I think I've finally found my East Bay yoga spot! And believe me, I've tried them all. None of them were a good fit. Some are filled with smelly, annoying Berkeley intellectuals who don't believe in personal hygiene, and others are just downright rude and condescending. Not to mention the amounts they charge, and how useless the classes are, they'll definitely send you home broke, fat, and stinky. Not Vara. They have a clean, welcoming atmosphere. And their prices are extremely reasonable. Good vibes from the teacher (especially Autumn, she's the best) although she can be a little intimidating at times. That girl can bend in half - backwards! But at least she's an example of what a steady, disciplined practice brings ;) I'd rather learn from her than a fat militant a-hole who can't even practice what they preach -- or better yet, yell over a microphone. Anyway, back to my review. Vara is a great place with a great community of supportive people to share it with. read more

Located on the quiet Talbot Ave (@ Solano Ave), Vara Healing Arts is essentially a Victorian house converted to a charming little healing center that offers a range of service from daily yoga to sauna and massage. I was there for yoga. As I entered this incredibly beautiful studio (hardwood floor, big windows, very spacious layout, lots of natural light) and began the practice, I instantly got the "transfusion of calmness and tranquillity" from the yoga instructor, Jennifer Meek, who is gentle, mellow, personable, thoughtful, really sweet and extremely sensitive to students' individual needs. There weren't many students, so the atmosphere was intimate, and the space felt incredibly large, open and peaceful - ideal for yoga practice. I noticed that they offer 6am Sunrise Yoga in the early mornings, and they have a great rate for new students ($30 for 30 classes in 30 days). They also have free classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and events/workshops related to holistic wellness. I think Vara Healing Arts - a beautiful name by the way - would be my Yoga Mandala (a wonderful studio near my house which I go frequently) if I live in the Albany neighborhood. The atmosphere is so calm and peaceful and the vibes are so easy-going and positive. I had a very pleasant and healthful experience there. Not perfect, but still, deserves glowing 4.5 stars. Highly recommended! read more

Vara Health Arts is a yoga studio right off of Solano Ave in Albany in a converted house. They offer a variety of yoga classes, massage services, a sauna and other wellness services and workshops. The classes are medium sized, intimate and no more than 10-12 people. The yoga classes are located in the house closest to the street (rear entrance) and has a place for shoes, a couple of dressing areas, a shower and a sink. There is a place to store your personal belongings right in the yoga room; which is good because they will always be with you. The rear building has the front desk/register, a place to sit and hang out, a small shop, the restrooms, tea, water, and massage studio. I've only taken two classes there by Sean DeHaast and he is very warm and patient. Street parking is pretty good after 5:00PM during the week (only times I've ever been) and free. I've always had a spot right in front of the building. I can imagine during the weekends, it might be harder to find parking due to its close proximity to Solano Avenue. The one thing I do find a little cumbersome, is the fact that the restroom is in a separate building from the yoga studio; which can be a problem during periods of cold weather and rain. read more

2010 update - New Owner, 2nd chance, Free First class and holiday discount got me back on the wagon - post natal. So far so good. I wish they offered more Ashtanga classes on the weekends! Its a sweet studio w/ lots of natural light and a good vibe. The classes are relatively small and not very expensive. read more

I adore this cozy yoga/massage center. The owner Autumn is an absolute sweetheart. She also teaches challenging ashtanga classes! I highly recommend her classes to experienced practitioners. I've also taken gentle yoga classes here, and the big, sunny room gets filled with folks of all ages. You will not find any "yoga queens" here. Just fellow practitioners with open hearts. The massages here are, as the name suggests, "Healing." The couple I've had were really experienced and knew what they were doing. Plus, they practice the philosophy that a massage must make the person on the table feel completely safe. I don't know what some of the other yelpers are complaining about. Perhaps they were writing about older management? read more

