The beauty of Chiang Mai is not limited to its nature reserves and trekking paths, it also offers some of the best yoga studios in the country. Whether you are an absolute beginner with the goal of one day touching your legs, a traveler in need of a good stretch after a long trek or bus ride, or a super bendy handstanding yoga guru in need of a good practice, there is a place for you.

Yoga Kuukan

Address: 72 Moon Muang Road, Soi 9, Chiang Mai

Located at the edge of the old city of Chiang Mai, just 50 meters from Blue Diamond Restaurant, the Yoga Kuukan studio is set on the second floor of an old traditional wooden house.

Yoga Kuukan, which means yoga space in Japanese, offers a spacious and relaxing environment for the practice of yoga, Qi Gong (Chi Gong), and Tai Chi. With experienced and educated teachers who are knowledgeable in different styes of yoga, you are sure to find a unique practice fuses the best elements of each system of practice.

All the public classes in Yoga Kuukan are accessible to beginners and there is no need to book the class in advance. If you are looking into booking a private class or joining one of their workshops, it is advisable that you check their website and drop by their studio 20 minutes before a class when their gates are open and a receptionist is present as no contact information is written on their website or Facebook page.

Wild Rose Yoga Studio Chiang Mai

Address: 15/2 Soi4/1, Tambon Phra Sing, Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Mai

Contact: +66 89 950 9377

Getting to this studio can be quite a treasure hunt. It is, however, a worthwhile hunt as Wild Rose yoga studio is one of the oldest ones in Chiang Mai. Your landmark is the Siam Commercial Bank on Phrapokklao Soi 4, the street just after Chiang Mai Gate Market. Turn left on Soi 4/1 where you will find the metal gate of the studio which is enclosed by a high bamboo fence.

Here, you will meet Rose, the warm and friendly owner of the studio. She can give you the best welcome to Chiang Mai in terms of travel tips and advice that she gives out freely as long as she has the time to spare as she takes the time to entertain everyone who comes into the studio.

Wild Rose Yoga offers an assortment of yoga flows with very creative themes. Being a big part of the Chiang Mai community, they also provide outreach yoga classes to raise funds for several charities. And, if you fancy, doing some yoga in beautiful and exotic locations around Chiang Mai, join one of their yoga-to-go excursions.

The fee here is probably one of the lowest in the area at 250 Baht for class that lasts an hour-and-a-half. If you are staying in Chiang Mai longer, you can also get a 5-class pass for 1,000 Baht. Just like most studios, there is no need to book a class in advance. Also, the door opens 30 minutes before the class. You may make inquiries during this time or send a message through their website.

Photo: Wild Rose Yoga Studio

Photo: Anny Nonthaporn

Freedom Yoga Chiang Mai

Address: 36, 38 Kampang Din Soi 1 Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, A.Muang, Chang Wat Chiang Mai

Contact: +66 84 369 4339

With 80 positive reviews on Google, Freedom Yoga has got to be one of the most popular yoga studios in Chiang Mai. Complete with a cafe and juice bar where you can chill and have a quick sip before your class or have a nice vegetarian meal after, Freedom Yoga offers a welcoming and relaxed space for your practice.

The studio offers a range of a yoga classes that would suit students of all levels. Whether you are after a nice gentle stretch after a long trek or bike road or you are hankering for a sweaty and energetic Vinyasa flow to start your day with, the studio has a class made for you. The teachers here are all experienced and well-trained to provide you with verbal cues that will bring to life parts of your body that you have forgotten about.

Open from 9 AM to 7 PM all week, 90-minute classes are run at 10 in the morning and 6:30 in the evening. Once again, like the other yoga studios, there is no need to book public classes in advance. The studio, however, offers accessibility in terms of questions and bookings as it is open most of the day.

Photo: Freedom Yoga Chiang Mai

Hidden House Yoga Chiang Mai

Address: 27 Moon Muang Road Lane 7, Si Phum, Mueang, Chiang Mai

Contact: +66 93 308 4656

Hidden House Yoga Chiang Mai is a spacious studio in a beautiful traditional Thai house. Although new to the scene, they have a good crew of experienced teachers and various flow and alignment classes that would suit students of all levels in the house. Here, yoga is done with a great deal of laughter and fun

From dynamic flows that will get your heart pumping to gentle flows that will allow you to work inwards, focusing your energy on improving your alignment, they have a style of yoga that would suit your needs. If you don't feel like moving but are in need of a good stretch, you can also give their yin yoga sessions a go. They also have daily meditation sessions if you need time to space out for a while.

Here, classes are quite well-priced at 250 baht per class and 1,100 baht for a package of 5 classes.

Photo: Hidden House Yoga Chiang Mai

Blue Garden Yoga and Thai Massage Training

Address: 4 Ratchamanka Road Soi 4, Tambol Phra Singh, Amphor Muang, Chiang Mai

Contact: +66 85 106 2895

Located just a minute from the Thapae Gate which encloses Chiang Mai City, Blue Garden offers a beautiful space for one's practice. Surrounded by natural elements, it offers a relaxing and calming energy that enhances your practice.

Offering the lowest price per class in the area at 200 Baht, the studio provides a good value practice that is filled with expert and precise cues that allows you to get the benefit of each yoga pose.  The teachers here know how your body works. And, with their guidance, you will take a journey deep within the fibers of each muscle.

Being a wellness facility as well, you can book a bodywork treatment after your yoga practice, getting a good dose of healing body pampering after a workout. Depending on the treatment which lasts from 60 to 90 minutes, the pricing starts at 800 Baht. And, after the session, if you find yourself inspired to learn some massage techniques, short courses and online study are available with the owner and expert, Remco.

Photo: Blue Garden Yoga and Massage Training

Before you begin your yoga journey, please be reminded to bring a mosquito repellant spray and the exact amount to pay the fee to have a convenient and enjoyable practice. Also, as things do change, in terms of teachers and class offerings, we would love to know about your experience. Share the information. Share the love. Namaste!

After you're done with your morning stretch, chances are you might be slightly peckish. In that case, check out the various brunch spots in the area to refuel up.