Best Bikram yoga in Auckland 2026

The best Bikram yoga in Auckland is at Eastwest Yoga, with locations on Ponsonby Road and at 489 Khyber Pass Road in Newmarket. Sweat Yoga in Newmarket runs the 26+2 in a Hatha format. Achel Hot Yoga in Botany serves East Auckland with both 60 and 90 minute Bikram options. HIYOGA on Queen Street runs the 26+2 in a purpose-built 40-degree studio with the best-value intro in town.

Bikram is the specific 90-minute sequence of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises, done in the same order every class, in a room heated to 38 to 42 degrees with 40 to 60 percent humidity. The sequence was codified by Bikram Choudhury in the 1970s. The man himself is no longer associated with the practice in any moral sense, but the sequence itself remains one of the most thoroughly tested physical yoga systems in the world.

What to expect

Ninety minutes. Two minutes of standing breathing, then a series of standing postures including Half Moon and Hands to Feet, Awkward, Eagle, Standing Bow, Triangle and Toe Stand. A short floor break. The floor series starting with Wind Removing and moving through Cobra, Locust, Bow, Camel, Rabbit and the spinal twist. Final breathing.

You will sweat more than you have ever sweated. You will think about leaving in your first class. You will not leave. You will feel different at the end. Hydrate properly before and after.

The Bikram field

Eastwest Yoga, Ponsonby and Newmarket

The closest thing to a traditional Bikram experience in Auckland. The Ponsonby studio at 26a Ponsonby Road has been running for nearly two decades. The Newmarket outpost opened in May 2022. Both run the classic 90-minute 26+2 sequence at 38 to 40 degrees. The vibe is unpretentious. The teaching is consistent. Not on ClassPass.

Sweat Yoga, Newmarket

Bruce Simons completed his Bikram Teacher Training in 2009 and runs the 26+2 in a Hatha format at his Morgan Street studio. Slightly different sequencing rhythm from Eastwest but the same core postures. Intro $40 for two weeks. On ClassPass.

Achel Hot Yoga, Botany

East Auckland’s Bikram studio. Owner Ellen has run it for over a decade. Both 60-minute and 90-minute Bikram formats are available. The 60-minute option is helpful for people who cannot commit to the full 90. On ClassPass.

HIYOGA, Queen Street

The 26+2 in a purpose-built 40-degree studio with sophisticated heating and fresh-air circulation. The $30 for 30 days intro is the best value way to find out if Bikram is for you. On ClassPass.

Safety

People with cardiovascular conditions, uncontrolled blood pressure, pregnancy or sensitivity to heat should not do Bikram without medical clearance. The heat is genuinely high and the sequence is genuinely demanding. If you feel light-headed, lie down. Teachers expect this and will not be offended.

FAQ

What is the best Bikram yoga studio in Auckland? Eastwest Yoga, with the original studio at 26a Ponsonby Road (running for nearly two decades) and a second location at 489 Khyber Pass Road in Newmarket.

What is the difference between Bikram and Hot Yoga? Bikram is the specific 26+2 sequence in the original Bikram tradition. Hot Yoga is a broader term that includes Bikram but also other heated practices like Hot Hatha, Hot Vinyasa and Hot Pilates.

How hot are Bikram studios in Auckland? Eastwest, HIYOGA, Sweat and Achel all run rooms between 38 and 40 degrees with 40 to 60 percent humidity.

Is Bikram safe? For most healthy adults, yes. People with cardiovascular conditions, high blood pressure, pregnancy or heat sensitivity should consult a doctor first. Hydration before, during and after is essential.

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