Back for another season, 889 Yoga in partnership with lululemon athletica are taking open air yoga to new heights with their BYOM sessions at the Thompson Hotel’s third floor terrace.

Downward dogging it never looked so good, with Wellington Avenue acting as a lovely backdrop for their karma-rich classes which support New Leaf Foundation, a charity that brings at-risk youth the opportunity to experience yoga. 

 

Accessed through the Wildflower Nightclub entrance, you enter from the hotel’s gym to the deck style patio. After filling out a waiver and handing over a suggested donation of $2, yogis are encouraged to grab their preferred places on the wooden terrace. The yoga instructor takes centre stage allowing good sightlines for novices still learning the poses. The usual grunts and heavy breathing associated with the practice are muffled by the nearby streetcars, but the odd patio dweller reveling from above (and taking pictures to boot) can be slightly jarring- especially during the more awkward poses like the happy baby position. 

 

Classes are well guided by the mic’d instructor who leads you through an hour of the most popular and challenging poses, most of which can be modified depending on your level of expertise. Earthy tunes are in the flow, with local musician Rakkatak managing the drums throughout our session.  The good vibes carry all the way through the final vinyasa sending everyone off stretched out and blissed up. It’s not often you’re surrounded by skyscrapers as you echo “Namaste,” but the contrast between urban jungle and Zen like fortress brings balance and a welcome change of scenery to everyone’s practice. 

Sessions run each Saturday from 4-5pm until September 3rd.  Arrive early to secure your spot and don’t forget your SPF.