8 Limbs Yoga Centers – Capitol Hill

My experience here was terribly disappointing. As a newer yogi recovering from an injury, I came in without much experience, and with very limited mobility in my shoulders. I chose a beginner level class, and came really early so I’d have time to fill out paperwork and acclimate to the space. When I checked in, I was given a card to fill out that asked about any injuries or medical issues. I filled it out, and the front desk person told me she’d make sure the teacher knew about my shoulders. She pointed me in the direction of the studio — it was the smaller one, and I was the first one in.
The space itself was cramped, dark, and stuffy, not the open space I’d expected from the pictures on Unilocal.The pictures must be of the larger room. There were props available, and I got myself set up in the corner. The teacher came in just before the start of class, and started us going without any discussion.
The class itself was ok at first. Then, in our first or second down-​dog, the teacher cued the position a few times, and then came over to «re-​align» me. I asked her not to — what I was doing was all that I could at that point in time, and adjusting me would hurt. Instead of just backing off, she snapped at me for not telling her before class and then ignored me for the rest of the session. Remember, this was a beginner’s class, and she hadn’t shown up early enough to allow anyone to speak to her.
It’s possible that the teacher was having an off day. It’s also possible she shouldn’t be teaching beginners. Either way, the experience was not pleasant, and it’s unlikely that I will go back.
Edit 9÷23÷2015:
I’m adding on a star for customer service, and a better experience the second time around. The studio owner contacted me and asked if I’d be willing to give them another try. This time was better. The space is still cramped, but was well-​lighted. The instructor was very kind and friendly, and was available and willing to help her students (not just me) with modifications and support.

Great Class this morning with Michal Lahav, perfect way to start the day! I too love yoga classes here.

I love yoga classes here. There is no competitive vibe whatsoever; I can understand the directions of the instructors; they are always open to questions, and they don’t look down their noses at students who are older or who are physically challenged in some way. All good, and all things that have been issues elsewhere. Nothing like a yoga teacher in a beginning level class who expects you to know all the Sanskrit names of the asanas and already know them… I’ve run across that elsewhere and never at Eight Limbs. Douglas Ridings is my personal favorite, but others are also good.

First bad impression: They charge $ 2 for «mat rental». I have never been charged for a mat rental in any other yoga studio or any type of gym before. Surely they make enough so that they can provide free mats to their customers — mats are not expensive. Instead, they rely on making an extra couple of bucks from the people who walk in for their first class without a mat — not right! Second, their classes are too crowded, they should accept far fewer people for the size of their studios. When I went they had 36 people in a not-​so-​big room. The ventilation is terrible and the rooms feel very stuffy and smelly after a class. At least the bigger studio has windows. The smaller one has no windows and is so claustrophobic. They don’t even have enough hangers on the walls for the amount of people they have at a time, and clothes and shoes are all over the place in the corridors, a mess. I tried their «meditation» class once and it was a complete joke, this wacko woman walks in and starts mumbling about some yogi in India and how he’s like a God and this and that, giving no advice about how to actually meditate. When the actual meditation began, I was expecting it to be a guided meditation. Instead, this woman sat us with our backs on the wall and we stayed there for half an hour doing absolutely nothing. She put some «sacred ash» on our foreheads and sang some stupid hymn and then the class was over! Yoga and meditation can be such a wonderful experience, if you go to the right place. I have been to many great yoga studios, and this is not one of them. I am not going back. I want to be treated as a person and not as part of a flock of sheep, it seems that the only thing they are interested in is my money.

Beautiful space.
Many different locations with various class offerings.
Some of the level 2 classes should really be characterized as level 1 — if you’re looking for a more vigorous practice with the opportunity for advanced postures, try Andreas Fetz’s class.
Membership not really recommended. My practice is fairly advanced and I found only 1 or 2 teachers offering classes that appealed to me.
Plenty of on-​street parking.
Great intro deal for dedicated yogis ($ 108 for 2 months unlimited)

Sadly they no longer have the large room I mentioned in my review. Their new room is about the same size (maybe a bit smaller) with less windows. That might be a blessing in disguise though, because no more sunset right in the eyes!
I would avoid the smaller room. No windows, very sad. :(

I think an important element to sticking with yoga over time is to find a studio or a teacher that really matches your style and personality. You’ll stick with something if you don’t feel like you have to fight it all the time. Lucky me I’ve found a perfect match in both respects at 8 Limbs on Capitol Hill. The studio is just right — simple, open, light and airy. And I absolutely love Douglas’ Tuesday/​Thursday midday classes. They are just perfect for me — challenging, safe, introspective and graceful.
Big thanks to the whole crew at 8 Limbs for creating such a friendly, welcoming and absolutely asshat-​free environment in which I can give myself the gift of practicing yoga. You guys are awesome.

