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Working out in any form is not just good for your physical self, it's great for your brain and mind too. Here are five surprising ways exercise can change your brain. By Kelly McGoniga on behalf of Greater Good Science Center. We’ve all heard that exercise is good for us — how it strengthens our hearts and lungs, and helps us prevent diseases like diabetes. That’s why so many of us like to make New Year’s resolutions to move more, knowing it will make us healthier and live longer. But many people don’t know about the other important benefits of exercise — how it can help us find happiness, hope, connection and courage. Around the world, people who are physically active are happier and more satisfied with their lives. They have a stronger sense of purpose and experience more gratitude, love and hope. They feel more connected to their communities, and are less likely to suffer from loneliness or become depressed. These benefits are seen throughout the lifespan, including among those living with serious mental and physical health challenges. That’s true whether their preferred activity is walking, running, swimming, dancing, biking, playing sports, lifting weights, or practicing yoga. Why is movement linked to such a wide range of psychological benefits? One reason is its powerful and profound effects on the brain. Here are five surprising ways that being active is good for your brain — and how you can harness these benefits yourself. 1. The exercise “high” primes you to connect with others Although typically described as a runner’s high, an exercise-induced mood boost is not exclusive to running. A similar bliss can be found in any sustained physical activity. Scientists have long speculated that endorphins are behind the high, but research shows the high is linked to another class of brain chemicals: endocannabinoids (the same chemicals mimicked by cannabis) — what neuroscientists describe as “don’t worry, be happy” chemicals. RELATED: Happiness hormones – the neruochemicals of happiness Areas of the brain that regulate the stress response, including the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, are rich in receptors for endocannabinoids. When endocannabinoid molecules lock into these receptors, they reduce anxiety and induce a state of contentment. Endocannabinoids also increase dopamine in the brain’s reward system, which further fuels feelings of optimism. This exercise high also primes us to connect with others, by increasing the pleasure we derive from being around other people, which can strengthen relationships. Many people use exercise as an opportunity to connect with friends or loved ones. Among married couples, when spouses exercise together, both partners report more closeness later that day, including feeling loved and supported. Another study found that on days when people exercise, they report more positive interactions with friends and family. As one runner said to me, “My family will sometimes send me out running, as they know that I will come back a much better person.” 2. Exercise can make your brain more sensitive to joy When you exercise, you provide a low-dose jolt to the brain’s reward centers — the system of the brain that helps you anticipate pleasure, feel motivated, and maintain hope. Over time, regular exercise remodels the reward system, leading to higher circulating levels of dopamine and more available dopamine receptors. In this way, exercise can both relieve depression and expand your capacity for joy. Physical activity can boost happiness shutterstock/wavebreakmedia These changes can also repair the neurological havoc wreaked by substance abuse. Substance abuse lowers the level of dopamine in your brain and reduces the availability of dopamine receptors in the reward system. As result, people struggling with addiction can feel unmotivated, depressed, antisocial, and unable to enjoy ordinary pleasures. Exercise can reverse this. In one randomized trial, adults in treatment for methamphetamine abuse participated in an hour of walking, jogging, and strength training three times a week. After eight weeks, their brains showed an increase in dopamine receptor availability in the reward system. Jump-starting the brain’s reward system benefits not just those who struggle with depression or addiction. Our brains change as we age, and adults lose up to 13 per cent of the dopamine receptors in the reward system with each passing decade. This loss leads to less enjoyment of everyday pleasures, but physical activity can prevent the decline. Compared to their inactive peers, active older adults have reward systems that more closely resemble those of individuals who are decades younger. 