Tried Back Yoga here with the instructor, Amelia, and absolutely loved it! The classes are so helpful and beneficial to my body and Amelia does a great job in teaching them. She got me out of my comfort zone while teaching us how to use the harnesses and hang from the walls, but it was an amazing experience. You may be hanging, sometimes upside down, in different positions, so just a heads up in case you get dizzy/lightheaded easily. I definitely recommend trying read more

Prana Yoga Center - Back yoga taught by Amelia - Yoga Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Great classes. I took two classes; Handstands and Inversions class as well as the Vinyasa Flow. I got great cues and tips from the Handstands and Inversions class. I was able to do my own the next day without help from a wall. The Vinyasa class was the hardest vinyasa I've ever taken and it wasn't even heated! read more

Prana Yoga Center - I tried a handstand on a nearby beach after my handstands and inversions class. :) - Yoga Near Me - La Jolla, California

Experienced teachers with clear instructions. Adjustments were spot on. Clean space. Love the energy.

My wife took teachers training ( 30 day intensive!) which trains little .You take classes at the studio for training , to start the day which kills 2 hours. Now they cut 200hrs down to 3 weeks! and 2400 bucks to learn Yoga? BUT you get a t-shirt at the end of training! ( now they have a 250 hr $3950! ) . You can get more training on utube videos. Regular classes have few people so "Teacher Training" is how they make money at many Yoga studios now - avoid PS Note how all Yoga studios get 5 stars! read more

I love this place! They have a great variety of classes... the Vinyasa flow classes are really challenging and fun, but my favorite are the Happy Back classes. These are more restorative, with twists and hip openers, and they use the "yoga wall." This allows you to use straps to support your body create decompression in your spine with the help of gravity. Instructors are friendly and sweet... and very good. Highly recommended! read more

If you're looking for a classical, clean, and traditional yoga studio...Prana is your place to go! I was visiting a good friend who lives close by and was told to take Gerhard (the owner)'s class. I loved his Ashtanga-styled class on Sunday morning, which was a Vinyasa flow for an hour and a half. On the Friday before I took a free meditation class with Natasha in the early morning, which I highly recommend. Free meditation classes are the best! I love how the meditation class was 30 mins long, which was the perfect amount before my legs started to freeze and fall asleep. I learned that the same small group of people usually come to this class, which was a bit intimidating for this new meditator...but they all made me feel so welcome. As the youngest meditator in class, I felt like Natasha really guided us well into the space, establishing comfort and peace, and I completely loved my first guided full meditation class! Gerhard's class was challenging for sure, but I loved it as a yogi of seven years. He was very welcoming, and I just had to fill out a quick waiver for my basic information. He provided so many great adjustments, and I was challenged to do a forearm handstand which completely engaged my core. I would recommend bringing a towel for heavy sweaters and going pee before getting to the studio because there's only one restroom...and there weren't any showers, which is inconvenient. But that's not to dissuade you from going! That's the only thing I thought was a thing they could sort out. However, the studio is super clean and very bright and light. The population that goes fits the La Jolla population...and I did feel a bit out of place as a younger Asian gal. BUT all of the instructors I met were all very welcoming and made me feel at home. I loved coming to this studio and would recommend it for the more traditional-loving spiritual yogi. read more

Came here while on vacation and I had a great experience! Took a vinyasa flow class with Gerhard. It was exactly the type of fast-paced class I was looking for. The only thing I would say which is more of a caution for beginners than it is a criticism of the studio is that although the class was advertised as being an "all levels" flow, I don't think it was a class suitable for real beginners. The class was run with no real alignment cues, so students had to be familiar with poses in order to follow along with what was happening. I could see a true beginner getting injured in a class like this unless they notified the instructor at the beginning of class that they were brand new to practicing. Gerhard definitely offered a lot of hands on assistance, but for a true "all levels" flow class, I would assume that the instructor would need to cue the less advanced poses for beginners and allow more advanced practitioners to modify according to their comfort and ability. The exact opposite happened in this class. Still loved the studio and will definitely be back if I'm ever in the area again. read more

I was visiting from out of town. Stopped for a class. Great place. Very clean. Studio had great light. Learned some new poses. The instructor was very helpful. read more

