Yoga Garden is amazingly good. The space, the teachers, the vibe, the students. Everything! I've been practicing for 12 years, but took a year off after my son was born due to daddy duty. I bought a house around the corner from YG, but didn't go because I'd dropped in maybe five years ago and it had been quite small--just one studio and only Iyengar (which is great, but not my preferred practice). So I was blown away when I stopped by to check it out again. Wow! Three clean, nice-sized studios. Great intro offer for first month and second month. Amazing teachers. Lots of different classes, from hard-core sunrise mysore to slow and mellow restorative classes. I've taken classes from at least seven instructors and they've all been tremendously gifted and inspiring teachers. If you live in the area--Yoga Garden should be on your list of yoga studios to try. I bet you become a regular. read more

I took advantage of their monthly free intro to yoga class and it was a great experience. Meredith was very chill, but informative and went through a lot of basics in a calm, welcoming environment -- this was great for a newbie like me. I will definitely return for more classes since they have a nice offering. I hoping that some day they'll offer "Yoga for Golf" :-) The environment is clean, comfortable & welcoming. I never felt pressured or under any sales pitch which is very refreshing. Thanks for the hospitality. read more

I just tried this yoga studio for the first time, and compared to the other couple I've been to this place is awesome. There were only two of us in the class, which is vastly different from being crammed three inches away from the person next to you and never seeing the teacher at all. Feeling like you're doing the poses correctly is nice, and I definitely felt great after the class. Managed to accomplish a few things that surprised me. Everyone was friendly, and the studio/space is gorgeous and peaceful. I'll definitely be back. read more

If I ever stray from the Yoga Tree chain anytime in the near future, this is where I would end up. I like that they limit their class sizes so I don't have someone's sweaty foot in my face while I practice. The staff is wonderful - Robin's vinyasa class will kick your ass (in a good way), and Brenna helped me overcome my fear of headstands. The Garden also offers a refreshing variety of different styles, including Iyengar, Ashtanga and restorative classes. read more

I took my first class here today (for $5, as others have pointed out). My husband does not currently have an income right now, so that $5 option until payday on Tuesday REALLY helped me get my butt to yoga today! I loved the small class sizes and had a great instructor (Michelle) for Hatha-Vinyasa 1-2. It was exactly the right level - not too crazy, not too easy. I LOVE the space and abundance of natural light; it's incredibly clean; and I liked the people there: They are low key, serious, humble, kind, and genuinely helpful. It didn't seem to be as full of militant luxe yogi types - you know, the folks who are all about Lululemon, talking about expensive yoga retreats in Mexico, and making sure everyone nearby knows about their "efforts to be more present, you know?" while practicing some ecstatic Playa dance before class gets started, nearly stepping on me in child's pose. I will definitely be back. I only gave this place four stars because my five-star studio is Yoga Hanalei in Kauai. :) read more

I am going on 6 years of continuous membership to Yoga Garden. It has been wonderful for me. Regarding the studio and staff: I find that almost all the reception folks are very welcoming and attentive and if there is an issue with booking or memberships they have bent over backwards to give the best deal for classes. The membership fees signing 3 or 6 month commitments to be very reasonable especially if you go several times a week which I always do. $25 drop in rate matches other studios. The more recently imposed strict policy of no late attendance may sounds harsh but it is best for the community (over the individual) and as a chronic late person I mended my ways and now enjoy settling in a tad early and not having the commotion of having everyone having to adjust their mats and listen to you scramble for props and set up. As for the building it is classic San Francisco Victorian funky but it is nicely appointed and clean and the upper studios are lovely. Not every teacher is going to be your speed or type but there really are many offerings all through the week and instructors like Karen, or Vaza or Brooke are expert at teaching methods, all-level's suggestions and cues and offer a spiritual component I always welcome. One suggestion is that I wish there were more alignment classes so I am putting that out to the management. Also the classes are crowded so it's a struggle for me to weigh getting in to a popular instructor vs more room. I'll take the getting in. Yoga Garden is not perfect but it changed my life for the better. Isn't that what yoga teaches you-no need to be perfect in this world. read more

as a self-proclaimed former yogaphobe, this place really impressed. the instructors are the right balance of educational, inviting and kick-you-in-the-ass ruthless. i purchased a 10-class deal with a friend and explored all sorts of classes, mainly because i didn't know what the heck i was doing. robin definitely stood out as one of my favorite instructors. she definitely encourages folks to hit their limits, and will teach any fool that yoga does, indeed, qualify as "actual" exercise. read more

