Holistic yoga didn't break a sweat more for me nor did the Hatha yoga. They were both gentle yoga sessions. If you are looking for that, then I would recommend this yoga spot. However, if you are looking for the vinyasa flow or power yoga, this place isn't it. The room isn't heated either. It's well equipped with the equipments and instructors are nice. read more

I used a Chinook Book coupon for a series of 3 sessions for just $15. Love the Chinook Book. Anyway, I took a Holistic Yoga class with Nicole. It's 1-1/2 hours and suited just perfectly to my lazy ass, since you spend a good amount of time meditating or laying on the ground LOL. The Holistic class does have some great asanas so you get a workout but the best part was the chanting and meditation. Nicole is knowledgeable and funny too. Plus she has a mini-harmonium so she gives you a great drone to chant to. Nothing like real sound vibrations from a real instrument, as I always say! read more

Find what you've been missing in your life at Ojas. Im a beginner whose been a student for about four months at Ojas. Not only is my physical body and stamina changing but my whole prespective on my lfe and time here on earth are changing.....All for the better!!! I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over 20 yrs. ago and though I'm very healthy and have beaten lots of odds, I still suffer daily in some way or another. Since coming to Ojas Im happier, stronger, well balanced and healthier.I treasure evertime I get to a class. We are taugh by amazing teachers who have skills on all levels. Specializing in Hatha style yoga, there are senior chair & adaptive classes (which is where I started at 49 yrs old), Level 1 & 2 Hatha, restorative, Yin style ... something for all! Daily classes with a great range of start times. Well stocked with equipment to use, don't even need to bring a mat! Lots of easy parking. Safe well lit area. Ojas has made me a better person. Im stronger and healthier. Im more grounded and quiet. I observe more and talk less. Nicole has created a caring loving environment for anyone at any age to enjoy! Let them change you too read more

Go up a nondescript stairwell from Trader Joe's in El Cerrito Plaza, make a couple of turns when you get to the top, enter a just-as-nondescript hallway of doors to office spaces. But something gives you a clue that this is not an ordinary hallway - a pleasing and calming aroma of essential oils, maybe lavender, maybe lemongrass, drawing you to Ojas Yoga Center. Walk in the door, and you wonder how you could have been where you were a moment ago. Ojas is an amazing space: smooth bamboo floors, walls painted in tranquil tones, and soft lighting. There is a small waiting area at the entrance that is separated by double doors from the main practice area, which allows the student a degree of privacy from those waiting. While waiting for your class, take off your shoes and have a seat. Indulge yourself in some hot tea, or take a whiff of some of the essential oils available for purchase. Or just listen to the gentle tones of the bells circulating in a little fountain on the counter. In the practice area, there are cubbies stocked with mats, blocks, bolsters and straps if you need them. A large window on the north side of the room allows for plenty of natural light to filter in. Have a seat on your mat and get yourself comfy and stretchy. From this point in my review, I will confess my bias. Nicole Becker is the owner of this studio, and has been my yoga instructor for three years. I am a HUGE Nicole fan. To say she is just a yoga instructor is to sell her short. She knows so much about physiology and natural healing, and is so genuinely compassionate towards people that she is the whole package for helping you in mind and body. Nicole has helped me and a friend of mine in countless ways beyond yoga. She has a radiant and humorous personality, and the studio is a extension of that. So yeah, I'm biased, but what better kind of bias could there be? Just take one of her classes and see for yourself. Nicole has several other yoga instructors at the studio to cover a wide range of times to meet your schedule needs. I have not yet attended any classes besides Nicole's, but I am certain that the other instructors meet her high standards. Just GO! read more

Good instructors, nice studio, but the classes I've taken have been too easy for me. I like the communal feel of yoga and the classes I've taken have been sparsely attended. If you like the individualized attention, this might be the place for you. I just feel lonely. read more

