Yoga has its origins in India, thousands of years ago, and has won fans all around the world for its physical and psychological benefits.

For many people, Yoga is a way of life.. This is because it is never only just practicing yoga. It also involves other healthy options, and a different lifestyle that includes, for instance, balanced eating habits, sport, meditation, social life and work.

The philosophy of yoga is based on a physical culture of health and well-being. Each position has a different name and stimulates a different muscle in our body. Yoga has numerous benefits for both body and mind!

It calms the brain, improves our digestion, strengthens the various regions of our body, energizes and brings many advantages for people who suffer from high blood pressure.

Some yoga enthusiasts claim that this activity helps them organize their minds, set priorities and define what matters in life, as well as achieve better control of their emotions and low stress levels. But according to various studies, yoga practice

contributes to well-being at all levels, not only emotional. In Portugal you’ll find many great places where you can practice Yoga. 

Here’s a small list:

Casa Vinyasa – Ashtanga Yoga Shala

Located at the higher end of the trendy Avenida da Liberdade, across the street from Parque Eduardo VII, the Casa Vinyasa studio is essentially a beautifully decorated apartment, adding a cosy element to the experience. Different levels of Ashtanga

classes are conducted in Portuguese and English, and students can sign up to receive email updates in English too, so don’t worry if you don’t speak Portuguese. 

Little Yoga Space

Anyone looking for more than a few weekly classes should look into joining a yoga community, such as the Little Yoga Space. The studio is located in the heart of Lisbon, in the middle of Chiado and just a few minutes’ walk from Praça do Comércio.

Hot Yoga Lisboa

This was the first Bikram-style yoga studio to hit Portugal and it’s still one of the best for hot yoga in Lisbon today. These sessions, which last one hour and 30 minutes, are designed so both beginner and advanced students can make the most of their practice and reap the benefits of Bikram Yoga.

In Algarve you can go to Yoga retreats:

Wolfs Yoga retreats

At the Wolfs Yoga Retreat in Costa Vicentina National Park, you can choose between two yoga programs that suit your interests. There is the Yin, Yang & Mindfulness retreat and there is the Ashtanga Yoga Retreat. Both retreats last 6 nights, where you will focus on a deeper yoga experience. Every day, the program consists of yoga, meditation and workshops. The meals are vegetarian.

Meka Yoga

In the magnificent Costa Vicentina National Park you can experience the Life Awareness Yoga retreats from Meka Yoga. A yoga retreat of Meka Yoga is the perfect holiday to train your mind and body. You will have two yoga classes a day which are

guided by yogi’s who were all schooled in India.

Porto

Vinyasa Yoga Porto

Vinyasa Yoga Porto is "a tribute to a simple life and inner pursuit". It offers a range of yoga classes (Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Power Vinyasa and Yoga Wheel), courses, and workshops at various hours throughout the day.

Porto Buddhist Center

In Porto Buddhist Center you can learn Hatha Yoga, Qigong (Chinese therapeutic gymnastics) classes and go to meditation sessions.