I attended my first class at Yoga Garden this past weekend and I am impressed. My interest in the place was initially piqued by the big wooden doors....and the promise of something very relaxing and calm behind it. Indeed, once you walk through the doors and down the steps towards the studio, it's like you have been transported away from the busy street that is Divis. The place is very organized, both in the interior space, as well as how they communicate with students in the virtual realm. I perused their class list online, signed up and immediately received welcome and information emails. Once I arrived (on a Sunday morning, in a rather sad state from the night before), I was shown around and introduced to the teacher. I especially like all the classes and resources available for pre and post natal yoga. I'm looking forward to more classes! read more

I like the prenatal yoga classes this studio offers and the teachers. The teachers are knowledgeable, kind, and do a great job creating a class community. The studio is welcoming and comfortable. I can't wait to try their other class offerings and workshops! There is so much to choose from. read more

I love this studio! Sonya's and Roy's hatha, and Robin's vinyasa are just what I need to get me thought the week. They're top notch instructors with the right amount of challenge, technical know-how, and fun. Looking for a deep, mental and physical get away? Go to this studio. read more

Yoga Garden is one of my absolute favorite studios in the city. I especially love Meredith's classes, as well as Robyn's Restorative Flow class. In fact, I wish Yoga Garden had more of the Restorative Flow classes! I'm all about the relaxation and really enjoy a challenging one hour segment followed by 25 minutes of winding down. It's really lovely! Now back to Meredith, I just adore her. She has such a calming presence and encourages everyone to try new poses. Most studios don't provide the time for experimentation, but almost all of the Yoga Garden teachers have taken the time to help us increase our yogic skill set. My only complaint with Yoga Garden is in relation to ventilation and space. The first two floor rooms are ridiculous humid and smelly. The windows should really be opened between classes and allowed to stay open at least in some part throughout the class. Those who are sensitive to a breeze could merely sit on the other side of the room. Lastly, Yoga Garden has really been packing the classes full, as in, upwards of 25 people in one room. When you can't even do a spinal twist without bumping into your neighbor, something needs to change. Overall, Yoga Garden is a really wonderful spot in the city. I hope that they will address issues related to ventilation and space though! read more

I made a daring blind buy of the $90.00 monthly unlimited prenatal membership. I looked high and low for prenatal yoga classes that would work with my schedule. I am usually leery about trying out new studios due to the fact that some are super snobby. I was happy to discover there is actually a garden, the teachers are super knowledgeable and the classes are small. I have been practicing Yoga for about 6 years in gyms, studios, and private studios. I am fat, and I can do head stands with the best of them. The teacher didn't assume that I had never done Yoga due to my size and was very open to my participation. I am glad I found them and look forward to working iwth them through my pregnancy and then the post-natal practice. read more

The one class I took was great! I signed up for the $49 a month unlimited yoga special and only went once because when I wanted to take a class the prenatal classes were only being offered (no offense mommies to be). The studio called me to ask why I'd only attended one class and I've called and left messages on several occasion and have NOT received a return call to date. They've since expanded and the schedule is a lot better. Since I never got a call back I'm hoping maybe this review will get someone's attention so I can give them the feedback they asked for. read more

This is a nice yoga studio for those that have nothing better to do with their money than pay ridiculous prices for a mediocre yoga class. It is an example of what greed can do to a studio read more

