Octopus Garden Yoga Centre

This studio space itself is bright and feels airy, despite being quite small. It has all the standard sorts of statues and oversized crystals you’d expect to find in a yoga studio if you had only ever imagined a yoga studio. The entrance area even has window cushions for… uncomfortable lounging?
The hardwood floors have seen better days and the space has a slightly run down feeling, but I don’t hold that against a place. The change rooms, however — two curtained areas at the back of the practice space — I will hold against them. They’re unlabelled, small, and don’t provide a feeling of privacy.
I attended a Level 1 class with my delightful passport to prana. The class was pretty good — energetic and quick, with a few variations and exercises that encouraged me to try new things and push myself a bit. A good yoga class, but there was nothing that stood out as Super Amazing.
The only downside to the class was partner stretches. I loathe partner exercises. As soon as I sense a teacher leading up to them I get irritated. One of the reasons I love yoga is that I get to do it on my own without the pressure of working with other humans. Partner stuff ruins all of that. But that’s just me.
There’s clearly a core group of dedicated students at this studio, and something about the way the teacher interacted with the class made me feel a bit like an interloper. Perhaps it was the looking down the nose at those who wished to practice with the a/​c on (it was 35 soul melting degrees outside). Or perhaps it was everyone’s very well coordinated lulu and Intensely Focused Breathing for Absolutely Everything. But something made me feel not quite purist enough to be here.
I liked it well enough. But with yogaspace so close to home, I won’t likely be back.

Being that my friend and I got lost while looking for the studio on the way there (we somehow got off at St George station, i got the address mixed up), it was not the perfect atmosphere to step into when you are about 10 minutes late into the class.
The class itself was pretty good but it seemed to be more geared towards the other two members of the class who were obviously quite advanced. The teacher (whose name I’ve forgotten unfortunately) was nice but not the most friendly or approachable.
The studio has one practice room and slightly smaller… I felt the entire space was just slightly claustrophobic. Especially the two changing spaces which were located as part of the practicing room…
The Octopus Garden did not have the most ideal space in my opinion but they are a small and busy studio that is still located in a great area!

Another studio that I visited using my Passport to Prana!
This review is based on that visit. but I have to say I have a good experience.
It was a level 1 – 2 vinyasa class that lasted for over 2 hours. The class was great and the teacher was really attentive and professional!
Like other smaller downtown studio, there is not much of facilities. the change room is an area that divided at the corner by curtains. There is no sign telling you which is male or female. so my girl friend went to the male instead. (maybe she did that on purpose…)
There is one shower and 2 unisex bathrooms.
Overall, a great studio for dedicated yogi!

Right in the heart of the Annex, Octopus Garden is a one room Vinyasa Flow yoga studio with a very loyal yogi following. The proprietors/​teachers are Pat, JP and Scott who are undoubtedly the best yoga teachers in Toronto.
Deviating from the Ashtanga series, the teachers at Octopus Garden put tremendous thought into each class, usually concentrating on a particular body part, theme or concept for the entire week. The studio itself is comfortable. The location is superb with just a 2-​minute walk from the Bathurst subway station.
Great vibe; mellow students and caring teachers. The Best!