Hello & Hallo,
I have a gym membership (Nuffield Health) & am lucky because the yoga classes there are really good. However, it is nice to go to smaller studios for a more intimate vibe, different teachers & new sequences or poses 🧘
Down To Earth has 2 studios — Tufnell Park (North London near Hampstead Heath) and Islington. I visited the Islington studio for Vinyasa Flow L1-2 with Ashley Ahrens.
Read on for what I think of the studio & class…
Down To Earth offers predominantly yoga classes but also pilates. Yoga classes on offer include dynamic, Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, Hatha, restorative & even baby yoga. They also have 6 week beginners courses & meditation.
The Studio
The Islington studio is located on Essex Road. The reception is ground floor level & there is a little shop which sells everything from books & insens to yoga mats & active wear. The studio is in the basement down some stairs & therefore not wheelchair accessible.
They have one large bright studio in the basement which does have natural light. The wooden floor of the studio gives it a warm atmosphere. Also, on this cold autumn morning (7am class 😴 ouch) it was also a really pleasant temperature! As I arrived all the mats were already laid out which I like as it guarantees equal distance between people. They have all the props you need there — bricks, blocks, straps & blankets.
The Class
The Vinyasa Flow L1-2 class with Ashley was very good & quite advances. We started with sun salutations & worked our way through a lot of backbends which was the focus of the class. Ashley was very attentive & friendly. The structure of her class showed that practices a lot of Ashtanga which I do too & enjoyed.
About For The Core
- Cost: A drop-in class is £15 & also have an offer for new joiners. You can also book the studio through ClassPass — classes range between 4-8 credits.
- Facilities: They have one shower but don’t offer towels (not unusual for small studios). There are 2 small cubicles for changing. There have lockers for your valuables.
- Accessibility: Not wheelchair friendly due to the studio being in the basement. I do think that the teachers would be able & happy to teach people with mobility issues but be sure to call ahead & check.
My verdict / Would I go back:
The studio is nice & cosy with friendly staff & experienced teachers. I will definitely go back to try out other classes 😃
CORRECTION: You can ask for towels 😊
Bye & Tschüss,
Marlene xxx
P.S.: If you want to see some of my other posts on gym classes check out the post on Reformer Pilates at Heartcore, Barre at FLY LDN or Bikram Yoga at Sadhana 😃
