Moksha Yoga Markham

I’ve been going to Moksha Yoga on & off for years. I’ve been to the Hwy 7 location and the Hamilton location (University Plaza).
As far as hot yoga studios go, I’ve yet to find one better.
— The basic classes (Moksha Flow & Moksha 60) are genuinely challenging, but are still accessible to beginners. (FYI my background is full of various athletics and I workout regularly, often daily.)
— There’s a tone of variety for what classes they offer, especially if you’re looking for a bit more of a challenge
— The instruction tends to be great
I can go on for a while, but I love this place, (or at least the locations that I’ve been to).
One down side; it’s not cheap! I guess you pay for what you get… Try it out!

I sporadically visit this location as it is a bit difficult to get to from my location. Although the Unionville (Birchmount) location is closer, their hours are limited. Moksha Markham’s classes are way more abundant and they have a wider variety of styles of classes. The instructors at both these locations are very knowledgeable. The Markham facility is bigger than Unionville’s. However, it is a popular spot for hot yoga in the community, so you need to get there good and early if you want to grab a «good» spot.
The change room is reasonably ok but there are only 2 shower stalls. That’s not enough for a place this size and it’s not like they are lacking in funds. Their classes are regularly packed. They might want to think of investing a teense to keep their membership up.
My favourite class is the Monday 9:30−1100. Yes, 90 minutes of bliss. They usually have a pretty good intro deal available if you’ve never been. After that, your best bet is a 10 class pass which is good indefinitely at either Markham or the Unionville location.
The web site gives a lot of helpful info, and you can reserve a spot on line for classes although I would say this usually is not necessary.

I did a Moksha 60 class today at noon. The class is quite popular, and if you wish to get a good spot/​spot of your choice I’d recommend arriving at the studio about 30 minutes before the start of the class so you can get ready at your own pace, and to claim a good spot in the studio.
I’ve been to the Moksha Danforth location before as well (my main studio), but this location is much larger, and ergo, the facilities are much nicer and significantly less cramped. This location has ample seating outside the heated studio, and a comfortably large change room/​shower area. They also serve complimentary tea!
All the patrons and teachers are very amicable and willing to strike up a conversation with a stranger — I felt very comfortable in this environment. If I didn’t live so far I would definitely be coming back as a regular.

This yoga studio is the sister of Moksha Yoga Unionville and if you have passes for MYU, you can use them here as well (except for Founders Pass). Because I’ve only been to hot flow classes on Saturdays, my review for this studio may be limited :).
The studio itself is very spacious and the changing rooms are clean. I don’t know the condition of the showers as I have never been in there :).
I usually come here on Saturday afternoons for Darnell’s class (if I get out of work on time). Darnell teaches two Moksha flow classes on Saturday and the classes I’ve been to are excellent. I really do enjoy that you are able to really challenge yourself and take things to the next level.
The only problem I have with this location (and really it’s not MYM’s fault at all) is the parking! Oh my goodness… it must be that seafood restaurant! Because on weekends, I can spend sometimes 10 – 15 minutes circling around looking for parking. Luckily, after that frustration of finding a parking space, you can relax with hot flow and Bob Marley songs.
Overall, a great experience and I will continue to come to Saturday classes here!

They’re always having a deal with their month unlimited packages. I pay an amazing price! There are so many classes all day, from your 6am Ashtanga to 9:45pm Moksha so they help in that you can have no excuses.
I love all their instructors and like how they deviate from the Moksha series sometimes. I hate studios who only do the same poses in the same order every time. I need to grow in my practice! Not master one series. So I highly suggest this studio. Great staff, great studio (very very clean), warm atmosphere. I’m a big fan! Namaste.

Been back to MYM and see lots of great improvements! Great instructors and wonderful environment! They now have lockers with locks. just ask front desk for a set of keys!

This Moksha Yoga location is tucked in the corner beside Party Packager in a small strip plaza, across from Markville Mall. Parking can be a pain, so be sure to go early! I usually arrive 45 minutes prior to class, take my time to get ready, and read a book while I wait on the comfy couch: D Yes, I feel right at home lol.
This is probably the only hot yoga studio uptown that offers 9:45pm classes in the evening, and I really appreciate that because I usually get off work pretty late (+1). Plus, it is a smaller and roomier class compare to the busy 8:30pm class. You can also conveniently check the schedule online — keeps you updated if classes have been cancelled due to this horrible winter weather.
Every now and then, they seem to add new features/​improvements in the changing room. We started with hooks and hangers, to square shelves, and to now lock box styled lockers. A new addition — they added thick curtains/​white drapes in the entrance for more privacy in the changing rooms *thumbs up* :)
Whether it is a relaxing Yin class or a vigorous Moksha class with heat or without, you will bound to find something suitable for yourself at this yoga studio. They have a great facility and the instructors are very professional. Every instructors has their own style of teaching, you will learn to love each and every one of them. Enjoy! Namaste.

Love the studio and the classes. Teachers are great… There is no excuse to not go practice!

if you’re heading to Moksha Markham on the weekend, i’d definitely say go earlier in the morning, or go on Sundays instead, when it’s a teensy bit less packed & parking is easier to find. but my fav remains weeknights when the dim lights let you really relax after a day of work — though be warned: you may end up falling asleep after the last shavasana!
it’s nice when the instructors respect the meditative aspect of yoga throughout the *entire* class, in the pace, music, and verbal instructions (i.e. no cracking jokes, please). & also much appreciated when they offer little tidbits to help you better reach each posture.
while I understand in the winter that snow will trail its way into the landing area, walking through puddles after taking off your shoes and seeing salt stains on the hardwood infront of reception is quite gross… but I do see them mopping up after each class so at least sweat puddles are taken care of :)

The class in the Moksha room is very cramp now. I went to attend a non heated class a month ago. I noticed that there was a bad smell coming out from the large Moksha room. The smell was the result of a super crowded class just ended.