I am a dork when it comes to exercise . For most of my life I have kept my nose in the books and away from fitness, which has led me to becoming an inflexible, out of shape mid-twenty-something. After finally getting fed up with my general state of "BLAH" and being realistic that I wont make time to go "pump iron", I decided to try yoga. After yelping a couple places that would be close to my house, I was most interested in Ojas Yoga Center. I walked-in last Monday the 7th to see if I could do the 12:30 class as a beginner. The lady at the desk was really nice, and didn't push me to buy the biggest membership right then, which was an extremely big "plus" for me. She explained ALL the prices to me, and let me decide for myself. She said the Hatha class would be okay for me to do as a beginner, and even indroduced me to the instructor, letting her know it was my first class. During the class, the instructor (Charu) made a point to give me some extra direction on how to correct my posture during some of the poses, by actually coming over to me and helping guide. SO very very helpful. It was a small class and everyone was really nice - didn't feel like I was getting any "what a dork" looks :) The class was amazingly energizing and I stretched muscles that haven't been used in a long while. I will be going back tomorrow! Thanks to all the nice staff there. This really is a great place and I hope it sticks around! read more

Nicole is the owner of the place. She does a great job in creating a peaceful and restful ambiance. I've been going to this place for almost two years and enjoy her yoga classes, workshops and special events. Her classes are great for beginners and the instructors really care about their students. I am always content, refreshed and blissful every time I leave the classes. The yoga studio provides the mats and other props free of charge. This is nice because when you go to other corporate yoga studios, they are stingy and have a rental charge for their mats. This yoga studio is like a small boutique and they sell aromatherapy and jewelry. This is a great place to do your holiday shopping! Overall, I enjoy this studio and Nicole's goal to help bring more people to love yoga. I appreciated the Yelp reviewer who introduced me to this studio and I hope my review will be helpful to others as well. read more

Ojas just opened at the end of October down the hall from where I work. The studio itself is a serene oasis from my daily life. The staff and owner are always warm and welcoming I take Jazz's Tuesday/Thursday Slow Flow class which is wonderful-- a great mix of anusara, vinyasa and hatha. Jazz's instruction is supportive and yet pushes you along to progress. This studio is a blessing that I hope to see thrive well into the future read more

Nicole rocks. She is the owner and only teacher there from whom I have taken classes so I can't speak to the other teachers. I only wish Nicole herself taught more classes. Having practiced for 20+ years at first I found the class too easy. Then as something kept me coming back I realized that I was missing the point. At least for me. Nicole has extensive training and excellent body awareness and I was learning something each time I went. I am able to apply what I am learning when I take more vigorous classes elsewhere. And, in her classes, there really are no goals so to speak. Just the process. And she is pleasant and amusing. Finding a yoga teacher is a personal thing. One person's wisdom is another person's blah-blah kooky talk. I have found that I need to try a lot of places and teachers to find out what works for me. Parking is easy which is nice and the overall atmosphere is quite pleasant. read more