Prana Yoga Center - Yoga Near Me - La Jolla, California

Best yoga class I've ever taken! The instructor was spot on. Helped correct form for both myself and my husband, helped w/inversions, the others there were wildly strong and practiced, the energy was positive and everyone was so friendly afterwards. We're from San Antonio and love visiting different yoga studios for our early morning workouts. From all the cities we travel to, for many reasons, this has been our favorite and we are looking forward to returning!! read more

I took the Yoga Teacher Training Summer Intensive course with Gerhard in July 2022 and it was one of the best experiences of my life! Gerhard and all of the teachers- Sara, Slava, Allison, Amelia and Sharon are absolute masters of their craft. The program was completely transformative, I really think everyone would benefit from taking the course even if they aren't interested in teaching yoga. I now know so much more about how my body works and how to keep myself safe and healthy. So grateful I found THIS studio specifically and I plan on remaining a member there forever. read more

Worked with each of us from where we are. My daughter took me here for Mother's Day. She is highly experienced, it was my second yoga experiece. The instructor made sure everyone benefited from the class. I left feeling destressed my daughter also was pleased with the session. It was well attended but everyone was getting help. This place is welcoming and helpful. It was part of a Mother's Day that left me with lots of smiles. read more

Prana Yoga Center - My favorite yoga center. - Yoga Near Me - La Jolla, California

After going to this studio for a couple years now, I must say that Sara Deakin's classes are hands-down my favorite. Her adjustments are the best and her flows are ah-mazing and so intense! The class is not heated at all but I get the greatest workout feeling with added flexibility and strength. Every class has a different flow and she never rushes into challenging poses so my body can slowly and safely get into those poses at the end. Love love love her and so does everyone else so get there early because the class gets packed! read more

I was in SD for work and decided to stop by this place for my daily yoga routine since it was so close to my hotel. They offered some early morning classes and it gave me the opportunity to practice before my morning meetings. This is definitely a good sized studio surrounded by a lot of windows giving it a lot of natural light. I actually really love studios that have this attribute, it makes everything seem so much more open and zen like. You could hear a lot of construction, gardeners and traffic outside, but once they turned on the music, it was pretty much drowned out. It wasn't loud club music either, it was a great variety of indie rock and I heard the likings of She and Him, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and more. I love when teachers choose upbeat music for their classes. I was lucky enough to take a class with Jennifer Oh. She was a fun teacher and she offers a ton of modifications for whatever level you're in. I'd be lying if I didn't say I was impressed when she told everyone to get into side crow and they did almost effortlessly. I immediately went back to my studio and asked if they could teach me. Next time I will be prepared! There was a good flow and she did a great job of doing adjustments. There were about 10 students in the class and it didn't seem full and everyone had a ton of personal room to work with. The studio was clean and they had all of the blocks, straps, mats and blankets you could ask for. To make things sanitary, they have sani wipes for you to give your mat a wipe down after class and clean up the puddles you may have left on the floor in your surrounding area. Drop in classes are $18. Sort of expensive, but it's in a really nice area and the instructor was amazing. I'd definitely go back if I get so lucky to stay in that area again. Parking is sort of a nightmare. I was lucky to take a class earlier in the day and was about to find a spot pretty fast- when it was over, there were cars circling and fighting for spots up and down that street. When it's busy, spaces are pretty limited and most of them have a time limit, so beware. If I was a resident in the area, I'd definitely make this my studio of choice. I really liked it. read more

I going this stuff I 18 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. Although I had a long break, I was welcomed as if no time had passed. Every instructor I have had has been knowledgeable and caring. I love the atmosphere and the location. I'd recommend this place 100%. If you're traveling through Lj don't miss this place - everyone is treated well, returning and new-comers. Nice job Gerard! read more

Prana Yoga remains a "Best in Class" La Jolla landmark. After a recent practice and then a long flight, I realized how brilliant the yoga wall has always been to me. It is a "must do" before long flights. Thank you Alex and Gerhard. Best Always, Kanwal read more

