Ahimsa is a small studio on a busy corner of Bloor, between Bathurst and Spadina. The space is clean and tidy, and well organized. Shoes are left in cubbies at the entrance, change-rooms house more storage cubbies where one can leave bags, clothes, and yoga mats, and the bathrooms are spotless. Filtered drinking water is supplied (bring your own bottle.)
The practice room is bright and airy; the instructors are helpful, knowledgeable and lovely, and I was immediately made to feel like a welcomed member of the community.
The class I took was Sthira (steady, firm, even,) described on the Ahimsa website as a balanced practice combining postural alignment, breathing, philosophy, and meditation. This turned out to be an almost two-hour long Vinyasa-inspired class unlike anything I have ever done.
This class definitely took me out of my comfort zone. Two instructors - one leading, the other assisting - took us through opening and closing chants, a long practice with multiple adjustments, and a final savasana complete with a soothing essential oils head and neck massage.
Normally these would all be wonderful things, however the loud music and noises drifting in from the street kept taking me out of my groove and made it hard for me to focus and truly meld with my surroundings.