"Mature" woman with injuries from youth plus age- acquired aches 'n pains happily reunites with yoga---through OJAS' classes ! Being new to the area & wanting to give yoga :"one more try", I visited 3 studios: 2 in El Cerrito and 1 in Albany. BIASES: Obviously I'm not into hip scene of many (most?) Berkeley studios I hear or read about so I didn't visit any of those places. I'm retired--so it seems I'm starting my yoga 'late'. Yet there are inspiring stories of people in their 60's/70's who came to yoga as a beginner. I was looking for a studio that's sincerely attune to needs of mature people. In the Ojas classes I attend, the instructors periodically remind us to listen to our bodies, do no more than YOU feel is right. & they show alternative poses. (With more practice I find I can do poses I never thought possible.) As soon as I walked into Ojas (which was the 2nd of the 3 I "inspected") it felt right . Nicole Becker, the owner & one of the teachers greeted me. Instantly I felt her sincerity, mental/physical health & her training. (can't say that about the other 2 studios) Apart from Nicole's wonderful classes, I happily recommend Shakti G's Hatha FLOW (but if you're a beginner, maybe take a couple of classes in Haltha Roots first since "flow" goes from one pose to the next --& with Shakti that flow is dance-like--learn a few of the beginning steps then dance). Check out Leah's class! It's great for the BEGINNER as well as more advanced student. Interested in Qigong? Then ya gotta go with Sangyi! And my friends tell me that Jazz is an outstanding teacher! Feldenkrais anyone? yep, it's at Ojas too. Ditto for Pre-Natal (obviously not one I attend, but I hear this new class is off to a fine start) Since Nicole chooses her teachers carefully: Rhoda, Susan, etc.; I doubt you can go wrong with anyone there. Like meditation, yoga opens up the innate ability to be compassionate--in my case, this begins with me accepting my physical limitations. Yoga deepens my awareness : beginning with my body and branching out to all that I experience & all that I see 'others' experience. Talk to Nicole about your needs, listen to her teacher suggestions & then trust the process. Best deal is the "new student pass" 3 classes for $30. BTW there's an open house/6 month celebration next weekend:: 1-5:00 Sat/Sun (April 31 & May 1st) free massage, free classes, raffles, etc.. read more

Nicole has created a lovely space. And I appreciate her spiritual approach to yoga. There are a variety of classes and good selection of teachers. Nicole does any amazing restorative class that helps me combat muscle soreness from all the flying across country I do. Rhoda offers a beginning gentle class that is nice if you are starting out. Nicoles classes are always great. Lizzy is a new instructor that offered a great moderate flow so I am sure you will find a good fit here. read more

i've been both a teacher and student at ojas and i just love this place...it's such a sweet haven above the bustle of el cerrito plaza and the busy world. the owner and founder, nicole becker, as truly cultivated a wonderful community and authentic yoga practice space. thank you! read more

Ryan Stone is awesome. I am new to the area and was not sure where to begin but I knew I needed it. Ryan is focused and relaxed as he gives instructions and rationale for the various yoga poses. If you have an area that is weak and needs work, there is no judgment, only helpful coaching. Slows me down and teaches me how to breathe. Come and try it--men, women, all ages. Come--you'll feel energized! read more

At Ojas, classes, teachers, styles and modes of yoga vary widely. Yet all of them revolve around and towards the same center, the Heart of yoga: Connection. I began going there to get guidance and assistance into and with my body. Nearly 10 years on that's still true. Experience has shown me that physical yoga provides a path, model, or template, for deep lessons of Connection. It can illuminate connections of body to mind, body to heart, and heart to mind - all tied together with breath, always breath. At it's heart Yoga is about all that, not just the asana you're exploring and experiencing today. It's about exploring and experiencing Connection with all of your self - physical, mental, emotional, spiritual - ever more deeply. All the teachers and classes I've been to at Ojas emulate and offer guidance to Connection with the Heart of yoga. With levity! read more

I was enchanted with the place as soon as I walked in. Lovely smells, a beautiful studio, and Nicole, the owner, was warm and welcoming. I took a Mindful Flow class, which was described as "a more challenging practice with sequences of postures linked together at the pace of your own natural breath. A moderately paced class suitable for students who are familiar with the basics." This was not at all the class that I was part of, though I'll grant that Jazz was extremely knowledgeable, if not particularly warm or welcoming (my personal preference in an instructor). There was no "flow" because every few minutes she'd stop us to explain or refine how we were doing a pose. I'd say that 30-45 minutes of the class were spent talking about our shoulders and how they should be in poses. If this class were supposed to be about going back to basics and refining (or learning for the first time) the correct way to do yoga, this would be a GREAT class. Jazz knows oodles about the body and how it works. But I felt so bored, for lack of a better word, after so much explanation about the shoulders and clavicle. I did take some great information out of the class, but I could have gotten it in 5-10 minutes. The irony of this is that near the end of the surprisingly long 90 minutes, during which we had done some of the basic asanas interspersed between the extended anatomy /correct shoulder usage lesson, but not much flow, we were encouraged to do the wheel pose and then shoulder or head stands, all of which are extremely challenging for many people. I guess that's where the description of the class as challenging was accurate. But after the advice on keeping shoulders from injury, a caveat about how these poses can be very injurious to the neck if done incorrectly or by someone with neck injury, as well as some tips on how to do them safely might have been in order. That didn't happen. I thought that was very strange. I came home feeling like I could do an hour of power yoga after the class, which is not how I usually feel after yoga, of whatever kind. I will definitely come back and try again at this place with a different instructor who will make me breathe a little harder, maybe even sweat, AND help me improve my practice. I'm crossing my fingers that I find "the one" because it is a great studio close enough to my home to walk. And I can do my shopping at Trader Joe's downstairs when I'm done! read more

