How should I prep / what should I bring to enjoy class?

Stretchy clothing that you are comortable in, a water bottle and face towel are three essentials. Bring your mat, or rent one of ours with a yoga towel! A shower towel is lovely if you are taking a heated class — we also rent shower towels!. RENTALS (tax included) $5 – mat + yoga towel $3 – yoga towel $3 – shower towel $2 – face towel Approach your class with curiosity, and listen to your body: mild discomfort is alright, but be ok with modifying a pose or opting out should you ever feel pain. Be kind to yourself.

What are Union's amenities?

We offer so much!

1. filtered water
2. tea when it's chilly
3. showers + blow dryers
4. rental yoga mat + yoga towel combo, rental towels
5. non-gendered private change stalls & restrooms
6. men's & women's public change rooms (trans folk friendly)
7. props: block, straps, mediation cushions, resistance bands, etc…
8. memberships with complimentary mats & face towels
9. cubbies for your street clothes, bags, etc.
10. a supportive, non-judemental space
11. knowledgeable instructors & staff RENTALS (tax included) $5 – mat + yoga towel $3 – yoga towel $3 – shower towel $2 – face towel

Which classes are beginner-friendly?

We have the perfect class for you! Beginner Yoga is offered Saturdays at 3:30pm + Mondays at 6pm. These are other great options:

1. Hatha
2. Resorative
3. Accessible Yoga
4. Yoga + Meditation
5. Yoga Nidra

May I store my yoga mat at Union?

No, we don't offer storage. Why? With heated classes, mats get sweaty and are smelly if they are not aired out to dry. We prefer to stay fresh and tidy for our clients! Feel free to rent one of our mats in lieu of toting yours. We offer our unlimited members complimentary mats and face towels!

I'm not flexible at all — can I still try yoga?

Asbolutely! Yoga is a moving meditation that doesn't require flexibility. While yoga will gradually you feel more limbre, practicing yoga centers around strength, balance and resiliency. Everyone's practice will look different, since we each have a unique body, with individual limitations. At Union, we honour all people's ability to practice yoga, no matter their body of degree of flexibility!

Where should I store my valuables?  Do you have cubbies?

Whenever possible, leave valuables at home. We offer cubbies, but do not have lockers. Bring your valubales with you into class, and tuck them out of sight in a cubby (if avaialble) or at the edge of the wall. No large items, please—limit it to a powered-down phone, wallet, jewellery, keys. If you arrive from work with your laptop, we will store it behind the desk. All other valuables should stay with you. Union is not responsible for lost & stolen items.

Is Union a trans-friendly space?  Are there changeroom options?

Asbolutely! Chioose between private non-gendered change stalls, or public men's & women's changerooms. We also offer private non-gendered restrooms, which are wheelchair accessible. Accessibility is pivotal at Union. We welcome suggestions if you see room for improvement!

I am working through an injury / illness.  What should I do to practice safely?

Great question! Speak with your instructor before class begins—they will offer specific modifications for today's class. If this is a recurring injury, or long-term issue please flag our desk staff who can add injury notes. If you are ill, REST is your best friend. "Sweating it out" is a myth—to recover quickly please stay hydrated, and stay home. Thank you for helping our other clients, instuctors are staff stay healthy!

I found out about Union after sustaining a TBI.  Which classes are a good option for me?

Try practicing with teachers who have specific training to support clients with brain injuries such as Kassandra Prus or Amanda Stokes. We always recommend checking out the LoveYourBrain website, and enrolling for a free series to help aid your recovery. LoveYourBrain classes are hosted at Union, but enrolment is via their website.

What is the difference between hot, warm and regular temp classes?

Regular temperature classes are held in our smaller studio. The larger studio hosts Warm classes which are heated to 28º and Hot Classes which feel like 38º in the shade. Even heat-sensitive clients often enjoy a Warm class. Hot Body Tone is heated to feel like 40º and is by far our toastiest, most challenging class!

Do you have a lost & found?

Yes, we do. Forgot something? Call us at 416.516.0909 and we will tag it with your name, and set it aside. Clothing or towels left behind may be laundered before finding their way into the wicker lost & found basket near our front door. Please allow 24 hours, in case your item is in the laundry. We keep lost items for 3 weeks, and then they are donated.

Do you rent your space?

Yes, our rooms are available to rent between classes (typically weekday mid-morning or afternoon). Rentals are idea for quiet events like private yoga, small meditation groups, etc. Please note that if classes must be cancelled, the rental fees are high to account for lost revenue. Plan accordingly!

Do you have locations other than 956 Bloor Street West?

Not yet! We are focused on offering our clients excellence, and are proud to have celebrated our 5 year anniversary in August 2019.

Are you hiring?

Not at this time. We are a small team, and prioritize hiring graduates from our Yoga Teacher Training programs who are well versed in Union's values and accessible approach to yoga.

How do I book a class?

