Simon Says Yoga in Baltimore: Drop-In Classes and Beginner-Focused Instruction

Simon Says Yoga is a small, non-heated studio in Canton offering drop-in classes at $18 per session, with a teaching approach built around accessible instruction for people new to yoga. The studio operates six days a week and serves the south Baltimore neighborhood as an informal alternative to larger membership-based studios downtown.

What Simon Says Yoga actually is

Simon Says occupies a street-level space on O'Donnell Street and functions as a drop-in studio rather than a membership-first operation. Classes range from gentle and beginner-level to intermediate vinyasa, taught in a room without heat or climate control beyond standard air conditioning. The studio holds roughly 12 to 15 people per class, creating a quieter, less crowded environment than larger studios. Owner and lead instructor Simon Kimmel has taught in Baltimore for over a decade and built the studio around the principle that yoga should be approachable without long-term financial commitment.

Class styles and pricing

Simon Says offers five to six classes weekly across three primary formats: beginner gentle yoga (suitable for those with no prior experience), all-levels vinyasa, and occasional restorative sessions. Drop-in rates are $18 per class, with a package of five classes for $80 (equivalent to $16 per session). No membership contract is required. A single unlimited monthly membership costs $75, which works out to roughly $17 per session if you attend five or more times monthly. Class duration is 55 minutes, consistent across all offerings. Verify current pricing and class schedule directly, as both shift seasonally.

How it compares to other Baltimore yoga studios

Baltimore has two broad categories of yoga space: larger membership-based studios and independent drop-in options. Yoga studios in Fells Point and Harbor East, such as those near the water, typically emphasize membership packages ($100 to $140 monthly) and heated rooms, with drop-in rates closer to $20 to $25. Community centers and nonprofit gyms offer classes at $12 to $15 per session but run them at specific times only, with less flexibility if you prefer to attend different days. Simon Says sits between these tiers: its drop-in rate is cheaper than commercial studios, but higher than nonprofit centers, and it offers the scheduling flexibility of a drop-in model with the consistent instruction of a dedicated studio. Choose Simon Says if you live in or near Canton and prefer beginner-friendly, non-heated yoga without membership pressure. Choose a larger downtown studio if you want heated rooms, varied instructor rosters, or amenities like showers and a lobby. Choose a community center if price is the primary factor.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

Simon Says works best for beginners, people returning to yoga after time away, and residents of Canton and neighboring Federal Hill who value proximity over amenities. The non-heated environment appeals to those uncomfortable in hot yoga studios. Intermediate practitioners who practice regularly will likely find the class schedule limiting (five to six sessions weekly rather than 20 or more at larger studios). People seeking heated vinyasa, aerial yoga, or specialized instruction (prenatal, therapeutic) will find better options elsewhere. The small class size means less anonymity; some people appreciate this personal attention, while others prefer the privacy of larger rooms.

What the first visit involves

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to sign in, bring your own mat or rent one for $2, and introduce yourself to the instructor. Classes begin with breath work and typically move through standing poses and a short meditation. The instructor observes students and offers modifications aloud rather than hands-on adjustments. No prior experience or flexibility is required; the pace is deliberate and the instructor explicitly teaches foundational alignment. Bring water; the studio has no café or concessions.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Simon Says operates Monday through Saturday, with morning classes at 9 a.m. and an evening session around 6 p.m. (verify exact times before your first visit, as evening schedules occasionally shift). Street parking on O'Donnell Street is available but can be tight during peak hours. The studio sits two blocks south of Canton Square, within walking distance of the Federal Hill neighborhood. No dedicated parking lot; plan for street parking or bike access.

For Baltimore residents seeking affordable, beginner-centered yoga within Canton itself, Simon Says fills a gap between commercial studios and community centers, asking nothing more than a $18 session fee and the willingness to show up.