karma yoga school - bangsar — Local services in Kuala Lumpur

I signed up for an unlimited package at Karma Yoga studio on 26th August 2020 at 2:28:27 PM. Today, 31 December 2022, marked my second year subscribing to the studio's unlimited package. I accidentally deleted my first review about this studio in 2020 because I deactivated another GMAIL account. So, you are reading the second review of mine for this studio.

The studio was founded by my favourite yoga teacher, Jenifer Ooi, whom I respect. I signed up at her studio because I believe in her and her vision. I have met new yoga teachers through her studio and attended their classes; Xenia, Siew Mei, Eddy, Debbie, Edward, Ying, Sandra, Felice, Julee, Jolive, All, Kristen, Wen, Abigail, Hum, Hanna, Zephyr. I have also reunited with my yoga teachers, Jess, Debbie and Felice, whom I met from another yoga studio. I have acquainted with new yoga friends along the way.

This yoga studio existed when covid19 came into everyone's picture and impacted everyone's life. During the first year of covid, when WHO announced the world was going through a pandemic worldwide, Karma Yoga studio was one of the first yoga studios in Malaysia that practice education and awareness through behavioural science about how to practice yoga safely at home and in-studio during the pandemic. I truly believe that Jenifer has done her best to keep her studio equip, clean, and ensure her yoga teachers & students are well and safe. There are so many responsibilities and expectations placed on one woman's shoulders.

As a long-time member, I have witnessed many improvements and changes in-studio and online. Everyone, including myself, searched for a safe space to reset our minds, spirit and body. Thus, this studio is one of my handful of safe spaces to practice yoga mindfully under the guidance of experienced and skillful yoga teachers and practitioners.

Suppose you wish to find a yoga training center in Kuala Lumpur that offers yoga classes, a spirit of comradarie among yoga practitioners and advocates practicing kindness through community-driven activities to support underprivileged communities. In that case, Karma Yoga Malaysia is for you. You can consider this review from a long-time member.

When you support Karma Yoga Studio by subscribing to their package, purchasing their products, attending their classes, participating their activities, use Karma Yoga membership card, and donating to Karma Yoga Dhana; you are helping the studio lights stays on and water runs, you are helping the teachers get compensated fairly, you are helping underprivileged communities, you are helping other local business nearby the studio and you are acquainted with other yoga practitioners.

Happy New Year, Karma Yoga Komuniti. I am so proud of you, Jenifer. Semoga KY & Jenifer mencucuri rahmat.

'Til...

I’ve been mostly focusing on home practice due to MCO but wanted to go back to classes. I’ve tried a number of different yoga studios around Klang Valley, looking for a good one. I’ve been going to karma yoga for a couple of months now and by far it’s my fav studio in Malaysia. I especially enjoy their hatha vinyasa, karma vinyasa and krama vinyasa classes. The only class I haven’t tried yet is their Prayanama class, so I can’t comment.

All the teachers I’ve experienced at Karma so far, have such a lovely disposition: warm, friendly and helpful. I love how they balance challenging you but also being aware and taking care of what feels good for each individual. Every teacher has a different style, but all equally enjoyable. The whole studio and team have a very relaxed vibe who’s love for yoga and teaching it, really shines through. As a student, it’s really levelled up my already huge love and appreciation of yoga.

In terms of professionalism and COVID, they have yet to cancel any classes I’ve booked, have all the necessary sanitisation equipment and also offer numerous online classes for those of you who are immunocompromised or need to be extra careful. They also have many early morning and late evening classes, which is perfect for those of us who have to work (unfortunately 😂).

I’ve been with both friends who are absolute beginners and experienced yogis, and they all enjoyed karma!

So please, if you’re like me and you’re googling studios and searching through the reviews to see whether they’re worth a visit, take this...

I've attended many yoga classes in KL, and this studio has one of the nicest environments. There's a cozy lounge area, a small kitchen, books, crystals, art, and a spacious, clean classroom with lovely plants.

However, I have some reservations that would prevent me from inviting friends to future classes:

Waiting Area: Upon arrival, you have to wait outside on a small stairwell until the previous class finishes. This leaves little to no time to settle in and change, especially if you’re coming straight from work, as the changing rooms and restrooms are inside.

Instructor Engagement: Unfortunately, the instructor I had was rather "robotic". It seemed like she was doing her own practice rather than on helping students. With about 12 people in the class, I noticed that several struggled to keep up, but the instructor didn’t offer much assistance or adjustments. By the second half of the class, one person essentially gave up and sat out, while two others also stopped following the movements. The lack of support created a vibe that felt unwelcoming; I was surprised to see a yoga class so disengaged.

※ If you follow the directions on Google Maps, change your search to "Rebarre Studio", it'll give you a more accurate result. (Karma Yoga School is in the same building as Rebarre Studio)

※ Free lockers provided

※ If you don’t have your own yoga mat, you can rent one at the front...