First time trying this studio. It is studio with 5 reformers and another section that has some…read moreother equipment. The morning session was like a private since another client didnt show up. The instructor was friendly, asked if i had any injuries she should know about. I did some footwork on the reformer, used a ball between my knees, did some movements with the handles and magic circle. It was a brain and body coordination workout that I wasnt used to. Did a couple variations of leg circles changing the positon of my feet. The instructor did do some hands in corrections. It was a nice workout to get in while on vacation.

I had a few individual session at HEAL with Juna, she is so wonderful and knowledgeable! I am new…read moreto pilates so I didn't know what to expect, but she did a great job helping me understand how to use the reformer and corrected my form to make sure the exercise is done properly. I love my individual sessions and I will be also going to group classes soon.

My husband and I had agreed long ago that I was a lemon. Given a chance for injury or…read morecomplication, my body would jump at the opportunity from falls to always being in the 5% when a procedure has a 95% success rate. It was getting to the point that my husband and I were afraid someone was going to report him for abuse. After another computing/typing related flare sent me to a neurologist, she suggested physical therapy, but also to start Pilates. An active person who avidly walks and cycles daily, I'd always considered PIlates a luxury exercise, but Reform Your Body Pilates was close, soI thought I would give it a shot. It may have been the single best decision I have made for my health. In the individual assessment Sornam listened attentively to my historical laundry list of maladies (repetitive stress injuries, broken foot, ankle, wrist, breast reduction complications, back/neck problems, pelvic floor collapse, etc.). Where few others had, she saw a bigger picture emerge and began devising a treatment plan. She gently introduced me to the exercises, the equipment, and her approach in a manner that made it accessible to someone who always hated group activities or use of equipment due to lack of coordination. When I began sessions with two other clients, she was and has always been careful to modify exercises for each of us according to our bodies' requirements. Remarkably, with her guidance both in class and outside of class, many of my symptoms across various ailments began to dissipate. I grew stronger and surprisingly to me, less clumsy. In the subsequent years, I went from once a week to twice a week sessions because Sornam has kept me in motion. When I experienced another unrelated series of surgical complications, Sornam nursed me back to a state where I could resume bicycling daily. When I developed a autoimmune disorder that results in chronic pain, (I mentioned I was a lemon, right?), I began running to manage my emotions and avoid opiates. Given the sheer number of potential injuries associated with running, Sornam could never counsel someone like me to pick it up, but when I insisted, she helped me through the repeated beginner's injuries. Twice in five years, when out of town, I have dropped into a different Pilates class. These other instructors took no care to accommodate, nor to recognize the exercises that could easily cause injury even to a healthy body. I could not finish either class. They reminded me of how incredibly fortunate I am to have Sornam. Sornam is an essential part of my continued health plan. I recommend her for any lemon, as well as any other kind of fruit in the bowl. She is in a word, marvelous.

I was suffering from a debilitating back issue when I sought out Pilates. Sornam came up as one of…read morethe highest rated Pilates instructors in the area and I would soon learn why. She helped me become better aware of my posture, my core, and to carefully strengthen my body to better support itself. Working in a small trio class, I received closer attention and Sornam could correct me if needed. Highly recommend her studio if you are serious about working with a warm, knowledgeable and capable instructor, getting leaner and stronger in a safe way without injuring yourself, &/or if you would just like to maintain a conditioned and flexible body overall. Time/location restrictions (on my part) have prevented me from further sessions with her, but it was one of the best investments I've ever made. She is generous with her knowledge and I am so much better for it. Thank you Sornam!

I took my first class with James years ago at Yoga Tree (previously Yoga Mandala). I remember being…read moresurprised when, in a forward bend, my emotions suddenly flowed up out of my body somewhere and ran out my face in the form of tears. I was impressed that, in our first class together, he was able to create a space safe enough for that level of opening. Over the years I have followed him to Ojas Yoga in El Cerrito, where the small classes and quiet atmosphere created space for an even more introspective practice. And I have worked with him one-on-one to deepen my personal practice both in my home and in his. James is always thoughtful, patient, and considerate with his students, making accommodations for their unique physicality and their own depth of practice. When I got pregnant, he continued to welcome me and was determined to learn more about prenatal forms of yoga as my belly progressed. I always know I'll get a lot out of his classes, whether I can do each pose or not. Thank you James!

James is an unbelievable yoga teacher. I take his Friday 930 am class at Ojas Yoga in El Cerrito…read more It is always a well-crafted odyssey of poses leading up to a peak pose--which then feels somehow new and doable. Every class is really different from every other, which keeps the class feeling alive and interesting. It is the most challenging class I have taken at Ojas, so I get a really good workout, but it always feels COMPLETELY SAFE for my 50-something body. James is focussed but not overly serious, supportive but never intrusive. He's the real deal.