3. Exercise makes you brave Courage is another side effect of physical activity on the brain. At the very same time that a new exercise habit is enhancing the reward system, it also increases neural connections among areas of the brain that calm anxiety. Regular physical activity can also modify the default state of the nervous system so that it becomes more balanced and less prone to fight, flight or fright. The latest research even suggests that lactate — the metabolic by-product of exercise that is commonly, but erroneously, blamed for muscle soreness — has positive effects on mental health. After lactate is released by muscles, it travels through the bloodstream to the brain, where it alters your neurochemistry in a way that can reduce anxiety and protect against depression. “Over time, regular exercise remodels the reward system, leading to higher circulating levels of dopamine. In this way, exercise can both relieve depression and expand your capacity for joy.” Sometimes, the movement itself allows us to experience ourselves as brave, as the language we use to describe courage relies on metaphors of the body. We overcome obstacles, break through barriers, and walk through fire. We carry burdens, reach out for help, and lift one another up. This is how we as humans talk about bravery and resilience. When we're faced with adversity or doubting our own strength, it can help to feel these actions in our bodies. The mind instinctively makes sense out of physical actions. Sometimes we need to climb an actual hill, pull ourselves up, or work together to shoulder a heavy load to know that these traits are a part of us. 4. Moving with others builds trust and belonging In 1912 French sociologist Émile Durkheim coined the term collective effervescence to describe the euphoric self-transcendence individuals feel when they move together in ritual, prayer, or work. Moving with others — for example, in group exercise, yoga, or dance classes — is one of the most powerful ways to experience joy. Psychologists believe the key to producing collective joy is synchrony — moving in the same way, and at the same time, as others — because it triggers a release of endorphins. This is why dancers and rowers who move in synch show an increase in pain tolerance. But endorphins don’t just make us feel good; they help us bond, too. People sharing an endorphin rush through a collective activity like, trust, and feel closer to one another afterward. It’s a powerful neurobiological mechanism for forming friendships, even with people we don’t know. Group exercise has managed to capitalize on the social benefits of synchronized movement. For example, the more you get your heart rate up, the closer you feel to the people you move in unison with, and adding music enhances the effect. Breathing in unison can also amplify the feeling of collective joy, as may happen in a yoga class. “Psychologists believe the key to producing collective joy is synchrony — moving in the same way, and at the same time, as others — because it triggers a release of endorphins.” We were born with brains able to craft a sense of connection to others that is as visceral as the feedback coming from our own heart, lungs, and muscles. That is an astonishing thing! We humans can go about most of our lives, sensing and feeling ourselves as separate, but through one small action — coming together in movement — we dissolve the boundaries that divide us. 5. Trying a new activity can transform your self-image Every time you move your body, sensory receptors in your muscles, tendons, and joints send information to your brain about what's happening. This is why if you close your eyes and raise one arm, you can feel the shift in position and know where your arm is in space. You don’t have to watch what’s happening; you can sense yourself. Synchrony in group dance boosts endorphins shutterstock/Dragon Images The ability to perceive your body’s movements is called proprioception, and is sometimes referred to as the “sixth sense.” It helps us move through space with ease and skill and plays a surprisingly important role in self-concept—how you think about who you are and how you imagine others see you. When you participate in any physical activity, your moment-to-moment sense of self is shaped by the qualities of your movement. If you move with grace, your brain perceives the elongation of your limbs and the fluidity of your steps, and realizes, “I am graceful.” When you move with power, your brain encodes the explosive contraction of muscles, senses the speed of the action, and understands, “I am powerful.” If there is a voice in your head saying, “You’re too old, too awkward, too big, too broken, too weak,” sensations from movement can provide a compelling counterargument. Physical accomplishments change how you think about yourself and what you are capable of, and the effect should not be underestimated. One woman I spoke with shared a story about when she was in her early 20s and found herself severely depressed, with a plan to take her own life. The day she intended to go through with it, she went to the gym for one last workout. She deadlifted 185 pounds, a personal best. When she put the bar down, she realized that she didn’t want to die. Instead, she remembers, “I wanted to see how strong I could become.” Five years later, she can now deadlift 300 pounds. Clearly, we were born to move, and the effects of exercise on our psychological and social well-being are many. So, why not start the new year right and add more movement to your life? No doubt you’ll feel better, be happier, and have better social relationships because of it. ● Main image: shutterstock/wavebreakmedia This article originally appeared on Greater Good, the online magazine of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. happiness.com is grateful to republish it with the kind permission of the Greater Good Science Center. greatergood.berkeley.edu

