Update: missing links will be validated and added to the site at a later point.
I am an unbiased yogi with strong opinions towards different approaches to yoga as a personal practice and business. In this blog, which will be updated in occasion, I summarize the suggestions I have been giving to friends and travelers in San Francisco over the years. There are many ways of asking the same question and there is really just one question to answer, where can I take yoga classes? Both fortunately and unfortunately, I’ve always hesitated to give a simple answer. In a way, I don’t want to disappoint. Many Vinyasa seekers probably won’t be interested in taking a level-1 Iyengar class where much of the class is used to rearranging chairs and sticky mats. A Bikram enthusiast may scoff at my recommendation to other styles of yoga (and I have gotten my share of it so this is a fact). My general approach in answering this question is to first figure out the level and preferred style of the person, then make suggestions within her comfort zone. When I detect her air of approval, I further provide alternatives, which can be something of totally different style.
As an unbiased yogi, I find truth to different styles of yoga. After all, there is only one style of yoga, by the name of Patanjali. Every other style of yoga is an interpretation of Patanjali yoga by its creator.
The 7x7 square-mile San Francisco has plenty yoga studios and teachers. The biggest chain is Yoga Tree with eight studios in the city of San Francisco and one in Corte Madera, which is less than 20-minute North crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Yoga Tree also employs quite a few ‘celebrity teachers’: Jason Crandell, Janet Stone, Annie Carpenter (who recently moved here from Los Angeles), Pete Guinosso, and Darren Main. Google for ‘famous yoga teacher San Francisco’ if you want to find their information or other famous teachers I fail to mention here. If you go to their classes, you’ll likely be among many students, sometimes with TAs, and probably a decent practice. But this blog is not about the top x-number of yoga teachers you can’t miss in San Francisco.
There are many local favorites who have not quite made it to the cover of Yoga Journal and get invited to teach at major festivals and conferences. The bottom line is that every seasoned yogi has her favorites who may not be others favorites. For this exact reason, I omit some teachers that I enjoy and whose teachings resonate with me.
For travelers and newbies who would like to experiment without having to dish out $20 for a class, I recommend free or donation-based classes. For those who want to do a fun yoga workout, I recommend party style yoga with DJs. For yogis looking for serious practice, I point them to Iyengar. The list below reflects the general strategy I employ when making recommendations. Teachers and Studios
Manouso Manos: New York has Sri Dharma Mittra, Eddie Stern, and Alan Finger. Los Angeles has Bikram. San Francisco has our very own Manouso Manos. Manos holds one of the only two Advanced Senior certificates granted worldwide by B.K.S. Iyengar. He teaches at The Abode of Iyengar Yoga. See Level Description for requirements to take his classes. Here is a video given by him at the opening of the Yoga exhibit at the Asian Art Museum.
Iyengar Institute of San Francisco: Newly moved to Pacific Heights, this brand new studio is beautiful and staffed with experienced Iyengar teachers.
Melissa Capezzuto: The only regular Dharma Yoga teacher in San Francisco. There are some Dharma trained teachers who give occasional workshops but taught mostly in Hatha/Vinyasa.
Bikram Yoga Seacliff: This is a relatively large Bikram studio. It’s clean and free from foul smell. Schedule changes often and I recommend classes from Janar, Steve, and Ana.
List of San Francisco Yoga Studios on a map: By allowing location service in web browser, you will see your current location relative to different yoga studios. It helps you to determine studios that are close by.
In Party Mood
Rusty’s Urban Flow: Rusty has a lot of followers in this city. The classes are always full and give me a feeling of yoga party.
Thursday Night Throwdown at Yoga Tree Petrero with DJ Hyfi: Weekly at 8 - 10pm
Friday Night Live at Laughing Lotus: Weekly from 8:30 - 10pm, always with live music.
First Sundays Yoga and DJ at Regency
Free Classes
Glide: A community requires involvement and participation. Take a free yoga class or many other offerings from Glide, and give back.
Prana: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 - 10:30 am.
Lombardi Sports: Rooftop Yoga, every Sunday at 11am.
Lululemon on Union Street: Wednesdays 6 - 7:15pm, teachers change monthly.
Donation-based Classes
Grace Cathedral: Tuesday night 6:15pm - Taught by Darren Main and his assistants, with musicians in the center of the labyrinth. 100+ people show up so come early. Beginner level class but spiritual level is quite high. Grace Cathedral is also amazingly beautiful.
Yoga At Doloris Park by Purusha Studio