Six Places to Take Spa and Ultra-Restorative Yoga in Boston

A class at JP Centre Yoga/Photo provided

There’s a subtle change afoot in the fitness community. No longer is the name of the game pushing yourself as hard as you can, as often as you can. More and more studios and practitioners are recognizing the need for rest and recovery, and for countering hardcore classes with good old TLC.

One harbinger of this trend is the emergence of ultra-luxurious yoga classes, prioritizing restorative poses and hands-on assists over power flows. Get ready to relax at these six spots.

1. Akasha Studio

Ease into the weekend at this Roslindale studio. Akasha offers Spa Yoga, a trademarked style that engages all five senses with gentle poses, candlelight, aromatherapy, plenty of hands-on assists, and guided meditation. Take it on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.

$17 drop-in. 20 Birch St., Roslindale, akashastudiojp.com.

2. The Breathing Room

At her monthly, two-hour Self Love workshops, instructor Caitlin Green uses restorative yoga, meditation, reiki, and supported trigger point release to help yogis relax entirely.

$35. The Breathing Room, 12 Arrow St., Cambridge, breathingroomboston.com.

3. C-Town Studio

This Charlestown studio also offers 75-minute Spa Yoga classes, sometimes even featuring chocolate. It’s offered Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

$15 drop-in. 314 Main St., Charlestown, charlestownyoga.com.

4. JP Centre Yoga

This Jamaica Plain studio regularly offers special two-hour restorative yoga workshops. These events go beyond typical gentle classes to include hands-on adjustments from a team of assistants, Thai massage, and energy-based therapies.

$40. 670 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, jpcentreyoga.com.

5. Shawmut Yoga

Beat the Tuesday slump with a mind, body, and soul healing class at this South End spot. Its Spa Yoga classes are offered Tuesdays at 7:15 p.m.

$18 drop-in. 280 Shawmut Ave., Boston, shawmutyoga.com.

6. Studio U

Studio U sometimes offers Spa Yoga workshops at both its Boston and Newton locations. If you’re lucky, they’re even followed by champagne and other treats.

$30. 1065 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, and 26 Ossipee Road, Newton, studiouboston.com.