The more I go to different yoga studios, the more I appreciate Prana. I'm currently in the bay area for the holidays and taking yoga classes here and there - and nothing compares to Prana. Instructors don't tell me half the things instructors at Prana do - regarding injuries, how to come out of poses, and how to deepen more and more. I purchased an unlimited month on SignOnSanDiego - and I've been to about 7 classes so far with almost every instructor in November. My favorites are Gerhard and Amy Jo - Gerhard's classes are on the tougher side, with many other instructors and teacher in training attending the class to practice. I had just started yoga - so I was clearly the "worst" in the class. But I never felt unwelcome b/c Gerhard paid just as much attention to me, if not more. He really helped me deepen my postures and showed me ways to "conquer" poses I never thought I'd be able to try as a beginner (crow, headstands, etc)! I really learned to appreciate and love yoga after taking a few of his classes - he's super supportive and the best instructor I've had! I've never felt so accomplished, when leaving his classes :) Amy Jo is a great teacher - she really takes you through the sequences step by step. She's a perfect beginner-intermediate instructor and I thoroughly enjoy her pace/classes. I was offered a discounted unlimited month at the end of my signonsandiego deal - and bought it right away! I can't wait to come back in January - and will most likely be enrolling in the unlimited student discount for the future months! :) - EDIT 2/9/12 - I've been to more classes and different teachers - and here's one I love: Jeanne! She teaches Saturday afternoons and definitely kicks your ass. It's not the typical "zen" vinyasa feel - it's definitely vinyasa, but the pace is faster and more upbeat. The music is more pop-y and she really pushes the class. It feels like her class is more endurance-based rather than hitting as many poses as possible. read more

Prana Yoga Center is a great studio, and it was the first Yoga Studio I ever went to. They basically made me into a Yogi. My first visit is about three years ago, and I've been very promiscuous with my Yoga studios ever since, using every Groupon for cheap class packages that I can get my hands on, but even after yoga-ing around so much, there remains a sweet spot for Prana Yoga in my heart... The studio is intimate, clean, has a changing room, but no shower, and most classes are conducted at room temperature, and they do not offer any hot yoga classes. The emphasis in the classes is to learn the postures correctly, alignments are often corrected, nicely explained, and you really learn where your body is at and how to improve it. As a beginner some classes were a little tough for me, and especially the classes by Gerhard were hard to keep up with at first. The classes by Jennifer Oh, Sara Deakin and the Happy Back Yoga Wall Classes with Jason Cull are a real highlight. They also have Tuesday night community classes for $8. The teachers are yoga teachers in training, but the classes I have taken were all really high quality. This is a great studio with talented teachers, diverse classes and if you are a beginner or have back problems or need something chill at the end of a busy weekend, try and pop into Jason's Happy Back Yoga Wall Class and before you know it you'll be hanging upside down... read more

I took prenatal yoga classes at this studio which allows you try the first prenatal class for free (a nice option). A sub, Mandy, was teaching the first time I visited and she had a calming, happy, positive energy about her. Vicki Abrams taught the rest of the classes and she was wonderful. In addition to being a yoga instructor, Vicki is a certified childbirth educator (CCE), certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), and Director of the Childbirth Education Program at the Chopra Center for Wellbeing so she is a valuable resource for pregnant women. She has coauthored a book on pregnancy and childbirth with Deepak Chopra and gives her students a copy of it as well as a copy of her pregnancy relaxation cd. Vicki promotes connection and communication between the mothers and also between mother and baby. One thing I really appreciated about Prana was that I could purchase a pack of classes and then use them for whatever was on the schedule (prenatal or other). A couple of places around town required that their prenatal classes be purchased as a series specifically for prenatal only and if you missed a class, oh well. At Prana, if I couldn't attend one week it didn't matter. The class passes were good for six months from date of purchase and if I had decided I didn't want to do prenatal yoga any longer I would have been able to use them post-baby for "regular" yoga. Sometimes the prenatal classes were small and other times larger, but they never felt overfull. The windows in the yoga room gave lots of natural light and fresh air. There were props available and Vicki makes sure you are supported appropriately. It's a clean, no frills studio. I do think they could use a water fountain or some type of filtered water source. The street parking wasn't a problem at the time of day I attended. The people at the front desk were friendly. I'd like to try some of their other classes and will update if I do. It seems like a really nice, local, independent studio. read more

