Where to go for Wellness in Paris

More than ever before, people are searching for a deeper connection with not only others, but themselves. Many people are evolving in ways they never felt the need to in the past leading to a revolution of inner development. As more of us “wake up” to our true calling, people all over the world have adopted a daily wellness practice for a more soulful and mindful living experience.

When I first moved to Paris, finding a modern gym with fun classes and an actual shower was more challenging than getting a taxi to stop on a busy Parisian street, which was an impossible feat. 

A lot has changed since 2005. The Parisian exercise routine consisted of walking up and down the metro stairs while scoffing to themselves and others through different indecipherable French sounds. However, in our present time, Parisians are “on demand” more than ever before. Being constantly available to others has created a need to be more available to one’s self.

Here are my go-to wellness addresses in Paris — chosen as they go beyond physical practices and into the spiritual.

Yoga

One of my favorite places to go when I need an hour or more of peace is Tigre Yoga, located centrally in the Saint-Germain neighborhood. Get there early to sink into the large, enveloping couch while leafing through pages of an interesting coffee table book on Ram Dass and sipping a fresh juice from their in-house juice bar. It’s the perfect place to get some relief from a hectic Parisian day. They offer many different classes depending on your level and style preference. They also offer Pilates classes. Check the website for more details. All classes are currently virtual.

If you want to learn more about kundalini yoga, head over to see Anne Bianchi at Satnam Montmartre. Kundalini is very different from many mainstream Western yoga practices as it includes a lot of deep breathing, chants, mudras (hand positions that coincide with mantras), and finishes up every class with a short gong bath at the end. Anne is an inspirational woman who changed her career from working at a fast-paced French magazine to opening a kundalini yoga center.

If doing hot yoga is more your style, I have always loved the Yoga Garden Rive Gauche. This was my happy place for years as the staff is gold and their fabulous water pressure will change your life (and muscle pain) after a challenging hot yoga session. They offer different hot yoga styles, including hatha and Bikram but also offer other yoga classes, including regular hatha and vinyasa.

Meditation

For those of us who enjoy meditation, Paris is now a wonderful resource for different meditation and self-healing classes. Swan and Ellie offer sound therapy experiences at Zen and Sounds. Here, you don’t need to do anything except relax and let the different vibrations and sounds positively affect your mind and body. They offer different gong baths, meditations, and sound treatments multiple times a day, seven days a week. They have even been able to offer zoom experiences, and have some amazing sound healing retreats lined up for spring and summer 2021 at their center in the South of France and Ibiza.

Susan Oubari created a class that combines the benefits of breathwork, Reiki, and meditation called Breathe in Paris. She currently teaches online and offers a class whose goal is to teach you how to breathe with purpose and learn the art of letting go. For more information on Susan and her classes, visit https://susanoubari.com/

This handful of Paris wellness classes were selected based on the quality and possibility of taking classes in English.

Addresses:

Le Tigre Chaillot – 17/19 rue de Chaillot 75116

Le Tigre Rive Gauche – 101 rue du Cherche-Midi 75007

Satnam Montmartre – 7 impasse Marie Blanche 75018 

Yoga Garden Rive Gauche – 3 rue Campagne Première 75014

Zen and Sounds – 88 boulevard de Charonne 75020

Breathe in Paris – 1 rue de l’Université 75007

Related Links

• Plants are another way to destress! Here’s Where to Shop for Plants in Paris
• Reward yourself after a good workout: The Best Spas and Hammams in Paris

Written by Natalie Gond for HiP Paris. Looking to travel? Check out Haven In for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, France or Italy. Looking to rent long-term or buy in France or Italy? Ask us! We can connect you to our trusted providers for amazing service and rates or click here. Looking to bring France home to you or to learn online or in person (when possible)? Check out new marketplace shop and experiences.