Overview
Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto, opened in 2008, is a dedicated Mysore-style shala located at 3300 Yonge Street. Led by Level 2 Authorized teacher David Robson and Jelena Vesić, it hosts one of the world’s largest Mysore programs. The studio offers daily Mysore classes on weekdays from 5:15 am to 8:30 am and a Led Primary class on Saturdays. Ashtanga yoga here involves synchronizing breath with a progressive series of postures, generating internal heat and purifying sweat. The practice is rigorous yet compassionate, suitable for all levels. The centre also provides online resources for beginners. Visitors can access the studio via subway to Lawrence station or by car with nearby Green P parking. The space is modern, clean, and welcoming, with a strong sense of community. Teachers are praised for their expertise and warmth, creating an environment where practitioners find physical strength, mental focus, and emotional healing. The studio embodies tradition and individual journey, making it a sanctuary for dedicated Ashtanga practitioners in Toronto.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 5:30 am – 7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | Open | 5:30 am – 7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | Open | 5:30 am – 7:30 pm |
| Thursday | Open | 5:30 am – 7:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed | – |
| Saturday | Closed | – |
| Sunday | Open | 7:30 am – 11:00 am |
Studio in Details
Overview and Philosophy
Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto opened in 2008 to serve as a welcoming home for the city’s Ashtanga community. The studio is dedicated to teaching in the tradition of Mysore, India, and now hosts one of the world’s largest Mysore programs. The centre is led by Level 2 Authorized teacher David Robson and Jelena Vesić, who bring deep expertise and personal dedication to the practice. Ashtanga yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressively challenging series of postures, producing internal heat and a purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The practice is described as a vigorous moving meditation that helps improve focus and relieve anxiety. At this centre, the emphasis is on consistency and steadiness of teaching, believing that rigour and physical challenge are not incompatible with an intelligent and safe approach. The studio offers authentic Ashtanga classes open to all seekers, compassionate to each student’s individual journey.
Classes and Practice
The centre offers a comprehensive Mysore program on weekdays from 5:15 am to 8:30 am, and Led Primary class on Saturdays from 7:30 am to 8:45 am. Note that no Mysore class is held on the day of the new moon or full moon. For beginners, David and Jelena provide online resources through their website, which includes courses, instructional videos, and upcoming workshops. The Mysore format allows students to practice at their own pace with individual guidance from teachers, making it suitable for both newcomers and experienced practitioners. Led Half-Primary classes are also offered, as noted by a reviewer who enjoyed a 75-minute session with teacher Brianna. The studio provides mats and towels for rent if needed, and recommends arriving 10–15 minutes before the first class. The practice is traditional, focusing on breath-synchronized movement, and is known for its intensity and meditative qualities.
Visitor Experience and Location
The studio is located at 3300 Yonge Street, Unit 204, on the west side of Yonge Street. It is easily accessible by subway via the Yonge/University line to Lawrence station, then a short walk four blocks north of the Ranleigh exit. Metered parking is available on Yonge Street, and a Green P parking lot is just a two-minute walk east on Glenforest Road. The primary entrance is through the back door on the alleyway from either Fairlawn Avenue or Brookdale Avenue, using a security code (0108#). Alternatively, the front entrance on Yonge Street can be used after 8:30 am on weekdays and after 9 am on Saturdays. Reviewers describe the space as a beautiful, modern, and clean shala with a welcoming community. The teachers are noted for being compassionate, present, and knowledgeable, creating a sanctuary for practitioners. The atmosphere is described as friendly and family-like, with a deep sense of grounding and transformation reported by regular students.