My Favorite Yoga Studios in São Paulo, Brazil - Ashtanga yoga, Kundalini yoga, Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Yin yoga and more
- Ilse
- Sep 9, 2024
- 12 min read
Updated: Jan 31
Yoga has become a significant part of the wellness culture in Brazil, with São Paulo at the forefront of this movement. In nearly every neighborhood in São Paulo, you will find one or more yoga studios. Every time I am travelling through São Paulo, I try to take a class. Over the years and through various subscriptions and trial classes, I have gathered a list of my favorite yoga studios in São Paulo.
In this blogpost, I will first discuss some of the most popular yoga styles and my favorite within each category. Then, I will take you in more detail through my favorite studios and answer questions like where they are located, what the atmosphere is like, what styles are being taught, and (for non-Portuguese speaking travellers) whether the teachers speak English.
Different styles of yoga in São Paulo
First, it is important to know about the different styles of yoga in general. Globally, there is a large variety of different yoga styles and so in an enormous city like São Paulo it comes to no surprise that there is a large variety of styles available. Whether you’re seeking the intensity of Ashtanga, the fluidity of Vinyasa, the grounding nature of Hatha, the meditative pace of Yin, or the sweat-inducing challenge of Hot yoga, each form of yoga provides a unique approach to achieving balance and mindfulness, allowing practitioners to find what resonates with their individual needs and energy levels in any given moment.
Ashtanga Yoga in São Paulo
I had been practicing yoga sporadically for many years until while living in Milan, Italy in 2018, I was first introduced to Ashtanga yoga. I had a wonderful teacher who guided me through the sequence of the first series.
Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic and structured practice that follows a set sequence of postures, designed to build strength, flexibility, and focus through a synchronized flow of breath and movement. Physically speaking, it is more rigorous than Hatha yoga, which tends to be slower and more focused on alignment and holding poses for longer periods. However, Hatha is considered foundational, providing the basics of postures and breath control necessary for Ashtanga.
If you are not familiar with Ashtanga, it is important to have a good teacher and a small group so that you do not get lost in the sequence as it can go quite quickly. There are various studios who offer Ashtanga yoga in São Paulo and my personal favorite is Mahadeva Yoga in Vila Madalena.
Having lived in Xela (or Quetzaltenango), Guatemala for nearly eight months, however, I got more into Ashtanga as this was offered every day in the Yoga House with two very experienced teachers. So although my basis was laid in Italy, Guatemala is where I learned most of my Ashtanga practice. Since then, I have been exploring different teachers and studios when travelling, and find it a joy to learn how different teachers teach across the world.
In Mexico City, I for example found the space very crowded and the guidance therefore slim, but we did extensive pranayama at the end - making the entire practice about 3 hours long - which I really enjoyed. In São Paulo, Brazil, I used my trial month of the app ClassPass to try out different studios during my ten days there.
Hatha Yoga in São Paulo
If you don't know what yoga you are doing, you are likely doing Hatha yoga. Like I said above, Hatha tends be slower and is fovused on alignment and holding poses for longer periods than for example Ashanga and Vinyasa. Hatha is a good yoga to start with. Because of its slower pace, it is a good way to learn some of the most essential postures (asānas) that form the basis for other styles. It is also a good way to get introduced to different breathing techniques.
My favorite studios that offer Hatha yoga in São Paulo are Mahadeva Yoga in Vila Madalena and Purusha Yoga in Santo Amaro.
Kundalini Yoga in São Paulo
When I was studying in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, I was first introduced to Kundalini classes. Alongside Ashtanga, Kundalini is my favorite type of yoga as its classes usually focus more on the spiritual and meditative aspects of yoga as a philosophy in practice. Kundalini yoga is focused on awakening the dormant energy at the base of the spine, known as Kundalini. The practice consists of a combination breathwork (pranayama) - which you will also find some Ashtangis do -, repetitive movements, chanting, and meditation, to channel the energy along the spine through the chakras.
