Kitsilano has been a yoga haven for years now. A yoga mat and Lululemon pants are the uniform of choice for many in the ’hood. The neighbourhood offers hot yoga, baby yoga, kundalini yoga, power yoga, laughter yoga, beach yoga and more. But anyone who has attended a post work class only to be uncomfortably close to their neighbour for a sweaty 90 minutes is sure to celebrate the fact that another new studio is opening soon.
YYoga is set to open their eighth Vancouver studio at West 4th/Cypress (in the former Kitsilano Fitness space) in mid June. Known for their spa like amenities, numerous class offerings and beautiful spaces, the new studio is certainly no exception. The new space is shaping up to be breathtaking. The 8,000 square foot center will feature two yoga rooms, including a 1,600 square foot hot room, saunas and a large outdoor patio/lounge. Namaste!
YYoga, West 4th/Cypress (opening soon), Yyoga.ca
Last modified: May 4, 2012
I still prefer the community and family over at Semperviva Yoga, they are the heart of kitsilano yoga and I really hope big corporations like Yyoga don’t push them out. 🙁
So Semperviva has 3/4 locations and Yyoga has 8–but you think Yyoga is a big corporation?! Am I missing something?
The bad news is that YYoga is essentially closing the South Granville location to make this happen. (They’ll only offer a few classes in the evenings and will use the South Granville center for teacher training during the day.) Kits has a billion and one yoga studios, and South Granville only had the one. Seems like a poor decision in terms of serving the market! I agree Semperviva has the Kits market covered. If I want to do yoga in Kits, I’ll be going to Semperviva, not YYoga, though I will miss the infrared sauna!
I feel that YYoga was started as an investment, and Semperviva from a pure passion for yoga. I’ll continue to support Semperviva, especially in Kits where it was born.
Sempriviva created out of passion vs. business? As if! They pack people in like sardines, the retreats focus on selling their greek retreat the entire time, and cash is definately king. You are comparing apples to apples not apples to oranges. I can barely move in my sempriviva class and can’t wait to have yyoga in the hood. Very excited by his post.
Replying to the one comment about closing of the South Granville.
The new Yyoga location is only around 8 blocks away from the South Granville location. Depending where you’re coming from, it might be closer. So it’s not that big of a deal in terms of location move. Consider it will be have 2 studios and twice as many classes, it’s plenty wise.
Semperviva is a family-owned business that’s been in the neighborhood for over 15 years (they started out with their health store on W Broadway at Trafalgar). I love Gloria,the owner, an amazingly warm, kind and inspiring woman. She teaches 5 classes a week, and is very involved with the community. To each their own, but I’ll stick to Semperviva for my yoga, and go to a spa when I need a spa date.
Gloria, the owner, truly walks the talk when it comes to Yoga. Or at least from everything I see and hear. This amazing little woman with an enormous heart has helped so so many, myself including, in our rough times; and I am truly thankful to find a place where the Team, the Teachers and the facilities/products strongly reflect the core values and believes of the Founder(s). Semperviva is none other but a second Family. Semperviva is where I saw the way to Live Yoga – practice Yoga off the Mat.
~ With Never Dying Affection
Personally, I would love to see one of the studios get on site childcare. Most gyms in the city have figured out how to make this work! I know TONS of parents who would sign up regardless of how fancy the digs were.
I must leave a comment… first of all… Goria at Semperviva really helped me out as well, as a new mother on an unpaid mat leave…times were tough. She didn’t think twice as she helped me to maintain going to class. Yoga changed my life and Semperviva was a huge part of that. I moved to North Van and I wish they’d open a location up here…but alas it’s just in Kits.
As for YYoga… I think they are great. Not as personable or friendly as Semperviva I have found…but lovely none the less.
Regarding anyone complaining about being “uncomfortably close to your neighbour”… remember, yoga is about community and sharing…so the closer you get, the more you have an opportunity to break down your walls and share with complete strangers…it can actually be quite beautiful, depending on which perception you decide to attach to….but letting go can be liberating. 🙂 🙂 🙂
With love and gratitude,
Jessi