THE CLASSES: range from mild to spicy (my husband's a former yoga teacher and he says after 2020,…read moresome studios avoid beginner/intermediate/advanced terminology to not sound like crazy Scientologists I guess). Mild is great if your body is tight/in recovery, it's been a rough day, or you just want permission to take it easy. Medium would require more effort but it doesn't cause serious regrets. Spicy is all in, keep up, sweat like crazy, and maybe re-evaluate your choice to come. I take classes to meet my body where it is that day; that is, I don't "only" do spicy ones to "get fit." So my week consists of Mild to Spicy to have "rest" days. The schedule is constantly changing and I haven't taken every class/instructor, so here's how I'd categorize the ones I've attended: * = my repeats/try to attend when I can vp = very popular/crowded Mild: Dominique* (vp; you might snore) or any restorative/yin, Vickie*, Baxter (vp), Jill* Mild/Medium: Deshauna*, Yoko* (vp), Margi* (vp), Ellen, Richard (vp) Medium: Andrea, Leslie, Nichol*, Monica Medium/Spicy: Annie (vp), Kim (the lovely owner!) Spicy: Jody* (vp), Gaby (vp), Jacqui, Rose, Ann Thu* Want to take classes from the "original" group who worked alongside Rodney Yee (yes, that guy)? It's Yoko, Richard, and Annie (I think?) when this was previously Piedmont Yoga Studio. Want adjustments? It depends on class size and the instructor. Yoko, Margi, Ann Thu and Jody do so when they can. I've seen some some students get upset when instructors tell them how to correct the pose. It's a no-win situation. If you're new to crowded classes, be in the 2nd row where you can see better. The only suggestion I have is having a whiteboard/display where instructors can write down the suggested props. Or maybe a picture of each prop with a number next to it and write it down in the Zoom chat. Sometimes an instructor repeats the prop list 5+ times as folks trickle in online/in person. TIPS: Yoga's very subjective--try a lot of studios until you find one you like in terms of the space, students, instructors, and the parking/commute. Go where you feel comfortable and want to return, it helps you maintain momentum. If it's your very first time at any studio, show up early to sign waivers! FWIW: I started yoga after chemo and I've stuck with it during recovery, relapse, remission, parenthood, severe burnout, and now perimenopause. After 20 years, I still can't do handstands/headstands and there are some poses I just can't do anymore. I've been with this studio for 10+ years and 5+ years for my husband.

My loved one and I have been attending Dominique's Tuesday night restorative yoga together for the…read morepast two years. I understand why it's so full these days! The best teachers put in the hours and meet the room with flexibility, the kind that comes from confidence in the material and delivery. Dominique leads every class with steady and tender compassion. As someone who has taught yoga for years myself, I appreciate her seasoned ability to hold space for the community with multiple awarenesses at play. The accessibility piece is always present. This class is great for all bodies and levels of experience and I love being in such a room. She has a natural delivery with clear verbal cues and intuitive encouragement that's even at times poetic. Nest's restorative yoga classes are essential! I feel grateful that we have her in Oakland and while I hope this class doesn't become too packed, I wish everyone such a safe space in this upcoming year.

I used to practice yoga 4 to 6 times a week. Not perfectly, not gracefully, but consistently. It…read morewas a core part of how I took care of myself. When the pandemic hit, I could not get into digital classes. I missed the energy of being in a studio, and without it, I stopped showing up for myself physically. Fast forward to now. After moving from San Francisco to Oakland, I tried a few studios. They were fine, but something was missing. I would leave with the mental and spiritual benefits, but physically I barely broke a sweat. For me, that is only part of the equation. Then I found Left Coast Power Yoga. Within the first 30 seconds of my first class, just hearing the instruction, I knew I had found my place. If the word "power" intimidates you, it did for me too. Do not let it stop you. And if you are looking for that physical intensity, you will find it here. They offer both ends of the spectrum and everything in between. Some classes I leave completely drenched, like I just stepped out from under a waterfall. Others I leave feeling deeply aligned, structurally sound, and grounded with just a light glisten. Both feel equally valuable. If you are on the fence about booking a class, book it. Classes often fill up, and you do not want to be the one stuck on the waitlist wishing you had committed. I have never once regretted going to a class or getting a workout in. I have absolutely regretted the internal dialogue that comes when I skip for reasons that felt valid in the moment. I am fully hooked. I joined mid-March. It is now six weeks later, and I structure my days around getting to class. I have shifted social plans to make it happen. If I have to choose, I am choosing the mat. Both locations are incredible. Every instructor brings something different, and I have yet to take a class that did not deliver. Yes, it brought me back physically, but it also delivers on all three pillars I care about: mind, body, and spirit.

