Green Monkey Yoga

I am amazed Green Monkey doesn’t have more reviews, but it may be in part due to the South Miami Treehouse closing and blending with the studio formerly know as Bala Vinyasa Yoga. I’ve been practicing at this location for two years, and the community is what keeps me coming back. If you are serious about upping your yoga game, or if you’re just in it for the fun of pushing your physical self, or you’re seeking some solace for your mental well-​being, there is a workshop/​class/​series suited for you. Bonus: 2 massage therapists and an on-​site massage room.
To begin, parking is super easy around the studio. In addition to plentiful metered parking (via PayByPhone), Green Monkey partners with Metropolis, and has permission to use their garage across the street (also PayByPhone). On Sundays, I tend to risk it in the Bank of America parking lot, but any other day, they are serious about towing. Blame it on Spring Chicken, who is a newcomer to the block, and has literally 10 parking spaces. Cars all end up in the BoA parking lot, and they’re taking action! Tip: bike to the studio like some of the hardcore yogis who can handle the humidity, or metro to the South Miami stop and enjoy the scenic walk over!
The instructors are absolutely wonderful. Not only are they like a family within themselves, they are welcoming and understanding with all of their students. There are some, cough, Lizzy and Nikki, who will push you and get your heart rate going during the Method Power classes (heated to about 85 degrees), but as they remind me throughout practice, my body is more capable than my mind thinks it is. Others, like Megan, Natalia, and Britney, lead Slow Flow Restorative classes with a meditative practice that is more than needed by the evening time. Then there are the fun instructors, like Virginia and Julianne, who tend to lead Method Vibes classes, with music and dimmed lights. #partyontheyogafloor And there are several Kids yoga classes sprinkled throughout the week, in conjuction with a Method class — practice next door to your little ones! Every instructor I’ve every taken class with has inspired me to accept myself as I am, and given me confidence to try new things — most provide assists to help your alignment. I will admit, every time I bring a new friend to a Method class, they struggle to keep up because Methods are fast-​paced. But there are so many options for a beginner, especially Foundations with Izzy.
Which brings me to workshops. These are typically held Wednesday nights, though their Facebook and website have an up to date listing of what’s coming up. Recurring workshops include Introduction to Yoga (for those of you nervous about starting out, they break it down and make you feel right at home), Sound Bowl Meditations, Restore and Renew (delicious 2 hour slow flow + massage session), and guest instructors that take their workshops on the road. Series like Hanging Out Upside Down (with the lovely Sam), which focused on handstands, headstands, etc, and the Chakra Series, which is a slow flow session mixed with Natalia guiding you through how imbalances of your energy wheels can impact your life in any number of ways, have multiple sessions — if you’re interested in some or all, there’s a discount for purchasing ahead of time.
They offer teacher trainings several times a year, as well as TT weekend modules — which is a unique way to complete your 200 hours if you don’t happen to have 2 weeks of absolute free time. I’ve never done a TT, so if you’re interested, most instructors AND staff members I’ve met have done their TT through Green Monkey. Chat them up!
And the studio itself is beautiful. With three studios with yoga flooring (the softwood floors that you feel safe inverting on), 3 bathrooms, tons of cubbies for your belongings, and a boutique with a number of brands of clothing/​props/​books/​jewelry/​mats/​etc, and a solid staff team who help keep the studio looking amazing, there is not another studio in the area that compares. Least of all the Bikram place with carpeting that eternally smells of armpit — y’all know which one I’m talking about.
TL;DR (this was ridiculously long, sorry y’all) — great studio with dozens of different instructors, suited for all levels of yogi. Class from 6am to 9pm, you’re bound to find something that suits your needs. If you’re a newcomer, arrive early to fill out a waiver, and take advantage of their amazing $ 69 for 30 days special for all new Green Monkey practitioners!

This studio has lost a little of its sparkle because many of the more seasoned teachers have moved on. However, the studio has a great vibe, it’s a dynamic and difficult class which I love. Furthermore, if I could give two tips it would be to add mirrors for alignment. Mirrors are important especially for those who rely on them to safely enter and exit poses. Showers would also increase the Unilocal score because who wants to drive home all sweaty and disgusting? Most studios across the country have these basic amenities, really wish Green Monkey would. The cons are definitely why I canceled my membership. Satya. Namaste.

Try the hot yoga class! My friend, Frank O., invited me to try the class this past Tuesday evening. I was skeptical about going because I had only done yoga once in my life before, but I decided, why not. He told me to be there a little bit before 9pm so he could get me in. I ended up making it to the class past 9pm because the parking meter machine took a while to process my transaction.
When I went in the front door, a lady greeted me and asked what my name was. She told me the class already started but I can just go right in. I signed the waiver, took off my shoes, put them in the little cubby by the classroom door, and went inside. The room was dark and the instructor had already started. I tiptoed to the empty mat next to Frank’s and tried to mimic what everyone around me was doing.
The instructions were pretty fast, but I tried to keep up. A lot of the terminology words used were new to me, but I tried and had a good experience. After a while, I was sweating and usually, it takes me a while to sweat. The class was more than an hour long. I thought I was going to be bored, but the class was awesome and time flew by fast! You definitely sweat after the class. The instructor was very nice and professional. She even came up to me and introduced herself.
Also, there are some other options for parking besides the street (please see the picture that I uploaded). Don’t park at the bank! Your car will get towed. Parking is a little pain in the a**, but not too bad at night. Go to the class on time because it starts right on time. My review is based off of the hot yoga class, the only class here I’ve tried.

The mc Donald’s of yoga in Miami! Why not just call it yoga-​inspired workout? I have taken several classes here, and unfortunately I found a very watered down version of what a real yoga class should be. The most disturbing thing I saw, was a new pregnant student that was doing twists and inversions, and the teacher did not tell her that it is not advisable to do that while pregnant. On a lighter note, one teacher made us sing om with loud rock music, that was as much spirituality as you are going to get at this studio. I am only going because I want to get a workout and have already paid for the month. I wonder if these teachers have any respect for yoga and what it means

Green Monkey South Miami has closed and blended together with Bala Vinyasa. I had never visited either one but I am a regular at the now blended version. Green Monkey isn’t my closest yoga studio but it is my FAVORITE and I feel at home. I visit thru Classpass but I manage to come once a week and still feel like a part of this studio.
It’s a small studio behind Shake Shack and next to Jugofresh (yes!) on US1. When you walk in it already smells like warm fuzzy feelings and you’re greeted by whoevers there. They have a nice selection of yoga clothes, jewelry, yoga mats and headbands and towels as well as Green Monkey water bottles and free Green Monkey yoga magnets for your car! Theres plenty of shoe cubbies and no problems with bringing your personal belongings into the studio. There’s 3 studios and 2 bathrooms which are always clean.
I have only ever taken Restorative Yoga and I’ve taken it with Ana Maria, Kelly, Megan, Natalia and Josefine. Megan and Kelly are my favorites but they are all awesome! These classes are never really packed which I enjoy, there are plenty of props, and the sunlight coming into the room is beautiful. All teachers make sure you’re in proper form and are incredibly helpful. I have been itching to try a heated vinyasa class but haven’t done so yet. For now I enjoy my morning restorative yoga and am so glad to have found such a wonderful studio!