Yogashala

I never write reviews but feel the need to for this one. The least welcoming environment I´ve ever encountered in a "yoga" studio. Very unfortunate as the location and facilities are very nice (hence the two stars), but everyone from the teachers to the admin staff are the absolute antithesis of what I understand yoga to be. Not a greeting or even a smile from the lady signing me up, instructors slapping participants´thighs, physically pulling limbs and yelling "vamos" to encourage them to push themselves to injury, etc. Bought a 5-class pack, was disappointed by two different instructors and won´t be back to use the remainder.

Yoga Shala is a wonderful yoga studio in Santiago. Full of amazing energy and wonderful teachers - specially its owner and founder Gustavo Ponce who is back teaching his amazingly healing classes. Gustavo and his yoga methods have made a huge impression and difference to my life and I know that they continue to do so for many other people. Also, its sister site Canal Om is just a paradise to practice yoga and relax in its wonderful surroundings. If you are after the best yoga places in Chile, these are the places to go to. I first found Canal Om 8 years ago when featured in a Taschen book featuring the Best Yoga Places in the World and I'm so glad I've followed their recommendation!

IT IS THE FIRST YOGA TEACHER TRAINING CENTER IN CHILE. You can take classes in different disciplines such as AXIS, SATTVA, DYNAMIC, HATHA. You can also rent rooms and pay for each class. It really is a beautiful place to meditate, exercise body and mind!

I went there a long time ago. The classes were good, the attention was friendly, and the place was surrounded by nature. Until they made me stand between two chairs, I fell, quite dangerous, I never came back.