Since Kundalini can be a very powerful practice, there are not many studios that offer Kundalini yoga in São Paulo. The only one that I found is Cittá Studio in Indianapolis, but which I would definitely recommend!
Vinyasa Yoga in São Paulo
Vinyasa yoga is closely related to Ashtanga in its set sequences of asanas but is slightly more dynamic or flowy. While with Ashtanga you stay in each pose for a fixed amount of breaths, Vinyasa continuously flows through the asanas with the breath. Because of that continuous movement, Vinyasa offers more flexibility in sequences than Ashantaga, allowing for creative variations and a less rigid structure. It is a bit further away from the traditional practice of yoga in India and more western, sometimes for example practiced with music.
There are many studios in São Paulo that offer Vinyasa yoga. My favorite again includes Mahadeva Yoga in Vila Madalena and Vidya Studio, which has various locations in São Paulo but their studio in Vila Olimpia is one of the only ones who offers regular Vinyasa (instead of hot yoga).
My favorite yoga studios in São Paulo
Of course, I did not try every single yoga studio in São Paulo, so this is in no way an exclusive guide. And I included one studio at the end that I have not been to, but was rated really well on ClassPass - for which I took a free month during one of my visits to São Paulo, allowing me to try out various yoga classes for free!
I hope that this post gives you an idea of the different types of studios and the ones I liked the most - which I am aware is very subjective, but my descriptions may help you decide which one you want to try out!
Purusha Yoga e Terapias Integrativas
Location: Rua São Benedito 1532, Santo Amaro, São Paulo, SP 04849-329, Brazil
Website: purusha.eco.br
Instagram: @purusha.eco
Atmosphere: The studio was beautiful, very light and looking out over trees in the newly being built space. It is very calm, relaxing and soft energy wise. The yoga is taught according to traditional teachings in India, but from the own energy of the teachers. The building is located in a nice neighbourhood on the outskirts of São Paulo, but easily reachable by metro. There is also a nice and well-visited brunch cafe around the corner. Bonus point is that the building is ecologically friendly with solar panels and a special water system that recycles water!
Equipment: At least for the Ashtanga, most people seem to be bringing their own mat. But you can borrow mats, blocks and heavy blankets to upgrade your savasana experience.
Rating on ClassPass: To trust others besides me, the rating on ClassPass is 5/5 stars with over 500+ people that gave a rating. So that is very very high!
Types of Yoga Offered: Ashtanga Krama, Hatha, Iyengar, Soft Yoga ('Yoga Gentil'), Vinyasa Flow, Vinyasa & Alignment, Yoga with Props. They also offer meditation sessions.
Ashtanga: I went to the Ashtanga class in the morning with Fernanda. There was only one other woman practicing with me and we both went on our own pace, with Fernanda spending careful attention on both of us to enhance our practice. I really liked how she guided me because she also gave me certain practice exersizes to help me get into postures I did not manage to fully get into yet. Every last Thursday and last Friday of the month there are guided Ashtanga classes.
Teachers & Language: There are various teachers here. I was with Fernanda, who was very kind, compassionate and calm. I really liked her style of teaching with personal attention and according to the abilities of each individual body/person. She also showed me several ways to practice how to get deeper into certain postures which will help me a lot in the upcoming time! We spoke Portuguese, for me to practice, but she also speaks English.
Gallery 1: Purusha Yoga e Terapias Integrativas
Mahadeva Yoga
Location: Rua Pelotas, 302, Vila Madalena, São Paulo, 04012-001, Brazil
Website: mahadevayoga.com.br
Instagram: @mahadevayoga
Atmosphere: To get to the yoga space you enter a small and cosy reception area that feels like a living room. Then you walk up the stairs, actually passing a low-ceiling, one-person living room area, until you arrive to the final floor with the yoga space. The yoga space itself is very open and spacious with a wooden floor and large windows, creating beautiful natural light and a fresh wind on warm days.
Equipment: Most people bring their own mats, but you can also use the mats from the studio. There are different props like blocks, bands, and pillows to help you during your practice.