This is a pretty but humble neighborhood studio just off Solano, with a few really great secrets (like massages and saunas!). The BEST KEPT secret is a NEW teacher named Nicholas Evertz, who teaches 6am sunrise yoga twice a week, a couple evening classes, and a saturday morning class. I found him over at Yoga Mandala, then followed him here, where the classes are smaller and more intimate, and the environment is less imposing. I am sure to see the same small group of committed students at every class, and we're very excited when someone new drops in--we know they're gonna stay! Nicholas is very intuitive about what his students need each day, and specifically asks what we would like to work on. Of course he has his favorite fun and challenging things, sure to make us sweat and laugh and fall down--but there are always nice surprises, whether a new pose, a chant, a reading during shavasana, or new music. Nicholas sees the big picture of the lives we're living outside the studio, and how his little work with us fits in. I always feel like I've been dancing for an hour and a half when we're done. Come join our little yoga family. It's so fun! read more

I have been searching the east bay for a great yoga spot- it seems as if Vara has a nice variety of classes and instructors. I took a class with Grace, who was sweet. Negatives: I did not flll out a form or sign a release upon meeting or going into my first class. The class is separate from the office and you are required to sign-in at the office first, which takes time and would be hard if it was raining. read more

I went to Vara for yoga a lot, right after they first opened. They had some very good yoga instructors (including Viji Sundaram, who is still there, and if this review were simply about her, it would be five-star). The thing that finally drove me away back then, was the rude management style. Well, I heard that it was in new & friendlier hands, and when a Livingsocial voucher became available in late September 2011, I thought I would use it to try Vara again. I really just wanted to go back to Ms. Sundaram's class, since she does Gentle Yoga and I am not into "power" type yoga. The day I activated it, she was out of town, and I took the class with a substitute (a male teacher, didn't get his name). I thought he was too demanding. A series of other things came up on Saturday mornings. I got sick. And then I heard that Ms. Sundaram was out of town again, for about a month, and I didn't want classes with a substitute again. Then my dog became very sick, and a lot of Sat. a.m.'s were taken up by vet trips. Then it was the holidays. And more vet trips. And so on. About four months went by, out of the six months of the coupon promotional value. Finally, a couple weeks ago, I made it back there, on a day Ms. Sundaram was teaching -- only to be told RUDELY that my remaining FOUR sessions should have been used within 60 days of activating the voucher, and my "membership" had expired. The girl at the desk, in a very snippy tone, informed me that "It says it clearly on the Livingsocial form" (that you have to use the 5 sessions all within 60 days). AND that "It's such a big discount" is another reason why they wouldn't want to let you be able to use the sessions past 60 days. (Hey - that's your choice to discount a few sessions -- it's known as advertising. It's to bring in customers, and show them what kind of service your business offers.) (Now, keep in mind that the voucher itself, had not yet expired -- only the Vara requirement of 60 days from activation.) Well, I came home and checked the one I'd also bought for my husband (which he had never yet activated). NOWHERE on that voucher form does it say ANYTHING about having to use up the five sessions within 60 days. ALL it says is that the voucher "promotional value expires 03/29/2012" and "May be used over multiple visits." So, I was spoken to rudely, right before a class that was supposed to be relaxing and centering, and really, spoken to like I was stupid AND couldn't read. And the basis of that rude treatment was an erroneous assertion that this information was there to be seen on the voucher. So the desk-girl doesn't even know what's on the voucher, but was very confident about putting ME in the wrong. Ms. Sundaram had, of course, already seen me arrive and remembered me from when I was in her classes years before. When I went back out and told her I wouldn't be able to take the class after all, she graciously invited me to be her guest that day (something instructors are occasionally allowed), so that my trip over there was not wasted, and my expectation of a yoga session was not disappointed. This is yet another reason why I wish I could make this a 5-star review, just for Ms. Sundaram. But as far as Vara itself is concerned -- the PROMOTIONAL value was only $36, and I had already used one class (and then had a second one as the instructor's guest -- something the desk girl didn't even mention as an option, considering I had driven over there, lugged my yoga mat, etc.) So I had already used up $14 worth of classes. That left a whopping $22, $12 of which should still have been my "paid value" on Livingsocial. Honoring the spirit of the voucher, rather than the "letter" (which was not ever made plain), would have cost Vara about $10. IF there had been this sort of consideration, kindness, and courtesy, it would probably have convinced me that they had changed there, and resulted in me (and my husband) taking a real membership again. But if exercising goodwill towards potentially returning clients is worth so little to them, then I have better places to spend my money on "healing arts." Being rude is not very healing to anyone. The bottom line, is that for me, the encounter in the office was all too reminiscent of the kind of stuff that used to go on there, back before the change of management. So, I won't be going back and trying a third time. read more