I recently purchased the new client special to see if this studio matched my vibe. It TOTALLY does!…read moreReally enjoying all of the restorative classes as I'm building up to start their power yoga in a few months when I feel ready. The entire crew is just so lovely! Have not met one yoga teacher that I have no cared for. The vibe is chill, happy and friendly and their studios are immaculate. The yoga teachers are great at correcting when in the incorrect positions. I love that. Think that I'm taking five classes this week. My body is so happy and singing opera. Finally I found my spot. Highly, highly, highly recommend. ‍

I've been going to this Studio for 20+ years and LOVE IT…read more The owner Tony is very dedicated and establishes a friendly, welcoming, community feeling in The Studio. All levels of the practice are welcomed whether first-timer or advanced. Tony brings together an excellent group of teachers whose individuality shines through even within the set, 26-posture framework. There is always something new to discover in each posture! Often teachers will adjust the dialogue to help an individual student by incorporating that help into the dialogue the whole class hears-and can benefit from. It's a challenging style but I'm always super proud of myself when I've completed a class and ALWAYS feel better than when I arrived. This yoga is a crucial part of my continuing health and well-being. I am so grateful for and highly recommend the Bikram Yoga College of India!

All the instructors here are super friendly and helpful and really take the time with you to help…read moreyou with your poses to ensure you're getting the most out of your experience. Although it's a small location, the room wasn't crowded and the instructor was really accommodating as it was my first time doing Bikram yoga.

Arise is an incredible studio. The teachers and staff members are all sweet, personable, and…read moretalented in their practices. It's my first recommendation I make to anyone I meet.

I came for a 7am class! I booked on Classpass. When I checked in, the woman acted like she seen me…read morebefore haha "What's your name again?" There was more than enough cubby space for belongings and shoes. The class was fairly full. I felt good after. After class, I enjoyed a mint tea! It's nice that they offered that. Also, the bathrooms were nice and clean and had things like extra hair ties if you needed them.

I have been taking yoga classes from Dari Love-Sylvia for over a decade. When her own studio closed…read moreI followed her to Mountain Yoga and have been enjoying her Sunday 11:00 am class for over a year. Her humor, kindness and breadth of knowledge about yoga and the body keep me coming back. She accommodates all skill levels and keeps it challenging with options for longtime students. She asks each person at the start of class what they would like to work on, then incorporates all requests into that practice each and every class. It's astonishing! I can't recommend her teaching highly enough. Her Sunday class keeps me sane.

I love all of the teachers at Mountain Yoga, especially Dari. She is incredibly kind and welcoming…read moreand is a great overall teacher. I highly recommend her classes!

I have had very mixed experiences at Piedmont Yoga. I have attended the restorative class with…read moreJoAnn Lyons on Saturdays and absolutely loved It. On Wednesday mornings there is a Gentle flow class at 8a, which i was excited about as it would fit nicely with my work schedule that day. The first time I attended the class Melina Mesa was subbing and she was amazing. She assisted me in making adjustments to the poses to support my medical issues and actually changed her plan for the class to focus on my needs since I was the only one in attendance. However, I attended the same class a couple weeks later and was very disappointed. The teacher arrived 20+ minutes late, which I was told by other yogis there is typical. Also, it was a gentle flow class, which, in my experience, means that teachers pay attention to the students' physical limitations and offer ways to adapt the poses. Not only did she not do this, but when long time students mentioned their long term limitations, she seemed shocked. Also, gentle yoga is typically a slow flow, the speed in which she guided our breathing a movements, made me anxious, to the point i just began ignoring her direction and going at my own slower pace. I would recommend Piedmont yoga as a whole, but will never attend this class again unless there is a sub.