Rating on ClassPass: To trust others besides me, the rating on ClassPass is 5/5 stars with over 500+ people that gave a rating. So that is very very high!
Types of Yoga Offered: Ashtanga, Hatha, Power Yoga, Sattva Chikitsa, Vinyasa Flow,
Ashtanga: I only went to the Ashtanga class here and it is easily the best Ashtanga class I have ever been to, primarily because of the amazing teacher Fernando. We all got to work on the sequence on our own pace and if you got stuck somewhere Fernando was right there to help. Fernando gave me tips I had never heard or even considered before that completely shifted the ease of certain positions that were formerly hard to get into. If I were to live in Sao Paulo, this would be the studio I would go to.
Teachers & Language: There are various teachers here. I had a class with Fernando, who is one of the best yoga teachers I have practiced with. Besides Portuguese, he also speaks English and can teach the class in English for you.
My Yoga in Jardins
Location: Alameda Casa Branca, 604, Jardins, São Paulo, 01422-003, Brazil
Website: myyoga.com.br
Instagram: @my_yoga
Atmosphere: The yoga studio has a cafe right next to the reception area where you enter, which feels very cosy and welcoming. Upstairs is the area where I practiced Ashtanga, it was a cornered space so I am assuming that other classes are held in another space where you can more clearly see the teacher. It was very light with large windows letting sunlight in and a little altar in the corner. And no phones allowed into the space, which I like! Also this neighbourhood is very nice and has good brunch cafes, such as Botanikafe which I can highly recommend also for digital nomads.
Yoga equipment: You can bring your own mat, which most people seemed to do, but they also have mats available. They also have blocks, pillows, blankets and weights to really upgrade your savasana at the end!
Rating on ClassPass: 4.9/5 stars with over 5.000 reviews. Note that the other My Yoga Studio, in Vila Nova Conceicao, is rated with 5/5 stars with over 2.500 reviews.
Types of Yoga Offered: Ashtanga Mysore, Core Vinyasa, Hatha, Hatha Flow, Iyengar, Kurunta, Meditation, Vinyasa and Alignment, Yin, Yoga with Props. Note that the last Thursday at 7pm and the last Friday at 7am of each month, there is a guided Ashtanga class for the ones that cannot do the sequence by themselves yet, or would like to be guided completely for a change. So this is a good place to get started with Ashtanga!
Ashtanga: The class was taught by Andrea Felice who had a very gentle style of guiding each person individually. She took the time to sit with you through certain postures and gently align certain parts of your body into the correct position. She was very kind and had a loving energy. She can also guide you through working on your bridge, headstand, handstand, crow position, or whatever specific posture you are still working on. I would totally come back to this place for her teaching!
Teachers & Language: They have different teachers. I only had Andrea, she spoke perfect English besides Portuguese.
Gallery 3: My Yoga Jardins
Vidya Studio Yoga
Location: Various locations across São Paulo. They mostly offer hot yoga. Vila Olimpia is one of the only locations where they offer other styles, such as Vinyasa and Yin in regular temperatures.
Website: https://vidyastudio.com.br
Instagram: @vidyastudio
Atmosphere: This is a very modern studio where the traditional practice of yoga has merged with more of a western wellness culture. The studio is beautiful and quite luxurious with showers, shampoo, soaps, hairdryers, towels, and all the yoga equipment imagineable to your disposal. There are separate spaces designed for the different types of yoga they offer.
Yoga equipment: You don't have to bring your own mat and most people don't as the mats are already laid out at the beginning of the class. They also have pillows and blocks.
Rating on ClassPass: 4.9/5 with 100+ reviews.
Types of Yoga Offered: Starter Flow, Flow II, Slow Flow, Express Flow, Kundalini, Yin
Yin: As there was no Ashtanga and as I was menstruating, I opted for a slow yin class. I thought I knew what I was in for, having done yin once before in Nijmgen, the Netherlands, but it was a lot slower than I expected. In the one hour class, we only went through six or seven postures, all on the floor. However, if you are looking for a slow, deep, and meditative class this is a good option. The large space was set up very peacefully with dimmed lights and candles all around.