Nicole Becker is the best yoga teacher I have ever had the pleasure to train with. The studio has a Zen like feel, a calming ambience, and is clean and comfortable. That's why I'm giving it five stars. The only problem I've ever had with Ojas was during a Monday night class when the instructor rang a bell really loud during a calm moment. It's startled me and actually made me irritated, rather than helping me to find my zen. The reason I'm letting it go is because there may be there some yogic reason for ringing the bell which I have not yet discovered. read more

What an unusual and pleasant change from all the hype on exercise! Become healthier through body and mind relaxation. Finding health through finding your own reflection of life. And Nicoles massage.......dude. read more

It's true what the other reviewers have said...when you walk into Ojas you feel like you've just entered another dimension. One minute you're in a nondescript strip mall with big box stores, and the next minute you're in a tranquil and relaxing oasis that is pleasing to all of the senses. I've been to two classes here so far, Restorative with Nicole, and Hatha Yoga with Jazz. Both were great. The students have also been very nice so far. I do agree with one of the other reviewers about one thing that bugs me...please take down the ticking clock :) read more

Nicole and Jazz from Ojas are phenomenal! Their classes are exactly what yoga should be: calm and relaxing yet challenging at the same time. This is because they are experts at their craft, and I am sure the other instructors are as well. Ojas is the place to go if you want to improve your practice, feel more zen-like, and just have a wonderful overall experience. Case in point, the instructors use candles and aromatherapy to give the beautiful space even more ambiance. What's not to like? I recommend this place to everyone. read more

I really do like this yoga center. It's small, quiet, and always smells amazing! I took the restorative yoga class with Susan. She teaches restorative yoga on tuesdays from 11-1215. It was awesome! This class focuses on quieting the mind, doing poses that really release tension, and helping to put me in a state of relaxation. This is not a hard core strengthener class, but definitely helps stretch areas of tension and helps me get centered. They have a lot to use including bands, bolsters, blocks, blankets, and eye masks. Its great! Susan is super sweet, and a great teacher. It's a bit pricey for students, but definitely great! read more

I had been curious about Yoga for a few months now, thinking about how I really wanted to try it to see what it was all about....on Saturday night I decided that I was going to give it a try. Sunday morning I drove from Pittsburg to El cerrito to try this yoga adventure. I was going to do the 3 classes for $30.00...once at the counter my mouth spoke faster than my brain & i signed up for the monthly membership. I meet Nicole that morning, she showed me the place & welcomed me to my new yoga adventure. I have done 5 classes so far & i have to tell you that I LOVE IT!!!!!!! I have enjoyed all the different teachers & classes...i have taken classes with Nicole she is very sweet, Kayleen does a great class, Missy & her sound class was AMAZING & i LOVE Adrienne ' s class she has a beautiful voice. I work late & i am glad this classes fit into my schedule.....my adventure on Yoga continues..... :) read more

