Midtown Yoga Wellness Center — Local services in Detroit

Wanting to delve deeper into yoga and find a place I could practice outside of my home, I made a spreadsheet of local [to me] yoga studios. Bikram Yoga Midtown scored high on my list of 5 criteria. The location has free parking available, is centrally located to my work and home, showers on site, a diverse crowd, and reduced prices for students. Additionally, they have classes early in the morning and classes late into the evening.

The space is beautiful, and [I felt] beautifully maintained. If you have any mobility concerns there are stairs to get up to the office space and stairs to get into the yoga space. Be prepared to remove your shoes in the entry way. Also, there isn't a wooden floor in the practice space -- it's a different, softer material. I found the cushion provided by this softer material was easier on my knees and feet.

The crowd was diverse in gender, race, and age. I was the chunky lady, and I received no eye rolls and no sneers. No one was unkind to me in the locker room. I didn't feel anyone watched me while I was practicing, except the instructor who provided me with a correction to form. In fact, I felt a little relieved to see other students taking breaks on their mat -- people here really seem to know their bodies, they know their own limits, and there was no external judgement in what a body could and couldn't do in any given session. This was reinforced by the instructor.

The instructor greeted me warmly in the office area and checked back in with me on my way out from the class. During class she offered a modification to one of the poses when I was struggling. I liked her, and would like to take a different, less intense class, with her.

Now the reasons for 4 stars rather than 5 : Overall, the Bikram 90 is not really welcoming for beginners. The instructor checks in with students, but does not practice "with you". I found myself watching other students to ensure I was entering and holding poses correctly. Also, the instruction, while positive and motivating, was quite fast and detailed. I didn't feel I could keep up with the speed of the instructions and was confused at times. I was reluctant to ask any questions because I was nervous I would be interrupting the instructor and thus interrupting the class for my peers. Additionally, I like when there is some space for silence while holding poses or the rate is a bit slower/soothing, because it allows me to focus on my own body and movements rather than splitting my attention. The rate of instruction I experienced was fast and detailed. Mentally, I was in a good place today, but if I was having a stressed day and was mentally drained, I could see becoming easily overwhelmed Bikram really adheres to the "Bikram" brand of yoga. It felt a little more rigid than typical yoga studios who will offer several modifications, or are perhaps a little looser with hand placement and body position. If you are a type of person who wants to learn "Bikram" this place will teach you that brand. If you're someone who is a bit more eclectic in your practice, you'll certainly be welcomed, but you might be questioned or recorrected back to the "Bikram" way. I'm more the latter than the former. Like with most yoga studios, this place has a few nickel and dime stuff -- most notably, they will charge you $2 to use their towels to shower. For the price of the class, ($15 for students) I figured this would be included, but it's not. However, these kinds of charges aren't uncommon within the Detroit Metro yoga studios.

Overall, I probably will not make Bikram Midtown my yoga "home" per se, but I'd recommend it to friends who are a little more serious in their practice or are looking to "step up their yoga game". I also might drop in for a different class and a different instructor, just to see.

To Bikram Yoga staff, instructors, and community -- ya'll were...

I recently had the pleasure of attending a yoga class with Mimi B, and I can confidently say it was a transformative experience. Mimi's extensive knowledge of yoga, combined with her warm and supportive nature, creates an environment where students feel both challenged and cared for.

From the moment I stepped into the studio, Mimi's friendly demeanor and down-to-earth personality made me feel welcomed and at ease. She has a remarkable ability to connect with her students, making each session both enjoyable and impactful. Mimi's professionalism shines through in her structured yet flexible approach to teaching, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their skill level, feels included and encouraged.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Mimi's classes is her motivational spirit. She not only guides you through the physical aspects of yoga but also inspires a deeper connection with the practice. Her enthusiasm for Bikram yoga, in particular, is contagious, and it enticed me to explore this style further. Because of Mimi, I am now committed to a monthly membership and eagerly look forward to each class.

In short, Mimi B is an exceptional yoga instructor whose knowledge, motivation, and genuine care for her students make her classes a highlight of my week. If you're looking for a transformative yoga experience with a supportive and inspiring instructor, I highly recommend Mimi...

I've been overjoyed in my time at Bikram Yoga Midtown. The experience they provide feels terrific from beginning to end. They have a warm (no pun intended) and inviting physical space. The lobby, studio and the locker rooms are very well-kept and always clean. Every instructor is very knowledgable, always eager to help and accommodating in a versatile way that makes you feel part of the group whether it's your very first class or you've been practicing for years. Truly, from my very first class I felt welcomed and appreciated. They're very good about updating well ahead of time should a holiday necessitate any changes to the weekly schedule. Also, I like that it's near several healthy eating options, because doing bikram yoga can make a person hungry. I have nothing but good things to say about this place....