Self-sabotaging behaviour can stop you moving forward in life. Stanislava Puač Jovanović explains why we do it and offers five ways you can learn how to stop self-sabotage. You genuinely desire something. You’ve imagined yourself owning a business on your own, marrying that perfect someone, being healthy and productive. You’ve imagined this over and over again. Yet, when you look back at how far you had got with realising those goals, you have to face the truth – you (delicately) blew it at every step of the way. Rare is a person that doesn’t know this feeling all too well. Self-sabotage – behaving in a way that undermines our achievements and daily living – is a phenomenon most of us will face at some point of our lives. Many, however, struggle with it on a daily basis. Self-sabotage can crawl into our friendships, relationships, academic success, professional advancements, our self-development... to name just a few areas. And although it’s a common nemesis, if you wish to have control over your life, you need to understand your foe and learn how to stop self-sabotaging. Why do we self-sabotage? At first, self-sabotage might seem like the greatest paradox. One wants something so much and works towards it, only then to work against the goal. It’s most apparent in cases when the target is very much achievable, and all it would require is a little extra effort – or even simply not doing anything to ruin it. To the surprise of everyone around the self-saboteur, just when they were about the cross the finish line, they do something that couldn’t be described in any terms other than irrational. Self-sabotaging behaviour can be stopped shutterstock/MAD.vertise And this is precisely where the key to understanding self-sabotage is hidden. A self-saboteur is actually highly successful – in realising the secret (unconscious) goals of not succeeding at something. Why do we do this? Here are a few possible explanations and factors to address if you wish to understand how to limit self-sabotaging behaviour. Evolution and neurological pathways Interestingly, self-sabotage might be imbedded into our genes. Seeking pleasure and avoiding harm are, in a way, two sides of a coin. In simplest terms, they both trigger dopaminergic circuits that make us feel good. This sort of adaptive mechanism was necessary during the evolution of humankind. “Although it’s a common nemesis, if you wish to have control over your life, you need to understand your foe and learn how to stop self-sabotaging.” However, a modern human seeks more than mere survival. Our needs are nuanced, delicate and complex. This intricacy of our inner lives often triggers a imbalance between reward-seeking and avoidance of pain. In other words, when we self-sabotage, we seek the pleasure we get from avoiding harm. However, the irrationality lies in the inflation of the perceived harm, which usually isn’t nearly as threatening as we see it. Self-punishment How to stop self-sabotage has been a subject of psychological research for decades. One of the first paths the study of self-defeating behaviours took was seeking for reasons in our subconscious minds. Psychodynamic approaches argued that self-sabotage comes from a masochistic character that constantly works on ensuring self-punishment. This need may come from one’s ingrained beliefs about their unworthiness, or a conviction that the only way to receive love and gratification is through being the victim. Avoiding threat to self-esteem If you wish to understand how to stop self-sabotaging, you should know that in most cases, especially in academic and professional achievements, self-sabotage is believed to be a manifestation of low self-esteem. Whether it's masked or conscious, low self-esteem causes us to be overly sensitive to the prospect of failing. Which is why we procrastinate, come up with excuses, stop trying, and employ all sorts of rationalisations of why we “had to” not succeed. Control Although it may sound illogical at first, when we sabotage our success, we actually gain control. It’s a bitter-sweet sort of control, as it’s controlled failure. Repeatedly failing romantic relationships are the perfect example of such a motive. Love is potentially painful, unpredictable, and difficult (or impossible) to have power over. Which is why some people embark on ruining the relationship themselves rather than risk being hurt – in this way, they maintain control over what's happening to them. Cut it out: learn how to recognize and stop self-sabotage Fear of success Although we rarely recognise it, many of us fear success. The reason? Success often means having to face new challenges and demands, losing the comfort of the well-known position. However, there’s also a more psychologically subtle reason – success often comes with a threat to one’s identity. People with a shaky identity fear success more than those who have achieved and foreclosed it already. Therefore, they avoid achieving a goal that comes with new roles, as it might add too much of a burden to their self-concept. How to stop self-sabotage: 5 techniques Self-sabotage can range from avoiding a test by faking an illness to a life-long fight with addictions. In any case, it's an unhealthy mode of existence. To liberate yourself, you need to undertake proactive measures to abandon this habit. Here are five ways you can learn to stop the pain of self-sabotaging behavior. 