My first class @ 8 Limbs Cap Hill was AMAZING! the front desk staff member, I believe her name is Lauren? was so pleasant and very kind over the phone to answer all of my questions upon arriving. Megan Costello’s chakara focused class was so powerful today, I actually cried a bit while in pigeon pose. I have never experienced this type of release and what I loved most was that she took the time after class to help me look for books on the topic of chakara release and her personal recommendations I look forward to coming back again! Thank you 8 limbs.

Such an amazing class at 8 limbs in Capitol Hill! I travel a lot for work and am always trying new studios and the class that I took today was one of the best!
The building is under construction so it was a little hard to find, but they were really friendly on the phone helping me to find it. I took a class with Douglas – very challenging but he was constantly offering modifications for any poses that were too advanced for anyone (and also modifications to make the poses more challenging) and was great with corrections and suggestions on form without making anyone feel self conscious. I will definitely be going back every time I visit Seattle!

One of my favorite yoga studios. Lots of classes to choose from and very knowledgable instructors. Beautiful studio too.

I don’t really think there’s anything wrong with this yoga studio. For me, it was just uninspiring. I paid for a 5-​class card and didn’t even feel motivated to go back after the first time. The one teacher I had offered neither the alignment/​refinement you might find in Iyengar (Center for Yoga) or Anusara yoga (Seattle Yoga Arts), nor did they offer the physical challenge and exuberance of a heated/​power vinyasa practice (pretty much every other studio in town). I found it really boring, but clearly a lot of people love this studio. I’m sure there are better teachers than the one I tried.

I have gone to the West Seattle and the Wedgewood locations — both were very similar. They were low impact yoga. If you are going for this — you will love this studio. I however, want a work out when I do yoga, so I tend to like Power Vinyasa or hot yoga. I also thought the instructors took everything really slow and steady, which was distracting and made me think… why am I paying «yoga studio prices» to burn under 200 calories in an hour? For that, I will be going elsewhere.

I’ve been going to this studio for a few weeks, and I really like it so far. Everyone is very friendly, there’s an equal mix of girls and guys, and the teachers are great. No one seems overly pretentious.
As mentioned in another review, one of the studios is large, lovely, and has lots of windows. The other one is tiny and does indeed feel like you’re doing yoga in a closet. I hate it when I don’t have enough room and always have to be conscious of smacking into the wall or my neighbors. Minus one star. In the future, I’ll be seeking out classes in the large studio.
If you’re having trouble finding 8 Limbs, it’s next door to Sun Liquor on Pike (go up the stairs).
The two-​month trial membership is a great deal… I recommend it! Except now I’m hooked and will be shelling out $ 100+ a month. :)

I keep a punch card and practice at several yoga studios in Seattle, but 8 Limbs on Capitol Hill is the one I practice at the most often.
The main studio space is just lovely. It has filtered day light from two huge walls of windows, so even in the winter I feel like I get some sunlight. Although it’s on a busy street on Capitol Hill and there are tall buildings all around it, there is actually a little bit of a view. There are lots of large plants in the studio, beautiful wood floors, and high ceilings. It’s such a peaceful place that I feel my heart and mind settling as soon as I walk in.
The smaller studio, unfortunately, is no treat. It’s tiny, often crowded, and has no windows. I generally avoid classes that are in this space.
Like all yoga studios, the teachers are all different. However, while I have a few that I especially like, there aren’t any that I don’t like at all. They offer different styles, but they are all competent and caring teachers. I find that I get a good amount of personal attention and adjustments without feeling overwhelmed.
The 8 Limbs current and updated schedule is always available on-​line, and it says if there is a substitute teacher scheduled, or if classes are canceled for holidays or snow. I like that I can be sure my class is actually happening before I arrive. I also appreciate that there are short descriptions of each class on the schedule (although it would be nice if they were a bit more detailed.)
Their Capitol Hill schedule seems overly full of Level 1 and all-​level classes. I’d like to see a few more challenging classes added to the mix.
Prices are on par with other Seattle yoga studios, and they often have specials for punch cards or memberships. One bummer is that they charge an extra $ 1 for mat rental, which I really don’t understand. I would like to know I can drop in even if I don’t have gear with me and not have to pay extra.
The boutique has a nice selection of yoga clothing, mats, bags, books, etc.
The staff are always friendly and helpful.
One of my favorite things about 8 Limbs (more so than the other Capitol Hill studios) is that it seems like all kinds of people practice here. I regularly attend classes with a very wide variety of ages, body types and sizes, skill levels, and genders. This is not just a studio for yogi super-​stars, it’s a studio for everyone.

