Immerse yourself in mindful movement in Edinburgh, where expert yoga and Pilates instruction meets the Scottish capital’s historic charm and scenic beauty.
(Photo by Yan Krukau via Pexels)
Edinburgh’s gorgeous greenery and quaint cobbled streets make for the perfect backdrop to immerse oneself in mindful yoga or Pilates practice, be it invigorating vinyasa flow, restorative yin, or strengthening Reformer Pilates. Here, international instructors and local talents abound, offering expertise that caters to all tastes and levels. From curious beginners to seasoned practitioners, Edinburgh is an ideal setting in which to get your asanas flowing.
Tribe yoga
Tribe’s Leith Walk studio, Edinburgh (Photo courtesy of Tribe)
Since opening in Edinburgh’s New Town in 2015, Tribe has blossomed into an incredible success, expanding to three other locations across the city, including leafy Stockbridge, the vibrant, student-centred Quartermile area, and trendy Leith. This yoga and fitness studio has earned an exceptional reputation, winning over both experienced practitioners and newcomers with its warm and inviting ambiance and more than 200 classes each week. Whether you’re in pursuit of a soothing and rejuvenating experience, such as a candlelit gentle flow, or a more intense aerobic sweat-sesh with 90-minute hot yoga, you’ll find a perfect fit for any mood or skill level. The studios are spacious and minimalist with touches of Scandinavian design, giving a serene yet luxurious experience.
71-75 Northumberland St, Edinburgh EH3 6JG
The Pilates Attic
Mat classes at the Pilates Attic Edinburgh (Photo courtesy of Pilates Attic)
Established in 2001, The Pilates Attic is where to head if you’re looking for a Pilates class with a difference. Alongside clinical Pilates (designed for those with chronic pain, or in recovery from an injury) and Reformer classes designed to stretch, strengthen and elongate, the studio offers a handful of fun, adventurous classes too. From Pygmy Goat Pilates (which takes place off-site at a beautiful farm in Fife), to hula hooping classes (a core-enhancing practice), the sessions here are engaging and full of surprises. The centrally located studio is small but mindfully designed, with ornate ceilings and cool wall hangings and, for hardcore fans, there’s even a boutique to purchase colorful Kknekki hair ties and nonslip yoga socks.
50 Thistle St N E Ln, Edinburgh EH2 1DA
The Edinburgh Yoga Room
Founded by Stacey Chavis, The Edinburgh Yoga Room is a boutique Yoga and Wellness studio located centrally in New Town. The studio specialises in Mysore (a personalized practice in which students move through their own sequences independently), as well as a range of holistic offerings, such as yoga therapy for sleep and myofascial release workshops (stretches and rolling to relieve muscle tension). The studio is unfussy but well-equipped and owner Chavis, if not teaching, is always available for a chat. If you’re pressed for time, the Monday lunchtime flow is an excellent way to carve out time for yourself, focusing on foundational yoga poses, alignment principles, and breath work to calm the mind.
3-5 Forth St, Edinburgh EH1 3JX
Hone Pilates
HONE Studio (Photo by @honepilates)
Situated within a gorgeous Georgian tenement building, Hone is a boutique Reformer Pilates studio that oozes style and sophistication. The interiors are sleek and minimal, in neutral tones. From the expansive skylight to the beautiful hand soaps and moisturizers distributed in the changing rooms, attention to detail at Hone is second-to-none. It’s not all style over substance, though: the classes here are invigorating and challenging. For those just embarking on their Reformer Pilates journey, ‘apprentice’ classes introduce simplified exercises and the key principles of Pilates (breathing, concentration, control). The more seasoned Reformer-Pilates-goer may enjoy the ‘Dynamic’ or advanced classes — or even the ‘Jump’ class combining Pilates with a padded jump board to incorporate plyometrics and cardio safely into the routine.
1st Floor, 26 Howe St, Edinburgh EH3 6TG
Meadowlark Yoga
Meadowlark Yoga Edinburgh (Photo by @meadowlarkyoga)
Meadowlark Yoga is a small, intimate studio and a not-for-profit yoga center that boasts a team of highly qualified teachers, welcoming yogis of all levels with passion, expertise, and humor. The team’s approach is one of inclusivity and support: each class is tailored to individual goals. Meadowlark also offers intensive 200-hour teacher trainings accredited with the International Yoga Alliance. Overlooking Edinburgh’s picturesque meadows, the studio is warmly lit and filled with sent of natural oils and incense, making it the perfect nook to escape those pesky East Coast winds.
43 Argyle Pl, Edinburgh EH9 1JT
East Side Yoga
Promising a ‘down-to-earth’ and ‘gimmick-free’ approach, East Side Yoga is one of the most welcoming and unpretentious yoga studios in Edinburgh. Located on trendy Broughton Street (lined with pretty coffee shops ideal for a post-yoga treat!), this independent studio is small but mighty. The team comprises a number of highly qualified instructors with several hundred hours of certified teacher training under their belts. Whether you’re looking for heart-pumping energetic flows, or seeking advice from a Sleep Recovery practitioner, there’s no shortage of excellent guides. The studio feels youthful and dynamic, filled with plants and hushed but happy chatter. A range of specialized workshops are on offer, too, from ‘Headstand Hedonism’ to ‘Journey to Front Splits’.
109 Broughton St, Edinburgh EH1 3RZ
Pointe Ahead Pilates
Pointe Ahead Pilates (Photo by @pointeaheadpilates)
Pointe Ahead Pilates is a great ‘all-rounder’ studio. With a wide range of classes — from traditional mat work and Reformer Pilates, to tower and chair classes, there’s truly something to suit all tastes. The studio is equipped with an abundance of machines and props (pulleys, Cadillac, chair, barrels) and the instructors are friendly and approachable. From former professional ballet dancers and basketball players, to instructors specializing in sports massage therapy and meditation, the Pointe Ahead teaching team is exceptionally talented. The studio also plays host to STOTT PILATES instructor training courses, for those interested in teaching.
3 Atholl Pl, Edinburgh EH3 8HP