We took a family yoga class with Leyna at Recess in SF. My daughter and I had a great time. I was…read morevery impressed with how patient Leyna was with the little ones, and how well she engaged them in the class, or adapted the class to their distraction. She uses a variety of props and concepts to help them participate. I'd definitely recommend trying a class with Leyna!

Just finished my first class at Banana Yoga 10/10! Super cute space, lockers, nice bathroom w/a…read morebidet! I'm super out of practice but lots of options for modified poses. I will definitely be back!

I have been going regularly to banana for prenatal yoga with both Sybil and Hye and have gotten so…read moremuch benefit for my body, relaxation and emotions during pregnancy as a second time parent. I wanted to take the time to write a review because of the welcoming environment at banana - I've appreciated that they also hold community events in the space, offer sliding scale payment, and gathering opportunities for folks with different backgrounds and interests. I'm hoping to find time to check out more classes postpartum and would recommend banana yoga to anyone, especially for folks who appreciate the more approachable experience. For prenatal yoga specifically, I also want to mention that I tried a few different spots during my pregnancy this time, and banana was by far my favorite!

I've been practicing yoga with Rosy Moon pretty regularly over the past year. Prior to that I…read morespent 13 years exploring different teachers and styles. Living in The Bay Area and at a yoga retreat center in Hawaii has exposed me to a wide range of celebrated instructors. But studying with Rosy has been one of the pivotal experiences in my life. When I joined an intensive series in which she teaches Primal Core yoga, I was healing from a major back injury and surgery. It was almost like starting yoga from scratch to practice post surgery. Rosy always approached me with care and helped modify poses to make them appropriate for me. I was inspired to explore the boundaries of my body within the safe container of her class. After a couple months I found myself able to get into a full wheel pose! A full back bend was impossible at the beginning of the series. Rosy's compassionate but firm teaching style is a wonderful way to challenge yourself from a place of love in order to find your true strength. Approaching the body as Rosy instructs facilitated major healing in my body, my heart and my mind. Warning! Beware of the Transformational Power Breath if you want to stay in the same ruts you have been in. If you are ready to bring about positive changes in your life, come take class with Rosy. You will sweat, breath deeply, stretch, strengthen, laugh, meditate, release and maybe even shed a tear.

Wow. This woman is a wizard. I hadn't done yoga in *years,* but a friend recommended that I try a…read moreone-on-one session with Rosy to help with some of my foot and knee problems. Because I am pretty picky, I wasn't sure I'd be into it, but 6 years of knee pain made me willing to try. Rosy taught me some ways to work with the alignment of my feet, knees and hips that I'd never seen before, even after working with 3 different physical therapists in the past. At one point, my knee started hurting, and she was able to simply and quickly move my leg around and get my joints back in sync. Rosy's style is so warm, compassionate and accepting, I felt really good in her presence and inspired to get stronger. Now I am back on track with exercise and credit this change in large part to Rosy. If only I could get myself to wake up early, I would try her boot camp for sure!

Hands down my favorite yoga class ever! Cherie's approach embraces what yoga is really about,…read moreconnecting to your body and it's energy, the seasons, and our place in the universe. This is what yoga is meant to be, a spiritual practice, not a competition or athletic event. Cherie guides each student to find their own center, their own chi, and their own gentle threshold. I love this class, I love this teacher, I love my body when I am in her class. Clive

I could go on and on about how much I love Cherie and her classes. Her commitment to her own…read morepractice really shows through. When I am in class with her, I feel uplifted, challenged, nurtured, and she always makes me laugh and smile. Cherie seems to always know just exactly what I need, the class seems to answer a question I have had. This is not just me talking, I have heard others say the same thing. I have primarily taken the Kundalini yoga classes, as I really am drawn to that practice right now, it is like my weekly church. But, I have also taken yin yoga classes and they both stretched and restored. Highly recommend! Try her classes out yourself. Seventh Heaven, where she teaches, often has specials for first class free.

I loved going to their Bollywood classes. Wish there was a center on the peninsula as I had to…read morerelocate for work.

This studio used to feel really special, but as it's grown, classes have become uncomfortably…read morepacked. With columns blocking the view + overcrowded space, getting a decent spot can feel competitive, which is a space issue that contributes to increasing tension between members. Lately, some of the messaging around space feels like it's putting the burden on clients, which can come off as frustrating or unintentionally shaming. I get that it's a tough room to manage--but there are better ways to handle it. The minute a business starts treating its clientele as gnats or 'entitled problems', is the moment that the heart of the business begins to weaken. Simple fixes like rotating rows each song, clearer spacing markers on the floor, or more instructor movement (use all mirrors!) could make a big difference. Even having a place up front just for newbies could be a positive way to address this vs making clients feel blamed for environmental and system barriers. There's still a lot to love here--I just hope the studio can hold onto the supportive, growth-oriented culture it's known for.