Evolation

Having tried ¾ classes offered a few times now I feel I have a decent sense of Evolation. I have yet to try the Yin Class offered, however I have practiced the hot (105 degrees), warm (90 degrees), and the flow class (90 degrees). The hot and warm classes are a series of 25 – 26 poses over 60 minutes (warm) or 90 minutes (hot). The flow class is where things change up. The flow class is delegated by the instructor, meaning the class and poses changes per instructor. Evolation has a different vibe from other studios I’ve practiced at. Instead of the instructor performing the poses and conversing at the same time, they walk around the room and instruct. It’s motivating, but different. Another difference I immediately noticed is there are mirrors everywhere. I’ve never been to a studio that asks you to check your posture in a mirror.
Tips: bring your own mat and towel (otherwise there is a $$ for rentals), bring some water (you’re gonna need it), arrive at least 15 minutes early for week day classes and even earlier for weekend classes because the classes are first come first serve.

I just started doing Bikram yoga about a year ago and I love it! Evolation is the only place I’ve tried this style of yoga but I’ve found that the staff is so friendly and helpful and I love the classes. The studio is actually quite beautiful and peaceful inside. It is located in an old house on Elmwood, which makes finding parking a bit difficult at times but still worth the small hassle. They sell water bottles and have towels and mats for rent if you forget yours or don’t own one. They have a cute little changing room with cubbies to put your belongings and also have showers for use after class… which is helpful if you take a mid day class and have somewhere to be after.
As far as the yoga goes– I recommend that everyone try hot yoga at some point in your life. It is the most relaxing, peaceful, stress free thing I’ve ever done. It’s great to take time for yourself and find inner happiness in a constantly fast paced moving world. It is so beneficial for not only just your mentality but also for your physicality. Yoga, especially hot yoga, is great to loosen up your muscles and joints.
There are three different classes you can take at Evolation with different times all throughout the day, which makes it convenient… hot90 (105 degree room for 90 minutes), warm60 (105 degree room for 60 minutes), or flow75. I have never tried the flow75 class but I heard it is more of constant moving whereas the hot90 and warm60 classes involve holding poses. Hot yoga is also great to do on a cold winter day to warm up! The packages for Evolation are a little bit pricey, but fortunately, there are always specials for this location on Groupon! Again, I recommend that everyone try hot yoga. It really is amazing!

I tell everyone to try Bikram yoga, because it may really surprise you. Evolation is really a great local studio. The instructors seem to know their stuff and the studio is really cute. They have towels/​mats and water that you can purchase, little cubbies to hold your things and even showers in the bathrooms if you so choose to use them. The prices are a little steep, however I always go to Groupon to get the good deal with they have year round. Its a great workout, especially in a Buffalo winter.

While training for my first ½ marathon, I needed to get creative with my cross training. I have tried hot yoga in the past, so I thought I would give that a try. One of the instructors here, Stacy, was a co-​advisor for an alternative break trip with me and on the trip she mentioned the yoga studio she works at.
I dragged my friend to their hot 90 (that’s 90 minutes in 105 degrees) class to see if we would like it before purchasing the groupon (10 classes for $ 59 or $ 100 for two months unlimited). We LOVED it! I have to say our instructor for our first class was not my favorite, but overall, I felt invigorated and absolutely rejuvenated with energy after the class ended.
This converted house utilizes its first floor for the yoga studio and the second floor for check-​in and changing rooms. When you arrive and walk up stairs, the staff is welcoming and the space is also very calming. They have two full bathrooms in the house for showering purposes and I think that is a very nice perk for guests, especially given their location in the heart of Elmwood. I have not used their shower (as my friend lives 2 blocks away), but I can see the convenience in it and have seen other students utilize it. They are kept very clean, which I really appreciate.
After my first class, I started taking classes fairly consistently. Evolation follows the traditional bikram sequence of poses which is nice for those who enjoy the consistency and predictability of those classes. Hot 90 is definitely a challenge as all poses are repeated twice, where as the warm 60 classes goes through the same sequence but some poses are only done once. They also offer a flow 75 class (room temp), meditation and chill class. I like that they have classes throughout the day, starting as early as 6am and classes starting as late as 8pm. When I first started taking the classes, it was in the dead of winter, so it felt amazing taking the hot 90 whenever. Two weeks ago, I took a 6pm hot 90 and thought I was going to pass out. The room was already hot, but the sun baking down on the room made it that much hotter. Which brings me to my next main point for why this place does not get 5 stars from me.
Your experience at Evolation (much like I have seen from the other reviews) will depend heavily on your instructor. I am sure they are all well trained and do a great job, but they are just so different. I have been to a number of classes now and I can definitely tell you my favorite instructors and my least favorite instructors. I am not a picky person but I do not enjoy instructors who are too forceful with their instruction (it is not calming) and those who are too relaxed and joking (it makes it hard to concentrate). My favorite instructor is probably a toss up between Stacy and Steve, two instructors who are clear in their instruction without being too forceful — their enunciate without yelling and react appropriately to the group’s atmosphere. What I do not like is when instructors are so rigid that they do not adapt to how the group is reacting to something as intense as hot yoga. There was one instructor who did not open the door even for 5 seconds when most of the class was struggling from the heat. Challenge is important, but when most of the class is just lying there, it’s time to switch things up.
I am not sure if I will be purchasing another package with Evolation just because it is quite pricey if you do not attend regularly. They do have student packages, but I am fairly fickle when it comes doing exercise. I think I might switch it up and try spinning classes at the place next door, BIke o’ Bar (get it?). Overall, a good place.