1. Becoming aware of self-sabotage As with other matters of the human psyche, recognising that you need a change is the first step towards it. Even when it’s entirely obvious to those around you, you might not be aware of what you’ve been doing. Examine your behaviour. Analyse your past actions. Acquire a habit of awareness. Have you been preventing yourself from realising your full potential? Developing and practising conscious focus on such behaviours is an essential tool towards defeating the underlying cause. 2. Developing a growth mindset In many instances, self-sabotage is caused by insecurity, and we do it to avoid jeopardising our self-esteem. One possible solution is to develop a growth or abundance mindset. This means believing that our inborn abilities are merely a starting point, not something that’s set in stone. With practice, we develop. Acquiring this sort of self-perception results in minimising fear of failure. Failure isn’t a signal of our lacking capacity anymore; it’s a part of the growth process. Therefore, we don’t need self-sabotage to protect us from it. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } “In many instances, self-sabotage is caused by insecurity, and we do it to avoid jeopardising our self-esteem. One solution is to develop a growth mindset 3. Being honest with yourself There are many possible reasons as to why you could be engaging in self-sabotage. The ones we listed above are merely options. To fight this nasty habit, you need to dig deep and understand why it is that you, personally, do it. Be painfully honest to yourself – no one’s listening and no one’s judging. You need to be true about your desires and goals. Do you really want that promotion, or to get married, and do you want it for the right reasons? What it is that you’re truly seeking in your goals? Know yourself. Unless you do so, you’ll be a puppet of your subconscious strivings and desires. 4. Face your fears As you now know, most self-sabotaging behaviour comes from some sort of fear. Be it fear of losing control, shaking one’s identity up, not being up to a challenge, or ready for responsibility or a change – fears drive us to self-destruction. Instead of being inert, take a moment each day to look your demon in the eye. With time, you’ll realise that the only thing you need to fear is spending your life being chased around by your fears, instead of running towards your freedom. 5. Practise self-compassion Self-saboteurs often feel that they need to linger in a state of constant hurt and failure. They feel that they deserve it for they are unworthy of anything else. If you think such belief is in the roots of your self-defeating behaviour, explore ways to introduce self-compassion into your life: psychotherapy, meditation, or simply rethinking your embedded convictions about who you are, can liberate you from constant self-destruction. Self sabotage: the takeaway Living life means getting scars and experiencing pain. However, it also means that with every second, we get a chance to change. We pick a path with every decision we make. Let the next one be that you’ll stop the self-sabotage, and you’ll live a brave life full of passion and purpose. ● Main image: shutterstock/jtanki Written by Stanislava Puač Jovanović Stanislava Puač Jovanović has a master’s degree in psychology and works as a freelance writer and researcher in this area. During her early career, she gained several certifications (life coach, assertive communication trainer, peer educator, fitness instructor). Her primary focus is on questions relating to mental health, stress-management, self-development and wellbeing.

The death of parent is often devastating and can lead to both physical and mental health issues for the child. But, as Dee Marques writes, there are ways of dealing with the pain. Here, she shares six ideas on how to cope after the loss of a parent. American poet Maya Angelou once said, “I can accept the idea of my own demise, but I’m unable to accept the death of anyone else”. Most of us can empathise with this, especially when it comes to losing a parent. Indeed, the death of a parent is surely one of the most stressful events we can experience, and although it's an inevitable fact of life, this doesn’t minimise the impact when it comes to dealing with it. This traumatic experience of parental loss can cause disruption to our lives in ways we never imagined, leaving us feeling vulnerable and unsure how to act and cope. Grieving is a profound experience involving feelings of shock, numbness, denial, anger, sadness, and despair that sometimes come together creating a hurricane of strong emotions that may last for months. As harrowing as this can be, there are some positive steps you can take when dealing with the death of a parent. RELATED: 7 healing quotes on grief to inspire Quoted on fatherly.com, psychiatrist Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi says, “In the best-case scenario, the death of a parent is anticipated and there’s time for families to prepare, say their goodbyes, and surround themselves with support. In cases where a death is unexpected, such as with an acute illness or traumatic accident, adult children may remain in the denial and anger phases of the loss for extended periods of time… [leading to] diagnosis of major depressive disorder or even PTSD, if trauma is involved.” Losing a parent: what research says Researchers have discovered that dealing with the grief of losing a parent is so hard because the feelings of loss affect the brain directly. The grieving process sends the amygdala (the part of the brain that regulates emotions of distress) into