I am taking zumba classes here. Love it! The instructor is amazing, super friendly and she dances…read moreso well! The music is top notch. Such a great class to dance and keep yourself in a good shape.

I have never been a big fan of yoga until I came to forest yoga! I came here because I've been…read moredoing weight training for years and i feel like my body is too stiff. So I decided to overcome my fear of yoga and give here a try. The studio is extremely clean and neat. They offer various yoga and Pilate classes, as well as massages and facials. I have taken classes from Lyn and Bobo, and they're both extremely kind and tailored the class to my needs. The classes are still hard, but the instructors made it so much better!! I also get massages here, and it feels great after each yoga session. I'll for sure keep coming back!

What a clean and comfortable place! I'll come back to Dan for beauty treatments again. The hand…read morecream given as a gift is exactly what I like！

100+ classes later, and this is the longest I've ever stuck with a gym membership. I've tried…read moreregular gyms, Orangetheory, Club Pilates, and a few yoga studios, but I usually lost motivation after a couple of months. Workroom has been different. I really like their 4/5-week strength blocks where you repeat the same movements before moving on to a new routine. It gives me time to improve my form and more springs as I get stronger. I used to think having a completely different workout every class was better, but I actually like this format more. There's less time spent learning new movements/explaining transitions and more time actually working out. The best part is that I still haven't gotten bored! The instructors know everyone's names, and there's a real sense of community. San Leandro is so lucky to have a community like Workroom around :)

Super glad there's finally a studio in San Leandro. I've gone to around 10 classes so far and I've…read morereally enjoyed it! All the instructors I've gone to have been very friendly. Most are generally clear on instructions and demonstrate when they can/space allows. The classes are small so it can be hard to book ahead, which makes sense since they're new and also pretty much the only studio between Oakland and Fremont. You definitely need to plan ahead! Parking is free in the lot before 1pm.

Update: 7/28/10 I've officially been going for over a year and still LOVE going! Imagine saying…read morethat about the gym??!! When I started in June '09 there was a small group of us. You can't say that about Rebeca's class now! She has earned herself a huge following of folks that want to have fun and sweat while they're at it. Oh yeah, and I've lost some lbs.along the way, can't beat that!

Beca Martinez is a dancing diva!!!…read more As a beginner to Zumba, I had no trouble at all following her moves and getting a satisfactory workout. She teaches some great belly dancing too, with hip accessory and all. It's loads of fun. :) And when you do go to her class, try guessing her age, she is so stunning that you will be surprised when she tells you her real age. A true inspiration. Three cheers Beca!

Whether you're looking to get fit, de-stress, become more mindful of the way you use your body, or…read morerehab from an injury - I would highly recommend Liz. She brings a high sensitivity and intuitive understanding of how your body needs to move mechanically in order for you to move with ease, fluidity, and strength. I went to Liz with excruciating lower back pain and nerve pain down into my toes (I had been injured by a chiropractor). She got me walking and moving again. Best of all, I am pain free (unless I do something stupid to re-injure myself...but that is increasingly less often). I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. She helped me develop a much deeper awareness of my body so I could learn to consciously make micro-changes in my body movements and develop the muscle memory that ensures I remain pain-free over time. Just as important: Liz creates a warm, inviting, and safe environment that's free of distraction and technology so that you can connect in with yourself at deep levels.

