Yoga in Lisbon: 5 Top Studios
Let’s be honest, our daily hectic lives can lead us to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and out of alignment. It is definitely not uncommon to feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. So sometimes, what we really need to do is to take a little time for ourselves and what better way to do that than with yoga. Thankful yoga in Lisbon is not hard to find as the city is not only known for its broad entertainment, art & culture, and gastronomic delights but it is also a top-notch yoga and relaxation hub.
Below, we have gathered some of the best yoga studios in the city (and in Portugal) for you to catch a break, relax, and connect with like-minded humans. So what are you waiting for? Grab your eco-friendly travel yoga mat and find the perfect studio.
Choosing The Right Style for You
First things first, before you choose a studio, it’s important to choose the right style of yoga that would best fit your needs. As a 5000-year-old practice, yoga has naturally evolved over the eras. Yoga has increased in popularity over the last fifty years with new styles and methods regularly popping up. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner looking to expand your knowledge or a newbie undecided on what style better resonates with you, you might need a little research.
Below we have gathered the most popular styles to help you choose.
Hatha
The blueprint of all yoga methods, Hatha yoga was originally created by Himalayan monks to acquire the optimal conditioning for meditation. ‘Ha’ in Sanskrit translates to the “sun” and ‘Tha’ translates to “moon”, Hatha is therefore a yogic practice that works on balancing the opposites. The practice consists of a routine of asanas designed to improve flexibility, endurance, and balance. Hatha yoga works on breathing and breath control. The key is to regular your breath provides small restorative breaks in between vigorous postures.
Hatha is great for both beginners and advanced practitioners. It will help you develop or deepen your understanding of different postures while moving at a moderate pace and giving you a great stretch.
Ashtanga
One of the more traditional approaches, Ashtanga yoga is aimed at shifting your focus inward through a mindful connection between movement and breathing. It is a vigorous practice requiring high levels of discipline and focus. It consists of six sets of postures – always the same and in a pre-established order. Each set takes roughly 90 minutes to be completed, meaning most studios will carry out all six of them on a weekly rotation.
If you are a beginner, then it would be wise to start somewhere else as this style of yoga is really tough. Also if you have sensitive joints, this practice may never be right for you.
Yin
Inspired by traditional Chinese medicine principles, Yin yoga is a very relaxed practice aimed at providing increased flexibility through passive stretching. Much like any other asana practice, this discipline requires you to keep in tune with your breath while holding each pose for a much longer period of time than any other yoga style.
If you’re looking for a meditative, slow practice that will help stretch your mind and body, yin yoga is the practice for you. It’s fairly beginner-friendly physically, but mentally it can be quite a challenge to sit in stillness with yourself for so long if you’re not used to doing so.
Vinyasa
The most dynamic of all yoga styles, the word Vinyasa roughly translates to “flow” in Sanskrit. This is because, rather than taking breaks in between postures, Vinyasa requires a gentle transition from one position or asana to another. This style works particularly well with music and is ideal for active people who “can’t sit still” yet are willing to connect with their inner Self. If you are looking to break a sweat while practicing yoga in Lisbon then this style is perfect for you.
Yoga in Lisbon: The Best Studios
Lisbon is a beautiful city that is also a great spot to meet other yogis and work out in some breath-taking locations, including by the river and in a few of the local parks. However, whether it’s raining outside, cold, or if you just want to practice indoors, here are some of the top yoga studios to check out in Lisbon. Are you ready to do some yoga in Lisbon? Let’s get to it.
Ministry of Yoga
Conveniently located a three-minute walk from Metro Restauradores, this warm and welcoming studio offers a variety of classes taught by internationally trained instructors. Whether you are after a strong Vinyasa workout or are simply looking to wind down and relax, Ministry of Yoga has the class for you! Bonus, the studio is run by ex-pats and caters to an international audience, this means that all classes are taught in English.
Location: Rua das Portas San Antao 27 Level 1 Lisboa
Yoga Shankara
Committed to delivering a comprehensive and authentic yoga experience, this studio is the perfect place to practice mindfulness and seek harmony between body, psyche and soul. Along with the classic Hatha, Vinyasa and meditation classes, this spot also offers special courses such as pregnancy yoga and belly dance. What’s more, Yoga Shankara has its own wellness center – why not book a well-deserved post-class massage?
Location: Planalto, Largo de São Sebastião da Pedreira 48 46, 1050-205 Lisboa
Lisbon Yoga Loft
Located in the Campo De Ourique area, this studio is committed to delivering traditional Iyengar yoga classes. This disciplined and rigorous style is perfect for those seeking a comprehensive workout aimed at improving alignment, focus and an improved mind-body connection. The studio offers both online and in-person classes in Portuguese and English.
Location: Rua Nova de São Mamede, 56 – 4º esq, Lisboa
Escola Natha
Escola Natha is not your average studio, but rather a proper yoga philosophy school. Along with regular in-person, online, and one-on-one hatha yoga classes, the center offers a variety of workshops and retreats exploring everything this beautiful discipline has to offer – from Ayurveda, mindful cooking, meditation, Tantra philosophy, and everything in between. Check out Escola Natha’s website to stay connected about their retreats and other events.
Location: Praça Bernardino Machado Nº11 A 1750-042, 1050-017 Lisboa
Antonio Pereira Yoga
Antonio Pereira is the only academy in Lisbon that offers classes with the Brazilian DeRose method of yoga – a unique approach to wellbeing that defeats both the over-commodification of yoga in the West and the dogma it sometimes carries in the East. The center’s objective is to see the practice as a holistic experience aimed at improving our overall lifestyle. For those interested in connecting to yoga on an even deeper level, Antonio Pereira offers mentorship programs and teacher training both online and in person.
Location: Av. António Augusto de Aguiar 183 R/C Esq, 1050-015 Lisboa
Out-of-studio Yoga in Lisbon Options
Are you a yoga lover but not big on in-person or group classes? Fear not! As far as COVID-19 goes, Portugal is among the safest European countries at the moment. Notwithstanding, many studios are planning on keeping their Zoom and/or hybrid class offerings available beyond the pandemic. Along with the above yoga studios currently hosting online classes, we thought we’d share a couple more options.
Meetup Yoga in Lisbon
Quoted among the most popular platforms bringing together people from all over the world who share similar interests, Meetup also offers a space for Lisbon yoga lovers to create both virtual and in-person yoga events.
Yoganalisboa
Created to meet the needs of the modern yogi, YOGANA specializes in delivering online and open-air yoga classes in all safety and carefully distanced. The broad schedule features all styles, from Hatha Flow to Yin in all sizes and settings.
Pro tip: keep an eye on their exclusive surf & yoga offering and open-air Thai massage!
Yoga in Lisbon: Are You Ready to Get Started?
With its incredible scenery, art, culture, and tradition, Lisbon is indeed the gift that keeps giving! What’s even better, the city is not only fun, it also offers you plenty of opportunities to relax and get fit. Yoga in Lisbon is perfect if you want to relax.
So dive in and take your pick from a broad range of affordable in-person, group, and online yoga classes.
