Studio One was opened in the summer of 2016, so everything from the yoga mats and the Pilates machines to the bathroom fittings, are brand new. The building was a former karaoke bar, dark and dingy. Yet through the vision of Ali and Sarah, sisters and co-founders, they have created a super light and bright space for practicing yoga, and the other disciplines they offer.
Studio One – the Space
The studio is located in the heart of Islington, on Caledonian Road. It’s easy to get to from King’s Cross, as a main London hub, or come into Caledonian Road & Barnsbury on the overground, as an alternative. Highbury & Islington is also close, with Angel as another option.
The space at Studio One consists of one good sized yoga studio, completely kitted out with mats, bolsters, blocks and other accessories for your practice. To the back of this studio is a large glass window, which lets in a good amount of light during the day. Outside has been fitted with pretty fairy lights, lovely as the autumn draws in and many classes are held after it gets dark.
There is a second studio used for Pilates, Barre, Boxing and various other keep fit classes, as well as for extra yoga classes, when needed. Upstairs there is a Reformer Pilates studio.
Studio One – The Facilities
The facilities at Studio One are also all brand new. There are a selection of changing rooms for men and women as well as toilets. Deodorant and dry hair shampoo are also available to use, so you can freshen up after a particularly energetic class!
Water is supplied on the entrance to the yoga studios so you can top up your water bottle or grab a glass before class.
Studio One Yoga & Teachers
There is a clear focus on Vinyasa yoga when looking through the timetable at Studio One. However, a lot of thought has gone into ensuring there is something for everyone, as some Vinyasa classes are dynamic, others are balancing, or maybe you want to try out a high-energy class.
As well as Vinyasa, there are Restorative classes, a weekly Yin yoga class, yoga Nidra and meditation, so you can combine one of these to help stretch out and really relax.
Studio One is an integrated yoga, Pilates and fitness studio so there are a wide range of other classes available, including Pilates, Reformer Pilates, Boxing, Barre and Personal Training. If you want to focus on a specific area, such as core strength, then is likely to be a class that suits you – the timetable is extensive.
The studios are also perfectly set up to cater for the different classes.
The studio may be new but the teachers come with years of experience. As pregnancy yoga is also offered here, some teachers have carried out the extra training to qualify to teach specific classes for pre and post natal.
The Class
The class I went along to was a Friday 9:00 Energising Vinyasa with Caroline Pointer.
This class is suitable for almost all levels, as it included lots of downward dogs, cobras, planks and upward dogs, which was a good chance to practice the foundations, with gentle adjustments from Caroline. As the class progressed, Caroline introduced more challenging poses to suit those with more experience.
At the start of the class, Caroline encouraged us to set a positive intention and create a safe space on our mats for the practice today. She frequently made reference to our chakras throughout the practice as well, so integrating many facets of yoga and ensuring both the mind and body were being worked on.
We gave real attention to breathing long, deep breaths throughout the session, which definitely left me feeling highly energised after.
Most Studio One classes are aimed to be open to all levels, as the teachers will adapt the class to suit the class. However, there is a Beginners Flow class that would suit those completely new to yoga.
The Package & Pricing
Joining Studio One is easy and there are several options available depending on your requirements.
There are Drop-In class passes, which range from between £15 for a 1 hour yoga class and £25 for Reformer Pilates.
The Studio One card offers the flexibility of the DropIn but with lower rates. Just keep £50 topped up and it enables you to access the discounts, £10 for yoga and £20 for Reformer Pilates – that’s a good saving!
Keep £50 topped up on your Studio One card and save approx. £5 per class!
There are also memberships available including peak and off-peak, yoga only, pilates only, or the full works!
The best way to see what suits you is to visit their website where you can see their pricing and the class schedule.
Like the sound of Studio One? Looking for Yoga in Islington? Find out more information here
This review took place on Friday September 30 2016, by Claire, Yoga London.