A couple weeks ago the SO called from the friendly neighborhood pub, where his friends and him were happily drinking beer, but unhappily unable to find the «game» on their tvs. Long Story shorter, he got to bring his friends over to watch game and drink beer on a Monday night, and I got to choose an «activity» for us to do together.
Fast forward to Saturday visit with his parents and a hot yoga class at nearby Moksha Yoga Markham. We chose the 2pm class with Darnel, a Hot Power Flow. Hot Power Flow here was more like a Level 2 flow at any other studio I have tried. The class was fast paced (Love it) with lots of Vinyasa (Love it) and challenging poses. All the extra core work was really interesting, effective and difficult. This class was a serious workout. The teacher was really warm, friendly and kept things light and fun. He did not, however explain things in detail, or do any adjustments. The SO who is newish to yoga found the class too difficult for him. The first ¾ of the class was no music, the last 15 min or so, the instructor put on some MGMT or something similar on a little boom box. It was tinn-​ny and distracting.
As per all the other Moksha’s I have tried the room is more «warm» than hot. Nothing like Tula or Bikram. The studio was clean and the change room clean, the people at the desk were friendly but not overly accommodating. There is a selection of mats, outfits, and yoga goodies to purchase.
Across from Markville mall and beside party packagers. Arrive early, it was nearly impossible to find parking.
Pros
— Really challenging class
— filtered water
— large change rooms with hooks for my jacket
— its Moksha, which I really enjoy
Cons
— have to drive to get there (I am REALLY not a suburbs/​strip mall kind of person)
— no lockers, and signs expressing that nothing can be brought into class except wallet. no keys. I like to lockup my blackberry, ipod, laptop if I have it etc. I guess people leave things in their car? see above.
— no adjustments
— This studio lacks a «spas-​like» feel which I enjoy
— I prefer soothing music during my practice or something audible to focus on
— no shampoo and conditioner in the showers (As I live downtown and had to go back downtown I wanted to be full cleaned for the journey)
— There was a number of GROANERS. like serious groans. This class? This studio? do not like.
Overall, the class itself wasn’t bad. Its just yes, I have had better experiences at other studios.

The decision to go into Moksha Yoga Markham or People Seafood Restaurant (steps away) especially at prime Dim Sum period on a weekday 9:30 am was a bit awkward. It was a bit of an internal struggle for a Yoga Rookie/​Dim Sum Pro to choose but I knew my Passport was waiting for me at Moksha. I will patiently await a Dim Sum Passport for future Dim Sum crawls.
I’m finally getting used to the Retail/​Receptionist area of these Yoga places. Finding the «M“ens washroom was an easy task this time as I followed 2 other Men and later noticed ⁵⁄₃₀ of Men/​Women ratio in the session. The M changeroom was facing the open waiting area so make sure you’re ready READY before you head out, while the W changeroom was inside the dark back stretch.
Regular setup of studio space while the detailed/​helpful instructor pulled down the curtains for the windows and put on her Yoga classics from her Ipod. She kept going back to this guy in the corner, must be a Newbie. He’ll learn eventually. :p
It was a Ying class but guys be aware that the Wild Child is dangerous to the nether regions so you might want to settle for just a Regular Child. New term I learned today was «Comfortably Uncomfortable» and you’ll have to apply it to your personal needs for Deer Pose, etc…
Changeroom didn’t have Lockers but what you’re looking for is probably in the Lost & Found box near the seats.

It is so great that finally so many «Hot» Yoga studio realize what really yoga is. Doing yoga is not just doing poses in a heated room when one is sweating like pigs nor «Hot» Yoga is for everyone or everyone wants to practice yoga in the heat.
Moksha Yoga Markham has added a non heated room recently and has expand their reception area and change room, The new room is nice and cosy with dark wooden panel floors and with no mirrors. It is great that now they offer a few more non heated class like the Ashtanga/​Mix class I attended at this particular visit.
Personally I like their Non Moksha Series instructors a lot better. Susan the instructor today spent a lot of time explaining the techniques and mechnicals of the poses and we did some partner yoga too so it was fun.
I will drop by for more of the non heated class if they start to offer more!

Although this studio is very difficult to get to (If you don’t live in the area, & will encounter rush hour at any point of the day), it’s pretty easy to find, snuggled in a plaza near restaurants and dry cleaners. (Because of this, it will also be hard to find parking in the evenings, and I suggest going early to find a spot). The Viva and Yrt will also pass conveniently close to the studio.
The service here is pretty shameful. I visited this studio twice, and on my first visit I had been waiting for a friend, (caught in northbound rush hour, of course) I signed up for a class and let them know I was waiting for her. I wasn’t even expecting a response, since it was a haphazard comment informing them why I wasn’t heading towards the changeroom. What I got was a rude and unnecessary, «Well we don’t let latecomers in» response from a young man & woman. I am very well aware of that rule, and I was in no way going to be late (and this was at least 20 mins before the class).
On my second visit, the service was satisfactory but totally forgettable at best.
The studio and changeroom (s) are clean, well-​lit and new, albeit cramped once the evening crowd makes its way in. You’ll be left wondering if there are by-​laws set in place for yoga studios and crowd control, and the studio is representative of that. It was very, very cramped for a regular-​priced Moksha class.
If you’re thinking of making your way to Moksha Markham, either go during a weekday or prepare to be facing someone’s buttcrack for a pretty hour.
2.5 Stars