga masters as Ramanand Patel and Francois Raoult.  My travels across the globe bring a broad perspective to the meaning of yoga.  This is the universal influence, the aura at the studio, a culmination of this journey into the unknown.  We welcome you to come and find your own path, a path of your own discovery and exploration in this tranquil oasis called the Yoga Lounge.

Toronto Life

“Though set in the downtown core, this oasis feels more like a South pacific spa than an urban studio. Built using natural materials such as mango wood and African marble, the space is calm and welcoming. The change rooms are straight out of a glossy magazine-glass tiled walls and slatted wood seating. So is the light filled studio, a dreamy place to do yoga (from relaxing restorative to blood-pumping ashtanga). Classes are geared toward personal goals and preferences rather than strict levels. Single classes $15, unlimited $140 per month: annual rates and packages available. ”

Where Toronto

“Although they specialize in Hatha yoga, teachers at this tranquil space in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood instruct private sessions in almost any style. True to its chilled-out vibe, the studio bases rates on what you can afford, usually between $65 and $120 for one hour.”

KodaiKanal Fundraiser

“The Yoga Lounge hosted a fundraiser event to support the KodaiKanal Research and Development Foundation Daycare.  This was co-ordinated by Helene, a teacher at the Yoga  Lounge.  The studio's yoga community supported the fundraiser for the daycare in India through well wishes, donations and by participating in the yoga class and Kirtan.  Participants enjoyed a hatha yoga class, taught by Helene, and a wonderful Kirtan, which is yoga chanting and music, by Pale Fire Union.  All together, $490 was raised for the daycare.  This will go a long way to support the children by providing money for food and the teacher’s salary.”

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Marie Dunseith

“Susan, the proprieter of The Yoga Lounge, runs a tip top operation. Her yoga studio is truly remarkable in the depth of its teaching facility, the variety of programs meeting all levels of students ability, and attention to special needs of clients.

A big plus is its truly beautiful space.

Finally, it operates 7 days a week; no excuse not to get out of bed or the office to treat your body and mind! A 5 star operation!”

Ruth Pierce

“A few months ago I returned to Yoga to work out the aches and pains of an aging body, including Arthritis. Not long after I started, I was diagnosed with severe Osteoporosis of the spine. I felt extremely vulnerable and wondered about continuing. With consultation with my doctor and discussions with Susan of The Yoga Lounge, I was encouraged to continue, being careful to modify my poses to reflect the new reality of my body.

I continued with the sessions with the tremendous support of all staff at The Yoga Lounge. I recently had a complete physical check up with my family doctor, and was amazed to discover that I had grown one inch since my last check up. I was obviously delighted with this unexpected news, and can only contribute it to the stretching exercises of Yoga that proved so beneficial to me.

Yoga now plays a significant role in my life. I feel younger, stronger and more flexible, attributes that will assist me in managing my health. My thanks go to Susan and all her staff who have provided such personal care and support. I highly recommend the Yoga Lounge whether you are just starting your journey in Yoga, returning to it after some absence or are already well advanced. ”

Beau M. Nelson

“Susan and the Yoga Lounge staff,

I just wanted to thank you all very much for allowing me to practice with you the last few months…..I honestly have felt that something was missing in my life physically, mentally and even spiritually that is starting to be fulfilled by my practice and I am very excited about the change that is happening to my body and my mind. I feel blessed to know each of you. Every single one of you is obviously special. I would go so far as to say that you all have your own individual light. You are each kind, caring and talented. You bring into the classes a calm feeling and a loving atmosphere.

Yoga is the only time I stop thinking. I just breath, and for me, that is amazing. I thank you all for inspiring me to become more like you, and for the calm, discipline and and inspiration you have brought into my life. ”


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