Studio Spotlight: Balanzs

Balanzs began in The Hague with a simple vision — to create a space where everyone feels at home. Built on the philosophy of kindfulness, a blend of kindness and mindfulness, Balanzs has since grown into a vibrant community of studios across the Netherlands. Their classes — from Hot Yoga and Yin to Vinyasa, Pilates, and Barre — are rooted in connection over perfection, offering a place for every body and every journey. We sat down with founders Menno & Zsoka Bernard to learn more about their journey and what makes Balanzs such a special home for mindful movement.

Practice Makes Sweat

It’s this warmth and authenticity that made Balanzs the perfect home to film Practice Makes Sweat. Filmed inside their Hot Yoga studio on Prinseneiland in Amsterdam, the video captures the essence of hot yoga — the breath, the focus, the transformation that happens when you move through intensity with presence.

Learn More About Practice Makes Sweat →

How did you [Zsoka Bernard] discover yoga, and what was your journey from student to teacher to studio owner?

I started Balanzs because I wanted a place where people could simply be themselves. Not about perfect poses, but about discovering the kind of strength that makes you feel lighter, freer, and makes you smile more. It’s the strength to soften, to connect, to choose kindness even when life is tough. For me my yoga & Pilates practice have been the gateways to what we now call kindfulness, and it has become the heart of everything we do.

More than 1.4 million mats have already been rolled out in our studios, yet this is only the beginning. With Menno Bernard, my partner, beside me and our team and teachers carrying this vision into every class, every smile, every connection, the dream keeps growing.

Because strength without kindness is just force. True strength is the courage to care. To change the world. One kind smile at a time.

Balanzs started with the first Hot Yoga studio in The Hague and has now grown into a community with multiple studios across the Netherlands. What inspired you to open the first Balanzs studio? And what makes Balanzs unique?

We opened our first Balanzs studio to create a space where movement feels like home — not about perfection, but about connection. What makes us unique? Our kindfulness: a joyful blend of kindness, mindfulness, and a whole lot of confetti for the soul

Hot Yoga is one of your signature offerings. What do you think makes the Balanzs Hot Yoga experience stand out, and why do so many students return to it?

Our Hot Yoga isn’t just about the heat — it’s about the heart. Students love it because it’s sweaty, supportive, and surprisingly joyful.

With such a wide variety of classes—Hot, Yin, Vinyasa, Pilates, and more—how do you ensure there’s something for everyone who walks through your doors?

At Balanzs, we believe movement is for all kind, kind for all. That’s why our schedule is as diverse as our community — from fiery Hot classes to soothing Yin, powerful Vinyasa to strengthening Pilates, and everything in between. We make sure every style is guided by compassionate teachers, so whether you come in to sweat, to stretch, to reset, or to simply breathe, there’s a space for you. It’s not about fitting into yoga — it’s about yoga meeting you where you are.

Community is at the heart of Balanzs. What does community mean to you, and how do you see it come alive in your studios?

For us, community is everything. It’s that warm smile at the front desk, the shared laugh after a sweaty Hot class, the quiet connection in a Yin pose. Community means knowing you belong — exactly as you are. In our studios, we see it come alive every day: teachers who care, students who cheer each other on, and small acts of kindness that ripple far beyond the mat.

Sustainability and kindness are part of your philosophy. How do these values show up in the way your studios are run and how classes are shared?

At Balanzs, sustainability and kindness go hand in hand. From bamboo floors and eco-friendly spaces to inclusive, kindful classes, every choice is made with care — for people and for the planet. It’s movement that creates ripples of positive impact, on and off the mat.

Your teaching team is wonderfully diverse. How do the different teachers and styles contribute to the energy of Balanzs as a whole?

Our teachers bring their own unique energy and styles, but what unites them is our mission of kindfulness. With Yoga, Pilates, Barre, Through the Balanzs Academy — and Teacher development workshops — we make sure our team keeps growing and stays deeply connected to our values. This way, every class carries the same heart: inclusive, kind, and inspiring.

Many students come to Balanzs to start or deepen their yoga journey. How do you support both beginners and long-term practitioners in their practice?

At Balanzs, we believe yoga is a journey without a finish line. Whether you’re stepping on the mat for the very first time or refining your practice after years, we meet you exactly where you are.

Looking ahead, what’s exciting you most—whether it’s new classes, projects, or the continued growth of your community?

What excites me most is continuing to spread kindfulness — creating ripples of smiles, moments of connection, and yes, plenty of confetti for the soul. We’re always dreaming up new ways to help people move, breathe, and feel at home in themselves, whether that’s through fresh class styles, inspiring trainings, or community projects that bring people together. Right now, we’re especially excited about the big revamp of our Nieuwe Achtergracht studio in Amsterdam. It’s getting a whole new sparkle, and with Reformer Pilates joining the schedule, we can welcome even more people to explore movement in their own way. The journey continues — and we can’t wait to share it.

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Website: www.balanzs.nl

Instagram: @balanzs