Best yoga in Buffalo! I love the vibe, everyone is so friendly– staff and guests alike. I used to travel 45 minutes to go to this specific Evolation location because it is worth it. Love Love Love!

The trick here is finding a good teacher. At first I didn’t like it as two teachers sounded like robots, but there are some good ones. Just feel it out.

I’ve taken the hot and flow with a variety of different instructors. They are all very friendly and genuinely want to be helpful. One thing I particularly like is that they really encourage you to work at your own level and aren’t overly perfectionist. And they each share their own unique words of wisdom during practice which is always very sweet and often brings my perspective in check. Oh, and they kick your butt!
Clean studio. The yoga room is a bit of an odd shape so if you are on one end you can’t really see the instructor, but it’s not much of a problem. Take advantage of the groupon!

Turns out, I like Bikram Yoga. It’s challenging and attention grabbing, though definitely not for everyone.
Evolation runs some pretty good classes, they always tend to be friendly, and I always feel worked-​out when I am done there. Some of the instructors are super helpful and nice, with a lot of supportive and instructive speaking with their classes.
One thing I have noticed, and perhaps I just got lucky at first, is that you really have to feel out who your instructors are. Some of them are speaking a little by rote sometimes — or at least it feels detached. Which, if you were running a few classes of hot yoga a day, I’m sure you’d feel the same too. Perhaps it needs some spacing out or to take shifts or something.
I miss when they used to have morning classes — mainly because I had a fantasy that I’d actually wake up some days and go. As it is, they might be bringing them back and my fantasy can continue. Or perhaps, one day, be real.

Finally a good place for hot yoga! I’ve been looking for a place for hot yoga in Buffalo for some time now and have finally tried a place that I liked. They offer a variety of different levels which is nice because it gives you the option of going to something less intense than a 90 minute 105 degree class.
Everyone is looking for something different when it comes to yoga. Some are looking for meditation, relaxation, strength/​flexibility training, or a challenging workout. Different things are right for different people and the best thing is to find a place that best meets what you are looking for.
I was looking for a challenging workout where I can work on my strength and flexibility. I’ve recently begun training to run a 5K. I thought that yoga would be a great compliment to my training.
When it comes to yoga, I’ve always enjoyed the overly challenging push-​you-​to-​you-​limit type of practice. This is exactly what I got at Evolation. I went to the Hot 90 class which is a 105 degree class for 90 minutes. The only issue I had was that it didn’t feel like it was actually 105 degrees. It definitely felt hot though so I’ll be trying it again this week to see if I notice the same thing. Also, since it is on Elmwood, the parking can be problematic so definitely get there early.
Other classes they offer: a Warm (90 deg) 60 minute class, a Chill 30 minute class meant for mediation, a Flow (80 deg) 75minute class, and a Gentle (75 deg) 60 minute class. There are lots of options, so it’s definitely work a try.