Variety of classes with instructors that are intentional and care about the students. I've taken several different classes and enjoyed them all. The only caveat is that the rooms are small and it's quite often very cramped, so you have to wait in a crowd to enter/exit the studios. Overall, great space and great vibe to practice. read more

you ever notice that big wooden door on divisadero just downhill from Haight Street? i dunno what was there before, but now it's a Yoga Studio! this is an all-Iyengar studio that's just getting started. the studio space itself is not terribly large, but they've got lots of props, including a wall of ropes, and those really cool back bendy bench things. the relatively small space means that it's highly unlikely that classes will ever get very big, which is good for Iyengar style. the founders (also yoga teachers), who also started castro yoga, are very much involved and personally running things. they're super nice, and are trying to create a really great space. they're using some of the same online tools that Yoga Tree uses, making it super easy to buy classes online and register and all that. check em out =) read more

A great place for prenatal and postnatal yoga. Marisa's classes helped keep me strong and flexible so that I could birth that baby successfully. The other instructors are fantastic as well. They are all very well trained and versed in the Iyengar tradition. The studio is bright and airy and it's just a wonderful place to learn and practice. read more

They have a large variety of styles and schedules. The place is clean, great atmosphere and very nice staff.

Roy's class is the S*&^%! He is amazing and its always a good workout. He is also so funnny and says the best things in class. Love his class. Others are good but not as amazing. read more

My happy place. Intimate, positive, non-corporate vibe. All teachers are incredibly talented and well trained, many of them in the Iyengar tradition so they pay close attention to good form and give clear instructions. There are so many different kinds of classes and they have a good registration system that keeps the room from getting too full. I love this yoga studio and I pray it will always be open and I'll live nearby. read more

A cute studio, but very expensive for what you get. There are better studios in the city.

I've been coming here for almost two months now, and I LOVE this place. As an absolute beginner, I first enrolled in the Yoga 101 series with Mia. I had taken a few yoga classes in college and hated it, so I walked into my first class pretty skeptical of the whole thing. After that first day, though, I was hooked. Mia is a great teacher - she paces the class really well, and she gives lots of verbal cues and gentle adjustments. In the meantime, I took classes at six other studios in the area before committing to YGSF. I had some good experiences and great teachers elsewhere, but I felt that the Yoga Garden was the most genuinely beginner-friendly, in addition to having the best mix of classes, levels, and styles. There's also an intimate and friendly vibe here that I didn't get anywhere else (except maybe the Laughing Lotus on 16th), which is perfect for someone like me, who is brand-new to yoga, has comically tight hamstrings and still gets nervous walking into a new class. All in all, I feel lucky to live so close to this place and I plan to keep coming back. read more

I attended the Ageless Yoga class which is taught on Mondays and Wednesdays. The teacher, Jean Mazzei, is knowledgeable with a great sense of humor. She is sensitive to the various issues of class members many of whom are older. There were also people in the class who had been ill or were recovering. Jean matched the expercises very well to skill levels which differed in the classes I took. She has an endless resource of techniques and practices to suit every situation due to her long experience of practice and training. I always left the class refreshed physically and spiritually. My one complaint is that she doesn't teach more frequently! read more

Whether you have studied at Yoga Garden before or not, the 300 hour yoga teacher training program meets you where you are - as a teacher and practitioner. As the director and core teacher, Jean Mazzei has an incredible ability to make the material accessible, understandable and then one step beyond - she makes it a part of you. With carefully selected practices, small group discussions and a lively teaching style, the program is for anyone looking to further their studies of yoga theory & philosophy and understand how to apply that off the mat. read more

I have attended Jean's Mazzei's Ageless Yoga class 2x/wk for the past month. It is just what I need right now to ease my body back into yoga after a long hiatus. She has been teaching yoga for over 30 years, so she knows how to effectively teach a yoga class. She has a wonderful style for explaining the positions and selecting positions to strengthen different body parts. Our class has great camaraderie, so the vibe is also excellent. My body is really happy with these classes so I will be back for more! read more

Truly a lovely studio. All of the 3 yoga practice rooms are comfortable and spacious. All of the teachers that I have taken classes from have been competent, if not great. Love Dustin McCallister --- a supremely talented and generous teacher! read more

For a practice that considers mindfulness and wellbeing, they certainly aren't mindful about spamming you relentlessly to sell you on things. Or maybe they are mindful, with consideration to marketing being more important than respect for your inbox. read more

This was a wonderful location. I came when I was visiting my brother and got the passport pass (3 classes to use in 10 days). They had a ton of different classes and times to pick from and were very friendly. I will defiantly be coming back when I come visit. read more