overdrive, and makes the brain release stress hormones, including cortisol. This interferes with thinking and acting, making grief exhausting and overpowering. A few studies have even linked unresolved grief with cardiac events, hypertension, immune disorders, and even cancer. Photo scrapbooks can help when dealing with parental loss shutterstock/LightField Studios Other research show that grieving over a parent's death can lead to increased risks of long-term emotional and mental health issues. Losing a parent has been linked to higher rates of depression, low confidence, anxiety, low academic performance, and addiction problems. And, according to psychologists, these risks can be higher if loss happens during childhood or before reaching adulthood. RELATED: The 8 types of grief explained Quoted in the Los Angeles Times, David Kessler, the founder of grief.com, believes many adults — regardless of their age — struggle with feeling like an orphan following the death of a parent. He said: “I try to remind them that you still stay connected with that person even in death.” It’s also worth mentioning that the emotional storm caused by grief can happen irrespective of the type of relationship we had with our parents – good or bad. Indeed, the impact is bound to be strong because of the nature of the parent-child bond, which is one of the most fundamental aspects of human experience. “Losing a parent has been linked to higher rates of depression, low confidence and anxiety.” Additionally, researchers have found that gender influences the impact of parental death due to attachment between fathers and sons and mothers and daughters. Several studies suggest that daughters and sons process the loss of a parent differently, with daughters reporting more upsetting emotions and being more likely to experience the physical symptoms of grief. Parental death: coping strategies for grief After losing a parent, it’s normal to feel that you can’t cope. Here are six suggestions on how to navigate this difficult time and find direction when dealing with the grief of losing a parent. 1. Avoid comparing yourself to others One of the most important things to remember is the uniqueness of grief. Some people may not express their emotions openly; others may look as if they’ve recovered faster than you, but that doesn’t mean they’re not grieving – perhaps they're just doing it in a different way. 2. Anticipate the process Grief from losing a parent doesn’t have a beginning and an end: it comes with many ups and downs. Certain days, names, or places may arise a wave of sorrow, but that doesn’t mean you’re failing to heal. Also, remember that if you feel the intensity of grief decreasing, this doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten your parent or are dishonouring their memory in any way. 3. Don’t isolate yourself There will be times when you may want to be alone and that’s OK, but try not to make a habit of isolation. Remember that people are there for you, whether they’re neighbours, friends, relatives or counsellors. Reach out: when you lose a parent, seek a helping hand 4. Explore ways to find meaning After losing a parent, you’ll probably search for answers or try to explain why this had to happen. There may not be a definite answer, but the journey of exploration is part of the healing process. Meaning-making can come from religious beliefs or other forms of understanding spirituality. 5. Try journaling Journaling is another way of finding meaning and making sense of what the experience means to you. Writing is a powerful tool that can help you work through your emotions instead of bottling them up. RELATED: Holiday grief – 10 tips for coping 6. Commemorate their life One of the reasons why grief is so overpowering is that we tend to perceive it as the end of the road. While the parent you’ve lost is no longer with you physically, their legacy lives on and it’s worth finding productive ways of honouring your parent and commemorating their lives. Debra J. Umberson, professor of sociology at the University of Texas at Austin, says: “Having a place that reminds the child of the parent and going to that place to talk things through with the parent can be very comforting. Consider planting a tree in their memory, so you can visit it. If that's not possible, try creating a virtual space online or creating a photo and memory scrapbook you can look at whenever you want to be close to your parent. Losing a parent: the takeaway The emotional impact of grief can make it difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, you should know that you’re not alone in this experience. Self-care and strong bonds with others are more important than ever when dealing with the loss of loved ones. Try to put in practice some of the suggestions we’ve offered to cope with the grieving process and find a way to keep purpose in your life even after losing a parent. ● Main image: shutterstock/Pixel-Shot If you're struggling with the death of a parent or have some ideas on how to cope with the loss, our community would love to hear from you. Head over to our Forum post on the loss of a loved one and get the conversation started. Written by Dee Marques A social sciences graduate with a keen interest in languages, communication, and personal development strategies. Dee loves exercising, being out in nature, and discovering warm and sunny places where she can escape the winter.