This place is nice on the outside and if you are lucky you might get good service while you are there, but don't be fooled. If you like supporting a business that takes FULL advantage of the people who work there, then vara is the place for you. The massage therapists and yoga instructors here are excellent but the owner is a FRAUD with no real concern for clients or the people who work there. There are many other massage and yoga spots in the bay area who weren't built on BAD BUSINESS. They deserve your support and patronage much more than vara. read more

I recently moved to the Solano Ave area and am always willing to try out yoga studios so I purchased a Groupon for Vara. I am writing this review after only attending three sessions with three different teachers- so here goes. General cons: - the studio is/was a house. The front door is locked and you're supposed to intuitively know to go around the side of the house to the backyard to enter the yoga room. - the floor has been disgustingly filthy. - there is not a front desk person to help you with any questions. - the instructors aren't impressive (although all nice). I'll explain why as I go through each class I've tried. General pros: - lots of street parking - gentle ambiance -chill vibe - many props available - bathroom available -small intimate classes I'll start with the last class I attended 12:00 pm hatha 1-3 with Autumn. The class was definitely only a level 1. Autumn did not introduce herself but asked me my name, as well as others. She had a kind demeanor and soft voice. I was deeply turned off by hearing and watching (somewhat older) women attempt poses without any assistance or modifications. She did not demonstrate modifications. She never asked anyone about injuries, probably because she wasn't expecting to teach someone how to modify poses. There was literally no emphasis on breathing. I watched women pant and gasp for air as they tried to do poses. For this reason I would only recommend this class for yogis who have been practicing a while and know how to do poses and modify without assistance. I would not recommend this class to a beginner or someone with injuries as I think you can seriously injure yourself and not receive the full benefits of yoga if you are straining yourself. There was a general flow to the class which is nice in comparison to the other two classes I have tried here. I went to a 5:30 Savaroopa yoga with Leilia. This was a very gentle class (very easy!) and I enjoyed taking it easy. However, I think she could have given modifications for someone with a little more flexibility like myself. About an hour of the hour and a half class was laying down with your legs on a chair. Being more flexible I don't think I stretched anything by using this modification. There wasn't so much of a flow for the 30 minutes we were on our feet. I think we did one pose, warrior one, and then we were back down on our backs. I thought Leilia fully explained each pose and she did ask the class if anyone had any injuries or tight spots. She also named the stretches we did. She was gentle. I would take this class again. Also, she somewhat focused on cultivating a yoga breath. I think that's pretty important with yoga even when you are just lying down. The first class I attended was a 4:30 Hatha 1-2 with a sub (I think Lila was her name). She, like Autumn, did not ask about injuries, did not provide any assistance or corrections, did not modify any poses for anyone, did not teach breathing or emphasize breathing. She did attend to changing songs a few times which was fairly distracting. The sequence of poses were fairly basic but not as easy as Autumn's class. I left feeling like I did something, which I liked. I liked that she had the class hold poses. Again, I heard and felt bad for the women in the class gasping for air and struggling to hold a pose. Yoga can be such a delightful experience when you are taught how to go at your level. I therefore don't recommend this place to beginners or those with injuries--or those trying to get a workout. I really wish these instructors provided corrections, as I still enjoy being assisted with my alignment every now and then. I recommend this place to those who have been taught a plethora of modifications for even the simplest poses and those who know how to breathe (especially using a "ujjayi breath"). read more

I highly suggest Vara for massage, especially from John. he does Shiatsu, energy work & amazing cranio sacral balancing. I really see him as a healer. He does great & has amazing good energy. read more

If you live in the Albany area and want to practice yoga Vara's is the place for you. I love the individual attention that you receive from the instructors. Jennifer Epiphany Long is an amazing. I've been practicing yoga off and on for years and I have to say Jennifer is one of the best instructors I have ever had. Prices are reasonable and the studio has a good vibe.. read more