Teachers & Language: There are several teachers. I only had a yin class from Lola. Besides a brief private explanation for me at the start, she did most of the class in Portuguese. This was not a problem for me, also because yin is very calm and does not need much guidance. She was also doing all the postures in the front herself. She did speak English and the other teachers at the studio also did, so presumably more intensive classes can be guided in English if you want.
Cittá Studio Yoga
Location: Alameda dos Anapurus 1210, Indianapolis, São Paulo, 04087-003, Brazil (close to the airport).
Website: cittastudioyoga.com.br
Instagram: @cittastudioyoga
Atmosphere: This is a very modern studio where the traditional practice of yoga has merged with more of a western wellness culture. The studio is beautiful and quite luxurious with showers, shampoo, soaps, hairdryers, towels, and all the yoga equipment imagineable to your disposal. There are separate spaces designed for the different types of yoga they offer.
Yoga equipment: You don't have to bring your own mat and most people don't as the mats are already laid out at the beginning of the class. They also have pillows and blocks.
Rating on ClassPass: 4.9/5 with 100+ reviews.
Types of Yoga Offered: Starter Flow, Flow II, Slow Flow, Express Flow, Kundalini, Yin
Yin: As there was no Ashtanga and as I was menstruating, I opted for a slow yin class. I thought I knew what I was in for, having done yin once before in Nijmgen, the Netherlands, but it was a lot slower than I expected. In the one hour class, we only went through six or seven postures, all on the floor. However, if you are looking for a slow, deep, and meditative class this is a good option. The large space was set up very peacefully with dimmed lights and candles all around.
Teachers & Language: There are several teachers. I only had a yin class from Lola. Besides a brief private explanation for me at the start, she did most of the class in Portuguese. This was not a problem for me, also because yin is very calm and does not need much guidance. She was also doing all the postures in the front herself. She did speak English and the other teachers at the studio also did, so presumably more intensive classes can be guided in English if you want.
Gallery 4: Cittá Yoga Studio
Studio GOA
Location: Rua Faustolo 1007, Agua Branca, São Paulo, SP 05041-001, Brazil
Website: goa.art.br
Instagram: @goahotyoga
Atmosphere: So I haven't been to this studio, as I left earlier than planned to explore Trancoso in Bahia with my first couchsurfing host. However, the photos look amazing with yoga in a space with small fires and candle lights. This studio seems to be focused on hot yoga, with many hot yoga classes a day. They also have Ashtanga.
Rating on ClassPass: To trust others besides me, the rating on ClassPass is 5/5 stars with over 1.000+ people that gave a rating. So that is very very high!
Types of Yoga Offered: Ashtanga, Hotyoga, Goa Lua
Gallery 5: Studio GOA
Awake Yoga Studio
Location: Rua Aspicuelta 339, São Paulo, SP 05433-010, Brazil
Website: awakeyoga.com.br
Instagram: @awake.yoga
Atmosphere: I have not been to this studio because I left for Trancoso in Bahia with my first couchsurfing host, as also said above. However, it is high-rated on ClassPass and so I wanted to include it in this overview. From the photos it seems to be a yoga space that is used to receive many practictioners. However, the looks of the studio feel like a home. They also have showers.
Yoga Equipment: They seem to offer mats and other props.
Rating on ClassPass: To trust others besides me, the rating on ClassPass is 5/5 stars with over 2.500+ people that gave a rating. So that is very very high!
Types of Yoga Offered: Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin
Gallery 6: Awake Yoga Studio
Conclusion
Each of these yoga studios offers a different experience, catering to different preferences and levels of practice. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just starting out, surely São Paulo’s yoga scene has something for everyone. If you’re interested in exploring more about São Paulo, check out my post on exploring São Paulo as a digital nomad!
If you want to know more about philosophy of yoga and what role it can play in someone's life - such as in your own - this conversation that I had with Amber, one of the best yoga teachers I have ever had, is a good 8-min watch.
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