Ojas Yoga Center: a great place to balance your energy. After grieving the departure of my lovely Mary, I woman who I took care of, and being in a transitional period in my life in Santa Cruz, CA, I decided to go away to take a yoga class in El Cerrito, CA. I searched for different yoga studios around the area. Finally, I saw, The Ojas Yoga Center website. What caught my attention was the name. As a Spanish speaker, I was attracted by the title, "ojas" because it is the pronunciation of "Hojas" that means "leaves." Also, there is a photo of green leaves bathed by some drops of water, like those leaves our body needs to be caressed by poses to nurture ourselves. This beautiful studio has a variety of yoga classes for you to experience. I discovered in "Ojas" a neutral place that helped me to sense every part of my body, the breathing techniques and poses. Nicole Becker, the director of the center and Yoga Therapist, is a creative woman, who combines yoga, meditation and organic essences from Mother Earth. The oils from herbs, flowers and fruits like rosemary, geranium, sweet orange and other essences make you feel so good. I recommend "Ojas" because this new environment transmits positive energies to your mind, body and soul. read more

I took several classes here over the summer, and had mixed experiences. The space itself it lovely, and there are plentiful props to use to enhance the experience. Most of the classes I liked quite a bit, and I really like the variety of classes offered. The owner, Nicole, seems really knowledgeable and into providing a great practice, and they offer a lot of interesting workshops if you are interested in going deeper in your practice and understanding. I guess the one con, was I did take one class that I would deem the worst class ever, from Jazz. I see lots of people on here love her classes, so maybe it was just an off day for her or her style just didn't click with me. The class I took had a couple of people new to yoga, which is cool, but a couple of others, such as myself, who had been practicing for several years ( this was not an into class, but a mixed-level class). Instead of teaching the class and offering modifications for the different levels, the class was all taught as if we had all never done yoga before. We meticulously went over how to do a proper chataranga and a basic flow sequence for like 20 minutes. Also, I noticed the other students here tended to be older - I was often the youngest person in the class by quite a bit (I'm late 20s). All in all, I recommend this studio if you live in the area and can afford it. read more

OK, so I've been going to this place now for a few months (irregularly) and I have to say, each and every class is great. The poses are not routine, Nicole really changes it out, concentrating on different areas of the body. She really cares about helping with your poses and is very gracious. I so look forward to that drop of scented oil near the end of each class; plus, she swapped out the old clock for a silent digital one, yeah Nicole! read more

I've been doing yoga regularly for over 10 years & have experienced many different studios & teachers. This is a great space and James Ryder, who teaches an intermediate flow class Friday mornings at 9:30 & Sat mornings is great. He provides an excellent physical work-out with a calm, mindful approach which melts away stress. I come out of class feeling invigorated and centered. Highly recommended. read more

Ojas is the real deal. Rejuvenating on a molecular level, and more if you pay real attention to instructions, examples, tips, all of which are aimed at fostering your awareness of what is going on in/for/with your body. Nicole's were the first classes I stumbled in to. Her instruction and tips helped me finally slow down and learn the lessons of heeding input my own body is giving me (not to mention a simple instruction for my then constantly aching shoulder that made a huge difference right away, and changed how I moved it in my daily, arm-work heavy job). All instructors I've attended classes of since have bolstered and supported that kind of learning. Individual tips bear this out, as well as times teachers there will, after gazing over the whole class trying something they described, make modifications on their own verbal instruction b/c they can see too many of us not. . .quite. . .getting it. It's this spirit of Real Time, What's Going On RIGHT NOW in this room, in my words, in my body, in our body, that makes Ojas stand out from other more rote or externally driven classes I've attended over the years. The final proof of value for me is that every time I go I get at least one "thing" I take home: a new pose or new way to enter a pose that makes a huge difference, and/or a "wow" moment of discovery I was led to by instructions given in a new, or newly embellished way or by the teacher's looking at my body and noticing a small thing -- a tightness or angle somewhere -- and offering a small assist that makes a tiny mind-blowing difference. Small changes like that chart a new direction for sustained, future body movements which are the most powerful: like a ship changing direction by 2 or 3 degrees, over time the final destination is far, far from where it would have been without that small change. That's what I get at Ojas. read more