Welcome to In Conversation with… where Melaina, our wellness and travel editor, connects with thought leaders, vision seekers and changemakers in the wellness industry to lean into all of the feelings, emotions and memories that come with understanding our core wants in needs through different healing modalities. From learning about Human Design to the benefits of cold plunges, Melaina meets with folks who are changing the landscape for the better.
Today, we chatted with Tessa and Jackie, Founders of LSD°R Studios. Read on for their story.
Tell us a little about yourselves and the story behind LSD°R Studios.
We come from backgrounds in movement, wellness, and building community, and LSD°R was really born out of a shared feeling that something was missing in the boutique fitness space.
There are so many great workouts in the city, but we felt there was an opportunity to create something more intentional. A space that prioritizes not just how hard you work, but how you feel while you’re doing it and when you leave.
LSD°R stands for Low, Slow, Deep Reform, and that idea became our foundation. We built the studio around the belief that slower, more controlled movement paired with breath can be just as challenging physically, while being far more impactful mentally.
From the beginning, it was important to us that LSD°R felt like an experience. The lighting, the sound, the pace of the class, even the language we use with our guests. Everything is designed to help people drop in, focus, and reconnect with their bodies.
Photo provided by LSD°R Studios
Congratulations on opening a second location in Summerhill! What was your vision behind your newest studio?
Thank you! With Summerhill, the vision was to deepen what we’ve already built at King West while adapting to a slightly different rhythm of life.
Summerhill has such a strong sense of routine and community. It’s a neighbourhood where people really prioritize wellness, and we wanted to create a space that could become part of their everyday lives.
Design-wise, we leaned even further into creating a calm, elevated environment. It’s a space that feels considered and grounding, but still distinctly LSD°R.
At the same time, this location allows us to support many of our existing guests who live in midtown, while also introducing the brand to a new community that aligns naturally with what we offer.
Photo provided by LSD°R Studios
What does the “Low, Slow, Deep Reform” philosophy look like in practice—and how does it challenge the “faster, harder, louder” mentality that often dominates the fitness world?
In practice, Low, Slow, Deep Reform means spending more time under tension, moving with control, and being very intentional about how each exercise is performed.
It often looks slower from the outside, but it feels incredibly intense. You’re working deeper into the muscles, and you don’t have momentum to rely on.
Where it really challenges the “faster, harder, louder” approach is in the mindset. Instead of pushing people to disconnect and just get through a workout, we’re asking them to stay present in it.
It’s a different kind of discipline. One that builds strength, but also awareness.
Why was it important for you to integrate breath into movement, and how does it change the way people show up in their bodies?
Breath is something that’s often overlooked in fitness, but it’s foundational to how the body functions.
By intentionally integrating breath into movement, we’re helping guests regulate their nervous systems while they train. It allows them to stay more grounded, more focused, and more connected to what they’re doing.
It also changes the quality of the movement itself. When you’re breathing properly, you’re able to access deeper core engagement and move more efficiently.
What we hear most from our guests is that they leave feeling not just physically worked, but mentally clearer. That shift is a huge part of the experience for us.
Photo provided by LSD°R Studios
If LSD°R were a feeling, a colour, or even a song—how would you describe it?
It would feel grounding, immersive, and a little bit transportive. Like stepping out of the noise of your day and into something more focused and intentional.
As a colour, it would live somewhere in deep, muted tones. Something warm, calm, and elevated rather than high energy or overly bright.
As a song, it would be something rhythmic and steady. Music that builds gradually and pulls you in, rather than something fast and chaotic. The kind of track you can get lost in.
Share where we can find you and book a class.
You can find us at our King West and Summerhill locations in Toronto. Classes can be booked directly through our website.
We recommend booking in advance, especially for peak times, as sessions tend to fill up quickly.