Gerhard's vinyasa class was exceptional. Attention to form in a full class and hands on assistance with complicated postures to deepen your practice abilities. It might not be the best choice for beginners but it was an inspiring place to practice with advanced yogis. read more

Love Love Love! I took prenatal yoga with Vicki and absolutely loved it! She is such an amazing teacher and a great, knowledgeable person. It was a very special class that I looked forward to every week, especially when I got to the end of my pregnancy. It helped me keep limber, prepare for labor, work on my soar joints and muscles but most all really made me feel peaceful and connected with my baby as well as with the other moms. We would nice have moments to talk about our highs and lows of our pregnancies and address any concerns or fears. The studio is big, clean, relaxing and inviting, and definitely holds a special place in my heart. Would absolutely recommend to anyone, newbies or yogi masters :) read more

I just started taking classes at Prana. The instructors give great cues and assist with positioning. They are positive, encouraging and will work within in your current abilities while gently helping you to advance your practice. I was warmly welcomed by every staff member I encountered and never felt intimidated because I wasn't expert enough. The studio is very low key, clean with the basic needs. They are a good resource for information about equipment and technique. Gerhart has an easy going style and wonderful sense of humor which keeps the class fun. It is no doubt a workout though. Be ready to sweat and feel invigorated when you are done. Amy Jo's class was great too. I am looking forward experiencing other instructors and to a long future with Prana. read more

Update: I've since been back to Prana for 2 more classes and my experience remains the same -- I would definitely recommend this studio. One additional piece of information: Prana offers a community class on Tuesday nights. This class is donation only, so it's a good time to check out the studio for a price that you deem to be fair. ---------------------------------------- I've only been to one class, but it was a very pleasant class. The studio itself is clean and bright. The instructor was helpful. The various props (mats, blankets, blocks) seemed to be well-maintained. The price was right ($10 for first-time local, $15 otherwise). I hope to go back again soon. read more

I love this yoga studio! It is small and friendly :) classes are excellent and instructors are kind and very knowledgeable.

I took a class here while visiting La Jolla. It was a friendly environment and a great start to my day. I would highly recommend dropping in if you are a visitor. The class was top notch. read more

Prana Yoga Center - Yoga Near Me - La Jolla, California

Best yoga studio I've been to. Instructors are well trained and give a variety of options depending on how advanced you are. I've never been disappointed in any class but Gerhart and Sara are my favorites so far. This is a quality studio that is worth your time and money. read more

Best trained teachers in town. Gerhard, the owner and main teacher, is so knowledgeable and down to earth. All the other teachers usually have a 500RYT training, and are very experienced, helpful and kind. The vibe here is super chill, down to earth, but maintaining a high quality yogic experience. read more

I love this studio. Each teacher is unique in their own way. The one thing they all have in common is a fantastic way of guiding yoga. I go regularly and have tried almost all the classes offered (which there are a lot of classes with different styles of yoga to choose from) and I have really enjoyed them all. I have been to many studios in the San Diego area and it is really impressive the care the teachers give to us budding yogi's. They always make sure your alignment is correct, offer adjustments and lead an all-around great class! The owners are really kind as well. They welcome you not only into the studio, but into the yoga community. read more

I have been going to Prana Yoga for nearly three years and have found it to be one of better studios around the area. The atmosphere is really relaxing. They have candles, water features, dim lighting and ample space to spread out. The instructors have all been very nice. Every Yogi is looking for something different so if you don't mesh with one instructor you may have better luck with another class. My favorite Yoga experience at Prana is Wednesday night Yin Yoga with Nan. She's a natural born teacher, has a warm heart and gives off great energy. I have never experienced the competitive feel that other students mentioned but it may just be the classes I have attended. I also don't agree that everyone who goes there is from La Jolla. I live in San Marcos and have attended with friends from O.B., P.B., North Park, and Little Italy. I'm sure there are many others from other parts of town as well. My only complaint is that the blankets they provide are pretty smelly and should be washed more often. My old yoga studio back east provided some pretty awesome amenities like tea and cookies, yoga/meditative/nutritional workshops, aromatherapy and massage so it's hard for me to offer the full 5 stars when it doesn't quite live up to what I had before. Still, Prana Yoga provides the basics that one would expect from a Yoga studio and they do it pretty well. I haven't yet found a place in San Diego that is better. read more