Update: Elizabeth's class on 1/8/17 was actually pretty well lead. The first 2/5 and last 1/5 of…read morethe class had really good flow which felt very different then how it's been in the few other classes I've been too. It started with a reading which I usually mentally and probably sometimes physically roll my eyes at. Of course it was about "mindfulness" -- but it actually was read with a surprisingly (to me) non-passive aggressive tone and gave a good perspective. I have terrible awareness of body and body movements so I might not be the best judge on yoga practice but this practice felt way more thought out then I had received the other ones. Maybe there was something different about the presentation or the better explanations of movements. I was energized after because I took a Lyft home and got a lot of work done after. Not going to lie, I was very surprised. ---- Elizabeth could afford to check her privilege at the door IMHO. She teaches at Great Western Power and pretty much annoys me every time before class starts with her cell phone policy that she enforces without asking why or actually thinking of anything but herself by asking I turn it off before class for her. The first time she didn't even ask me, she actually touched my phone. It's not like I was talking loud on the phone so I don't know why she can't manage to mind her own business what I do in my corner or have my phone face up. Her class is right after work and I'm sorry if I need to check in before I go into yoga so I don't get fired even if that ruins her mood. It's a very short time frame between work, getting to class, getting changed, and starting class for me to wrap things up. I also remember a time when my dad had dementia before he died and I would check in with my mom after work who goes to visit him every day around dinner. What a privilege it must be to have simple wishes that no one uses their phone in her presence. If I had a wish, it would that my dad never got dementia or got on a bus one day and got lost for days due to his dementia. Cell phones can be annoying, but's also a communication tool for work and family and checking in or wrapping up for the day gives me peace of mind to start yoga. I complained to Great Western Power about it already. In my opinion, she comes off entitled and I do not care for it. I have two jobs and it would be nice to not have someone pushed their ways onto me and let me unwind how I need to and let me do what I need to do before my practice. I tried to follow the rule once and put my phone away before class started and I forgot to even turn it off and of course it was my boss or a vendor I didn't get to wrap things up with. I have my procedure of how I like things also and it really throws me off not getting in texts and emails and wrapping things up before starting a long yoga class. I also don't think the instructions are that great but that opinion could be tainted by her seemingly selfish demands that I not have my phone out in her presence. It bothered me and now that I have time to think about it, it bothers me because she never asks or took other people's situations into consideration it seems to me. It's unfortunately her classes are at such convenient times and I'll probably go again until they replace her still. If she continues to be her annoying self, I really have no problem calling her out on it in front of everyone now that I place my finger on what annoys me about her -- a sense of entitlement to dictate what others need and do. I don't need people off their phone, I need people to mind their own business and talk to me in a non-passive aggressive way. I actually quite look forward to discussing this to her directly.

In July 2007 my family came across USA Kung Fu Studio in Castro Valley during our search for a…read moreMartial Arts school for our son, who was four years old at the time. We decided to go in, although we had fully intended on signing him up for Tae Kwon Do classes at a nearby school. From the moment we entered the studio, we felt the warmness and camaraderie between the instructors and students. My son took a free lesson in the Tiny Tigers Program and from the beginning we knew that this was a place to harness all his excess energy. Sifu Jamie did not pressure us to join, rather he wanted our son to experience the school and see if it worked for our family. Needless to say, we were and still are extremely pleased with the quality of training my son receives. Both Sifu Jamie and Sihing Chris lead the classes strictly and firmly, but with tongue-in-cheek humor. This studio does not promote their belts freely, which I appreciate. If a student receives a promotional belt, you can bet that they worked hard and EARNED it. The students all work hard and it shows. Older, more experienced students help out in the Youth classes and you can see their level of maturity and commitment to their studio and their Sifu. Our son (currently a white belt) has attention and focus issues, which I addressed with Sifu Jamie and he came up with a successful plan to bring him back into focus during classes. This has helped not only in Kung Fu lessons, but at home and with his schoolwork as well. Other classes include Tai Chi, Adult Classes, San Shou, and they have an amazingly talented Wu Shu Team. Just recently several students attended a Kung Fu tournament and came back with several competition awards. I highly recommend this school and encourage anyone interested to come by and checkout their classes.

We live in San Ramon and we were looking for a Kung Fu Studio for our 2 boys ages 9 and 5…read more Needless to say, we shopped 3 studio's and USA Kung Fu Studio in Castro Valley won hands down. Even though, the other 2 studio's were much closer, we found that USA kung Fu Studio was the best fit for our boys. The facility was clean, the schedule was very accommodating to our ever-changing work schedule, and you can tell that Sifu and Sihing genuinely cares about their students. My 2 boys have been training with Sifu Jaime and Sihing Chris for a month now, and I must say, my boys are learning not just kung fu, but discipline, respect and the importance of staying fit. It has changed our lives forever! I definitely would recommend USA Kung Fu Studio to anyone who is interested in taking martial arts. Thank you Sifu Jaime and Sihing Chris!