I love Vara as a little spa day... first starting with a half an hour in the dry sauna. This sauna is nice and clean and you get it to yourself, uber relaxing. The sauna melts my muscles and relaxes me before visiting one of their massage therapists. I've received work from 5 different therapists and each massage was stellar. Vara clearly has a high standard for the therapists. The staff is friendly and the place is beautiful. read more

I've started taking yoga classes at Vara in January. Being new to yoga I didn't really know what to expect. Tia's Ashtanga Vinyasa class blew me off my socks. It's not 'only' yoga but a great work out. With Tia's gentle guidance and adjustments I feel like I've improved so much and my back problems are finally starting to ease off. The yoga studio is clean and bright and thanks to the new heater we're always comfy and toasty. read more

I am a return yogaist (if that is a word). I was told by my chiropractor that I needed to do yoga otherwise I was headed for a hip replacement in 30 years. I was afraid to start, but decided on the "Gentle Yoga" on Saturday mornings. Not only was the instructor super inviting and helpful, but so were ALL of the fellow yogaists. I signed up with their 3-month plan immediately and have tried several other classes since and have been EXTREMELY satisfied with the overall experience! I even took my 9-year-old daughter and she too loved the classes (and the special attention from the instructors). read more

Vara has great massage and yoga staff. I primarily go there for the massage and have tried a number of their staff and have been very happy with the service. The yoga classes are intimate and have good flow. You should check the place out! read more

Had John as my massage therapist. I went in with a lot of tense muscles and pain. I came out feeling like I could walk on air. The rooms were nice and the whole experience was peaceful. I received the introductory massage with the hot stones. I will most certainly visit Vara agian. read more

This place is chill and getting even better with the new owner. its small and intimate, and people are real friendly. good for beginners. i've been practicing since i got hooked one yr ago, and i think i received a very righteous foundation.. i do say so myself! classes small, parking is everywhere, you walk behind into this lovely courtyard and can help yourself to tea while you chat and wait for class..i stash my bike back there, its super safe. Teachers like Ashely West. who only teaches once w week now. i'm bummed! but Rosie is great. the room has beauitful lighting and is relaxed as it gets! They sell incense for a$1. and best of all thier holiday price was only $10 a class! score read more

I have been coming here for awhile now. It's a nice studio at quiet area. I always feel great after yoga class here. The teachers are all very nice here. You just have to fine the one that fits your style and schedule. I have seem the dog here a few times. I don't have any problem with the dog. He always seem very friendly. read more

Very nice studio! In an old Victorian building. Rosie was a great teacher! She was very knowledgeable, non-egotistic, and mindful of my injuries. I liked that there were no mirrors and no music. Great workout, nice feeling building, and nice people! I will return! So nice to find a yoga studio in my neighborhood that's not Bikram!!! read more

I really love this yoga studio. The classes are very small and the teachers are down to earth. This yoga studio is not intimidating at all. As someone fairly new to yoga, this has been a perfect place to take more classes. read more

