Beauty

Stretch out at East Side Yoga, Edinburgh, where pockets are soothed too

A Flow & Restore class at East Side Yoga, Edinburgh

The treatment

A Flow & Restore class – to “energise and unwind, flow and be still” – with Nina Romijn at the new East Side Yoga, Edinburgh, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm. They also offer other classes including their own, rather challenging sounding, East Side Power Yoga, as well as yin, hatha and meditation.

Why go?

Yoga has become really expensive recently. As far as my mental and physical fitness routine goes, I tend to supplement my council gym membership with the occasional trip to a proper studio. My nearest one, however, has gone up to £14 per 60 minute session, and add on an extra £2 to hire a mat. Ouch. This lovely new venue, however, is slightly undercutting the rest, with hour-long drop-in classes at £9.50, an Intro Fivepack of classes for £25 (use within a month) and your first class free. Hoorah.

Our spy says

You’ll find this place towards the bottom of Broughton Street. Inside, it’s rather lovely, with a reception, lit in pale pink, where you can shed your boots.

Downstairs, the changing room is light and bright, with lockers and private booths if you don’t want to traumatise others with the sight of your nude-y body. The huge studio is back up the stairs at the back. It’s high-ceilinged – wow, those cornices – and New Towny, with a view out to gardens and a huge sycamore tree, slung with helicopter seeds.

This class is warm, about 26C, which feels great when it’s nippy outside. I almost feel like I’m going to defrost and leave a puddle on the floor.

Our young teacher, Nina – who already wins my approval since she has a cute tattoo of a seal on her arm – has a relaxed manner, and talks us through some breathing before we tackle the work bit of the practise.

We flow through some dynamic poses, with various warriors, planks, downward dogs and lunges, all done at a nice rhythm, with nothing too onerous or scary (well, apart from the side lunge, but that’s just my personal failing).

Then, half-way through, we wind down into the yin style part of the session. Using the bolsters and blocks that are provided, we hold poses including pigeon, but for a few minutes, to stretch the fascia. Then, after savasana, we gently come round by chanting “om”.

The results

I love this studio. It’s not too trendy, basic, cramped, intimidating or, well, expensive. It’s also a beautiful space. When we start our session, it’s still light, then, at the end, when I open my eyes, that sycamore tree is clad in dusk. n

East Side Yoga (109 Broughton Street, Edinburgh, 0131-208 5500, www.eastsideyoga.co.uk)