"I can remember going to Karen's classes at the old church hall and always feeling fantastic afterwards. I loved the pacing and all of the challenging poses and coming together week after week to practice the same sequence. Eventually I learned that I was doing Ashtanga(!) yoga, and I've been practicing it ever since. With Karen's guidance I moved from her led class to a Mysore style self-practice. She kept her eye on me, and made sure I never skipped a vinyasa. It must have worked, now I teach Mysore and Ashtanga yoga back in the States!"

   Cara Brostrom
   USA

"I can remember with great clarity, my very first yoga class. Karen was the teacher, about 8 years ago. My feet were on the ground and I was instructed to do my first, simple, Trikonasana. My head went into a very different place to where my feet were and that was it! The beginning of an exploration of possibilities, and not just the physical postures. Yoga has begome a lifelong persuit, but not an obsession. The encouragment of the instructors was half the effort, the other half your own drive. "Just do it" I think is the modern interpretation of getting into Ashtanga Yoga."

   Andrew O`Donnell
   Scotland

Bristo's teachers are dedicated, friendly and experienced that are an asset to Edinburgh. Yoga will improve the quality of your life and Bristo Yoga School is a fantastic place to learn this ancient art.
Highly recommended.

   Mark Smith
   Scotland

I started practising Ashtanga yoga 5 years ago and I tried almost every single yoga studio in Edinburgh. I really liked the Ashtanga style, but it was difficult for me to find a teacher to connect with and to inspire me to keep going. Then almost two years ago, I tried Bristo Yoga School and I started going to Karen's classes. Karen is a great teacher that always has a smile on her face and encourages you to progress. Her enthusiasm and support helped me to take the next step and learn how to teach yoga. I recently started going to Maia's classes too, who is a wonderful teacher and whose calm voice helps you relax even more. All in all, Bristo Yoga School is a lovely studio, full of great energy and the instructors are great and very helpful. This is the place you need to gofor an authentic practise of Ashtanga yoga in Edinburgh.

   Evi Theodoratou
   Greece

It took me five years to find a place to practice yoga in Edinburgh and I wouldn't consider somewhere else now that I found Bristo Yoga Place. In the last year and a half I've discovered Ashtanga yoga with Karen and Lisa and it's made a big difference to my days, whether I go after work or early mornings. Both Lisa and Karen are talented yogis and lovely people, and I'm learning a lot from them. I recommend BYS to everyone wanting a good yoga experience!

   Charlotte Bosseaux
   France

" I had always liked the idea of doing yoga but had never found a style that suited, nor i might add, a teacher that inspired. A chance invite to an Ashtanga class taught by Karen has taken me on a journey that has strengthened and improved flexibility, taught me things about myself and provided the opportunity to meet some fabulous friends."

   Carol Philip
   Scotland

"If you are looking for an authentic Ashtanga Yoga school to learn from the absolute best, then Bristo Yoga is where you are looking for. Not only are they the most encouraging, supportive, inspiring, humble yoga teachers, they are actually a very nice bunch of people too!

I was hooked from the first class I took with Karen at St.Mary's church. I thought I was quite fit having been a gym bunny and martial arts practitioner for years, but if someone had told me yoga would be so challenging yet so energising with it, I wouldn't have believed them.
I am truly inspired and humbled by their continuing dedication to bringing yoga to as many different people as possible while still making it fresh and interesting.

I promise you that once you step into the world of Ashtanga Yoga at Bristo Yoga, you won't look back."

   Fi Cameron
   Scotland
   Yoga Teacher Trainee/3D Designer

"I started practising yoga for the physical benefits, but it turned out that I've found much more. Yoga continuously teaches me to focus on being here and now, and that breath and smile can get me through anything in life. All teachers at BYS are a great inspiration and always give everyone a warm welcome. Practising there is always an extreme joy!"

   Anna Grupka
   Poland
   Engineering Student, Edinburgh Uni

"I initially started Yoga as an alternative/complement to the gym and had my first class with karen about 6 years ago. I find it an amazing practice that gives me energy,calmness, peace, challenges me and is a real work out! I like karen's classes because there's a great pace, she's very supportive and encouraging. As a student practictioner of Shiatsu acupressure massage I have found yoga to be invaluble and necessary in my journey to understand the body/mind. I've taken a variety of classes at Bristo, all the teachers have something great and different to offer. What started for me as an attempt for a flat stomach has turned into so much more. I hope to be practising forever."

   Colette McNeill
   Scotland

Since I started ashtanga yoga at Bristo in october 2009, it has been a part of my daily life, and it's all because of the talented teachers there! Karen never stopped challenged me, but always in a fun and open way. But Yoga is also so much more than just physical exercise, it's the way I live my life, and it has truly changed my life! It's always a pleasure to come back to Edinburgh and practice at Bristo!

   Camilla Garnes
   Denmark