If you are looking for an active way to relax, then taking part in yoga classes in Bangkok is a great way to both de-stress and get some exercise. Although yoga was first developed as a spiritual practice, it has now become a great way to increase your body’s strength and flexibility. As well as traditional yoga classes, Bangkok also offers hot yoga, which is performed in temperatures hotter than those you experience outside, and yoga fly which was invented in Bangkok and involves a hammock and plenty of fun.
Many of the yoga studios also offer pilates, which shares some similarities with yoga, but focuses more on your core strength and muscles than yoga. Below we have listed our favourite yoga classes in Bangkok. We recommend you call ahead to reconfirm the class timings in case of any last-minute changes.
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Iyengar Yoga
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These guys take their yoga seriously, with a strong focus on precision, breathing and detail. This is not merely a yoga class but a whole experience, and while some find this extremely relaxing, others can find it a little intense. At the beginning of the class, you collect blankets, straps and blocks to help you to recreate the postures that are key to Iyengar yoga. For those who are more advanced, there are ropes on the walls to help with inversion poses.
Ideally, you should have some basic knowledge of yoga. Although teachers are very patient with novices, it can be tricky to hold a position for several minutes in the beginning. If you are getting bored with your usual yoga class and want to try something a little more demanding, this is highly recommended. There are ‘level 1’ classes every day from Monday to Sunday and classes last an hour and a half.
Location: 3rd floor, Fiftyfifth Plaza, 90 Sukhumvit Soi 55, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Phone: +66 (0)2 714 9924
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Hot Yoga
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If Bangkok isn’t hot enough already, check out hot yoga at Absolute. These studios have been around since 2002 and have several locations across the city including Siam, Silom, Sukhumvit and Ladprao. There are 50 poses in the hot yoga series, and they're all performed at 38-40°C, a little hotter than the air temperature on a Bangkok summer’s day. This might seem a little mad at first, but the heat helps your muscles loosen up and enables you to stretch better than you would in an air-conditioned studio.
The impressive Amarin branch is Absolute Yoga’s flagship, with large studios and 71 classes a week. It’s so swish that royalty even used to come and perfect their poses here. They also have a pilates studio on site.
Location: Amarin Plaza, Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Open: Monday–Friday from 7am to 9.15pm, Saturday–Sunday from 8am to 5pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 252 4400
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Read moreLumpini Park offers a more verdant side to Bangkok and is the perfect place to enjoy yoga alfresco. Classes run for an hour every day, twice a day at 7am and 6pm. You'll need to bring your own mat and the classes are taken in Thai, so it might be a little hard if you have never taken a yoga lesson before. The teacher will help you to move your limbs into position, though.
The classes take place on a grassy space under the trees, in between the lake and the running path, and last an hour. If you are coming in the evening, remember that there are a lot of mosquitoes around, so long trousers and repellent are essential.
Location: Lumpini Park, 192 Rama IV Rd, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Open: Daily at 7am and 6pm
Price: 50 baht
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Yoga Fly
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Yoga Fly was actually created here in Bangkok, so there's no better place to experience the most unusual way to stretch and move. Incorporating elements of yoga, pilates and dance, it has a quick pace. Using a traditional mat and a cloth swing hanging from 1 fixed point on the ceiling, you move through different positions using the hammock as support and balance you while you attempt graceful poses, and swing upside down, which is a little less elegant.
These classes are suitable for everyone, but it helps if you have a little strength in your arms and legs. At the end of the class, you can relax and work on your breathing, cocooned in the hammock.
Location: Jasmine City Building, Sukhumvit Soi 23, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: Monday–Friday from 8am to 9pm, Saturday–Sunday from 9am to 5pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 661 7468
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