This is a nice little yoga place in a great location (although there is a lot of competition in the Elmwood area). The first time I went, I had not realized how hard hot yoga would be. I showed up for the 105 °F class, and just was not prepared. I ended up leaving and they did not charge me for the class (I think I lasted all of fifteen minutes). A year and a half later and a bit more yoga practice, I showed up for the flow (80F) class. I definitely sweat, a lot, but I didn’t feel trapped like I did in the hotter class. The poses were a bit repetitive and nothing too difficult, but were put in a rotation that went well for my body. Just as my legs were getting too tired/​sore, the focus moved, which was nice. My friend really enjoyed it, too. It’s two days later and I’m a bit sore, but in a good way. I will be going back again, though I will have to work my way up to even the «warm» class!

Let me start off with the positive: the studio is beautiful, they sell water and rent towels and have showers that you can take. It can feel as if you’re coming home because, well — the studio is built into a post-​war cottage architecturally-​styled modern home (the first and second floors).
With that said, I was not a fan of the classes. Let me disclaim this by saying I’ve only practiced Bikram-​style yoga once before at another studio and I’m more fan of hatha/​Kripalu style, so I’m being a little biased here right-​off-​the-​bat. When I came to the classes, I was looking for something that is physically challenging (and this is definitely), but also instructors which cultivate a sense of presence, loving-​kindness and ‘invite’ you to explore your body. Instead, I’ve experienced yoga instructors which are more like motivational fitness trainers who push you to «stretch BEYOND your flexibility» (yes they say this).
My favorite yoga instructor has always said: «I invite you to stretch a little bit more, but be present, go to the point where it’s enough to hold your attention, but not so much that you tense up.» Maybe I’m being overly picky in the language the instructors use, but it’s really important to me. Also, I took their 90-​minute 105 degree class the other day and within half an hour felt extremely dizzy and left the room for a few minutes — the instructor came in after me and explained that it’s better if I stay in the room. When I go to a yoga class, I don’t want to feel as if I’m in jail — I want to feel safe to explore my limits and during Evolation classes I feel overwhelmed.
I still go — it’s a great work out, but I prefer more-​gentle instruction.

Evolation yoga studio offers strictly Bikram classes during which the temperature of the room is maintained at 105 F. This kind of yoga is pretty intense, so if you are a beginner, I would recommend starting with a few Vinyasa classes and building up to Bikram. With that said, the classes at evolation are pretty good, and leave you feeling flexible, and clear of mind. The downside of evolation is the facilities; the yoga studio is cramped and has an awkward layout, and the temperature fluctuates. If you attend a 6 pm class, come early, or you will end up squeezed in the corner, rubbing elbows with sweaty neighbors. This place is a pretty good option for yoga in the city of Buffalo, I just wish the facilities were improved. Classes are on the pricey side, but every few months there are great Groupon offers for unlimited monthly passes if you want to develop your inner yogi!

The classes are pretty good but the space itself leaves something to be desired. It’s in an old house, and it seems old. Not updated as much as it could be and the studio itself is awkwardly shaped with columns.
The hot and warm classes are standard bikram and good. The flow class is even better. I wish there were more adjustments and direction. That really varies by instructor, but is generally lacking.
Overall it’s good but not amazing.

I went for my first yoga class at Evolation yesterday and I left feeling like a million bucks. I felt rewarded physically, mentally, and emotionally. I was in a great mood the rest of the night. Yoga is really a treat. If you are tempted to try it I assure you that it is worth giving a try. This place is great!

Evolation has the antidote to the Buffalo winter — hot yoga. And Evolation has a hot yoga formula I haven’t seen anywhere else, offering «warm» yoga. Warm is only an hour and only 90 degrees, it’s fewer of the traditional poses of Bikram’s hot yoga series. Evolation also offers «hot» which is 105 degrees/​90 minutes and is the full Bikram hot yoga method. Warm yoga fits into a busy schedule, was perfect for me who needed a gentler start back after years of not practicing, and sometimes just because I want a gentler class. I haven’t tried the «chill» mediation class or the «flow» class yet, but I will. Like the place, the instructors are warm and hot/​nice and inspirational.