I do love how this yoga studio looks out over seattle, sure you mostly see a parking lot, but its still a view. Street parking here can be a challenge, but check the side streets for vertical parking, rather than parallel, be prepared to pay the meter if its before 6pm. Studio is upstairs which is unusual, large boutique with clothe covered changing rooms in the boutique (?). Lots of things for sale, including some good sale items at times. Two seperate studio rooms at this location, if its your first time be sure to ask where you are going or you might get lost. It can also be a challenge to find the bathroom as it seems this building is shared with some other businesses. Some instructors here have had interesting interpretations of some yoga moves, but at least they are keeping it interesting.

This place is wonderful. My girlfriend and I are spending a couple of weeks in Seattle and have signed up to the unlimted membership here. All of ths staff are really nice and friendly and the classes are great.
We have attended a mixed bunch of classes from their schedule and whilst there is variation in style, pace and type of teaching, the consistent thing about them all is the quality. They are all very enjoyable and peaceful.
The main studio room is a lovely space and the calmness hits you as soon as you walk in, just as a yoga studio should be. There is traffic noise from the street below, but that soon blends into the background once the class begins. The equipment is first class; bolsters, blankets, straps and mats, all of which are nice and clean and new and only a dollar to rent. The little boutique in the reception area is full of great yoga books and CD’s with a small range of clothes and mats for sale too.
I would highly recommend this place to anyone. Thank you to everyone at 8 Limbs for creating such a nice place to practice yoga.

I have come here from time to time for so many years. I know the owner and trust her ethics and judgment. I have had excellent classes. I also took many classes at their Wedgwood location which I sweated in — somehow I got harder classes there. maybe it was my choice. Their variety of levels and styles has something for everyone.
I considered taking a teacher training course from them — their intro night carefully covered the aspects of the year with competency. I did decide against it with reluctance as I have some traveling to do. BUT their process for communication is better than others with whom I talked about the same thing. Their one week training is in Breitenbush, a much loved place.
The economy presents many challenges — cost of yoga classes– theirs are the same as elsewhere — I need a tremendous special to go.

YOUR EXPERIENCE TOTALLY DEPENDS ON THE TEACHER.
Some classes here have been awesome, some left me in giggles. I’m not naming names but I had this flash of Dr. Frankenfurter from the Rocky Horror Picture Show when I was listening to this one teacher and I just lost it. There are some very experienced teachers with real skills here, and the space is nice but you need to find a teacher you connect with. They are very professional and I think they try to be sure that the space is warm enough for folks not to get hurt, but sometimes you get get that flash of the time warp and you’re a gonner.

I boast about this 8 limbs location for a couple reasons: One, the studio space is amazing (the one with the all the windows). Two, the décor of the room feels like home. Lastly, I have grown fond of one of their instructors named Paul who teaches an amazing class on thursdays at 545pm.
I’ve gone to many yoga studios, having worked for a yoga based clothing company for a year, and I must say this 8 limbs location is my favorite and would go out of the way, shell out the dough and walk from my work to here with a guarantee I’m going to have a wonderful experience. Thank you!

I started my yoga practice here in Sept. 06 and I think it’s great for any beginner. I took Jenny Hayo’s Intro. to Yoga Series and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to start with the very basics of yoga. Jenny is still my favorite teacher here. I’ve also taken the Intro. to Flow Series with Maygen McGrew and she is another amazing teacher.
What I love about this place is that no one makes you feel inexperienced or «behind». The teachers are all about props and not injuring yourself.