Barcelona has a vibrant yoga community with hundreds of studios to choose from. So, which are the best? Here are eight that we rate. By Calvin Holbrook. Looking for a cool space to do the Cobra or the perfect place to do the Plank? The Catalan capital has so many yoga studios and classes it can be hard to know where to start. So, here – in no particular order – are our pick of some of the best yoga studios in Barcelona. Not a Spanish speaker? No problem. Many of these schools and studios offer some yoga classes in English. Namasté! 1. Yoga Studio Barcelona One of Barcelona’s oldest and most-established studios, Yoga Studio Barcelona is found in the heart of the city at Plaza Universidad. It’s great for busy working people, as it offers one of the best and fullest yoga schedules during the week, with classes going up until 22:00pm. Yoga Studio Barcelona also regularly organise courses and workshops, in everything from beginner’s yoga to Kundalini. Additionally, for those with a real desire to progress with yoga, Yoga Studio Barcelona offer teaching training courses. Yoga Studio Barcelona, Plaza Universidad 4 2. The Garage by Verónica Blume One of Barcelona’s most beautiful yoga studios, The Garage by Verónica Blume is housed in a converted warehouse in the peaceful foothills of Poble Sec. The project of model-slash-actress Véronica Blume – who also teaches – the studio is naturally stylish, with exposed brick, pastels and parquet flooring. The classes on offer include ashtanga, vinyasa and yin yoga, but The Garage also regularly organise specialised short courses and events. Luckily, there are many classes and events that are also explicitly taught in English. A calm and beautiful space in which to exercise, The Garage is definitely one of Barcelona’s best (and most beautiful!) yoga studios. The Garage by Verónica Blume, c/ de Magalhães, 2 3. Espai Yoga Barcelona If the mantras and breathing exercises involved in Kundalini yoga are your preference, one of the best yoga studios in the Catalan capital for Kundalini is Espai Yoga Barcelona. Kundalini Yoga classes at Espai Yoga Barcelona aim to provide you with stress relief, relaxation, and help you to achieve a greater sense of well-being. They also offer yoga training for families. Espai Yoga Barcelona, c/ Provença 196 4. Yoga Bindu Like flexibility in your schedule as well as your body? Then Yoga Bindu in Barcelona is a great option. This studio offers an extensive weekly schedule, with classes including many different styles of yoga: Ashtanga, Acroyoga, Hatha Vinyasa, Yin Yang flow, Nidra and Yin. Also Pilates and meditation. Prices start from €8 for drop-ins, or you can buy discounted 10-pass packs, which you can use across all the different styles. The studios at Yoga Bindu have plenty of natural light, plus there are decent changing rooms, showers, a therapy room, and a café. Yoga Bindu also give teacher training in Barcelona for new teachers. Yoga Bindu, c/ Arco de Santa Eulalia, 1 5. Bikram Yoga Barcelona The only Bikram yoga studio in Barcelona officially certified by style-founder Bikram Choudhury himself, Bikram Yoga Barcelona is clearly the best choice in the city for those who like to sweat during their asana. Each Bikram yoga session is done over 90 minutes, and takes in 26 postures and two breathing exercises. It’s practised in a room with a temperature of 40-42ºC. Bikram Yoga Barcelona has two studio centres in the city and sessions take place in large, modern rooms with underfloor heating. Both centres boast spacious locker rooms and showers.The best news? If you’re a resident of Barcelona, Bikram Yoga offers a 10-day Bikram yoga pass for €25, where you can try as many classes as possible. Bikram Yoga Barcelona, c/ Pau Claris 97 pral and c/ de la Caravel·la la Niña, 18 6. Yogaia Barcelona What makes Yogaia one of the best places for yoga in Barcelona? As well as its two very bright practice rooms that look out to a gorgeous interior garden patio, Yogaia Bacelona is a social studio with a great entrance area where you can take a snack or tea. It also has a fantastic yoga-related shop attached, full of clothing and books and more. Yogaia Barcelona offer a wide range of yoga sessions for all levels, from beginners right through to advanced. When it comes to prices, this centre offers flexible ways to pay for your yoga sessions: there are drop-in prices, 10- and 20-class packs, as well as unlimited one, three, six and 12-month options, too. Yogaia Barcelona, Passieg de San Juan 121 7. La Shala Located right in the heart of Barcelona, La Shala is more than just a yoga studio; it's a space to share, to experience, explore, and work on personal development together. You practice in a large, 70 m2 room with lots of natural light. The schedule at La Shala is vibrant, offering various kinds of yoga and other activities every day of the week. Indeed, what makes La Shala one of the best studios in Barcelona are its events outside of the regular schedule including weekend yoga events and live concerts. La Shala also offer free tea and water before and during each class and every teacher manages their prices differently, meaning this studio has more of a co-operative, community feeling, which makes it special. La Shala, Plaza Ramon Berenguer 2 8. Glow If you can’t speak Spanish, Glow might be one of your best yoga options while in Barcelona. That’s because all of its classes are taught in English! Hidden away in a secret garden passage in the heart of El Borne, Glow offers a myriad of yoga classes and styles to calm the mind, exercise the body, and nourish the soul. The studio at Glow is large, with lots of natural light, and there are 30 weekly yoga classes to choose from, a great variety of teachers and many flexible pricing options. Get ready to glow! ● Glow, c/ Volta de la Perdiu 2 Have you tried any of these yoga studios in Barcelona? Which one did you enjoy the best? Let the happiness.com community know below. Liked this article? You may also enjoy: What I learned from my first time at Barcelona Yoga Conference Written by Calvin Holbrook Calvin edits the happiness.com magazine, as well being an artist and travel lover. He also loves hiking, nature, swimming, yoga, sweaty dancing, and all things vintage!