Excellent Judo and Jujitsu school. The new owner is a world renowned Judoka player and GrandMaster…read moreof Small Circle Jujitsu. Having spent his life training under Professor Wally Jay. I was fortunate to find this school while traveling and visited one evening for class. I can highly recommend this school for anyone in the area who is interested in Judo or Jujitsu.

Since my last update, I've been on and off judo due to personal reasons/ work however I've decided…read moreto make time for one of my younger siblings and signed her up to the kids judo classes. So far she enjoys going to judo more than any of her other clubs and is ready ahead of time with her GI for me to take her to class. At first she was a bit nervous but I can tell that her confidence has been growing inside and out of the dojo. If you have kids this is a great place to start them off on their judo journey, I plan on keeping my sister here for years to come. Thank you Sensei Jonah and Cody as well!

It just breaks my heart how the Art Programs have always been in danger of being cut. I can't…read moreimagine a world without Elmo and Super Grover 2.0! And if Daniel Tiger went away, who's gonna teach my threenager "to try new food cuz it might taste good"?!?! It would be dull without music, without the singing and dancing, or painting, drawing, and all the other art forms that make the world a beautiful... and a sane... place to live. If Game of Thrones is going to be affected by these proposed budget cuts, I'll be really pissed! The high school students at CVHS are fortunate to have their Arts Program, and an exceptional one, I might add. I've seen a couple of musicals since my nephew has been in them, and recently my fambam watched Disney's Mary Poppins on a Sunday afternoon. I'm a fan of Broadway musicals and I thought the high school students were indubitably as good as those professionals. I tried to watch the original movie twice, but I fell asleep both times as I did not find it exciting. These high school kids killed each song and dance, and I mean K I L L L L L E D it (and that's a good thing)! The costumes were bright and colorful, each set was simple and cute, the choreographic sequences were fun, the songs played by the hs band were lively, and the performances were SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS! The cast deserved a standing ovation. Hopefully, these high school students will continue to explore their creativity while expanding their imaginations. And I wish other children will have the opportunity. Save the Arts. As Mary Poppins would say, "Anything can happen if you let it."

First, this review is long overdue…read more My daughter began her journey with CVPA approximately one year ago. She has been dancing ballet since the age of 3, which she has continued to grow in. Two of the things she has been training in are jazz (3rd year now) and hip hop (2nd year now). Prior to this last year before joining CVPA, she was not taught proper technique, vocabulary or even how to count correctly with music. The studio she danced at before joining CVPA never corrected or communicated any concerns. Janet (CVPA owner) took my daughter in and has personally spent time retraining her and reversing the poor and bad habits that were never corrected where she danced prior to CVPA. I have witnessed her do this for all her new students. I cannot say enough good things about the teachers, owner, and students in Castro Valley Performing Arts. My daughter has been on an emotional journey this past year, and CVPA has given her the tools and communication to help get her in the right direction. The teachers and Owner are wonderful communicators, and they truly take the time to instill correct form, alignment, technique, dance vocabulary, good attitude, amazing choreography, and so much more. Specifically, Ms. Janet, Ms. Gia, Ms. Kim, Ms. Kristina, Ms. Hannah, Ms. Michelle, Ms. Karisa, and Ms. Jenelle have all greatly influenced my daughter through this transition. Thank you all for believing in my daughter and welcoming our family to your studio. Ms. Cassidy, who recently began teaching at CVPA is also amazing. She has instructed my daughter in the past for ballet, and I feel was the only reason my daughter maintained good ballet training during our time prior to CVPA. Ms. Amanda is also absolutely amazing. While my daughter did have a hard time learning Latin Jazz, as it was something I'm not sure she was able to comfortably embrace, it is clear as day that Ms. Amanda is a wonderful instructor. I am so incredibly happy that she is working with such a strong team of teachers. If you are looking for a studio that teaches proper technique, etiquette, dance vocabulary, amazing choreography, and how to properly train their dancers, then this is the place to be. I would like to add that I drive all the way from Livermore for my daughter to attend this studio. I never imagined commuting my children for a sport. Worth every moment!