Started taking the Neighborhood drop in classes a while back, then got hooked on a Daily deal. I have been going for a couple of months. Mostly to Sara's classes. Happy with the decision, and think Sara has been a fantastic instructor. Her pace is great and she really helps you focus on the breathing and transitions. Close to my house and so far it has been a really great experience. read more

This place is a gem! I'm not the best candidate to review the studio in general as I don't frequent all the time, but when my schedule allows, I try to cruise into La Jolla for a class with Gerhard. I know quite of few instructors that have done Prana's teacher training and I must say that I've always been impressed with them. The studio is very cute and clean with great lighting. There is a good amount of local street parking, and of course, the instruction is top notch. I always leave with shaky arms and a smile :) read more

I took my 1st yoga class at Prana 7 weeks ago. The owner Gerhard teaches an incredible vinyasa flow class that I highly recommend. In my opinion, it is everything a yoga class should be. He pushes you to your edge and shows you that you can go further than you thought possible. Before taking Gerhard's class I thought forearm stand was light years away, I had never even attempted it against a wall as I did not think my shoulders were strong enough. I accepted my self imposed fate and doomed myself to 1 legged dolphin pose, which I always dreaded. In my 1st class with Gerhard he spotted me in my 1st forearm balance. I have been working on it ever since and depending on the day, I can hold the pose on my own, away from the wall! Another far reach for me was handstand, which before Gerhard I had only done against a wall a few times. Now I practice it every day and on a good day can hold it by myself for up to 10 seconds! Those are only 2 examples of my experience at Prana in the past 7 weeks. I could go on and on, but if you are in La Jolla and want to explore your limits or just go to an amazing vinyasa flow, I highly suggest you try Gerhard's class. I'm so grateful I did! I have also taken Liza and Merrin's classes at Prana....both are absolutely EXCELLENT. If you are looking for a kundalini class, Hari Das teaches three times a week at Prana, her classes are exceptional, I always leave feeling refreshed and energized. Also, I just finished a 200 hour teacher training intensive at Prana with Gerhard. It far exceeded my expectations and was a phenomenal experience. I learned an incredible amount, met wonderful people and would recommend this training to anyone! read more

I attended two classes with the owner Gerhard during my short visit to La Jolla. His ashtanga inspired class is probably set up for a more advanced student but I think consistently attending can only expand one's boundaries and deepen one's practice. The class had a holistic approach to yoga and tested our balance, strength and flexibility. In the two classes I attended he had us do crow, forearm balance, hand stand, sage koundinya 2, and peacock. Then in one or the other class, we did either side crow, bird of paradise or one legged garland. Clearly, classes are not building towards one peak pose but instead are full of multiple challenges. As an advanced student, I deeply appreciated and loved his classes (much more than the one I attended at a nearby studio). read more

I'm giving this an extra star because I believe this review is solely based on the instructor, not the studio as a whole. However, I do hope the studio can educate it's instructors on how to approach students differently and at each individual's limit. Cute place, was very excited to try it out, studio is a decent size space, no mirrors for checking alignment and is not a warmed or heated studio - just a heads up. The class started out fine, smaller class with only 3 other people in it. For me, the experience took a turn for the worse when the instructor said we are now going to do headstands. "Has anyone never done one before?". I spoke up and said I have tried numerous times, I'm just not there yet. Another lady agreed and said me too. The instructor decided it would be good to show us how to get into a headstand. She did this with ease (of course) and didn't give any alternatives to those of us who are still building the strength to get our legs above our head. I went to the wall and began my dolphin pose. At almost every studio I have been to, if you weren't quite there with getting into a headstand ( a very advanced pose), they recommend dolphin pose and kicking your feet up - to just practice that. The instructor came by and decided to help me get my legs up, but not having the strongest core (yet) I obviously couldn't hold myself there. She started telling me "You have fear. It's fear, you have fear". So this just made things worse, one she was making me look like an ass in front of a small class and two, she wasn't recognizing my personal limits that had nothing to do with "fear". Obviously I was working past my "fear" by allowing her to help me get upside down, but it was my lack of strength that couldn't get me to stay up. This would have been fine, but she kept repeating it!! Instead of recognizing where I could do an alternative move to the build the strength needed, she was using her ego to tell me her opinion and decided to keep pushing. As i'm on the ground panting, while everyone is staring, she starts telling me I need to now try tri-pod headstand. Oh come on lady, get off your yoga high horse and let me work up to this stuff! So as i'm following her lead and placing my crown on the ground, I feel A LOT of pain. In my crown and neck and I think it's best to back off. Instead of kindly respecting my space and limits, she continues and goes "you have a lot of fear, huh?". I finally looked at her and said "no, i have pain!!". She goes oh no, fear.. i go no, PAIN!. This women was so wrapped up in her own ego and notions of what to do, that she wasn't hearing me that I needed to stop so that I don't injure myself. She then walks to the middle of the class and starts telling everyone "Headstands bring up a lot of emotions, we need to work through them. What is being brought up from your headstand?" How rude. I should have just walked out. Yoga is not just about pushing past your limits, but respecting your current limits. You have to know when you may injure yourself and when you can go further. As an instructor, who has been practicing for years, they should understand this and not bring their personal ego/opinions to each class. read more

