Queen West’s wellness scene just grew! Not that lockdowns seem to be a thing of the past, it’s time we start getting back into our routines. If you’ve been looking for a place to prioritize wellness in Toronto, Jaybird may just be your new home! This is their first expansion from Vancouver and we think they’re going to fit right in! Their movement meditation will allow you to dive deep into your body and explore yourself. We chatted with Co-Founders Ariel Swan and Barbie Bent about the new studio and have the inside scoop for you below!

Jaybird

Why is Jaybird a must-experience studio and what differentiates it from other yoga or Pilates classes?

While Jaybird is a movement studio, the physical benefits come second to our focus on mindfulness. Jaybird is about getting out of your head and into your body. The experience is designed to draw you inwards using candlelight, infrared heat and immersive, state-of-the-art sound. The darkness and lack of mirrors help to eliminate judgment and comparison of self or other, so that you are free to just be.

How can you maximize your workout and meditation experience with Jaybird’s offerings?

Many people think of meditation as sitting and removing thoughts. In truth, there are many forms of meditation. To us, meditation means experiencing the present moment and acknowledging what is coming up. Every touch point from guided language to sensory inputs is an invitation to come back to now. It’s impossible to do it wrong; all you have to do is show up. We also recommend coming hydrated and dressed for the infrared heat. It gets sweaty!

What can you expect coming out of your first moving meditation session?

Jaybird is a grounded space to dive deep, that inspires personal growth through movement. We believe in meeting people where they are at and inviting self-inquiry, rather than imposing our own beliefs and ideas. At Jaybird, balance is equally important to the work itself. All our classes start and end in a shape of rest. Depending on the style of class, you can expect to move, breathe, sweat (a lot), and leave feeling more connected to yourself.

Why did you choose to enter into the Toronto market as your first Canadian expansion from Vancouver?

We chose Toronto to bring Jaybird to as many people as possible, so we were drawn by the density alongside the vibrancy and diversity of the city. The cold winter days are an amazing pair with a cozy infrared heated room! There are also family ties. Our Co-Founder Barbie is from the East Coast, her uncle is Susur Lee and her brother Robbie just opened an amazing social wellness concept called Othership. We actually opened on the exact same day!