I recently restarted my mysore practice at Yoga Garden. I was looking for a place where the training was rigorous, but the teachers were kind and gentle, and I found it. The studio is very chill, thrives on community (not corporate-like yoga) and is a really nice space to practice. It's an old house, so there's an immediate comfort from walking in the front door. For this mysore practice, I'm not asked to give more than I'm willing to commit, and what I can do is enough. I find this mysore practice to truly be a stress relief and physical outlet. I also like that if I want a break from ashtanga, my monthly pass allows me to try other classes at the studio. That's definitely a big bonus. read more

Such a great friendly neighborhood yoga studio! I was here from out of town and they welcomed us in!

Someone should tell Mary S. that restorative yoga is YOGA, not a massage. Those muscles don't move on their own. For anyone seriously injured, perhaps a consult with a physician would be more appropriate. Don't blame your yoga instructor. This "bad apple" is a kick-ass teacher and I would recommend her to anyone whose doctor has not advised her (or him) to avoid physical activity. Honest opinions and poor reviews are fine, but personal attacks are vulgar and inappropriate. read more

I have only taken the prenatal classes and I love all of them and the teachers that teach them. The substitutes are even great when they have to make an appearance. I would recommend their prenatal classes for anyone who has done yoga or has never done yoga. It is a great sense of community and I have learned so much in the short time I have been going. read more

The classes and teachers at Yoga Garden are amazing.

I've been a member of Yoga Garden for several months now and the highlight of my experience is Shakthi Ganehsan. Nearly all of the yoga classes at Yoga Garden are great, but Shakthi offers classes that rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. Somehow her classes meet every need you never knew you had. She teaches yoga-meditation and a Sunday (4:30pm) class. Her classes are challenging yet motivated by wisdom and compassion. I highly recommend them! Other wonderful classes include the Aromatherapy Flow class and Dustin's Saturday night class (or any of his others). He's fantastic! read more

For a shapely body, good health, and a happy attitude please visit my friends at Yoga Garden San Francisco. It's the best! read more

Yoga Garden is a great resource for an Iyengar-centric practice and if I lived closer I'd certainly visit more often. I've taken classes with a few of the faculty and they were all solid. They provide mats for free and the studio is equipped with Iyengar props that you might not find at other studios such as benches and a rope wall. My impression is that the owners place an emphasis on building a sense of community with students and neighbors which is nice. Last but not least, the building itself is a pleasure to visit--walking through the gate and down the stone path feels like stepping into a bit of an oasis. read more

A VERY beautiful and safe, warm, wonderful place. Great teachers. I love Nina and Anna-Mari. This place is just a tad pricey... $19 drop in and the monthly memberships don't save you very much. Great intro offer though! THE place for Iyengar! read more

Have been going to the Garden for a year now and want to say thank you to all of the teachers and students for making the Yoga Garden the best and most welcoming studio. I've stepped out to other places for classes and workshops and keep coming back. This studio is a community first which I hadn't looked for or realized I needed until I encountered it here in the heart of the city. All the yoga, none of the vanity, all the sanity. read more

I highly recommend the Hatha Align class with Jen! She has a great attitude and being in her class makes everyone feel happy. Hatha Align was focused on hips last week, and the class was a great way to get deep into some poses, hitting those muscles that need it the most. This is a slower paced class, and you might not get your cardio from it, but it's an enjoyable way to slow down your pace, smile, and get some much-needed body healing in. Jen offers modifications and advanced versions for everything, and even in the class of maybe 20 people, she came around and helped make adjustments. read more

I am now in LOVE with ashtanga yoga! Yoga Garden is a sweet little victorian san francisco house remolded into a yoga studio and the owners/directors have done an amazing job! I believe Yoga Garden has three different yoga rooms (I've only been to one of their yoga rooms). Beautifully decorated garden and grounds, friendly staff and teachers, very clean and welcoming. So far I've really enjoyed learning ashtanga here! Exactly how you would imagine a yoga studio to be but also surprisingly cute and comfortable :) Definitely looking forward to going back for more classes! read more