smile...:) what can I say...some of the teachers are more than wonderful, Gerhard himself (the owner is fabulous)...but the WIFE...IS..COMPLETELY MONEY MINDED. You've been warned. read more

I 've been going to the prana studio on & off now for 4 years now . Living in the community I used to frequent this studio because of one instructor & some friends that go there. For some reason the level of cleanliness in that studio Is not up to par. With the availability of more new & modern studios in the area and the plethora of instructors & classes the new studio offer I feel compelled to give prana three stars. read more

Prana Yoga Center is such a gift to the La Jolla (and San Diego) community! Prana has been around for 15 years now, which is a huge accomplishment for a yoga studio! I've been taking classes here for 7 years and cannot say enough good things about the positive energy in this space. The owner Gerhard Gessner is so knowledgeable and has created a team of incredibly inspired and inspiring yogis who teach here. My practice has grown immensely with teachers like Gerhard, Shauna McKay, and Sara Deakin. If you have any back pain or discomfort whatsoever, treat yourself to one of their signature Happy Back/Yoga Wall classes. A super unique way to decompress the spine and re-align your body. read more

For the Yoga Teacher Training Program: In 2011, I moved to San Diego specifically for this training after hearing incredible feedback about Gerhard and his training. I completed my yoga teacher training at Prana Yoga center in 2011. Since then, I have taken about 700 hours of YTT in various other studios. Every training after my 200 hour at Prana was disappointing because they lacked the depth and integrity that this training provided. I feel like I got more than my moneys worth by taking my training here, and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to train here. Because of Prana's in-depth training, I am now a full time yoga teacher. Thank you!! read more

Absolutely my favorite Yogi spot!! I stumbled upon this gem when I was looking for a yoga teacher training program. I have to say I am so impressed by the staff, and I found my new yoga spot for life. The team is so wonderful and so helpful and the owners are such incredible people. When you come here doesn't feel like you're just doing you yoga to work out, it really feels like you have a little family of people just trying to grow both mentally and physically. This is definitely one of my favorite spots and I'm so glad I found it! Gerhard's classes are great if you're looking for an intense Vinyasa flow, they also offer restorative Yoga with Anne, whom is an absolute doll. LOVED the experience. If you're into more breath work they've got some kundalini courses as well as meditative flows. Beware that parking in La Jolla is the worst and Prana is no exception to that rule. Give yourself plenty of time to look for a spot before coming to class. Check it out if you're In the area!! read more

After close to five years of yoga and sampling as many studios as possible all around the USA, I'm always drawn back to Prana! The classes are Great, the instructors professional and the other students polite and inviting like a family. If you're new to yoga or a 20 year veteran, you can find a class that suites you here. In a word: GO! read more

It's not like a new studio or anything. But the classes and teachers are amazing. Gerhard the owner is an incredible teacher and I absolutely love his classes. I also did the 200ryt training with this studio which was an amazing experience and I totally loved it ! Would definitely suggest to try ! read more