Head to our schedule (or use our app for Apple or Android!), click on the class you would like to take and book away! If you don't have an existing pass, you may then choose a pass to purchase. Please note our one hour cancellation policy for in-studio and park yoga classes—cancel online at least one hour before class to avoid fees, if you can't make it. (Troubleshooting: If you have a pass, but are being asked to pay again, call us at 416.516.0909 or email info@unionyogastudio.ca as you may have duplicate accounts.)

Are massages booked at Union with RMTs?  Do you offer direct billing?

All massages are offered by RMTs who will give you a receipt after your massage. While we don't offer direct billing, the majority of insurance companies enable you to upload a photo of your receipt, and will reimburse within a few days. There is a 24 hour cancellation window for all massage appointments. Please give as much notice as possible to avoid fees.

What are Union's cancellation policies?

Great qustions! Our cancellation polities for classes, workshops, trainings and massge therapy can be found here on our Ethics & Policies page.

What products do you sell?

We offer an array of natural rubber B Mats (varying colours, sizes, and thicknesses), as well as synthetic mats by HalfMoon. Find carry-straps for your mat, really excellent Guru Yoga Towels, Pilates bands & balls, massage balls, cork blocks, eye pillows, yoga blankets and meditation cushions to support your practice. We also stock an array of hand-poured candles made with essential oils, malas, select books, and more.

What kinds of health & wellness professionals can I access at Union?

At Union Yoga + Wellness, we have a wonderful team of Registered Massage Therapists, an Occupational Therapist and Meditation Coach. Learn more here!

Do you offer private yoga classes?

We do! Enjoy a private class for just yourself, or a small group of friends, either in your own home or at our studio space. Rates vary, depending on what you are looking for. Connect with a manager to learn more!

My workplace is looking for a yoga instructor—does Union offer Corporate Yoga?

We do! We tailor each Corporate Yoga package or retreat to meet the needs of your workplace, and the space you have available. Feel free to copy & paste the form below into an email to one of our managers, and we will be in touch soon! Corporate Yoga intake form: 1. COMPANY: 2. CONTACT: 3. ADDRESS: 4. CLASS INFO — please complete fields below Preferred day of the week: Class start time: Preferred dates: Does this class repeat? How often: Number of participants: Description of the style of class you are looking for, or staff wellness goals:

Do Union's Flow classes use a set sequence / follow the same series of postures?

We do not have a proprietary sequence—instead, we celebrate the creativity of our instuctors. Each class at Union is unique. You will never take the same class twice. Why? This empowers our students with a broad range of postual knowledge, often leading to personalized modifications. Unique classes prevent repetitive strain injuries and fitness plateaus for our clients. and allows us to grow as our teachers pursue continuing education. We make room for contemporary inclusions such as sequences inspired by functional movement and pilates.

Where can I find info on yoga teacher trainings and continuing education?

Take a look at our Teacher Trainings page!

Aside from yoga, what do you offer?

We have an array of classes other than yoga: Pilates, Fusion, Hot Body Tone, Meditation, not to mention workshops and trainings that cover a wide range of topics. Union Yoga has RMTs on site every day, offering massage therapy. Appointments for Occupational Therapy and Meditation Coaching are also avaialble. For workplaces, we are happy to offer day-long or half-day customized retreats, and corporate yoga classes.

May I bring tea into the yoga studios?

If you have an insulated bottle or thermos, absolutely! If you are using one of our glass mugs, we ask that they stay in the lounge. Glass mugs or glass bottles aren't permitted in the yoga studios for your safety.

What do I need for a great online class? How to bring the "yoga studio experience" home.

Online classes take some getting used to. Our best tips to bring the Union experience you love into your home include: 1) connect your computer to good speakers, or practice with wireless earbuds
2) set up a yoga corner that is minimal, maybe with a plant or two, where everyday clutter / mess is out of sight & out of mind — ready your props, and don't be afraid to get creative: books can be blocks, and soup cans make great 2lb weights!
3) before and after class, take an extra 3 minutes to literally shake off the day, smile and tap into a sense of peace — maybe do some deep breathing to cultivate that sense of presence and mindfulness that make your practice so special
4) if you share your home with others, set boundaries around your practice time (if they are animals, take time to "claim your mat as your space" so they don't try to play or trample you during practice)
5) missing our Hot Room? Just set up a humidifier or diffuser near your mat for humidity, and use a portable heater to boost the heat! 6) schdule conflicts? If our livestream schedule doesn't work, just try our on-demand classes, available 24/7 in the Virtual Studio! Learn More 7) expect the occasional distraction or interruption. ;) Life happens. 8) don't stress about equipment or props. Specialized equipment is always optional and you will hear our instructors suggest common household items that can replace traiditional yoga props: a textured rug = a yoga mat thick books = yoga blocks belt = yoga strap firm cushions = bolster soup cans = weights lacross ball = acrupressure massage ball You're more prepared than you think! Trust us, you've got this. Enjoy!

How can I earn credit, or offset how much I spend on classes? → REFER FRIENDS!

We reward you for referring friends! Referrals lead to spendable credit that can offset the ciosts of your classes, memberships, buying yoga props or fitness equipment, even accessing trainings and workshops! Learn More