Open Door Yoga

I have enjoyed dropping-​in to sessions at the Main and 15^th location for over a year now. This Christmas, I asked my mom for a gift certificate to Open Door, neither of us realizing that the gift certificates can’t be used for drop-​in sessions. I was further perturbed when I saw that there was an expiry date on my gift certificate: since I am a full-​time mother and student, I can’t get in to the studio very often and I wasn’t going to be able to make it before the date. All in a tizzy, I sent off an email but didn’t receive a reply (which turned out to be an electronic miscommunication), so I called and left an indignant message. Here is where things turned around. Lada got back right away (I think she actually works at the Kerrisdale location), and was instantly kind, patient, and understanding. She worked with me to find a solution to the whole confusion, which ended up suiting my needs perfectly. Thank you, Lada, for making my day! I look forward to coming in to the studio soon.

Really like this yoga studio!
As others have mentioned, it’s unpretentious and seems to have a nice mixture of people at the classes which I really like.
Also as someone else mentioned, some teachers are better than others as is always that case at any yoga studio. I had a pretty negative experience with Sadie (Friday PM class) and will definitely not be going back to that one again!

This review is for the 14^th ave location. I have been to the 15^th ave location a few times years ago and I enjoyed it then. I usually go to Semperviva which I really love, but I live off Main Street and they are not very convenient. I decided to do a drop in today at Open door to see if I’d like it.
When I walked in, the instructor was talking to a student who she was obviously familiar with. I waited, and waited and waited for them to break from conversation so that I could pay. I had to finally interrupt them, and the teacher was not happy that I didn’t have exact change. There was only one other person in the class and it was not like any other Hatha class I’ve been to; she had a bunch of different props and was kind of snarky and rude when anyone didn’t know how to use them properly. The only other student in the class told her she was pregnant and she ended up laying down most of the class as the teacher didn’t try to modify anything for her. She also spent most of the class talking about muscle structures and showing pictures skeletal forms (like in a doctors office!!!), it was really bizarre. I might try some different teachers here but definitely not going back at 11 am on Thursdays!

I was one of those skeptics that has never tried yoga and swore up and down that she would never try it as it was the «Vancouver» thing to do. But I figured, don’t knock it till you try it. On a particularly stressful day at work, I committed myself to trying 1 yoga class and seeing how it went. With a colleague in tow, off I went.
I chose Open Door Yoga strictly for its location which was within minutes from my house. I’m sure like others, I was nervous that I wouldnt have the flexibility nor strength to pull off any moves and that the instructors would be so used to classes filled with expert yogis that I would be an afterthought. However, the instructor and room were so warm and inviting that it was hard not to be engaged into the whole breathing deep and bringing balance into ones life. Excellent, thorough instruction, unpretentious atmosphere and go by your own pace mentality make this place an excellent studio to learn and grow with. For any beginners out there, I can barely touch my toes and I found it a wonderful first experience to which I felt much more limber after I had finished.
I’ve just finished up my second class and decided to commit to their beginner pass which for 99 +hst is 9 weeks of unlimited yoga. If you’re able to go at least once a week its a solid deal with many benefits! My muscles feel more relaxed and theres something so soothing and relaxing that its hard not to fall into the yoga zone while you’re there. Highly recommended!

The studio is great, the teachers are wonderful, but their pricing doesn’t work for me. It’s reasonable if you want to buy a pass and attend multiple times a week, but I only want to attend one class per week — which means $ 18 per class.
Sadly I won’t be continuing my weekly practice here, as that price is outrageous. Every other studio in East Van charges between $ 10 and $ 15 with a 10 or 20 class pass.

I think this is one of the best places in Vancouver for Yoga. Unpretentious atmosphere with quality teachers who seem to live the practice.
They’ve got some of the best rates in a town where yoga is expensive!
I will be back again for the quality instruction and have really enjoyed Heather’s classes!

I’m new to yoga and came into it more than a little bit skeptical. Like many others, I was under the misconception that «anything that doesn’t make you sweat isn’t doing any good», and «yoga is too frou frou for me».
A friend of mine had two free passes (a bonus for any new members), so I thought I’d give it a go. Open Door is a very modest, quaint-​looking studio, which attracted me right away. The mostly do Hatha and Power classes, with some Yin and a few specialty classes here and there. I liked that they focused on the basic types instead of getting too trendy like some of the others.
Though they are, as I mentioned, modest when it comes to amenities, they provide everything you’d need for yoga (mats, blankets, straps, water, every kind of pillow imaginable). Since they don’t have a sauna, cork floors or say, a built in bamboo forest, the costs are kept at a reasonable rate (for yoga).
Newbies get a 9 week unlimited pass for $ 99 and $ 10 off if you sign up in the first class, plus those two free passes for friends.
I think because of the reasonable prices and simplicity in atmosphere, you get people of all different shapes, sizes and ages going — another thing I like. Like any yoga place, some instructors are better than others, but on the whole, they are all really genuine and happy to help.
I really recommend giving it a go if you are new and unsure about whether yoga is for you.

I can’t believe i never went to this studio when it was so close to my home. I have yet to encounter a teacher i didn’t thoroughly enjoy. I purchased their 9 weeks for $ 99 pass which is a great deal if you go regularly. I go almost every day so it’s a smoking deal.
Teachers are always doing the check in, so you get to meet them and chat. You leave your card at the front of your matt (which is provided), and then they can get to know your name. Afterwards you can grab a tea and a coffee. such a nice little treat. What the name of the studio implies, the studio encompasses. I am very happy here.

My sanctuary, my second home and my sanity-​keeper!
Open Door and its eclectic team of amazing teachers is a great, afforable studio for anyone to practice yoga, from beginners to advanced yogis. The hatha and power hatha classes are challenging,
relaxing and rewarding.
Some great teachers for beginners:
Heather
Charlotte
Patrice
Hogan
Amazing power instructors for experienced yogis:
Road
Allejandra
Randy
Heather
James
Charlotte
Patrice
Namaste!

Open Door Yoga has one of the best vibes compared to many of the other yoga studios I have done a class in since moving to Vancouver. No pretentiousness here like some of the other studios (not mentioning any names… YYoga…c’mon, is it really THAT important to be matching from head-​to-​toe in lululemon?!). Open Door keeps it real which is what yoga is all about… connecting to your inner self, generating positive energy and ‘leaving it on the mat’…not worrying about what your butt looks like in downward dog! keep it real peeps… keep it real. Peace out ;)