I attended Piedmont Studio for an Intro to Yoga 4-week workshop with Raven. I thought it was the…read moregreatest thing in the world, as she was the best teacher -- nice, supportive, knowledgeable, instructive. I also liked the format - 4 weeks of the basics, geared toward someone brand-new to yoga. The studio itself has nice large spaces. Beyond the specific workshop I took, which I think was mostly so wonderful due to the instructor, I was impressed that this studio has so many different types of classes, for every different type of person imaginable (people with back problems, disabled people, pregnant people, fat people, old people, etc., etc.). I also once attended a Yoga Basics class here on the weekend, with Raleigh. It was easy-ish yoga and had a bunch of people recovering from injuries. The instructor freaked me out though -- it was the end of class relaxation time, and he kept saying something to me that I couldn't hear, so I lifted and turned my head toward him to try to understand, and he came over and pushed my face down. I didn't like that he touched my face, that felt very intrusive and violating, as there was zero reason for it. I would never go to his class again. The other downside to this studio is that it is not "staffed." The only way to tell if you're in the right place is to wander around to the three different studio spaces and look on the schedule on the door to see if you're at the right one.

I LOVE this studio. I've practiced yoga for a long time (maybe 20+ years) and have been a student…read moreat YA for about 3 years. Its my favorite! I love the variety of classes and teachers. Each teacher makes you feel welcome and accommodates for all levels. Some days I feel like a higher intensity workout while other days, I may crave something a little less. There is something for everyone. I feel so refreshed physically and mentally when I leave the studio. It always ends with an amazing lavender washcloth to put over your face to cool/calm down. For my birthday this year, I had wished that I could do yoga all day. My wish was granted when I attended their annual Yoga Festival that was held in town. It was truly bliss and I am so grateful! Dream come true!

Went here for a community restorative yoga session last month that combined yin yoga and some reiki…read moreenergy healing from the yoga instructor. The yoga studio is easy to miss since there's no big sign on the outside with their name. It's on Park Street at the southern end of one of the downtown areas of Alameda city. Space inside is small and cozy, about half the size of other typical yoga studios that I've been to. It was clean and they have water and a bathroom for yogis. You can borrow one of their yoga mats or bring your own - you just have to spray and wipe it down after use before putting it away again. Their other yoga equipment (bricks, Mexican blankets, etc) and accessories are stored neatly in the back for everyone's use during class, as needed. The restorative yoga session I attended was relaxing and supportive. The instructor was easy to follow/hear and she was attentive and helpful with any modifications people needed to get into for their asana/posture. Reiki was a nice bonus too. I always enjoy Reiki sessions whenever I can. Glad I found out about their community restorative sessions (info and RSVP on their website), as I will definitely look out for future ones to attend. Note: You have to RSVP online in advance for their yoga sessions due to their limited space. Their website will require you to create a profile in order to log in and do so.

My coworker recommended this spot and checked it out over the weekend. Super clean, easy parking,…read moregood temperature, and the class was a good workout with good music. My only improvement recommendation would be the that the class was advertised that beginners could attend. My husband never took a class before and the instructor didn't demonstrate the poses, she simply yelled out poses quickly. I would've liked her to provide a bit more instruction. Other than that, it was a wonderful experience and definitely coming back!

My girls invited me to a hot yoga class through ClassPass & was so happy to have gone! I used to…read moretake yoga classes before the pandemy all the time so it felt nice to be in that space again. I was an avid YTTP attendee before I learned about what went down, tried Core Power & that felt too stuffy. This class was taught by Isabella & wow, she was incredible. From the playlist, to her soothing voice & challenging/confusing poses, at the end of our session I was ready for more. I will absolutely be returning again because the way my body felt after & even the day after was impressive. They have mats to rent also which I loved $2 in cash, otherwise they charge you a small fee to use card. Parking can be a bit tricky but if you're down for a little stroll, you can usually find parking around. Remember to keep your valuables either on you or out of sight, I noticed a lot of broken glass on the street near where I parked.