Red Dragon Yoga

Red Dragon has been my lifeline for many years. I have travelled and practiced at A LOT of different studios and always find myself comparing other places to Red Dragon and am disappointed that I can't seem to find anyone else doing quite what Red Dragon does. There is just something special, welcoming and enriching about this studio.

I really wanted to like this place and have been debating writing this review for a while. I LOVE yoga. I've been doing it consistently for 10 years. I love all kinds, I'm reasonably athletic, and I usually enjoy finding a local studio I can attend classes at 1-2x a week.

This studio seemed perfect. Nearby, good assortment of classes, beautiful facility. I tried at least 10 classes. The vibes... are just off. Teachers don't greet you or talk to you if you're new. It feels very cliquey. There's clearly regulars (which is fine!) but every time I went, I actually left feeling more stressed out then when I came due to the coldness of the place and lack of welcome of the people.

Decided to drop in and check out Yin yoga.
The storefront is choked full of yoga gear, and accessories. The staff was super warm and friendly.
Since it was my inaugural visit, they supplied me with a hand towel and a large one. I wasn't sure why I needed that as I brought my yoga mat and water. I didn't realize the studio was heated. Duh!!! bikram hot yoga was just ending.
The space was pretty big and dimly lit, creating quite an intimate atmosphere.

The season featured Groovalicious music, putting all in a relaxed mood. Not to mention the candles the instructor lite ahead of starting the season.

I didn't know what the heck I was doing but the poses were easy enough to pick up using blocks and supplied strap. Very similar to Kaiut yoga which is exactly what I was hoping for.
More restorative, with most poses held longer allowing the focus on breathing and posture.

I also understand why thy supplied a towel to cover your mat. While not stifling hot, it was very easy to work up a sweat.

It was obvious after the session my body missed yoga practice in a studio with expert instruction. So of course I signed up to continue visiting at least 2 times a week.

This studio has been so impactful for me. After my son was born 4 years ago I'd really let my body and practice go, and this is exactly what I needed. I've lost nearly 40 lbs, and am back to my pre-child weight. More than that, though, my energy level is back to normal and all the weird aches and joint pains I'd been having are history. :)

Your classes and teachers are top-notch. And I say this from experience (and not to toot my horn, but to give you guys credit): I have nearly 20 years of yoga experience and a 200 hr YTT cert of my own, so I'm really clear about my likes and dislikes in a yoga studio.

First, I love that you have a 12pm heated vinyasa class daily. That one-hour blast at lunch time is the perfect reset for the rest of my day, and the fact that it's offered every day allows so much freedom to build a schedule that works for me. Other heated studios tend to emphasize Bikram only (not my favorite flavor of yoga), and even the ones that do have heated vinyasa are usually only offered sporadically, and at odd times throughout the week.

Your teachers also deserve tremendous praise. Heather delivers that slow, mindful burn. Her depth of practice and study of yoga is palpable, and provides a lovely & self-connecting experience. Ed is really fun and light. His pacing and flows are balanced, classes varied and enjoyable. And Liv's joyful energy brings encouragement and sweetness, even as she invites you into challenge. She's also got a gift for matching music to class pacing, which offers welcome variation from playlists which are almost all house beats (not that I dislike house! I just love Liv's capacity for taking a class through its own "vinyasa" of sorts: starting slow, moving into intensity, then finishing serenely).

Thank you so much for having such a great space and crew. I am sadly going to be moving out of the area in the next week or so, but will definitely continue my membership on zoom and crank the space heater when I practice, as no one else can touch what you guys do!!

I had a Wonderful Bikram practice today with Heather. I hadn't practiced in a while so her pacing and style were perfect for me to get back into the flow. I usually take both Bikram and Power yoga classes with Heather and because she has such great intuition and sequencing I always feel taken care of and exhausted all at the same time.
Red Dragon has always had such great teachers and Heather is a gem!
I'm not much for writing reviews but when you meet an expert & artist in there field it's nice to be able to show your appreciation!

Love the place. Great teachers and clean beautiful space. I recommended it as a place to learn and grow your practice

I am not a review person, but I've been thinking about how much I appreciate this place and how I should express it. It's been a constant in my life for probably ten or so years. Funny enough, I still look and feel like a beginner, but what I've enjoyed is the way it makes me feel every time.
It's simple. I don't need to do anything to be involved besides showing up on time. I come, try my best, and I get physical benefit and mental rejuvenation. I've been going regularly all this time and it's done so much for me each and every time I go. Red Dragon Yoga is a valuable part of my life. Thank you!

I still love this studio, and I'm not here to trash them, but I just felt I needed to update my previous review and give a bit of a PSA to others who are thinking of returning to in-person group exercise...

THEY ARE NOT ENFORCING THE MASK MANDATE. In fact, they're not even enforcing their own non-mask policy, which is that students need to submit a copy of their vaccination card if they want to go without a mask.

I recently started going back to group classes in person, and the first couple that I went to at Red Dragon had pretty low attendance, so I wasn't alarmed that no one was wearing a mask (we were all really spread out), and I assumed there must have been an exemption for fitness studios that I wasn't aware of. Well, I went back to a few more classes (specifically 10:30am hot pilates) and they were packed AND no one was wearing masks. They definitely were not limiting attendance because people continued coming in after class started and everyone had to move around to make space. I could have easily reached out and touched the people next to me.

I reached out them about this, and they let me know that they have their own policy wherein people have to provide proof of vaccination if they want to take their masks off... ummmmmm I'd been going for a few weeks and no one had asked me to see my vaccination card...? I then looked into the mandate itself and it specifically states that the mask mandate applies regardless of vaccination status. The only exemption applies to indoor water sports. I emailed them again last week regarding the fact that they are not exempt, and they haven't responded to me.

I honestly just expected better from them. The new mask mandate is meant to protect vulnerable people who can't be vaccinated, and this is a time when we can choose to be either part of the problem or part of the solution. Their choice is pretty clear here.

I gave birth while wearing a mask back in January, so forgive me for not being able to relate to people who feel that they are incapable of complying with this pretty reasonable law!

Went back to my first hot power yoga class today in San Rafael studio. I am so glad I went and felt amazing afterwards! I took Lori's 9am class and it was the perfect balance to get me back into a hot studio with a mask!!
I felt really welcome and super comfortable!
Tips: make a reservation ahead, come a bit early, and wear a disposable mask they are easier to breathe while working out.

Red dragon has saved my life a thousand times over mentally & emotionally in so many ways. I could not be more grateful for all the years of camels, downward dogs and dancer poses, with some of the most authentic & motivating teachers. I first started practicing 20yrs ago, I was 26 & there was only Bikram on the schedule. Today was my very first class back on the mat since March 15 2020.

I moved out of Marin to Sf before the pandemic and it was hard to find a studio that compared. Red Dragon is the full package- Fantastic teachers, great classes, heat- "& Im talking like real HEAT", showers, sparkling clean environment. Can we talk about the floors ! Oh ya, and filtered water! You would be suprised how many yoga studios dont offer a water filter station. Thank you, for thinking of us! One last thing I think is so great RD does that most places have stopped over the years is, Red Dragon is one of very few places that will assist and actually help stretch you to go deeper into your practice. Thats a rare gem!

Im just so happy to have them.
Thank you Stephanie & to all the teachers for all you do