I called Vara to inquire about the work exchange program. After speaking with Autumn, I wondered if I should write an article about my experience speaking with her and publish it to a blog, local paper or what. I decided on Yelp. I'm not sure if it was Autumn's intention to be rude, or if she even understood what she was saying, but she was very very ignorant to say the least.  Autumn asked how old I was and what type of work experience I had. I said "oh, customer service and clerical". I then told her I was in my 30's. Autumn then set out on what she thought was an intelligent conversation, which might have been the case on Twitter or Facebook. Autumn stated that older people usually don't know how to use computers well enough to be trained to work at Vara's office, especially people in the 40's and 50's age group. Autumn stated that people in their 30s sometimes have some experience with computers, because they were introduced to computes part of their lives. She went on to state that people who did clerical work a long time ago would not know how to use a computer now, because clerical has changed and it's basically to hard for a feeble aged mind.  Autumn stated that she really did not want to waste time training me to use MINDBODY software to work in the office, and offered me the task of light cleaning and data entry. I thought to my self you short sited narrow minded little fool. I am in my 30's, and computers, the Internet and apps have been a part of my entire life thanks to the ancient Titans behind todays tech driven world. I guess people in their 20's forget that people in their 30's and 40's + are behind the technology they use everyday. MINDBODY software was not written solely by someone  in their 20's. Thank you Twitter age for rearing the dreaded Millennials that determine so many facts on so many fallacies. I told Autumn that I know people who write computer programs that are in their 50's and 60's, and these people have done work at major companies. Autumn explained that in her experience, most of the people that come to Vara are older people that don't know computers. I told her it really depends on what a person has done, not age, that determines if they are computer savvy. So essentially, Autumn's knowledge of people is not very vast, and she applies age discrimination to working as a volunteer before even knowing if a person can do something. In the world where I got my education, I believe us old timers called it being subjective, ill informed and bigoted.  I work as a freelance analyst. I am active on social media, a blogger, and probably know more programs than Autumn will ever know. I thought, what if my Mother nearly 70, had called to do the work exchange, as I was going to recommend it. My mother likes volunteering here and there, as she is retired, and it gives her the social benefits of work without the demand. I thought how livid I would be if someone had talked down to my mother, telling here she was incapable of doing volunteer work, and that it would be a waste of time to train her, because her elderly mind could not retain the concepts. Perhaps Millennials lack certain social skills, the kind that have you think before you speak. In my day we called it couth, being tactful and courteous.  I have been a paying patron of Vara for about 8 years. I only go here and there, and thought that I could volunteer and go more often. This was my first negative experience at Vara. There was nothing healing about the conversation I had with Autumn. She seemed polite, but opinionated. Head in the clouds people like Autumn are what give the healing arts a bad light. Maybe it is experiences with the Autumns of the world that make people think those that do healing arts are selfish, narcissistic and detached, thus lacking any real theory of mind. A centered spirit can float with their feet off the ground, but not in their mouth. If you choose to go here watch out for Autumn's ageism. I had met Autumn before in person, and even set up appointments by phone for services, and she was friendly. Probably because I don't look old. It just goes to show that even nice people can discriminate. Discrimination comes in as many forms as there are individuals. read more

I'm with Patricia on this. First timer on Living Social voucher. Tried twice (on two separate Mondays) to get in. Funny...there are signs all over Solano Ave, but once you make it to actual building, there's just a house and a fence and no indication of where the classes are held. Finally, third Monday, after wandering into the yard and knocking on a door that was answered by a man who told me, "I'm just doing computer work. I don't know where anything is. Maybe it's that other door?" I found the right door for yoga, past a room of cubbyholes with no markings on them, and found a place in the very small room (an Albany living room, which is not saying much). No greeting. Had my own mat, which was good because no one helped me find anything. The yoga instructor was okay. She gave lots of alternate positions for my bad wrists, but she would drink water while we held poses, which made her timing a bit off. She also didn't do positions for both sides symmetrically, which was odd. Afterward, no place to sit to put shoes on. Apparently I put my belongings in the mat holes, since it was very dark and there were no signs indicating where to put items. Finally, a brusk woman asked if this was my first class. Told her yes, I had a voucher, and she instantly told me I had to use 5 classes before the expiration date (which wasn't possible, since I couldn't find the entrance on those two prior Mondays) . She never gave me any info on other classes until I asked her. Rude and difficult location, so-so instructor. Worth eating the money I lost not to experience that again. read more

This is a great studio, but sadly the owner which is supposed to hold everything together is less than professional. There seems to be too much going on. People live in the space above the yoga studio, so there maybe noise above you as you practice. More often than not when you finish your class they could be taking a shower or in the adjacent reception office, sipping tea, cooking or eating and if you have a question they know absolutely nothing. It seems to be too much going on for this to be 'Healing'. My advice find another place to spend your hard earned cash. read more

I'm not in love with this place any more. Turns out it was just Brian Reed's classes that kept me loyal, now that he's gone I'm definitely going to check out other yoga and sauna spots. read more

This is my home yoga studio - never overcrowded and I feel better and more focused every time I leave. Amazing hatha yoga classes. The instructors vary and so do their classes so you will not get bored. read more

sweet yoga studio. It is behind the main building that has massage available. Viji, Rosy and Sophia are great yoga instructors.Peaceful place to be read more